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If you've been following me for awhile, you know that I didn't get into gardening and permaculture just for the delicious and nutritious food, though that's certainly a big bonus. My passion for growing food and living sustainably comes from a place of deep concern and love for our planet, for the wildness and beauty of our only home, and a belief that we can all contribute in a meaningful way to positive social change. That's why I'm excited to share this video with you today. In it, I talk with our very own local 'zero waste expert', Julie Fathy, about her ten tips to go zero waste in your home. Julie has been on a zero waste and sustainability journey for over a decade and I love her approach. With a garden, compost pile, and little focus on buying 'stuff', I would consider that our household does pretty well in terms of generating minimal waste, but Julie takes it to a whole new level. She has inspired me to go that extra step in considering all aspects of my home. If you've been feeling either overwhelmed or paralyzed by what actions you can specifically take to make a difference, you'll want to watch this video. The tips that Julie shares are concrete ways in which you can be part of the solution. For every plastic bag that you don't use, for every piece of junk mail that doesn't arrive in your mailbox, for every item you can buy in bulk rather than with packaging, you feel lighter, more empowered and hopeful about the future. And then, you find yourself sharing these ideas with one friend, who shares it with another, and so the process of change expands and multiplies. As Julie would say, it's not important that we are perfect at a zero waste life, it's important that all of us do this imperfectly in some way. So whether you adopt one or all ten of the tips that she shares, I hope this galvanizes you into action. So check out the video below to learn ten tips to go zero waste in your home. Then, if you have any questions for Julie, feel free to drop them in the comments below! Also check out Julie's recipes below this video!
14 Comments
John D Brown
2/6/2020 10:11:31 am
Thanks for the great video! And to add to the mix, Gerry Gillespi has a great new book "The Waste Between Our Ears" all about the thinking that creates the concept of waste in the first place.
Kareen
2/6/2020 10:22:25 am
Glad liked the video, John, and thanks for the book recommendation. I'll check it out and pass along the info to Julie as well!
Cat Starita
2/6/2020 05:43:23 pm
Great info ladies.
Kareen
2/7/2020 10:16:45 am
You're welcome Cat! And you saw that Julie will be giving a public talk at the library on March 3rd, right? We decided to do a bigger gathering so she could share it with a larger audience. Hope you and Lo can make it! 2/6/2020 06:46:05 pm
Edgar Cayce formula for tooth powder was equal parts of baking soda (which is salty) & sea salt which I did years ago but my gums hurt with too much saltiness. I am glad Julie's formula is less sea salt. Can we use Himalayan sea salt & refine it in coffee grinder? or will white refined sea salt (not iodized) clean just as well? Where does she get xylitol in bulk locally in Gallatin Valley? I know where to get it in packages but bulk is less costly. Also she should specify that xylitol should be checked for source. If from birch tree, ok. But if from GMO corn, NO. Do bulk xylitol vendors identify source or even know or care?
Julie Fathy
2/7/2020 04:40:08 pm
Hi Trina. Thanks for your comment. I use Redmond Real Salt that is sold in bulk at the Co-op. It’s a fine sea salt that is pinkish in color. I also get xylitol in the bulk section of the Co-op. I didn’t know that xylitol can come from GMO-corn. Thanks for sharing! I will definitely inquire at the Co-op. Always learning! :)
Julie Fathy
2/18/2020 01:20:43 pm
Hi Trina. I checked on the xylitol sold in the bulk section at the Co-op and it's a non-GMO product. Thanks again for sharing that concern!
Ranay Turner
2/11/2020 07:02:18 pm
Hello from Massachusetts !
Kareen
2/12/2020 10:43:22 am
Hi Ranay! Greetings from your home state! Thanks for watching the video and glad you're already making your own cleaning products! In terms of your question, fabric can be added directly to a compost pile. Just rip it up into smaller pieces (2-3 inches in diameter) and it will eventually break down. Hope that helps but let me know if you have other questions!
Julie Fathy
2/12/2020 11:05:33 am
I might add that I saturate fabric with water before putting it in the compost. Although not necessary (especially if you're watering your compost already), it seems to help it break down quicker. Kareen, I also love your idea of using fabric as sheet mulching. I'm saving some of my worn out clothes and sheets for that purpose.
Beth Backen
2/19/2020 09:49:37 am
Good information! I like the ideas for essential oil alternatives - orange peels and pine needles, I want to try those. Essential oils seem so wasteful in processing - it takes an incredible amount of material to make those super concentrated oils!
Julie Fathy
2/19/2020 02:39:53 pm
Hi Beth,
Angela Hendrick
5/7/2020 08:23:58 am
I found your blog this past week. You are so helpful! THank you for your tips and taking care of the Earth!
Kareen
5/7/2020 02:55:15 pm
Thanks for watching the video and reading my blog Angela! Appreciate it! Leave a Reply. |
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