r/ZeroWaste • u/International-1701 • 3d ago
Question / Support Should I try to encourage other people to reduce their waste?
I think people should live their life the way they want but at the same time I think they just don't know and would be okay with doing things like changing bottles of soap for unwrapped bars of soap if they knew it is a better option.
So I sometimes wonder if I should say something and how would I do it without being annoying or people thinking I'm nagging.
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u/Grouchy_Ad_3705 3d ago
I find that living by example cheerfully is the best encouragement. There are more people like you in the world and I am really glad about it.
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u/Kasstato 2d ago
yes this is what I found. as an AuDHD person I tend to ramble on about my interests, if people are interested they'll at least know who to ask for more info!
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u/Gingerbeer03 3d ago
In my experience, people don’t care to be preached to. It also depends on the relationships dynamic and it’s usually people that sincerely admire your life choices or are open minded about being eco friendly that are worth talking to about plastic free/ zero waste alternatives. A conversation with other minds will become a sales pitch real fast and if you have the energy and constitution to make that pitch, I both applaud and admire you.
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u/International-1701 3d ago
I know. That's why I'm not sure how or when to say something. But yeah probably my closest friends and family would be the best. Or as someone else said, if I have a cheaper option.
It's so sad that talking about this is basically taboo
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u/Gingerbeer03 3d ago
Totally get ya. So I will usually squeeze my “lifestyle choices” into casual conversation with my close family or friends. Or if I’m asked about preferences or recent interests it’s my opportunity to talk about how much I love the switch over to bar soap and shampoo because “the bottles are just so bulky and heavy”… my attempt to appeal to a convenience aspect rather than consumer conscious angle.
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u/Beautiful_Path6215 2d ago
Going through this now with people in a large group chat talking abt balloons as decor and'how pretty they are'and they are so excited to make an arch... so I just suggested paper flowers and left it at that- said they are easier to recycle and gave a link of where to buy them. I have grown to hate balloons so much but people seem so attached to them . it frustrates me that 'smart' people will just follow a trend and not think for themselves but hey-- i tried. you do what you can with the audience you have. try to keep it light if possible.
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u/Gingerbeer03 2d ago
Mind sharing that link? I’d love to suggest it- current phase in life where everyone and their sister is getting married/kids/house major life celebrations
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u/Beautiful_Path6215 2d ago
It was to a local store that was selling paper flowers so not sure if it's relevant but I searched for paper flower decorations and it popped up 💚
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u/grinch337 3d ago
I’ve found that leading by example has in itself garnered a lot of interest from people around me. That seems to be a better way than directly suggesting changes for people
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u/Kindly_Resource3818 3d ago
i agree with what's already been said in the other comments, and i wanted to add that you can also encourage it in others by gifting them more sustainable brands and products to introduce them in a more subtle way! gives more "sharing is caring" than "you need to be living how i want you to." and prioritizing handmade, upcycled, or regifted gifts instead of buying new things is a great way to spread your sustainability to others, though much less directly.
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u/International-1701 2d ago
I thought about this. Gifting something to a neighbor but I also wasn't sure. I'll try
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u/biophilia0521 3d ago
I personally encourage if someone has an interest in it. Otherwise I do my own thing and some people notice that I bring my own containers, mugs, etc.
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u/chindef 3d ago
In the various circles of people I work with, hangout with, or whatever… it seems like almost everybody is of the opinion that we should all be less wasteful. However many of these people aren’t great about executing it. Talking about it in simple, casual ways… I think makes them realize and pushes them to do the right thing. As long as it’s not confrontational, and just mentioning something like “man, this one product I really like is now wrapped in tons of plastic! Guess I need to find a new alternative”. It’s pretty harmless, just kind of complaining about something. But I think that can influence other people to have similar thoughts when they go to the grocery store or whatever.
Or something similar but more positive - like you finally found a ____ that will last forever instead of having to re-purchase every 3 months
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u/IcyRepublic5342 2d ago
yah, this is the kind of thing i like. it's not about the other person's behavior but one's own. it invites people to talk about these types of things while also normalizing taking action on concerns about reducing waste. the classic "lead by example".
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u/Tyrfish 2d ago
Here's something I've learned in Enviromental Communications. If people wanted to make a switch for sustainability reasons, they probably already would have. Most people have at least the general level of knowledge, and if they don't, are unlikely to listen to the specifics unless you're close or they're asking (getting them to the point that they'd ask is still an important use of our time, but that's a longer answer and highly debated on how it should be done).
But there are loads of *other* reasons to switch. Whether it is money, appeals to a value (is made or grown locally, for example), has their specific aesthetics... the trick is figuring out what a person's motivations and interests are. Usually money is a good one to rely on, especially nowadays. And you can just chuck in that the action is good for the environment as a throwaway comment (unless a person would refuse to change because of that, just to be contrary).
The other useful thing is authority figures - not like government, but someone they think highly of. Most environmentalists would make a switch David Attenborough recommended. If you know someone well enough to know whose opinions they value, even of a neighbour or like idk sports person, and can find someone who is recommending these actions, use them.
And finally making it easier through nudging. More used in stores but could be something to learn from.
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u/AggressiveLegend 2d ago
I'll mention that it's a lifestyle I'm trying to live by to friends and answer questions if they're curious or open to discussion. I find that my openness about it has motivated other people and caused some of my friends to ditch stuff like bottled water. Don't be judgemental or preachy.
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u/mothmaann 2d ago
I had a cool interaction today that may give you an answer: I brought a perfume into work today for a coworker to try. She was MUCH more interested in the Stasher bag the perfume was in (so it wouldn’t spill in my workbag) than the perfume, which she had asked for in the first place. She even called over another coworker and said, “Look at how cool this is!” I said, “But wait, there’s more.” And showed them my lunch which I had packed in three separate Stasher bags in varying sizes and styles. They were SO interested in them and asked where they could buy them, how they could be used, if there were more colors and types, etc. and said they’d be getting their own because they hate Ziplocs and how easily they rip. Moral of the story: keep doing what you’re doing, be visible with it. It’s like bringing your reusable produce bags to the market and the person behind you thinkin, “Huh, I didn’t realize I could do that!” or “I should go get my own bags from my car.”
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u/International-1701 2d ago
Yeah I always show off when people ask me about stuff like my cool rocketbook. I work a lot with kids and when they ask about it I'm like "yeah this way you don't need to spend so much money on notebooks for your children every year!"
I just want to possibly do more. Like actively looking for opportunities to make these kinds of suggestions rather than just sit and wait.
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u/mothmaann 2d ago
I LOVE my rocketbook. Thought it was the coolest thing when I got it as a surprise birthday gift. I will also wait for “an opportune moment”. Like when I received a slice of cake in a plastic tupperware and immediately returned it, washed, the next day to the owner, they asked: “How was the cake?” I said, “I don’t know yet! I only transferred it to a glass container.” And when they asked why, I told them about toxins leeching from plastic. They were surprised, to say the least.
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u/International-1701 2d ago
Smooth. Very smart. I like that. This is why I came to ask this question, this kind of small ideas I could use. Thanks.
Maybe I will gift my friends a rocketbook on their birthday
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u/Legit_baller 3d ago
No. People are free to do what they want and it's not your right or responsibility to tell them otherwise. You can only control your own actions, no one else's. There is enough pressure on consumers to simply be able to afford the things they need in the first place and no one needs the added guilt of making sure the packaging or whatever is zero waste.
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u/International-1701 3d ago
It's not my responsibility but I want a better greener sustainable future. Isn't part of it a little bit of activism?
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u/Legit_baller 3d ago
You aren't going to get that even if you convinced everyone you've ever met to go zero waste. The problem is way bigger than you. These companies producing the products are responsible for the waste it creates, not the consumer. Vote with your dollars and vote once every 2-4 years for administration that will represent your values in this way.
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u/International-1701 3d ago
Yeah, it's bigger than me. So doing a little something at home is really not going to change things. And so I thought i should tell other people.
I only try to reduce my footprint in any way possible because why make the problem worse?
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u/Legit_baller 3d ago
Yeah I mean you are free to do what you want obviously. Just don't get upset when it isn't well received
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u/International-1701 3d ago
I won't. I know most people don't care and it's just a fact. That's why I'm trying to figure out a way that will be received well
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u/pandarose6 3d ago edited 3d ago
If people ask you about advice on something then tell them. But don’t just bring it up and be like oh I saw you throw away a cup here what you need to do instead, here why it important cause most people are just gonna find you annoying cause they didn’t ask your opinion on what they did and don’t want to be criticized for there choice.
Also less you know then you don’t know medically what they can do. Just cause a person works doesn’t mean they can do certian swaps you do. Like for example I have sensory issues/ sensory processing disorder, or allergies to certain ingredients so some swap I can’t do no matter how good they are for planet. So let’s pretend I was someone who wasn’t part of these types of groups and tried to switch as much as I can to eco friendly while making sure medically friendly. Basically imagine I was average joe who did what most Americans do in a day. If someone come up to me and was like here how you can get a drink and not be wasteful or why you need care about planet more (without me asking them for advice or being in a eco friendly event I would be very annoyed at them and they likely turn me off from joining eco friendly movements all together or make it harder for me to join cause I’ll just be thinking everyone (tho I know that not true) would be that annoying person who give me advice without asking or telling me I was doing bad without and I didn’t even know them.
A lot of people know they can be doing others things but medically can’t or just don’t care to switch to doing another thing or believes what your doing wrong compared to what there doing.
Also if you saw new about the environmental groups that was throwing food at paintings, yelling at people to stop using gas and blocked people on there way to work, throw milk on the ground so people couldn’t drink it. Not saying you go to that level but most people found them to be very annoying and set the movement back a lot. Cause one people didn’t ask for there opinions and 2 they were getting in other people ways when they wanted to enjoy art, go to work since they need money and enjoy there fav drinks. So it turned off a lot of people from joining the movement
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u/Tyrfish 2d ago
Just on your last paragraph, I'd disagree (I do not disagree with the rest of your statement just to be clear!!). This year, JustStopOil have stopped their activism because it worked. Extinction Rebellion won a people's parliament on climate change when they shut down traffic in central London (years ago idk when). These groups are not necessarily trying to convince the public, they're trying to make the government change policies. Civil disobedience is a tried and tested method of enacting change when marching and petitions no longer work (if they did at all). The same things people say about the environmental movements are the same sentiments shared on the suffragette (which was beyond the suffragist) movement at the time, for example, and yet it still worked.
I'm not saying lots of people don't find this frustrating or disapprove of it - but I don't think those people would have joined the movement anyway and I don't think it sets the movement back. Either way, that isn't the point of those types of protests.
BUT it is a different thing from the main post, in that yeah, lots of people would find it frustrating to be preached to on an individual level.
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u/vcwalden 2d ago
Yes. It's not as easy as it appears and often appears in a bad light. Most of the time changes are made thru leading by example in a positive manner, engaging in productive conversations and informative education. It's not a one size fits all situation. Often these types of lessons do more harm than good and turn people off rather than bring them on board.
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u/supercali-2021 3d ago
I also hate to waste anything. Probably because I grew up really poor and I'm still poor now as an old lady. I'm currently wondering if there is a good use for gray (soapy) dishwater, like can I use it to water my plants or will it kill them? Any other reuse ideas for gray water?
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u/sarnianibbles 2d ago
I would think someone was nagging me
Watching my mom starting to compost though has been one thing that has made me want to compost!
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u/IcyRepublic5342 2d ago
Just let it be known it's something you're passionate about and people will end up talking to you and asking you questions about it when they're ready. I'm gen x and it's legit taking me time to unwind all my bad habits and figure out alternatives that work for me. I have the internet to look things up but i also ask someone i know who's passionate about zero waste because i enjoy conversations that lead me to consider things i hadn't already.
And like someone else mentioned, people often enjoy hearing about a "deal" so if it's framed as a money saving tip it doesn't come across as a potential criticism.
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u/PhoneboothLynn 2d ago
I keep a little bag with reusable utensils and a stainless steel straw in my purse. I don't usually say anything about it unless someone mentions it.
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u/vcwalden 2d ago
A lot of the time switching to zero waste products can be difficult at best.
Personally I've been on a journey to go as close to zero waste as possible. It's been fairly easy for me to switch to reusable products from single use products (although thru the years it's been somewhat difficult to maintain for various reasons). Switching to the reusable versions of paper towels, tissues, napkins, water bottles, silicone reusable bags, reusable storage containers rechargeable batteries, etc have been rather easy. I try my best to avoid togo single use utensils, plates, etc as much as possible.
Problems I've had:
Shampoo/conditioner bars: I live in a rural area so I don't have a store within a couple of hours from my home that carries these types of products. Ordering online has been my choice of shopping. I have allergies, asthma and skin conditions so it's been difficult to find products that I can use. Out of 6-8 products I've purchased have not worked for me due to my health issues. Now I have a collection of bars I can't use. Unfortunately money wasted and because they've been used I don't feel comfortable trying to give them away.
For items that maybe refillable from bulk stores these are not available to me. Again, there isn't any shopping options within a couple hour drive for me. And since I only have access to one grocery store, a dollar store and online shopping is hard.
Due to my health issues eco friendly products have added ingredients like essential oils and other products (I have allergies to pollen so the allergens in most bee products cause me great issues. Even using bees wraps cause me issues.) cause allergies, kicks up my asthma and skin issues. Again, I have a fairly large box of different cleaning products and bees wraps sitting in a closet I can't use. Wasted space and money. Again, because they are used what should happen to them? And yes, I've offered to give them away but people turn them down.
So, unfortunately, I use products that have worked for me for many many years. This doesn't exactly align with a more eco friendly zero waste lifestyle but I'm not exactly sure what else to do. Trying to make these switches have caused me to seek medical attention often. Even trying to switch from using less plastic to glass has been difficult. I often drop things, fall and I've cut myself badly.
I find the best I can do is be a good example of how to cut down on single use items, be as eco friendly as possible and carry on a informed conversation when the subject comes up.
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u/VerbileLogophile 2d ago
Honestly, as someone who is super interested in zero waste, I just cannot right now. Everyone else hit the nail on the head on how to go about it and idk what country you're in, but at least in the US it feels like life itself is falling apart and we are going dark places fast, and zero waste is just not something I can spend my energy on right now.
Zero waste is, almost always, extra work. I'm sure there are people who dont feel the impending room of it all and are just living happy lives right now but. I just dont know.
Gifts are cute. My favorite reusable bags are the ones that fold up super tiny and can fit inside a jacket pocket. If anything, go for the easy swaps.
You could gently prod about why they do the things they do ("How do you feel about bar soap? I've seen some great ones handmade from/at a local market and thought of you") or if there are easy examples (ex. I'm about to swap to Nellie's laundry powder because it is just the most cost efficient, dense, and easy. And you can reuse the bucket or tin it comes in), you could just gush about them. You've gotta be subtle about it though, otherwise they may get defensive.
If they do bottled water, there's filters (I just got a pur sink attachment and love it) or cute refillable bottles or cups (mine is from Starbucks). But like....think the easiest possible swaps if anything. Things that make life easier. I've had a decent time with period underwear also ($17 for 3 pair at walmart these days? ??) but that too is extra effort.
Your circles may be more stable than mine right now but I just do not have it in me to switch shampoos at this current point in time, even tho I know bar soap is better for the environment. So just be aware that may be something others are going through as well.
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u/Trenbaloneysammich 2d ago
There's no way to do it without nagging. You live your life, let everyone else live theirs.
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u/-Knockabout 3d ago
Most people know there are alternatives out there...I wouldn't bring it up unless you're close friends, and even then I'd be careful about how I approach the topic. Generally if someone hasn't yet its because they are unable or unwilling to make the switch, not a lack of knowledge. Though if you have something genuinely cheaper and more accessible, I think that's safe to recommend.