The Minimalist Mistake That Made Me Waste More Food (And How I Fixed It)
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The Eco ExperimentNewsletter by The Eco Loop Hey Reader, I am back after a little break with some exciting news, but towards the end :) First and foremost, I have to tell you about one of the hardest-hitting realizations I had recently!
But here's what I discovered when I was decluttering for our house move: this mindset was making me waste MORE food! Read to know how?? My "Aha!" Moment While Packing for Our MoveWe're moving house after 4 years. And while I was strategically planning how to avoid all the bubble wrap the Movers & Packers company will use to pack all my glass containers (collected over the years from food packaging) to store my food, something important hit me! For almost 7 years, I never bought organizing supplies for my kitchen. I felt what I had was already too much. Trying to live minimally, I never felt the urge to buy more stuff! I was proud of this! But while decluttering my kitchen cabinets, I had a shocking discovery. I have so many beautiful empty airtight glass containers. Yet much of my dry food was still in the plastic packaging that it was sold in, with the famous IKEA clip-ons!! Why?? Those glass containers weren't easily accessible! Kept on the top shelves, as that was the only space I had to keep them. So I chose the easy time-saving path of keeping food in its original plastic packaging wherever I found some space within my reach. Because of the summers and humidity, many food items from these clipped packs got a pest infestation and were wasted! I even kept unopened packets in the far corner of the top shelf of my refrigerator to prevent spoilage. And I completely forgot about them! The Reality Check That Changed EverythingAs a Climate Action advocate and having researched extensively on climate change, I was reminded of food waste contributing to climate change! According to the United Nations, food waste generates 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions - that's 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually! Meanwhile, 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 while we wasted 1.05 billion tonnes of food that could feed 1.26 billion people. I couldn't ignore this anymore! I thought I was being sustainable by not buying "more stuff." But I was creating more waste because of a lack of a functional system that didn't back my good intentions. This is what was really happening:
The irony hit me hard. My attempt at minimalism was making me LESS sustainable! What I'm Doing Differently NowI'm investing in organizational solutions.I spent weeks scouring online shops for the right organizing solutions for the kitchen. (PS: I don’t enjoy shopping; it drains the energy out of me, so I prefer to buy online only when needed with a plan) I saved hundreds of items in my cart over a week. Then, I shortlisted only a few with exact measurements that would be apt for my new kitchen cabinets. I chose good quality materials, mostly metal, that would last ages! I realized I've changed! I'm no longer buying to beautify my kitchen for guests or validation. These purchases were absolutely from a utility point of view! The goal? -Keep my kitchen stuff easily accessible. -Only have what's necessary and what I love using. -When my glass containers are properly organized and easy to reach, I'll USE all the food I plan to cook and not waste food. Why Do I Think This Approach Supports MinimalismHere's what I'm learning: true minimalism isn't about having the least items - it's about having systems that work to create a low-waste home. A few well-chosen organizing tools will prevent so much more waste than a dysfunctional system. When I can easily reach my glass containers, food is stored correctly and safely, I won't forget items and let them expire. This means making purchases that support my values rather than sabotage them. It's about creating a kitchen that works FOR my sustainable goals, not against them! I'm documenting this whole journey. I'll share what I purchased and why, hopefully in an upcoming YouTube vlog. Hope it will be of some value to you too! :) The Eco Sheroes PodcastThe most exciting part - Season 3 is officially launched! The first episode is out today :) I had to get young environmental advocate Ayshka as my first guest. She gives me so much hope! I am hopeful that the youth can help solve our environmental problems with their energy, intellect, and resilience! At 14, Ayshka Najib survived Kerala's floods that changed her life. Now a UNICEF youth advocate, she advises world leaders at COP and reshapes climate education in UAE schools. In this episode of The Eco Sheroes Podcast, learn why women face worse climate impacts, how youth receive only 0.75% of global funding, and the link between climate disasters and gender violence. Ayshka shares steps everyone can take, from organizing eco clubs to influencing UN policies, emphasizing the importance of small sustainable actions. Watch on YouTube and Spotify or listen on Apple Podcasts. If you watch or listen to this or any of the episodes and find it impactful, please like, comment, and subscribe :) I will be very grateful to you for doing this, as you are helping these essential messages reach a wider audience! Thank you so much for your continued support in spreading the word about sustainability.
Share this email and help spread the word to get more people to become imperfectly sustainable. :) Thank you so much! See you soon in your inbox! Cheers, Pallavi :) PS: if this isn’t what you want, feel free to unsubscribe. No hard feelings :) |