When was the last time you stepped outside of your comfort zone? I mean really stepped outside of it?
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to “the upside down” of my everyday life in New York City to a remote jungle location in Costa Rica - a permaculture farm completely off the grid. The only electricity we had was from solar power, we produced very little waste - composting and recycling/repurposing whenever possible - and most of the food we ate was grown on site or locally. We slept in simple bungalows under mosquito nets with the sounds of jungle animals lulling us to sleep (or in my case keeping me wide awake!). This place, Punta Mona, is the closest you can get to nature and to living and breathing a sustainable, zero waste lifestyle.
While I’ve been deeply involved in sustainable fashion and its social and environmental impact, there is still so much more I could be doing in my home and in my community to move closer to a sustainable and low-waste world. This trip really shook up my everyday routine and forced me to look at my daily choices. I felt inspired and reenergized to make some changes and help educate my family and friends (if they are open and want to learn). Here are some of the immediate changes I made upon my return, in case it should inspire you as well:
1. Less Plastic and Paper - No more paper towels or Ziploc bags. This should have ended long ago. Here is what I am using instead - silicone bags and bamboo towels . Also, this collapsible coffee cup is amazing! It’s silicone so it won't keep things hot for that long, but it’s incredibly easy for every day travel.
2. More Nature - Even if you are in a city like me, you can incorporate more plants inside your apartment. I am potting and growing herbs with my children, which we will use to cook. It’s a great intro to how we can grow and use our own food.
3. Composting - If you want to get started on composting, here is a great resource. You can buy a simple composting bin to collect scraps, like this stainless steel one with a charcoal filter.
4. Permaculture Education - Anyone can sign up for community groups that specialize in permaculture design. I found a few on Meetup.com locally.
5. Community Gardening - If you can’t have your own garden, you can sign up to participate in local community garden events and volunteer programs.
6. Collaboration - I’m encouraging my family to participate in a low-waste lifestyle by creating a contest and awarding a prize to the person who can create the least amount of waste.
7. Health - A week eating vegetarian made my body feel great. I plan to eat more plant-based meals and less processed foods. If you have any favorite recipes I would love to hear from you! Also, if your local community has any farm share programs that is a great way to get produce at a reduced rate.
The wonderful people who live at Punta Mona are an incredible inspiration, as they must work and collaborate every day to keep this system humming along. Everyone must pitch in to collect food, cook the food and clean up. They must take turns gardening/farming, composting and tending to the water supply among many other things. They’ve traded convenience for a life aligned with their values, one that they are in control of, that does not rely on the outside world. It’s truly incredible to witness. I hope you can experience this magical place too!
xo
Kathy
