Zero Wasted

In chapter five, Friedman describes the controversy that ensued when meteorologist Heidi Cullen tried to educate her audience about global warming. What is the best way to inform those who tune out such messages, which they believe are tantamount to “politicizing the weather”?

Our next book will be Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution–and How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman. It’s a long book so we will break it up into two parts, pages 1-200 and 201-438. We will discuss the first 200 pages in our April book club discussion starting on April 29th.If you can, try to borrow your book, get it…[Read more]

How did your idea of “zero waste” change throughout the book? Did you learn anything new that was surprising to you?

Bea writes, “We all yearn to save time, at any cost (including the environment), so we buy into time-saving tricks that marketing campaigns promise. But who is disposability really benefiting in the end?” (P.46) What is your reaction to this statement? Do you agree/disagree and why?

According to Bea, the 5 R’s are: refusing (what we do not need), reducing (what we do need), reusing (what we consume), recycling (what we cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse), and rotting (composting) the rest. Do you think this list should encompass any other R’s? How else can we strive for Zero Waste?

Bea says, “With the implementations of zero waste alternatives, we have noticed undeniable life improvements: notable health benefits, along with considerable financial and time savings. We learned that zero waste does not deprive; on the contrary, through zero waste, I have found a sense of meaning and purpose. My life has been t…[Read more]

Bea describes getting “weird looks” from people when she brings her own jars to the grocery store. Has this ever happened to you? How did you navigate this?

Bea uses baking soda and apple cider to rinse her hair until her husband mentions that he can’t stand the “smell of vinaigrette in bed.” What are some zero waste swaps you have made similar to Bea’s? What has been the most successful/least successful swap you have made?

Bea says, “I realized that we enjoyed all the trappings of the American dream, what thoughtless citizens and consumers we had become. How did we get so disconnected from the impact of our actions? Or were we ever connected?” (p. 5) What is your reaction to this statement? Do you agree/disagree and why?

In Zero Waste Home, Bea Johnson opens up about her life in France and how it shaped her lifestyle/environmental views as an adult. What role do you think ones childhood plays in shaping their views for adulthood?

Hello Everyone! Welcome to the first month of the Zero Wasted Book Club. Please take a moment to introduce yourself. Let this community know what you would like to be called, something interesting about you, and anything else you’d like to share. Welcome!