How I became the Eco Freak

WARNING! If you are offended by the topic of menstruation, please look away now and read at your own choice.

So many people ask me why I chose to live a zero waste life. And sometimes I look at them blankly and say "well why not?" Deciding to live Zero waste was a huge challenge and I still have a long way to go, and a lot of things to learn. But the changes I have made towards this lifestyle so far are all normal to me now. I don't think I could ever go back to producing rubbish.

But it did make me wonder back to where I made the 'radical' decision not to produce any rubbish. It all started when I was having a really bad period (I warned you!). I was using so many tampons and sanitary products, feeling messy, horrible and making so much rubbish. It crossed my mind that I would be living with my period for a pretty long time, and I couldn't believe how much rubbish I was making! After suffering from additional pain from common female problems, I started to wonder if the products I was using (tampons, pads...etc), where adding to my health issues. So I did what any creative person does...I went on Pinterest, and started searching at how I could make my period more eco friendly. I learned about the horrific dangers of the existing products I was using, and the surprising and unbelievable health benefits of the more natural options. I wondered if this is so much better for you then why on earth is everyone not doing this!

As I continued my investigation, my research expanded to more than just female sanitary problems. I read articles about rubbish, watched documentaries about the reality of packaged food and products, and it scared me, that I had been creating so much damage, not only to the environment but to myself! However, in my research, I came across so many interesting people who were living all over the world doing something completely different and loving the world they lived in. As a student living in the city I wanted to see how I could live eco friendly in the city, and that is when I discovered Lauren Singer. My guru and total girl crush, Singer has been living a zero waste lifestyle in the city for 4 years now! Amazing! At first I didn't think it was possible at all to live a zero waste life. And now I am constantly trying to improve and change the impact I am having on the environment.

Here are just a few things I learned from living Zero Waste...

• The health benefits are amazing! I eat better, I have more energy, and my skin is so much healthier!
• I am more organised. When I started this lifestyle I was so unorganised and because of this I was weak and I still made trash. When I started organising my life I found I was spending my time so much more efficiently!
• I'm happier! For the first time in a long time I am living my values! And its awesome!
• I save money. This point particularly surprised me. Not buying products packaged in plastic turned out to cost me less money! Which is great as I am a student!

As a fashion student, I learn, everyday, about the second biggest wasteful industry in the world. I felt it was my responsibility to reduce my negative impact and increase my positive impact. That is why I am proud to live zero waste and proud to be a sustainable designer and eco freak!

Thanks for reading x