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blog #8 - sustainable shopping!
August 1st, 2021
When it comes to shopping, finding a way to shop in the most sustainable way possible for your own needs may be a bit intimidating and difficult at first. That’s why I made a simple flow chart on how to shop sustainably!
I based the focus of the flow chart to be based on an item and made sure to be inclusive of a variety of different “items”. These “items” can range from being tools, necessities, decorations, food, albums, and etc. Since I put it into broad terms, some questions might not apply to the item. (ex: you can’t rent food lol) Because everyone has different needs and wants as well as different circumstances and budgets I’ve tried to make it as simple and broad as possible. In accordance to that, I’ve made a list of questions to ask yourself when shopping for something.
6 Questions to ask yourself while shopping:
1. WANTs vs. NEEDs
Everyone has different wants and needs. Whenever we have the urge to buy something it’s good to think carefully about whether we really want or need it. Usually if we want something it’s a good idea to wait on it for a few days~month (depending on what you prefer/time limit). Sometimes you find that you don’t really want it anymore when you wait. This can apply to both wants and needs (In most cases this applies for items that are non-consumable). Knowing what you really want/need can help in not only saving money but also reducing your impact.
2. WHAT do you want/need to buy?
After deciding if you really want/need that item, what exactly is it? Is it something you can buy digitally? Physically? Both? Depending on what your answer is will determine the next two questions.
3. Is there an ALTERNATIVE?
Knowing what exactly you need to buy, ask yourself: Is there an alternative to this item I want/need? For example, if I wanted to buy a tool I should make sure to see if I already have something similar or identical lying around in my house. Sometimes you might find that you already have something like it. If not, the next step would be to ask if you can borrow or rent it from someone. Ask around your family, friends, neighbors, whoever you can to see if they have something that you want/need that they can spare/let you borrow/keep. If you’re not able to find anything locally, try asking or searching it up online and see if you can find what you’re looking for (safely) like local Facebook zero waste community group pages, libraries, and the like. If not then, proceed to the next question.
4. Is it thriftable/possible to attain second-hand?
If you weren’t able to or can’t find an alternative for that item, the next question to ask yourself is, is that item thriftable/attainable secondhand? This question is similar to the previous question, however this is in terms of paying money to attain the item (in most cases). Can you buy it thrifted in-person? (i.e. Goodwill, local thrift store., etc.) or online? (i.e. Depop, Mercari, eBay, Poshmark, etc.) What is your situation and budget? It all depends on that. Most often, items that are thriftable/second-hand can have a lower price than its original retail price so you can save more money usually in this way! Also, buying things secondhand is a great sustainable way to shop since the items you are purchasing don’t end up in the landfill right away.
5. Can you buy it LOCAL or ONLINE?
The next question to ask is: Can you buy it locally in-person or online? The closer you can find the item, the better. The reason why this is important is because we emit emissions whenever you shop for something. Yes, even buying in-person. The amount of emissions it takes just to go get that item or have it mailed to us can vary depending on where you get it from and where you’re located. If possible, it’s good to purchase locally, whether online or in-person depending on your situation.
For example, if I’m buying an item online secondhand, I try to look for sellers who are selling that type of item as close to me as possible. This can range from the item being available in my town, to my city, to my state, to my country (the list goes on depending on how far away it is). If you want to get an item that ships from afar, ask yourself, “Do I really have to get this item this far? Is it worth my time, money, emissions, etc.? Will I take care of it and cherish it for a long time?” It’s good to keep that in mind especially when trying to shop sustainably.
Adding to that, supporting small businesses is a wonderful thing to do when shopping for what you want/need. Not only do you support people who are trying to earn a living, it also helps the community/your local community. Try avoiding to shop at places/sites that are big brand corporations that promote unethical wages and non-sustainable practices. For example, if I wanted to buy music equipment, it’d be better to buy somewhere like a people business like Sweetwater since they’re located in my country instead of somewhere like Amazon where most things are unmindfully handled. (I’ll do another blog post talking about places like Amazon in the future to explicate) This all depends on everyone’s circumstances however!
6. Can you buy it in BULK?
And finally, the last question you should ask yourself is: Can you buy it in bulk? This question mostly applies to things you need such as, food and tools. If for example, you wanted to buy some chips, it’d be better to buy the big bag of chips instead of those boxes/sets that have individual sized chip bags in one. The main reason for buying in bulk is to reduce plastic. Individually packaged items in plastic in a set use more plastic than one giant bag filled with many items in most cases. This question may not apply to you if you’re not aiming to get the item in large quantities.
TIPs for sustainable shopping!
Bring your own reusable shopping bag to avoid plastic bags
See if you can ask for little to no plastic packaging if possible (online sellers)
Buy your item(s) as local as possible to reduce emissions
Go for the non-plastic version of the item if possible (i.e. metal soda can vs. plastic soda bottle)
Try going for recycled materials if possible (especially if made of plastic)
Buy in bulk for items needed in perhaps large quanitites to reduce waste!
Reuse, repurpose or recycle any plastic packaging you receive (ex: reuse boxes/mailers from packages to ship packages to others)
Hope this simple guide helped! Please feel free share it with someone you know or whomever it may be! Please do tag me when reposting! Thank you! :)
#zero waste#low waste#soonsoop#soonsoop blog#soonsoopmusic#personal blog#eco blog#music eco blog#ecofriendly#illustration#procreate#eco art#sustainability#sustainable#sustainable living#sustainable shopping#OC#soonsoopoffcl#ecofriendly shopping
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blog #4 - how to compost!
May 9th, 2021
Hi everyone, I’m back with another blog post! Today’s blog post topic is going to be about composting!
What’s composting?
Composting (in simple terms) is the process of converting natural material into compost a.k.a. fertilizer for plants!
Composting has many benefits:
Eliminates food waste going into the landfill (+ makes your trash smell less smelly)
Natural and easy way to make homemade fertilizer
Good for your plants!
Let me share my experience with composting:
A few months back, I was really intrigued to start composting. I had been hesitant several many times to actually start due to my situation and also fear of “messing up”. I currently live in a suburban house with family members including my grandparents. My family (not including my grandparents) was against the idea when I first told them about it. That was discouragement #1.
I referenced off the experience I had back in my highschool days. In my junior year of high school, a group of classmates and I were in-charge of the compost bin at our school. We visited the bin every week or so to turn the bin and add materials or water if need be. The bin was fairly large and belonged to the teacher. With the subtle knowledge I had back then, I looked into buying compost bins thinking it was the only way to compost “properly”.
Then, one day after watching a couple YouTube videos and researching different ways to compost, I found out that there were many solutions than I’d imagined. I watched some people composted in their apartment by freezing their food into the freezer and dropping it off at a local composting station or farmer’s market in town. Some people used a coffee bin or container to make their mini compost bin inside their homes, and some who just used the plain ground to pile their compost outside in the countryside.
I combined all the knowledge I gained to apply it to my experience. I asked my family again if I could try composting. Of course they were pretty skeptical of it, but I proceeded on and tried to persuade them through my actions. To start with, I used a plain ol’ freezer bag to collect all my food scraps. With every collection, I zipped the bag up and stuck it into the freezer.
The next I had to do was find somewhere to actually compost the food scraps. I went to ask my grandma if I could dig some holes in the backyard near the side of our house and she agreed! We dug some small holes up and that’s how my journey of composting really began to take it’s place. Although my grandma didn’t fully understand the in’s and out’s of composting, her agreeing to it was a significant encouragement to me! :’)
I started the composting process by adding my food scraps into the hole, piling some dead leaves ontop, covering dirt ontop of it all, and then finally adding water to it. At first, I checked and turned my compost about 3 times per week. It was a surely slow process but I did see a bit of the results after a month or two! One time I found a tiny piece of ready-made compost with white specs like fertilizer! It got me really excited! Since then, I’ve been composting and try to check it once per week. I learned that it’s better to start now instead of hesitating or fearing the mistakes. It’s not as bad as you think it is!
Now with that being said, I’ll tell you HOW exactly to compost!
How to Compost!
There are many ways to compost depending on your situation and location. I’ll break it down into simpler terms to make it easier for you:
1. Find a compartment to keep your food scraps
Image from: LiveForLess
There are TWO common compartments to keep your food scraps before dumping it into your compost area. One is a compost bucket and another is a freezer bag/bin. There are compost bins/buskets made to store food scraps for a short period of time and then taken out to be thrown into the compost. Personally, for me it is a bit costly to do that plus the idea of keeping food scraps out even in a bin sounds unappealing since I share a home too. My option, is to use a freezer bag and freeze my compost. I currently use the medium-sized Ziploc freezer bags that my family has lying around in our house to put my scraps and freeze them. I’m planning to invest in a Stasher bag or a similar reusable compartment to put my scraps in for the future but for now, I’m using what I have. I encourage you all to use what you have! It not only saves money but makes the most out of your current resources.
2. Find a place to compost
This is where things get more complex here. First, keep in mind where you’re located. Do you have access to a drop-off bin? A backyard? How about a community garden? Or are you willing to and financially able to make your compost bin in your home? There are so many places to compost depending on your situation. I don’t think there is one way to do it. I found this infographic on composting you can follow! Looking at the graphic, in my case my compost area would go in the trench/pit section!
Image from: gardensthatmatter
3. Find a time to commit
Lastly, the final step is a time to commit. Depending on your situation, you might need to adjust a bit of time out of your schedule to commit to composting. If you’re deciding on dropping-off your food scraps at a local farmers’ market or community garden, then you would probably have to contact them and set a time, etc. If you’re composting at home, you would need to allot a time to be able to turn the compost every (blank) amount of times each few days, week or even months! It all depends on your commitment and compost bin/area type. Rule of thumb: The more frequently you check/turn your compost the faster the process will go (Of course you still have to be patient and let Mother Nature do its thing.). For generally bigger piles, checking on the piles once a month may be ideal. For me, I try to check my compost once every week usually on the weekends since I’m busy with school during the weekdays.
Ok, so now that we’ve got our areas set, what exactly can we compost and HOW?
That’s right, I’m here with another graphic! :D There’s honestly different lists, graphics, videos and etc. on what to and what NOT to compost which can be quite overwhelming. When I researched all of this information I was honestly overwhelmed and a bit daunted. The list I’ve compiled below isn’t exactly accurate for all compost piles, however it is most inclusive to what is generally accepted in most compost bins/piles. The general rule is you can compost generally all fresh vegetable and fruit scraps. Most natural untreated materials as well.
Some compost piles can have animal products, but it’s known to attract creatures and have a terrible smell so that is why I don’t include it in my compost pile. I would recommend you do your research if you’re interested into doing that however! Also, obvious things like toxic waste, chemicals and any items containing non-biodegradable plastic aren’t allowed. Yes, even glass and metal can’t be included in compost! You would think it could break down, but..... no it won’t. It will take way too long..... Also, pet waste like dog poop and cat poop is a no no. They may contain parasites that can get into the plants you grow and might eat. Yuck. Also, diseased plants or rotten food are not allowed.
Now that you know what to put in your compost, how exactly do you build it? Well, depending on your compost pile/area or situation, it will vary. There are also TWO main categories of layers that make up your compost: The browns and the greens.
Browns are dead leaves, twigs, branches, and cardboard/paper.
Greens are your food scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings, etc.
However, usually speaking for actual compost piles you’d first:
Pile your browns
Pile your greens ontop of the browns
Pile browns ontop of those greens
Cover the pile with soil (If a compost trench/pit or in a bin)
Add water
Check and turn your compost pile every allotted time out of your schedule and add water when needed!
Some composting advice!
Make sure to take off labels from your fruit/vegetables! Did you know most of labels on produce are made of plastic? so it’s not compostable. :(
Add enough water. I’ve had times when I didn’t add enough water to my compost so, ants started making their way into the pile. Though, fear not! If you add enough water you’ll be able to scare them away! Ants aren’t a bad thing to your compost, but too much of them and they will try to make a home in your pile-- which we don’t want. Also, don’t overwater your pile either! You’ll be able to know if you pile has enough water when turning it and observing the dampness of the soil.
Creepy crawlies are a good sign! If you start to see insects/bugs like rollie pollies and worms, that’s an awesome sign! They’ll be extremely helpful in breaking down your compost faster by letting them chew their way through the material!
Keep your compost pile covered. If you don’t cover your pile with dirt/lid chances are it will smell bad and attract pests that you don’t want such as, rodents. I haven’t dealt with that problem before but it is possible.
Try to keep a balance of your materials. (For those who are composting at home) This one may be difficult to accomplish depending on the foods you eat and what you’re able to do. Too much of anything is bad. It’s good to have variety in your compost and not have too many acidic food scraps like citruses for example. Remember: what you put into your compost is what you’re getting as the result.
I hope this simple guide to composting helped you! Happy composting! :)
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blog #3 - introduction to plastic
Image: ‘Plastic Ocean’ by Yoh Nagao
May 2nd, 2021
What comes to mind when looking at this piece of artwork above?
It’s evident you can see the bits and pieces of plastic making up what appears to be a Whale Shark. The artist, Yoh Nagao, created this artwork in order to depict the cost of our convenience when it comes to the plastic we consume in our everyday lives. ¹
It’s true. The fact that plastic is everywhere in our world today.
From the snack bags our chips come in to the phones we use... There’s no doubt about it how we’ve become so dependent on the use of plastics.
What exactly is Plastic you might ask?
To break it down simply, Plastic is a group of synthetic or non-synthetic materials that can be molded into practically almost any shape. ²
On one hand, plastics can be made of natural organic material such as plants. However, the plastics that we see commonly used today are what is known as synthetic plastics.
Synthetic plastics on the other hand are made of fossil fuels which is the crude oil made of decomposing plants and animals taken from under the earth to fuel many of our cars, home, electricity and even the plastic we use! The methods of extracting fossil fuels is a dire one, but that is another topic of discussion.
With that being said, there are different types when it comes to synthetic plastics. Here is a list I’ve compiled and drawn out for you to see:
As you can see, it’s clear that plastic has evident consequences on our health. Knowing the fact that most plastics are made of man-made material and of fossil fuels, it leads to the question of why we should avoid or lessen our use of plastics as much as we can.
Why should we avoid using plastics?
1. Plastic is hard to recycle.
Looking at the graphic above on the types of plastics, you can see how some plastics are hard to recycle. To put into perspective, according to the United Nations, only 9% of plastic is recycled! ³ A shocker, I know right?? We see a lot of companies stick on that “recycling” logo on plastic products, making us think that if all we do is recycle, all will be taken care of but in many cases the plastic we put into the recycling bin doesn’t really get recycled. Most of the plastic we “recycle” in first-world countries like the United States, gets shipped out of the country into third-world countries.⁴
2. Plastic pollution is real.
Image from: The Ocean Center
Many of the plastic that gets lost and isn’t recycled gets washed down in to rivers and into our oceans, eventually washed up onto many shores of third-world countries who have nothing to do with it. Many sea animals also get harmed by the plastic that end up near the ocean whether through entanglement or even consumption. The plastic that ends up in our oceans gets sucked into these “garbage patches” following the currents of our oceans and prevalently into what is known as the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”. Thus, the plastic that ends up in our oceans begins to break down into tinier and tinier pieces known as, microplastics which are essentially tiny pieces of plastic debris. This plastic debris that stays in the sea leads to harmful effects on our health which leads me to my third point:
3. Plastic has harmful effects on our health.
The microplastics that stay in our oceans gets into our food chain, all the way to the tiniest of microscopic organisms of algae, up to the biggest organisms mainly, being us human beings. This eventually leads to what is called, bioaccumulation—the gradual accumulation of substances (or in this case plastic) in an organism. The toxicity and harmful effects that results in this process is detrimental to not just animals but also humans. As I mentioned in my previous point, many animals who encounter plastic in their habitats mistaken it as food. One distinct example is the Albatross.
The albatross population has decreased due to the amount of plastic pollution increasing. They’ve mistaken the plastic as food and end up dying quickly due to congesting plastic. ⁵ A lot of sea animals including albatrosses die early because of the leading causes of plastic pollution.
Image Courtesty of Chris Jordan
Of course, there hasn’t been a case where human beings have necessarily congested plastic however, there is no doubt that plastic in itself is harmful to animals and humans alike. It’s becoming more and more common that the use of plastics is rising and with that the increase in plastic pollution which leads to more and more of those microplastics ending up into organisms and onto our food plates.
To wrap up,
Plastic is a really prevalent part of our society and we should be mindful about its impact and how it affects our planet, people and animals.
I highly recommend you watch the documentary, ‘Our Plastic Ocean’ available on Netflix. It explains into more depth about the impact of plastic on our oceans. It takes into all the factors I’ve mentioned about how hard it is to recycle plastic, the details about plastic pollution and also how plastic can have harmful affects on our health. I’ve linked a video provided on YouTube below for those of you who do not have a Netflix account.
youtube
P.S. I’m planning on making a “Plastic series” starting with this introductory blog post so stay tuned for more posts tied into plastic most specifically in regards to music and the music industry! :)
#soonsoop#soonsoop blog#soonsoopmusic#environment#eco blog#plastic ocean#plastic pollution#plastic series
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blog #2 - eco-friendly headphone brands!
April 25th, 2021
When it comes to listening music, using a set of headphones or earbuds can be an essential part of the experience. It gives a more personal and intimate experience with the music.
There is a difference between “earphones” and “headphones”.
“Earphones” or as some people call it “earbuds”, are the ones that go into the inside of your ears whereas headphones are the ones that cover your whole entire ear.
Now, you must be questioning why I’ve titled the blog as “headphones”. Let me tell you my experience on why I think using headphones is for the better. Before getting into the fine details of how the human ear works and the effect of music on our ears, I’ve been an avid user of the famous earphones many people use.
During my music class at the current college I’m attending in, I learned that “earphones are the fastest way to damage your hearing”. The human ear is an organ that protects and filters sounds. It’s like an acoustic organ that balances the stuff we hear. Because the device is inserted straight into your ear, without letting your whole ear be able to “filter” out the sounds it becomes extremely dangerous after long-term exposure. After hearing that statement it really shook my world. Since then, I’ve been starting to use headphones as much as I can instead of earphones. Headphones on the other hand are much safer than earphones/earbuds. Because the sound plays onto your whole ear and not directly, it lessens the impact when listening to music.
Although not everyone is suited to using headphones, I am focusing this post on headphones since I will be taking into the factor of both the regular consumer as well as those involved in music production/industry.
Since I’m a music creator who creates and have been learning to mix and listen to music, I also took into the interests of both the regular consumers as well as consumers who are involved in the music industry and music creating/mixing whereabouts. I began to look into brands that had eco-friendly headphones while trying to search for some myself. With that in mind, I’ve done some research on eco-friendly/ethical brands that sell headphones.
Here are the top 3 brands I’ve found:
LSTN
House of Marley
Thinksound
Let’s start with...
1. LSTN
Fave factors about LSTN: gives back to the community, use of sustainable materials, great aesthetic and design
Recommended for: those looking for a good cause with their purchase, sustainability, aesthetics, day-to-day consumer willing to invest more money into their headphones
Price: $$$
The first brand I’ve tried was LSTN. It was around 2017~2018 when I first discovered this brand. I’ve tried the LSTN Avalon Bamboo earphones. I really liked it for its minimal and appealing design as well as the story behind the company. A brief overview of the company & its headphones:
LSTN is a company that gives back to the hearing community, providing people with the abillity to hear music and sounds globally with every purchase made. They partner with The Starkey Hearing Foundation to provide hearing aids to those in need. Their line of headphones(excluding the kids section) use sustainable and reclaimed wood, vegan leather and an aluminum banding.
Currently, LSTN only has wireless headphones available in their headphone line.
The Troubadour - $179.99
The Troubadour 2.0 - $179.99
Features: Wireless connection, 40mm drivers, 32 Ω Impedance, 8+ battery life, Backup cable for wired use, Built-in mic/controls, Vegan leather pads, 30' operating range, Lifetime support
I would say LSTN would fit best for the day-to-day consumer. Even though they have a backup cable for wired use included, I wouldn’t say it’d be perfect for mixing since it was not specifically built for that purpose. One downfactor that would be discouraging is the cost of their headphones. However, their motto and use of materials as well as their aesthetic designs makes it very appealing.
SHOP LSTN’s headphones here: https://lstnsound.com/collections/bluetooth-headphones
2. House Of Marley
Fave factors of House of Marley: Has the most relatively cheaper options, use of carefully sourced and recycled materials, supports global ocean conservation and reforestation efforts
Recommended for: Bass lovers, interest in global ocean conservation and reforestation efforts
Price: $$~$$$
The second brand I’ve encountered and tried out was House of Marley. It was around 2018~2019 when I found out about their brand. I’ve tried their Smile Jamaica Earbuds. Their brand is known for it’s emphasis on the bass sounds. I could really hear a lot of bass when using their earphones.
House of Marley is a brand that focuses on delivering music to its consumers as well as contributing conservation efforts to the planet especially focusing on ocean restoration and global reforestation efforts. Their materials are carefully sourced and sustainable. They’ve created a Project Marley Global Giving initiative in order to support ocean conservation and global reforestation efforts through One Tree Planted and the Surfrider Foundation.
Positive Vibration 2 Headphones - $49.99
Rebel BT Wireless Headphones - $59.99
Positive Vibration 2 Wireless Headphones - $69.99
Positive Vibration XL Wireless Headphones - $99.99
Positive Vibration XL ANC Wireless Headphones - $149.99
Exodus Wireless Headphones - $199.99
Exodus ANC Wireless Headphones - $249.99
House of Marley has more options compared to LSTN’s headphone line-up. It seems that their most expensive headphones have the highest ratings on their website. I would say HOM is best for the regular consumer again especially since their products have an emphasis of their “signature sound” which has a strong bass sound. I wouldn’t think it’d be ideal for someone mixing music, but I think it would be appealing to a regular consumer who loves that bass-y sound. Concerning price, HOM has a variety of relatively mid-high to high price-ranged options which is a bit more appealing for those on a slight budget. I find their clarity about where their materials as nice as well as their conservation efforts!
SHOP House of Marley’s headphones here: https://www.thehouseofmarley.com/headphones/
3. Thinksound
Fave factors about Thinksound: Studio-focused headphones, use of relatively natural & recycled materials
Recommended for: both the regular consumer & music industry involved concsumer, those looking into more eco-friendly headphones designed possibly for the studio?, use of natural materials, nice acoustics
Price: ??? / TBA
The last brand I found upon my research was Thinksound. A few months back I found their specific type of headphones called, ‘Thinksound On1′ headphones and came across a review that talked about them being used specifically for the studio. It was one of the first and only eco-friendly brands that I came across that created a headphone built for a studio. Unfortunately, the headphones were discontinued and I was sad to see their site was under construction. However, now that I checked back again today, I saw that they had reopened their site again and added some new products!! (Woohoo!)
Thinksound is a company that started out in 2009 striving to deliver products made to allow music to sound the way musicians and music professionals can be respected for. They strive to also use responsibly sourced materials.
ov21 - $??? / coming soon! (wired)
on21 - $??? / coming soon! (wireless)
I have yet to try this brand out yet I have high hopes for this brand. They’re made and are making products that deliver the music in a way that can be possibly respected by music professionals while also implementing responsibly sourced materials into their products. I am curious and excited to see the new headphones they have coming soon on their website!! (It’s stated on their website that they’ll have pre-order discounts and release info if you sign-up their newsletter on their homepage!) They are making both wired and wireless headphones available soon in the future so, I think their headphones will be both ideal for both the consumer and music studio involved consumer!
SHOP Thinksound’s products here: https://thinksound.com/collections/our-lineup
To wrap up, these are the top 3 brands I’ve found and recommend you all to try. Although most of them have quite an expensive price tag, supporting companies like these who strive to bring ethically and responsibly sourced materials without diminishing the quality of their products is a great way to listen to your music in an eco-friendly way.
And yes, I know. As you can see in the first picture of this blog, I am currently using AKG K240 headphones. I am hoping to try out brands like Thinksound if they continue to make headphones that can be used in the studio. Headphones (other than speakers) are a crucial factor in the whereabouts of mixing and getting a good sound from it is influential in the way the product and quality of the music that is being produced. I still find it difficult to find brands that have both great sound while being sustainable at the same time especially for studio-based headphones in the music industry. I hope there will be a day when more brands like Thinksound begin to implement those qualities while both trying to put in an effort to responsibly source their materials!
Let me know what your thoughts on these brands are if you’ve ever tried out these brands yourself! Thank you for reading. :)
#soonsoop#headphones#eco blog#music eco blog#environment#music#music blog#soonsoopmusic#soonsoop blog#2021#210425
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blog #7 - zero waste
June 27th, 2021
What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘zero waste’?
What I think of when hearing the term ‘zero waste’ I think of a circular economy. One that connects and brings everything together in a cycle.
If you’ve ever come across the term ‘zero waste’ on social media you’ve probably seen the aesthetic of mason jars, bamboo utensils, and plastic-free homes or even the famous trash in a jar.
But, zero waste is more than just that. That is only the surface of what it really is.
What is ‘zero waste’?
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, ‘zero waste’ means “generating little or no waste”. Sounds pretty straightforward, huh?
However, the movement itself is not as straightforward as you think.
Every living thing whether human or not produces some amount of waste in their lifetime. There is no way out of it, because it is part of how we are able to live and survive as living organisms.
Well, what’s so important about it, you might ask?
Zero waste is a movement and lifestyle that can greatly reduce our impact or in this case waste as humans and also be mindful of where everything comes and goes on this planet.
Everything we consume comes from somewhere. How we consume things especially in a way that is intentional and considerate towards our planet can go a long way in how our Earth will shape in the future.
What does zero waste mean to me?
I remember in the summer of August 2019, I came across the term ‘zero waste’ on YouTube while watching some videos. The idea of it was a bit new to me despite knowing some information on eco-friendly ways or swaps I’ve learned about. I didn’t know 'zero waste’ was an actual thing.
As I got deeper into what the movement was, I began to realize it was something I sort of dreamt of as part of my lifestyle growing up. I dreamt about living in a home with little to no plastic, natural items and such. The concept I perceived seemed to equate closely to the zero waste lifestyle it preached about!
Since then, I’ve been trying to slowly implement zero waste swaps and alternatives into my life. It hasn’t been all that perfect and that is totally fine.
Going through the past year or two, I’ve learned that “zero waste” doesn’t look the same for everyone. It’s not always putting a year’s worth of trash enough to fit in a jar. Instead, it can mean and look different to many people in their own unique situations and lifestyles.
What I’ve noticed with my experience so far, a lot about the movement seems to be made fit for the privileged. I think the reason why so many people don’t dive into taking in this zero waste concept is because of how “perfect” and “limited” it seems to be. Honestly, I was quite intimidated about choosing to take on this lifestyle with all the “expectations” on what a zero waster is “supposed to look like”.
Zero waste is NOT about buying a bunch of new swaps.
When I was starting out, I was really anxious about buying all these zero waste “swaps” when in reality, I had what I needed already infront of me. Moreover,
Zero waste is about making use of what you already have.
Zero waste doesn’t mean to not have a single bit of plastic in your house. It doesn’t mean you can’t do whatever you want (depending on your lifestyle). Although a lot of this might be ideal, it is not a good way to think of it. Figuring out what best works for you and your lifestyle and situation is key. There might be sacrifices you might have to make while implementing this lifestyle, but in the end it is something you choose to do and is a very significant way in making a more better impact for the planet.
It doesn’t have to be perfect at the beginning. It will definitely take time to implement everything you desire and intend to do with this lifestyle. As I mentioned earlier, it will look different to some. Everyone’s journey is different.
I for one do not think you have to be perfect if you want to get into being zero waste! I think that if each of us do our best in making a better impact for the earth, all of our actions will come together to produce change in our society. Every little intention counts! ;-) It’s better that we all do imperfectly than to not do anything at all. Like I said, the intention counts.
As I’ve mentioned in my first blog post on the documentary film, ‘Seaspiracy’, I really do believe that everything about the Earth and what we do as humans is connected and affects everything around us. The choices we make affect everything around us.
Honestly, I’d rather call the term ‘low waste’ instead of ‘zero waste’, because it brings much less of a pressure on me. “Zero waste” does not mean producing literally ZERO waste. It means that we are trying to reduce our waste in a way that is most ideally circular and gentle toward our planet.
I hope this blog gave you a little insight on what zero waste is! Please look forward to future blog posts where I talk about various zero waste/low waste swaps and methods you can implement into your life! :)
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blog #5 - unplug your plugs
May 13th, 2021
I remember back in elementary or middle school I saw a commercial that advertised to people the importance of unplugging your phone charger even while it’s not in use.
I’ve always wondered why it was important to do such a small thing.
I found out that keeping your plugs plugged in still uses energy.
Well tiny bits of energy.
Why is it still important though?
Well, according to the Huff Post, that energy being sucked up in little bits is what is called, “phantom energy” and it could take up to 10% of the electricity in your home. Well actually more now with the increase of electronics use.
I found it funny that it’s called “phantom energy” since it’s really similar to the word “phantom power” used in the music industry.
There is a difference between “phantom energy” and “phantom power” though!
“Phantom energy” is the withdrawal of electricity from appliances plugged in that are not in use. ¹
“Phantom power” is the electricity (or specifically DC electric power) used to deliver power to microphones that contain active electric circuitry. ²
The main similarity between the two is the use of electricity.
I think when it comes to the music industry, there is bound to be the use of a lot technology and gadgets more than anything else. From audio interfaces to computers electronic instruments.
Is it really worth your time unplugging your electronics every time you don’t use them?
As a broke college student with a small home studio, I would say, yes.
Currently, I live with my family and I know that electricity is a huge part of what comes through our bills every month. It’s the number one thing that costs us the most money.
Doing my part to unplug electronics and plugs when they’re not in-use knowing that it could potentially suck up 10 to even 30% of my electricity will go a long way more than doing nothing.
I think the main factor for doing this is to save both ENERGY and MONEY.
I mean if you think about it, all the energy we’re using comes from somewhere. Nothing is free and so we have to keep that in mind when using resources. I feel like especially in our first-world society we take for granted all the resources we have available to us when a lot of third-world societies for example really need and cherish the resources they have or are provided rarely.
So, will you unplug your plugs when not in use?
Let me know what your thoughts are and if you make it a habit to unplug electronics too!
#soonsoop#soonsoopmusic#soonsoop blog#environmental blog#environment#music eco blog#eco blog#electronics#electricity#plugs#unplugged#unplug
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blog #6 - mental health
May 30th, 2021
Hello, it’s been a few weeks since my last blog post!
I’ve been taking a break from things in life these days so that explains my short absence from here. I am currently a college student attending college and I just finished my final semester exams a week ago. However, near the end of that week I noticed that I suddenly got depressed.
What I soon realized what was the core of why I was feeling that way was because I saw that I was pushing myself too hard.
Most of us who are used to attending school normally in-person are currently going through the new environment of online classes, Zoom lectures and such.
If you know me, although I am an introvert I really dislike taking online classes. Especially with all of it being online and at home all day everyday, I think it has been taking a toll on not only my mental health but also my physical wellbeing. I’ve realized that having the freedom to do assignments and watch lectures is both a blessing and a curse. Even with having holidays throughout the course of the semester it seems to not feel the same as before. It really feels like school is never-ending until the semester actually ends.
I think that is one of the reasons why I sought “freedom” from school after. Honestly, I was thinking of taking two summer classes after finals finished. However, the first one started right after finals week ended. The other class I was planning on taking was right after the first one which meant if I took both, I would be doing school nonstop until the NEXT new semester. When I signed up I was actually quite excited for it. But, the next day I just got suddenly depressed. I couldn’t shake it off and so it led me to the conclusion that what I was doing myself was not right.
So, I decided to drop the class. And you know what? I felt much better!
I guess this was the answer I was looking for. What I’ve learned from this was that listening to my mind and body really would not only help me thrive but also keep me healthy and happy. Although it was a sacrifice I had to take, it was worth doing it for the better of my mental wellbeing.
Why do I say all of this?
Well, I wanted to share a little backstory as to what I’ve been keeping myself happy and healthy in context to the planet as well as mental health! These are mostly ideas and suggestions I’d like to share from my own experience! :)
Here are 3 free things I’ve done to relax my mind and soul!:
1. Repurpose/redecorate items you love!
Personally, there’s this memento holder that I’ve been keeping since my aunt bought it for me during Christmas about a decade ago. The color of it didn’t appeal to my eyes. However, since I was thinking of keeping it anyway, ‘why not repaint it?’ I thought.
So, what I did was use what I had which was the Scribble paint I’ve kept since a few years ago as well as some paint samples I received from school which I didn’t finish using. Although the paint itself isn’t necessarily "eco-friendly” and “natural” I really think it’s a great way to use your resources and save money! I think it’s better than throwing away that unused paint into the trash where it’ll sit in the landfill for years.
Painting helped me keep my focus away from my thoughts and more so onto what I was decorating. It was an enjoyable thing to do and it made me feel good to see it turn out much appealing to my taste!
2. Get up & immerse yourself in nature!
Photo taken by soonsoop
Sitting around all day is not only bad for your physical health, but it can also take a toll on your mental wellbeing. Although, I haven’t been quite active, just standing up and walking around outside my backyard for a bit or even out in the bouts of nature has somehow calmed myself from within.
Nature in itself is healing.
It makes me question why nature is so healing to most of us? I think it might have to do with the fact that humans have always grown up surrounded in nature from the start. In regards to this question, I read up a blog post that said something really invigorating to me:
“Nature reminds us that the natural state is allowing and non-judgment. Nature allows all as it is. Nature doesn’t engage in value judgments. It doesn’t say that this straight tall tree is better than that crooked old one. And when we shift in that direction, that too is a relief and healing.” — http://absentofi.org/
Even if it’s just going outside to get some fresh air, I highly recommend you take some time out of your week or day to just immerse yourself in nature. I think it will benefit you from within and be a source of healing.
3. Try something new!
Although this one doesn’t exactly allude to the environment, I wanted to share this with you all still since it relates to mental health. Last Wednesday, I saw one of my favorite artists from a band I like post about this free online streaming event that was fundraising on behalf of the Asian Mental Health Collective.
As an Asian-American myself I felt intrigued to join in and so I tuned in about an hour into when the stream started. During the stream, they showcased many diverse artists, writers and people from many parts of the world talking about their story, about mental health and about what has been happening right now with Asian Americans. I felt so inspired and felt like I had renewed something in my heart again. While tuning into the first few minutes, one of the guests said something that I thought was really impactful,
“If it stops giving you joy, give yourself permission to stop. Only when you know how to stop do you know how to go on.” — Ocean Vuong (2021)
If I feel it in my heart and soul that what I am doing isn’t right, I should allow myself the freedom to stop. Hearing that made me feel less guilty about taking a sacrifice for myself for the sake of my wellbeing. At the moment I was depressed after signing up for more than what my body needed and I knew that it wasn’t the right thing for me to do for my mental wellbeing. I am so glad I stopped and listened to myself, because that has really improved my wellbeing and helped me gain back the strength to keep living. :’)
Hearing everyone’s stories and seeing how they took those experiences and apply it to their own works really inspired and empowered me. We all have a voice and we can make a difference just by existing, doing what we love and sharing our experiences with each other as human beings.
To be frank, it’s been at least over a year since I’ve been to an actual concert and even with there being online concerts available, I’ve never got the opportunity to attend one. While tuning into the livestream, it really felt like I was at a concert and it made me feel alive and rejuvenated again listening to all the music and hearing their stories. In a way, it healed my heart.
I recommend you all to try something new and use what you have! Just the thought and action of doing something new is exciting and I think it is one way to help connect yourself again to what life is about living for.
Thank you for reading this blog post! I hope you enjoyed it and it inspired you. Feel free to let me know what you think and any ways you do to take care of your mind and soul. :)
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