Origins

That weekend in 2022 forever changed my life. On that sunny day, I stood in my rental apartment's kitchen, staring at the overflowing garbage bin in the corner. Various takeout containers were piled up haphazardly, plastic bags bulged like balloons, and snack packaging gleamed glaringly. Suddenly, I was jolted by this sight — in just one month, I had generated so much waste.

Measuring the height of the garbage pile, it was almost as tall as my 165cm height. I began to recall the sources of this waste: ordering takeout every day after work because I was too lazy to cook, casually taking plastic bags while shopping at supermarkets, layers upon layers of packaging from online shopping... These seemingly insignificant daily habits had unknowingly accumulated into this "mountain of garbage."

At that moment, I made one of the most important decisions of my life: change, I must change. But I knew I couldn't be too ambitious. Those "zero-waste experts" trending on social media, who could fit a year's worth of garbage into a single glass jar — such a goal was still too distant for me. I needed a feasible starting point, so I chose the simplest one — stop using plastic bags.

Getting Started

Easier said than done. The first week brought many awkward situations. I remember my first trip to the supermarket, confidently ready to start my new life, only to realize at the checkout counter: I had completely forgotten to bring reusable bags! Watching the cashier routinely preparing to bag my items, I quickly said I didn't need bags. Then came an super awkward scene: like an acrobat, I balanced bread under my chin while carrying various snacks and daily necessities in both hands, stumbling out of the supermarket. Passersby gave me strange looks, and my face burned like a boiled shrimp.

But these embarrassing experiences actually made a lasting impression. Afterward, I prepared reusable shopping bags at my doorway, office, and in my backpack. At first, I often forgot to bring them, but gradually, grabbing a shopping bag became a reflex, as natural as taking keys, phone, and wallet when leaving home.

To motivate myself, I started recording my daily waste in my phone's notes. After three months, I discovered a shocking fact: food packaging alone accounted for nearly 40% of all my waste! Takeout containers, snack packaging, instant food packaging... these seemingly harmless packages actually constituted the largest source of waste in my life.

This discovery led me to deep reflection. We always say convenience is a characteristic of modern life, but behind this convenience, haven't we paid too high an environmental price? Every casually discarded package will exist on Earth for hundreds of years. Thinking about this, I became even more determined to change.

Practice

Shopping Reform

Change often begins with breaking routines. I remember the first time I brought glass jars to the supermarket to buy rice. I deliberately chose a time when there weren't many people, but still couldn't avoid becoming the center of attention. The cashier showed a confused expression: "What are you trying to do?" Red-faced, I explained that I wanted to buy bulk rice and asked if I could put it directly in my jar. She paused, then showed a look of sudden understanding: "Oh, you're trying to be environmentally friendly!"

Such conversations were common in the first few months. But now the situation is completely different. The retail stores near our community have not only gotten used to such "strange customers," but some store owners have even prepared weighing tools specifically for customers who bring their own containers. Once, a store owner even remarked: "There are more and more young people like you now, which is great."

Through this year's records, I calculated a shocking statistic: just by not using plastic bags alone, I reduced my plastic bag usage by about 500 bags. This number made me think about bigger possibilities: if all 1000 households in our community could do this, it would mean reducing the use of 500,000 plastic bags in a year. This isn't just a change in numbers, but a real contribution to the environment.

Kitchen Revolution

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then my kitchen underwent a complete heart surgery. The most notable change is the rows of neatly arranged glass jars. At first, I only used them for rice and flour, but gradually expanded to various grains, dried goods, and even started making homemade yogurt.

Speaking of homemade yogurt, that's an interesting story. I used to think making food at home was particularly troublesome and would rather spend more money buying ready-made products. Until one day, I carefully calculated the cost: buying quality yogurt cost over 200 yuan per month, while making it myself, buying quality milk powder and probiotics, could keep the cost under 50 yuan. Most importantly, homemade yogurt produces no packaging waste, and the taste can be adjusted according to personal preference.

Gradually, my kitchen became a creative laboratory. I started making jams, preserving seasonal fruits in glass jars; learned to make natural yeast for baking bread; and even tried pickling various vegetables. These attempts not only improved my cooking skills dramatically but more importantly, I found joy in living.

Bathroom Renovation

Honestly, the bathroom renovation is one of my proudest achievements. Last summer, I started researching natural cleaning products. It began when I looked at the row of colorful cleaners in the bathroom and felt particularly wasteful thinking about how these plastic bottles would be thrown away after use.

Through research and constant experimentation, I discovered that the simplest combination of white vinegar and baking soda could solve most cleaning problems. The acidity of white vinegar can remove limescale, while baking soda effectively removes stains and odors. This discovery excited me because it meant I no longer needed to buy those beautifully packaged cleaners that would eventually become garbage.

After a year of practice, I calculated that this change alone helped me dispose of at least seven or eight fewer plastic bottles. What delighted me more was that these natural cleaners are not only environmentally friendly but also less irritating to the skin. I used to always feel my hands were dry, but now this problem has noticeably improved.

Insights

Money-Saving Effect

The notion that "being environmentally friendly is expensive" was completely overturned in my practice. Through this year's accounting, I found that practicing zero waste not only didn't increase expenses but helped me save nearly 8,000 yuan. This considerable saving came from three main areas:

First, reducing takeout expenses saved 3,000 yuan. I used to order takeout almost every day, but now I start cooking for myself, not only saving money but also ensuring healthy eating. Once, a colleague asked me why I looked so healthy recently, and I laughed saying it might be because I finally learned to eat properly.

Second, making daily necessities saved 2,000 yuan. Like the previously mentioned homemade yogurt and cleaners, although the savings each time seem small, they add up to a considerable amount over a year. Moreover, homemade items are often healthier and more environmentally friendly than commercial products.

Finally, avoiding impulse purchases saved 3,000 yuan. When you start paying attention to waste generation, you naturally reduce unnecessary shopping. Before, I wanted to buy something whenever I saw a promotion, but now I seriously think: "Do I really need this? Will this packaging become waste?"

Unexpected Gains

In the process of practicing zero waste, the biggest gain wasn't the money saved, but that life became more orderly and relaxed. When you're no longer led by various advertisements and promotions, when you start seriously considering the necessity of each item, you'll be surprised to find that life can actually be very simple.

I remember last summer when my college best friend came to visit. As soon as she entered, she exclaimed: "Wow! Your home is so neat!" Actually, this was a natural effect of zero-waste living. Because I need to think about the destination of each item, I don't casually buy unnecessary things; because I need to sort items for recycling, I keep things organized and in order.

What moves me most is that some of my lifestyle habits have started influencing people around me. Colleagues at the office saw me bringing lunch boxes every day and started following suit; family members saw me using glass jars for storage and gradually accepted this method; even the fruit store owner downstairs now actively asks customers if they need bags instead of automatically packaging.

These subtle changes made me realize that everyone's choices subtly influence the surrounding environment. When we choose a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, we're not only changing ourselves but also influencing those around us.

Suggestions

After 1000 days of practice, I deeply understand: the most important thing about zero-waste living is to progress gradually. Don't expect to completely change your lifestyle overnight, as this can easily lead to frustration.

If you also want to start a zero-waste life, my suggestion is to start with the basics:

In the first month, give yourself a simple task: carry a canvas bag and refuse plastic bags. This seems simple, but it takes time to form a habit. I suggest preparing a foldable shopping bag at your doorway, office, and in commonly used bags, so you won't have to use plastic bags because you temporarily forgot.

By the second month, you can get yourself a thermos and stop buying bottled water. This change not only reduces plastic bottle use but also saves money on buying water. Moreover, using your own water bottle is more hygienic, and you can adjust the water temperature according to personal preference.

In the third month, prepare several glass jars and start trying bulk shopping. You can start with the simplest items like rice and flour, then gradually expand to other dry goods. It might seem troublesome at first, but when you see the neat storage cabinets at home and smell the natural aroma of ingredients, you'll feel it's all worth it.

Remember, change doesn't need to be perfect; what's important is to start taking action. Just like how I initially felt embarrassed when forgetting to bring shopping bags, but it was precisely these small mistakes that left a deep impression and helped me develop new habits.

Reflection

In these 1000 days of zero-waste practice, my biggest realization is: environmental protection isn't a sacrifice, but a better way of life. It makes us rethink what we truly need and what we can give up, thus freeing us from the anxiety brought by overconsumption.

Now, I'm no longer troubled by various promotional messages, no longer worried about mountains of accumulated items. Every morning when I open the storage cabinet, see the neatly arranged glass jars, smell the citrus fragrance from homemade cleaners, and drink tea made from mint leaves grown on the balcony, I sincerely exclaim: this is the life I want.

This change has also influenced my attitude towards life. I used to always pursue speed and convenience, but now I've learned to slow down and enjoy every detail of life. On weekend mornings, when sunlight pours into the kitchen, looking at my homemade pickles and baked bread, an indescribable sense of satisfaction wells up inside.

The zero-waste journey has taught me not only how to reduce waste but also how to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. It has made me understand that true happiness isn't about how much we own, but about how to better utilize what we already have.

So, if you also want to start changing, don't hesitate. Start today, with a small change. Maybe it's a shopping bag, maybe it's a water bottle; these tiny choices could become the starting point for changing your life.

Remember, the Earth doesn't need perfect environmentalists; it needs many imperfect people working together. Let's start from the little things and create a more environmentally friendly and better future together.