People are often surprised to hear that I observe Lent, as I am not a practicing Christian. Since I subscribe to a cafeteria-style approach to religious beliefs, I like to study, understand, and practice aspects of different religions, believing that they are all different facets of our collective experience of what the universe is. At the core, they all generally prescribe some variation of the Golden Rule: Be excellent to each other. I believe such respect and care extends to people, animals, the planet, and everything that exists.
My primary reason for observing Lent is because I see value in periodically abstaining from some kind of indulgence. It helps me keep perspective about how privileged I am, and it makes me more mindful of my actions and choices. If I’m being truly honest (and really, what else is the point of writing a blog?) I also get bored without some interesting challenges in my life. I like to have some occasional “go big or go home” trials in my life to test my limits – and not just for Lent, but this annual event does provide a great opportunity.
In years past, I’ve done no chocolate, no alcohol, no Facebook, and the Whole30 diet (which was actually longer, so it became the Whole46)… but this year, I have to admit I’m having just a little anxiety about what’s ahead. I live a pretty low-waste life to begin with, but it’s not zero waste. The next six weeks will mean a serious shift in my awareness and daily behavior. In order to prepare myself for 46 days of zero waste (or as close as possible), I have to set some ground rules…
Rule 1: I will not purchase anything during Lent that that cannot be recycled or composted.
Now, on one hand, I already carry a reusable silverware set, water bottle, travel mug, Tupperware container, reusable grocery bags, cotton handkerchiefs, and growler in my car. I am already pretty proactive about asking for no straw when I order water and using a handkerchief instead of paper napkins when eating out. There are some ways in which Lent will be no different than my daily life.
On the other hand, I am concerned about unnecessary packaging, especially for my groceries. I am lucky to be near a grocery store where I can buy foods in bulk, but that doesn’t cover me for every purchase. I can choose eggs in a cardboard container, but cheese comes wrapped in plastic film, and many staples that I buy for the kitchen involve tamper-proof plastic shrink wrap around the top. Even loose produce that I can take home in a mesh bag has stickers, rubber bands, or other such product labels on it. Unless I go directly to a farmer’s market (more difficult in March than later in the year), I expect to have to deal with some small amount of waste generated by my groceries.
Exception 1a: I will still be allowed to use anything I already have in the house.
Not really an exception since my restriction is on new purchases, and these items are already in the house. But to be clear, my rationale here is not to give myself an easy out, but to recognize that the items in my house have already been purchased, and we will be using them at some point in the future for their purpose. This category includes things like laundry and dish detergent (which are environmentally-friendly to start with but still come in non-recyclable packaging). If I should run out of something during Lent, then I will have to figure out how to replace it. Note: I have not been stockpiling supplies in anticipation of using this loophole.
Exception 1b: I may selectively purchase non-zero-waste items for family/friends, as needed.
When considering how this adventure would impact those around me, my first thought was, of course, my cats. Any food they don’t eat has to go in the garbage, not the compost because it is meat, not veggies. I use biodegradable kitty litter, but that comes in large plastic bags that aren’t recyclable. Their dental chews and medicinal supplements come in small plastic bags that aren’t recyclable. I’m not going to change anything that will impact their health based on a whim of mine. If I have to buy more litter or supplements for them during Lent, I will.
I am also going to be doing some cooking for a dear friend who just had a baby. I am vegetarian, but I do cook meat for others on occasion. If/when I do buy meat, I do my absolute best to make sure it’s local, organic, and ethically-raised. I imagine I’ll have to bend the Lent rule for her because I don’t think you can get meat that isn’t wrapped in at least one layer of plastic. At least I can try to find meat that doesn’t come shrink wrapped to a big piece of Styrofoam.
(You will notice that I did not include Christian in this list. If he wants pre-cut, bagged lettuce from the store, he can buy that himself.)
Exception 1c: I will likely have to make do with some no-alternative personal care items.
Much of this falls under the first exception of using what I already have. I doubt I will ever run out of dental floss, for instance, as I get a whole new roll of it every time I go to the dentist, and my acquisition vastly outpaces my use. I have prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste, but again, I think I have enough to get me through Lent. Because of my weak enamel, I am hesitant to try some of these lovely zero-waste toothpaste tablets without first consulting my dentist.
When I said earlier that I didn’t stockpile anything in preparation for Lent, that wasn’t entirely true. I did purchase three more pairs of period panties. After trying them out as the only method of period protection, I am not sure they will be sufficient without another form of backup. (For medical reasons I am currently not able to use a menstrual cup, my preferred product, which makes me incredibly sad.) I already have a small box of no-applicator tampons, so I will probably have to resort to those.
Rule 2: I will carry any non-recyclable, non-compostable waste I generate with me during Lent.
This whole idea was inspired by a friend who did something similar for Lent last year, and she carried a bag with all of her waste for the entirety of Lent. It wasn’t full because she was very mindful about her consumption, but it wasn’t empty either. I anticipate getting some straws in drinks, plastic silverware, and plastic cups even when I don’t want them, even when I ask ahead of time. I have been handed plastic grocery bags, even as I held my reusable bag open for the cashier. Despite my best attempts, I am not expecting to make it through unscathed.
That being said, this rule is specifically for slip-ups or when I have no other option. I am anticipating that come Easter, I will have at least one plastic straw, some produce stickers from fruit, an empty plastic bag from dishwasher pods, and six pieces of dental floss.
Exception 2a: If I need to use one or more tampons, I will keep a tally, not the tampons themselves.
This is meant to be educational, not masochistic. ‘Nuff said.
So here I go. Wish me luck. And thanks for coming along for the ride.
What would be the hardest thing for you to give up in this challenge? What are some interesting zero-waste substitutions you’ve made? Feel free to comment below.
Thanks for reading!
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