Make it your family goal to reduce waste at home

What steps—big or small—can we take now to help protect the environment? Mélissa de La Fontaine, lecturer and Zero Waste consultant, answers six questions that will help you see the big picture, develop the right habits, and get the whole family involved to make a positive difference.

01What advice would you give to families looking to be more responsible consumers?

Be mindful of your limits and your personal situation. We are all unique so not every solution is right for everyone. If you feel like a particular habit wouldn’t work for you, start with something else! Your personal situation will also dictate what you can and can’t do. If you live with your family, not all family members will necessarily embrace the changes as quickly or in the same way. It’s important to be mindful of everyone in the group.

When you decide to take the plunge, it’s important to keep both of these things in mind because they can have a big impact on the kind of changes you can handle. But don’t worry—there are plenty of options so you’re bound to find something that’s right for you. Plus, your limits and personal situation often evolve over time so you can make adjustments as you go.

For example, if a family member has food allergies, you won’t be able to buy groceries in bulk, since there may be a number of allergens present. Your family would be better off reducing other types of daily waste such as single-use items from the kitchen (e.g., paper towels, plastic wrap, zipper bags, etc.)

02How do we get started? Do you have any tips or suggestions on how our family can begin reducing our environmental footprint today?

First of all, you need to make sure everyone knows why the change is important and take the time to explain the benefits (savings, improved health, time saved, benefits to the environment, and so on). It’s always easier to change habits when you know why you’re making the effort.

Second, it’s important to make sure enforcing the changes doesn’t fall to one person. That way if one person drops the ball (which can easily happen with such big changes), others can pick up the slack. Getting everyone on board is key—even kids. No matter what their age, they can help with meals, household chores, DIY cleaning or cosmetic products, bulk food shopping, and minor repairs around the house. Not only is it a good learning experience, it will give them a big leg up when they eventually get their first apartment. It’s also a great way to spend time together as a family.

03You often hear that it costs more to consume responsibly, but is that actually true?

That’s the unfortunate misconception people seem to have about a more “ecofriendly” lifestyle. Yet it’s far from true. It often stems from the fact that people focus more on the things that may actually cost more, such as buying in bulk or buying food that’s organic, local, or in season. But they forget about everything that costs less. And that’s quite normal, because the biggest factor—consuming less—tends to go unnoticed. One of the best ways to minimize your ecological impact is to buy fewer things. When you stop using certain items, you stop using up resources and energy to get them to you in the first place and dispose of them afterwards. And that’s where the biggest savings come in.

Another surefire trick to benefit the planet—and your pocketbook—is to opt for used items anytime you really need something new. It’s a way to give something a second life and keep it out of the landfill. It also saves you money and avoids creating demand for new items.

Personally, I love shopping for used items at thrift stores or on sites like Kijiji.

When you’re a friend to the environment, the environment can certainly be a friend to your pocketbook!

04What’s the best way to start consuming better—and not feel tempted to call it quits along the way?

As with any life transition, the key is to go at your own pace. Nobody said you have to change your entire lifestyle overnight. Moreover, when you try to change everything at once, you’re almost guaranteed to give up.

The magic formula is simple, but takes a bit more patience:

• Choose a new, more ecofriendly habit that seems doable, easy, and inspiring to you.
• Incorporate this new habit into your daily life. It usually takes about 21 days to change a habit.
• Once it’s fully ingrained and no longer takes an effort, pick a new habit and repeat the steps.

The goal is to incorporate your new habits for good. Even if it takes you ten years to get there, that’s totally normal!

Here are some examples of habits that are easy to pick up:

• Compost: Soon all municipalities in Quebec will offer home collection
• Bring your thermos with you on your outings
• Avoid junk mail by opting out of Canada Post's name and address databaseAttention, this link will open a new tab.Attention, this link will open a new tab.Attention, this link will open a new tab., unsubscribing to Publi-SacAttention, this link will open a new tab.Attention, this link will open a new tab.Attention, this link will open a new tab., and putting a “no flyers” sticker on your mailbox
• Cut back on meat
• Say no to single-use items such as straws, disposable utensils, and paper napkins
• Opt for local, organic, and in-season products
• Give people the gift of time and experiences (like a nice dinner at a restaurant) instead of physical presents

05In your experience, what kind of an impact can more responsible consumption have on your pocketbook and free time?

It’s really a win-win on both counts. But to see the impact, you have to look at the big picture, because some things cost more and take more time, while others cost less and take less time. In my experience, when I look at my lifestyle as a whole, the result is crystal clear: I save money and time.

However, to get to that point, you shouldn’t try to change up all your habits or buy only the “greenest” versions of products. Often, you need to simplify by avoiding certain things and finding pared-down versions of others.

The best example for me is my skin exfoliant. If I wanted an exfoliant similar to the one I used to buy, I’d have to come up with a recipe and spend time and money making it. But there’s a much simpler option: reusing my coffee grounds as a natural exfoliant. It’s so easy! It costs nothing and takes zero extra time.

When it comes to food, one good strategy is to cut back on meat (is better for the environment and your wallet). And when you do eat meat, opt for organic and local varieties.

06Do you think it’s a generational issue?

Not at all. Everyone is affected by climate change, which is already having a real impact on people all around the world, even here. And everyone is affected by the magnitude of these changes, which will be an even bigger burden for our children and grandchildren.

It’s important to remember that taking steps to live a more ecofriendly life doesn’t mean doing everything or being perfect. It’s simply about doing your best—and that’s something we can all do!