I know the holidays have yet to even come around the corner, but I think I'm ready to declare my New Year's Resolution!

Recently I saw a BuzzFeed video about going trash-free for 30 days. I let the video topic roll around in my head these past couple days, and I think I’m really interested in trying it out and sticking with it!

I had also been working on a sort of continuous project in one of my communication studies classes. We were tasked with picking an issue at the beginning of the semester and then we would make a visual flyer about the issue, as well as an educational brochure, write a letter to an editor, give an argumentative speech, and then write a letter to one of our representatives-- all about the same issue. I chose the rapid declining of the world’s coral reefs. After doing broad brushstroke research on the coral reefs while completing these assignments, and then seeing this video, I’ve been inspired to really take the steps to reduce the amount of waste I create and the amount of water I use.

I will be going abroad to Denmark and Sweden right away in January, so I don’t know if I will be ready or able to start my zero-waste journey right at the start of 2017, but when I come back February will be my January; my fresh start to saving the world one step at a time.

I think one of the most important issues raised in the BuzzFeed video was that a lot of food comes in unnecessary packages, like fresh veggies and fruit. Which stinks in a way because the packaged produce is cheaper than the unpackaged ones, which makes accessing fresher and/or organic produce that much more difficult. I know as a college student I would definitely go with the cheaper products simply because I don’t have a lot of disposable income right now, and I cannot imagine how other families feel who have even more limited access.

Here are some of my ideas, so far, on how I will start my zero-waste journey:

1. Buy unpackaged produce

2. Use cloth bags for all shopping adventures

3. Keep reusable utensils on me when I know I will be eating on the go

4. Eat at home as much as possible to avoid to-go packaging

5. Re-wear more of my shirts and pants before washing in order to reduce water consumption.

I think I will start keeping a journal of some kind to track what I am doing and how I can change habits and the products I buy to make a more positive impact, and I will update my progress and findings on here soon. Wish me luck!