Starting a path towards a sustainable life at a young age is certainly something very appreciable, but it also involves considerable difficulties, first of all the fact of still living with your parents. Whether it is a teenager or an older boy, whether the parents are tolerant or against this choice, the difficulty of starting a zero-waste path while still in the family is unquestionable.
- The difficulties you may encounter
Often living with parents is not economically independent, and as a result, is little or no included in the choices that affect the home. Not having decision-making power means not having the opportunity to speak about food, shopping, cleaning, new purchases, user management.
We must communicate how important it is for us because if we do not find the support or interest we would like in the family, in the long run, it could be demotivating.
- Explain your motivations
To have the understanding and support we need, we need to explain the reasons why we want to make that choice. Patiently explaining the reasons behind this path is an activity that we can never leave out in our lives from zero waste.
- Making them participate in their own path
The unconditional support of parents in a zero-waste life choice is not a prerequisite. But it would certainly be nice to have their support, or even face these changes together.
If their first reaction is negative and a clear rejection, don't throw in the towel right away. It could be a behavior dictated more by misunderstanding and surprise, rather than a real rejection. With calm and patience, try to involve them.
- Doing (kindly) the work of convincing
In every family, there are values that are more felt than others. To get a grip on your relatives, try to identify what they are, and use them as a basis for your arguments.
- Show them that, in addition to the environmental benefits, being zero waste makes some things less tiring.
For example: instead of transporting the water crates from the supermarket to your home, filling a nice jug from the tap is effortless. Taking the basil leaves and parsley from the plants on the balcony is quicker and more satisfying than having to go out every time to buy a sprig that will soon wither.
- If your parents have proved impermeable to all these arguments, perhaps there is one that could win them over. Aim for their... wallet!
Tap water, loose fruit, and vegetables instead of packed and cut, no plastic plates and cutlery to buy regularly, no disposable items, no scottex and cellophane, less money for detergents, exchange and buy used, avoid wasting food with anti-waste recipes. All this has very little impact on your wallet!
What if we were talking about health? Perhaps they might be sensitive to the idea that plastic is released in contact with food, in cooking and storage, and that the long-term effects on our bodies are not yet known.
- The importance of being proactive
When you seem to be given no choice, try to offer yourself as a volunteer to do that particular task for them. Often if your parents don't listen to you and reject the changes you propose, it's because they think they'd be harder for them.
For example: offer to go and buy fruit and vegetables, and choose the one not packed in plastic. You do the cleaning and use bicarbonate, Marseille soap and citric acid instead of industrial bottles. Or offer to go and buy detergents, but boycott the supermarket and instead go to the store that sells them in bulk.
What if nothing works?
If none of our suggestions apply to your family, there are things that you too can apply, in your own small way, reminding you that every step is an important step forward in your journey. Here are some simple examples of great impact:
start with changes that don't require any initial expenditure;
focus your efforts on the purchases you manage directly (your clothes, personal hygiene and beauty products, ...);
organize snacks and meals outside the home with fruit or food from home;
use a water bottle and always take it with you;