212. Is Zero-Waste Backpacking Possible? with Alisha McDarris

Is zero-waste backpacking possible?

Well, in a lot of ways, yes, and in some ways, not really.

We saw this play out when a previous guest of ours, one of our earliest guests, actually in episode 37. In that episode, Ana Lucía (aka Eco) explains how in 2021 she set out to complete a zero-waste thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Now, a few years later, in episode 212 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I am sitting down with Alisha McDarris to discuss her experimental zero-waste backpacking trip challenge.

Alisha is the founder of Terradrift.com and the site’s accompanying YouTube channel, where she and her husband Josh share gear reviews, outdoorsy how-tos, and guides, including a full video covering her zero-waste backcountry trip.

She is also a freelance journalist, filmmaker, and photographer who specializes in writing about sustainable travel and outdoor adventure for publications like Popular Science, Backpacker, Outside, Roadtrippers, and more.

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Terradrift

Website: https://terradrift.com/zero-waste-backpacking-tips/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/4zirOxMnFk0?si=7n6nybE4ze06eHj0

Episode 37: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outdoor-minimalist/id1586174667?i=1000563241947

Listen to our first interview with Alisha on how to identify gear needs for backpacking: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outdoor-minimalist/id1586174667?i=1000619154104