Green is the New Black: 3 Movements Helping to Make Eco-Consciousness Hip (Again)
Environmentalism, once limited primarily to the domain of advocacy and social-justice, is now hip once more. Many people are starting to realize that as consumers their lifestyles and decisions have real-world consequences, and, as a result, the pursuit of sustainable ways of living (and shopping) are breaking through into the mainstream.
Environmentalism, once limited primarily to the domain of advocacy and social-justice, is now hip once more. Many people are starting to realize that as consumers their lifestyles and decisions have real-world consequences, and, as a result, the pursuit of sustainable ways of living (and shopping) are breaking through into the mainstream.
But how did we get here? How did the idea of living with fewer possessions and less waste — something that was hardly on the radar for most people, even just fifteen years ago — suddenly become so trendy? How did the mantra of reduce, reuse, and recycle evolve from a boring waste management guideline to the foundation for some of the hippest and respected lifestyles around? Now there are even luxury designer reusable straws![1] What in the world is going on?
Though we can’t pin it to just one cause, the rising popularity of the three movements we’ll be looking at in this post have been key in spreading impact-conscious ideas, giving sustainability a healthy boost of the “cool-factor”. Let’s start off our trendy less-waste journey with…
1. Zero Waste — The New Three Rs: Reduce, Reduce, And Reduce
The zero-waste movement is based on one simple idea: if we want life on Earth to be truly sustainable, then we have no choice but to move towards a society that produces no waste at all. Though the end goal may seem big and daunting, it really is an important idea to keep in mind. Reaching that goal will inevitably be a long, multi-step process, that involves rethinking and re-imagining what we make, how we use it, and what happens to it after that. Though in the meantime small consistent steps are great ways to get a head start.
The rise of the zero waste mentality has been stunningly rapid. What started as small impact conscious decisions like using a reusable bottle or bringing a canvas bag to the grocery store has now blossomed into zero-waste grocery stores and zero waste delivery services, both of which have done away with all consumer-side disposable packaging. The movement is a living testament to the collective power that we have if we all take small strides towards our goal.
Best of all, there’s something decidedly cool about zero waste. It’s controlled, disciplined, caring, and educated. Maybe that’s why an Instagram post, like one of a glass container full of bulk beans, can today elicit so much support and admiration.
And, if all the talk about the path to zero waste in our previous posts and on our website hasn’t given it away already, the zero waste movement has been a huge inspiration for everything we do here at Cycle Water. From our reusable and infinitely recyclable cans to the broader waste-free vision we promote, zero waste ideas are always front and centre.
That’s because we know that, though ditching single-use plastics is the end goal and will be a big contribution towards building a zero-waste world, the path to that destination needs manageable steps, realistic alternatives, and the collective strength of millions of small, impact-conscious choices from each of us. It doesn’t have consist of huge scary changes in our lives.
2. Minimalism — Living Larger With Less
Minimalism has been around for quite some time, but the trendy minimalist lifestyles you’ll find on social media are fairly new. For minimalists, the focus of their lifestyle is shifted from a focus on the inevitable waste after consumption to the relationships found between people and their things.
The idea is this: by being mindful and choosing to only have things that you truly love, you will be a happier and more content person. Naturally, your waste output and environmental impact will also decrease alongside the decrease in consumption, which is a welcome added benefit. More than that your mindset will shift into a more sustainable gear, one that matches your lifestyle.
The focus on intent and connection also promotes a lot of overlap with zero-waste principles. Reusable items, low-impact biodegradable goods, and an avoidance of single-use plastic disposables are all found in most minimalist toolkits.
As for the movement’s popularity, between the clean and simple aesthetics of minimalist homes and wardrobes to the nearly timeless appeal of living plainly, the draw is hardly surprising. Especially in today’s hectic and material-packed world, quiet space and emptiness have a laid back vibe that’s undeniably cool.
3. Thrifting And Second-Hand Culture
With fast fashion rapidly filling closets and landfills with cheaply made, generic, unsustainable clothing meant to be quickly discarded, it’s no surprise that people are beginning to rebel.
Focusing primarily on the “reuse” aspect of the classic three R mantra, thrifters try to redirect financial support for unsustainable fast fashion multinationals to high-quality retro and vintage gear that’s already been made, worn, and discarded. By giving old clothes a new home, they save pieces otherwise destined for the dump while cutting additional consumption at the same time.
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/07/12/19/23/clothing-842338_960_720.jpg
And, as far as style and trendiness are concerned, the thrifter’s unique collection of clothes is often a one-of-a-kind artistic expression of their personality. Each outfit is a stylish sign of aesthetic taste and conscious consumption that is as visually appealing as it is ethical, so it’s unsurprising that everyone from young influencers to A-list celebrities are getting in on the trend (and rightfully so, we all share this planet. It’s health is important to everyone).
Second-hand culture more broadly is just an extension of the thrifting mentality. Why buy something new when there’s something already out there which costs less and has much more personality? The choice is ethical, stylish, and cost-efficient. What’s there to lose?
Different Approaches To Less Waste Living For A Zero Waste World
In all, each of these movements takes a slightly different road to achieve a similar goal: living less wastefully in the hopes of one day achieving a zero-waste world. And, to a large extent, these different approaches are not at all mutually exclusive.
Each of us has different interests and needs, so we may be drawn to different starting places for our journey to zero waste, but the end goal is one we all share. Together we can all take small steps, make small changes and, in time, those small contributions will add up to something much bigger than anyone could have imagined.
Sources:
[1] https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2019/04/230548/luxury-reusable-straws-trend
[2] https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/green-new-black-what-culture-conscious-consumerism
[3] https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/1/28/18196057/zero-waste-plastic-pollution
[4] https://www.documentjournal.com/2019/03/tracking-this-seasons-hot-new-trend-environmentalism/
[5] https://www.becomingminimalist.com/what-is-minimalism/
[6] https://www.thegoodwear.com/home/why-we-should-shop-second-hand
December 10, 2019