SUSTAINABILITY IS NOT A COMPETITION
You know we are borderline obsessed with making things better and supporting others to do the same.
One of our recurring themes is encouraging people to do what they can when they can.
There is no set timeline or milestone that you must abide to before you proclaim you are eco-conscious.
Our individual journey with reducing waste and making sustainable swaps looks completely different to those around us.
You can imagine the surprise when faced with an attempt to undermine our own zero waste efforts.
This grossly misplaced toxic superiority got me thinking.
Choices
We live in a modern world with many conveniences but, inconveniently, our choices can be deeply harmful to our environment.
We live by the creed that we do what we can, when we can, and most of the time feel good about our zero waste efforts.
Encouragement rather than discouragement is optimal in many areas of life. Ask yourself:
Is it kind?
Is it helpful?
Is it lifting people up or dragging them down?
On the flip side, we have had others apologise when forgetting their keep cup or giving a gift that has a component that is not sustainable and, while that level of awareness is fantastic, apologies are not necessary.
Sustainability is not a contest. Start where you are.
If today, there are some moments you know were not consistent with your commitment to reducing waste, tomorrow there is a brand new day and you get to start again.
How Can We Encourage Others?
- Give sustainable gifts; reusable coffee and tea (keep) cups, beeswax wraps, homemade goods made with love, clothing made from natural fibres, shopping at vintage stores.
- Make your next gathering eco; bring a picnic to one of the picturesque spots at a local beach, meet for a walk and talk, or support a cafe making strides towards zero waste swaps.
- Celebrate your successes; be disproportionately excited when a friend or neighbour shares their eco win – be it their bountiful tomato harvest, the installation of a worm farm or installing solar.
Lifting As We Climb
In our turbulent world, words and actions matter. This is a gentle reminder to be someone who lifts others, as we all move towards something better.
Follow us and share your wins @zerowastewhitsundays on FB and Insta.
