How far should people go to be Eco-Friendly?

So recently I’ve been thinking about to what extent can you go eco-friendly before you have to start depending on companies to make changes rather than you. I also thought that sometimes the zero waste community can be very vigilant and sometimes that can be off putting for people starting out or people who perhaps cannot be low waste, zero waste or anything like that.

When I asked my Instagram pals their thoughts on this, what stops them from being zero or low waste I got back a lot of answers. A lot relating to money, how supermarkets will charge more for single loose items, but plastic wrapped bulk is cheaper, putting people in a place where they might have to choose the latter. Others complained about companies greenwashing products so we can’t know what is really eco-friendly and sustainable. The one that created the most conversation was the debate about having a disability is varying forms and how this effected people’s ability to be eco-friendly.

I am very fortunate and privileged in the fact I and no one close to me has a disability so to hear some thoughts on this really opened my mind to how I should write about eco-friendly living and how to accommodate people in real life. She explained that often people with disabilities, especially ones which effect the immune system means using stainless steel, bamboo or even hard plastic straws are not an option as often the straws need to be completely sanitary and often washing them yourself can’t guarantee that, especially since straws are difficult to wash, or if the person cannot wash them themselves. This is a side of eco-friendly living that had previously been unknown to me. This can also be the case with bulk stores, in which the risk of contamination is not something that some people cannot risk. Something however that I have had more experience with in recent times is feeling guilt for medication coming in plastic that cannot be recycled at all. After being put on medication that I’d have to take for 6 months I felt extremely guilty about the waste I was producing. Every pill came in individual plastic packaging and I felt that I was putting strain on the planet that wasn’t needed. This is what made me realise that being eco-friendly should never be at the detriment of your health. You did not choose to have to take medication. As mine is only a short duration of time I know there is an end to it, however some people have to be on medication indefinitely and this should not be a form of guilt and they should not be made to feel guilty. I see a lot of channels and blogs making posts on “eco-friendly” alternatives to medicine and whilst I understand that often some things don’t require a strong medication and sometimes a more natural or remedy approach is helpful, I find these videos are telling people to choose between their health and the planet.

This made me start to think, how far should we go to become low waste? Is there a limit in which you can even call yourself that? ‘I’m zero/low waste except my medication.” Or for woman who can’t use period cups, are they excluded?

What I’ve taken away from it all, is really what I try to do with everything: do my best. I don’t want to measure my progress through keeping all my rubbish in a jar and I don’t want to exclude people from a movement that only seeks to do good. I am working hard every day to improve myself and help the planet but when I tell people I’m interested in the environment I want them to know I’m not judging them for their choices because I don't know their circumstances. I also don’t want people to automatically assume because I’m interested in it, I am somehow perfect at it. I produce waste. I take my bin out every fortnight and there is rubbish in it. I do my best with what I’ve got and the circumstances I am put into and I hope that one day companies will do the same, so those who are financially disadvantaged, disabled or anything in-between don’t have to feel guilt in the choices they make.

For anyone making small changes in your life. I am proud of you. I love your care for our home and hopefully with everyone doing something small will be enough to save the earth.

Here is an image of me appreciating, you guessed it, a rubber plant. I do what I do because I love this earth. I love the plants, the animals and the people.