Two weeks ago in Green Living Inspiration: The Zero Waste Home, we chatted about Sunset's inspirational article featuring Béa Johnson, her family and their nearly zero-waste home. I, for one, have been thinking about the article since I read it two weeks ago. The magazine had such great response, they followed-up with the Johnsons for answers to the questions we were all asking.
Sunset followed up with the Johnsons for answers to their readers' questions, many of which you had as well. A handful of the questions are below, and the Johnsons' answers can be read in The Zero Waste Home: Your questions answered.
If you have't taken a moment to read the original article, The Zero-Waste Home, do so! You'll be inspired and questioning everything you purchase and discard of!
Recycling is bad? Why do you keep your recycling to a minimum?
You lug glass jars to the market?
Shipping the tab back to Netflix is still trash though, right?
How do you cleanup after the dog?
What about food waste like bones and bacon grease?
(Image: Sunset)
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So, still no mention of the environmental impact of driving two cars. Their garage is, of course, shown with bicycles, not the vehicles inside.
One might also point out that they consume meat and dairy, which have a greater footprint then vegan sources. And, of course, they've add to the population growth as well.
These people are "green" only in the out of sight out of mind sense.
I think it's important to note the effort they are making to REDUCE their impact. Even in pre-industrial times, our mere existence impacted the environment. To participate in the modern world, all of us are going to have a footprint of some kind. Yes, going vegan and getting rid of cars is even greener--but what the have done is still impressive and a terrific example of things we could all be doing.
haha.."added to the population growth"
would you like to sacrifice yourself on their behalf? didnt think so.
Well, I'm not adding to the population....
you know, computer usage isn't green, either. uses tons of electricity and the environmental impact involved in making them is ridiculous.
I love what these guys are doing. They may not be perfect, but these are simple steps that everyone can take. It's not always realistic to live without 2 cars if couples work far from each other.
(People with 2 cars aren't necessarily wealthy, folks. Gotta survive, you know. If we had better public transport we'd have more reason to criticize).
I don't especially like the deceptive term "zero waste". I think people who walk or bike or whatever may find it exaggerating or offensive. I have a similar lifestyle and I call it a "closed system".
Um, I can't believe I'm commenting on this article yet again. However, @RocketScientist, I must respond to your ridiculous comments directly. Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not but I get the sense that you are one of those EXTREME ENVIRONMENTALISTS who shame others for their well-meaning efforts. That mindset bothers me because you will never accept the small ways that people attempt to ease their impact on the planet. So what if they have two cars and have two kids? Are you really holding that against them? I bet they drive very little and teach their kids to respect the environment. So what if they don't? I think the most inspiring thing about this article is that they are raising their kids to realize that they don't need tons of junk that they will never use or tons of unnecessary clothing. Your comment that you are not adding to the population is plain stupid. Are we all supposed to stop having kids to save the planet? If that is your belief then perhaps you should do something about your mere presence on the planet. I don't plan to have kids and that is not because I'm trying to save the earth. I just don't have any interest in parenting. I'd rather shower my nieces, nephews and friends' children with love and care rather than look at them as evil little planet killers.
Guess what, I consider myself a total treehugger: I live in a small house, compost, walk to the farmers market, recycle a lot, buy used, have as many high efficiency appliances as I can afford, but guess what, I have a car that I alone use to travel the 20 miles to my job. There is no public transportation between home and work. Even when I worked at a place that had it--I still went out and bought a car. It was not worth it to me to take two different busses and travel over an hour to get to work when I could drive there in 15 minutes. I'm not going to be shamed or minimized for any efforts, no matter how small, that I make to lessen my footprints.
P.s. Although I found this couple's ideas inspiring, I don't plan to start carrying glass jars to the grocery store. Too cumbersome.
@TKPKgirl Yeah! Well said.
@ RocketScientist You are crazy...but then again, you may not want to listen to me. I'm one of those crazy population-adding, earth haters.
@TKPKgirl -
Just FYI, Snack Taxi makes nylon produce bags (similar to Chico bags) to replace those wasteful produce plastic sleeves. They're quite large and I use them at the refilling grain stations at Whole Foods. No need to truck around glass jars that way!
@RocketScientist, saying "These people are "green" only in the out of sight out of mind sense." Is a harsh and invalid way of describing the Johnsons. On the blog Bea discusses their meat consumption (once a week) and her car usage (also once a week). I applaud their efforts and I am learning a lot from them. If you have something to say on the topic I think it would be a lot more constructive if, like the Johnsons, you could lead by example. It's awfully easy to criticize others. It's not nearly as effortless to lead by example and to share your trials and triumphs as candidly and generously as the Johnsons have.