Zero waste isn't just about the trash or the plastic. The modern environmentalist lives in a way that is mindful of their inner values, gentle on the environment, and still creative and chic! Today's guest is Anita Vandyke: rocket scientist, blogger, and author of “A Zero Waste Life: A Thirty Day Guide”.

Aileen and Anita talk about how decluttering brings you both physical and mental space, how to be a minimalist and still wear designer clothing, what a ‘zero waste' life truly looks like, and much more.

In this episode we explore:

• 1:35 – Why Anita quit her corporate job as a rocket scientist to study medicine
• 3:20 – From maximalist to minimalist: Consumerism, financial struggles, and responsibility to the environment
• 7:51 – How zero waste and minimalism can improve your relationships and bring you back to your values
• 10:00 – “Eco-luxe living”: Having a beautiful, mindful, and sustainable life (while still looking stylish)
• 15:04 – Advice for beginners who want to spread the zero waste/minimalism message
• 16:24 – A Zero Waste Life: How ‘zero waste' goes beyond trash, recycling, and plastic
• 18:13 – The truth and danger of recycling plastic + The big four sustainable living switches
• 22:44 – Privilege, accessibility & ways to make zero waste work for your own life
• 27:02 – Anita's year of giving back: Balancing being a new mom, writing a book, studying medicine, and blogging
• 29:55 – How do bring zero waste to the manufacturers creating the waste?
• 33:02 – Q&A: Anita's dream life, recommended resource, life-changing habit, best received advice & favorite part about life

Links:

• Anita Vandyke
• Instagram

Show notes:

• A Zero Waste Life
• Terracycle
• Tidying & Konmari Playlist
• My 3 Step Waste System (Bokashi bin)
• ShareWaste
• Cradle to Cradle by Michael Braungart & William McDonough
• Dropps | dropps.com/lavendaire (Promo code: LAVENDAIRE)

Quotes:

• The modern environmentalist is about living sustainably but also living in a chic way.
• Now that I know better, I have to do better.
• Plastic is mother nature's non-renewable resource, and time is ours.

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