22. How to do a Waste Audit with Zöe Serrano

In episode 22 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we discuss how to perform a waste audit in your home. Now, this same concept can be applied on a larger scale in businesses, but we are going to focus on how to do this as an individual consumer.

In the Outdoor Minimalist book, set to be released Sept 1, 2022, I also discuss a waste audit to move towards low waste backpacking. So if you are someone that likes to have tips like these written out or on had to reference, here's the link to pre-order a copy of the book: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781493063994/Outdoor-Minimalist-Waste-Less-Hiking-Backpacking-and-Camping

For those that aren't sure what a waste audit is, essentially, it is a survey of the waste created in any waste stream. So, of course, this is going to be larger for businesses and factories, but each individual also creates waste along the waste stream. I’ve found that evaluating the amount of waste you are actually producing is a good mental exercise. It doesn’t mean that you have to or will even be able to eliminate waste completely in your life, but it can show you the amount of trash you produce on a day-to-day basis.

In my life, I’ve found it helps prevent the “out of sight, out of mind” mindset. It keeps me accountable for how I handle my trash, but I also have to be mindful not to hyperfocus on perfection.

There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to waste audits, and that’s why I’m excited to have Zöe Serrano on the show to help explain it all in more detail.

Zöe Serrano is a recent college graduate and environmental activist who is living in Portland, Oregon. She currently runs a blog called Cut the Crap, which aims to provide accessible ways to both make sustainable changes, as well as realistically take action in the climate movement. Besides running her website, she enjoys hiking the beautiful Pacific Northwest, volunteering, and hanging out with her cats and husband. Zöe is moving into studying environmental policy, and is enjoying collaborating with other inspiring activists from all over the world.

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YOUTUBE: @theoutdoorminimalist

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CUT THE CRAP

WEBSITE: https://www.cuthecrap.org/

GOAL SETTING WORKSHEET: https://www.cuthecrap.org/post/beginning-the-path-to-a-more-sustainable-you

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EPISODE RESOURCES

https://climaterealitypdx.com/

https://earth911.com/home-garden/conducting-home-waste-audit-part-1/

https://mygreenmontgomery.org/project/conduct-a-home-waste-audit/