Wasteless

I’m Joe Anderson, a 26 year old resident of Topsham, Maine. I’ve made it my goal to live a zero-waste life by 2020. This podcast will be a way for me to document and share my journey with others. It’s also a way to hold myself accountable.For the month of January, my goal is to fit all of my waste into a 1 quart (32 oz) mason jar. I plan to reduce my waste each month until 2020 when I won’t be creating any waste all. Each episode of this podcast will be an update on my journey. I will provide a description of all the trash I created since the previous episode and specific information about what I’ve learned.Let me know what you’d like to hear about at wastelesspod@gmail.com or connect with me on Twitter or Instagram @Joeand220.

I am often frustrated when I see articles that give “easy” tips for going zero waste. The truth is, what is easy for one person may be incredibly difficult for someone else. Everyone is different and because of that, we all require different solutions to eliminate waste. Start by taking a look at your own trash. Once you know what you are throwing away, you can start to figure out how to reduce that trash.Let me know what you’d like to hear about at wastelesspod@gmail.com or connect with me on Twitter or Instagram @Joeand220.

I don’t believe that it is actually possible for anyone to create no waste. The phrase “Zero Waste” is a buzzword that is used to talk about the mission of reducing waste and being mindful of what you are throwing in the trash.In this episode I talk about a great organization called The Story of Stuff. They have a lot of great information and resources to help people learn about and reduce the amount of stuff that they have. Check them out at storyofstuff.org.Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.com

Junk mail is a nuisance that almost everyone has to deal with. In this episode, I discuss ways to reuse and reduce the total amount of junk mail you receive on a daily basis.Resources for eliminating junk mail:dmachoice.orgcatalogchoice.orgShare your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.com

I really hate doing laundry, but luckily it’s a pretty easy chore to make zero waste. In this episode, I discuss whether or not it’s worth your time to make your own laundry detergent.This is my recipe for homemade laundry detergent:2 cups Borax2 cups Washing Soda1 bar of soap (grated)Mix all ingredients together, use 1/4 cup detergent per loadShare your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.com

Most food that is available unpackaged is not ready to eat. That means, living zero waste means prepping and cooking a lot of food. This episode I talk about my approach to meal prep.Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.com

I’ve been trying to live zero waste for one full month. This episode I talk about all of the trash I created in January, what I learned, and areas I need to improve.Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.com

This week I discuss why I don’t eat meat. Also, a brief discussion on the relationship between zero-waste living and climate change.Go to the episode webpage for this episode to find links to some of my favorite articles about the meat industry and sustainability.Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.com

Living zero waste is process of learning and adapting to new situations. This episode I discuss some of the things I’ve learned on my journey and a few surprising ways that I’ve benefited from a waste free life.Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.com

Does reducing your waste save you money? I think this is a complicated question. While you may not have to pay for packaging, you might pay may more in time, energy, and gas money. In this episode I discuss these issues and offer some of my favorite zero waste swaps that have also saved me money.Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.com

It is the last day of February so this episode I share all of the waste that I created during the month. I also talk about what lessons I can learn from my trash and what goals I need to accomplish in order to be waste free by 2020.Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.com

There are many different ways to reduce waste while keeping your mouth clean. A few of the options include homemade toothpaste, recyclable metal tubes, toothpaste bites, and bamboo brushes. This episode I share my own experiences trying out these various methods to keep my teeth sparkling clean.Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220 or by email at wastelesspod@gmail.comBelow are links to a couple of the toothpaste options mentioned in the episode:David’s Natural Toothpaste:https://davids-usa.com/Bite - Toothpaste Bits:https://bitetoothpastebits.com/

In this episode I discuss the waste I’ve created so far in March 2019. I also some of the lessons I’ve learned on reducing waste while eating out at restaurants.Find me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220. Connect with myself and others who are trying to reduce their waste on the Facebook group, Wasteless Pod.

A brief discussion on the way that small changes can have a big impact on your life over time. I also share some ideas for the future of the podcast.Find me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220. Connect with myself and others who are trying to reduce their waste on the Facebook group, Wasteless Pod.

I discuss the lessons I learned from my trash during the month of March and recount a particularly stressful encounter I had with a jackfruit.Find me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220. Connect with myself and others who are trying to reduce their waste on the Facebook group, Wasteless Pod.

Learning to be patient is an important part of living zero waste because it can take time to find products that you need without any packaging. This episode I discuss my won struggles with patience and some things I’ve done to overcome them.Find me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220. Connect with myself and others who are trying to reduce their waste on the Facebook group, Wasteless Pod.

This week I taught myself to using a sewing machine. Along the way i stumbled into a lot of interesting waste related issues surrounding clothing and fabric. This episode I share what I learned and offer some tips on reducing clothing waste.In the episode I reference the podcast Outside/In by New Hampshire Public Radio. Check out that episode at the following link: http://outsideinradio.org/shows/ep-xw3dkFind me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220. Connect with myself and others who are trying to reduce their waste on the Facebook group, Wasteless Pod.

I discuss the lessons I learned from my trash during the month of April, including name tag stickers and plastic straws. I also talk about a successful trip to an antique mall where I found a set of pure linen napkins.Find me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220. Connect with myself and others who are trying to reduce their waste on the Facebook group, Wasteless Pod.

I have a kidney stone which required some prescription medication in those little orange bottles. This week I discuss what I’ve learned about how to reuse or recycle these bottles effectively.Find me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220. Connect with myself and others who are trying to reduce their waste on the Facebook group, Wasteless Pod.

In May I moved into a new apartment and struggled to find a zero waste option for a new shower curtain. Find me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220. Connect with myself and others who are trying to reduce their waste on the Facebook group, Wasteless Pod.

Today I discuss my experience making and using homemade mosquito repellant.My mosquito repellant recipe:4 tbsp Witch Hazel4 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar1 tbsp Vodka20 drops Citronella Essential Oil20 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil20 drops Lemon Essential OilFor more interesting information about mosquitos, here are links to the articles I read:https://www.npr.org/2016/02/19/467395225/mosquitoes-what-are-they-good-forhttps://www.nature.com/news/2010/100721/full/466432a.htmlhttps://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35408835Find me on Instagram or Twitter @Joeand220. Connect with myself and others who are trying to reduce their waste on the Facebook group, Wasteless Pod.