“Our trash tells a story... a story about what we value.” ~ Andrea Sanders
What does your trash say about you, and our society at large? What if all of the waste that you accumulate throughout the year could fit inside a mason jar... what would be the impact of that on our environment and what would it mean for us in terms of how we choose to live?
These are the questions that Andrea Sanders asked herself that led her on the path as a young environmentalist grappling with the extensive ecological damage that she was witnessing... and her place in it.
I really wanted to bring in the topic of waste, consumption and the zero waste lifestyle movement, because i believe it is critical for our overall health - all beings and the planet - to look at the way we live and how we consume.
Andrea tells us how she got inspired and started on her path with zero waste living, and many of the biggest obstacles we face today. She talks about the concept of “biomindfulness” - exploring practices that help us focus our attention back on relationships we hold between ourselves and our environment. We touch on the importance of space and pause when you’re making any kind of lifestyle shift, and Andrea shares what she believes the sweet spot between the hardship of our ancestors and the ultra convenience we have today (but at the expense of the health of our planet).
Of course she also shares the practices that support the reshaping of our relationships with nature and practical steps you can take if you want to move toward a zero waste lifestyle.
There is so much here that you can hit the ground running with!
Andrea Sanders is an environmental educator, mindfulness advisor, TEDx speaker, traveler, artist, and dog mom. Her work focuses on encouraging ecological responsibility, day-to-day mindfulness, and compassionate eating through a plant-based diet. Andrea is also a zero waste influencer and educator on Instagram with a global outreach of over 80,000 followers.
Enjoy!
Love this podcast? Subscribe over on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher and never miss an episode.
Show Notes
In this episode, we discuss:
Andrea gives us a primer on what is zero-waste living and what is the story that our waste is telling about us
How Andrea got inspired and started her path, and what she sees as one of the biggest obstacles we face
Andrea shows us how our own perception and mindset are part of the issue
Why mindfulness meditation is a critical part of the work that andrea does with zero waste teachings
How pausing is the first step - why we need to create space for looking at our relationship to “stuff”
The importance of our WHY and how we have to learn how to be less distracted from the things that are pulling our attention from action
The concept of Biomindfulness - exploring practices that help us focus our attention back on relationships we hold between ourselves and our environment
The importance of space and pause when you’re making any kind of lifestyle shift
There is no right or wrong way
Simplicity is understanding our true wants and needs, and cutting through the noise from consumerism and distraction
What Andrea calls our “design problem” - and why we need to create a circular infrastructure
Practices that support the reshaping of our relationships with nature
First step is awareness that we have a problem
How to begin a zero waste lifestyle... starting with waste: Doing a trash audit. Look at what you’re going away and what can you reduce
Low hanging fruit actions:
Bringing your own bags and produce bag to grocery store
Taking your own cup or water bottle to places
Meal prepping each week
Use bulk section
Make your own cleaners
Looking at things in a different way and how you use stuff
Making small changes that make sense for you and family
Look at your consumption - can you replace boredom with a walk , swap activities out that are more meaningful and bring more value in your life in place of consumption
Build a relationship with your food. Learn about where your food comes from - and ask if it aligns with what you believe in. if it doesn’t, cut it out or create something else.
The biggest challenges Andrea sees and hears when people try to change, and how she has learned to embrace change
What andrea calls “quiet activism” and how that’s been WAY more effective at sharing than raising your voice loudly or preaching
Books or resources you would suggest for people wanting to learn more and get started
Connect With Andrea Sanders
TEDx Talk: What if we refuse trash?
Resources + Links Mentioned
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo*
Joyful Militancy: Building Thriving Resistance in Toxic Times by Carla Bergman*
Note: Links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. Making a purchase through these links won’t cost you anything but we will receive a small commission. This is an easy, free way of supporting the podcast. Thank you!
Feed Your Wild :: Gut :: Virtual Masterclass
Date: Sunday, August 26th, 2018
Time: 12pm - 3pm PST / 2pm - 5pm CST / 3pm - 6pm EST
Duration: 3 hours
Where: Online, from the comfort of your own home!
*In case you can’t make it live, this virtual event WILL be recorded and you will get access to all of the materials and bonuses.
Investment: $67
Wildly Rooted Resources
Sacred Ecology Activation Journey Audio
Your support means the world...
If the show has helped, inspired or spoken to you, it would mean the world to me if you show your support through a small financial contribution. Each FYW episode is a labor of love that takes me about three days to produce... From as little as $1 a month, your support will help to cover the costs associated with producing and hosting the show. I love you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
To make a contribution, head to the Patreon page here.
Share this episode by clicking the SHARE button below!
