The path to Zero Waste is individual and very personal. To start with implies changing many small things in one's daily life, and then gradually involves other aspects of life and inevitably also the people around us. Obviously, this involvement includes people with whom we have a romantic relationship. Things can be fine if the idea of drastically reducing one's waste is shared with one's partner right from the start. It's different if one of them has a minimum interest, or is not interested at all.
What to do then? Here are 5 tips that we have collected for you.
1 - Tolerating and respecting
Our first suggestion is to be tolerant...and creative. We can't expect all the people around us to change their habits overnight. Respect the "spaces" of others and instead try to take small steps: do not refuse to buy your partner his favorite shampoo (in a plastic bottle), but maybe take a larger package, so as to reduce a little the number of plastic bottles he uses.
Can't you give up liquid soap? Buy it in bulk, possibly with a scent (or color) similar to the one you usually use.
The same goes for the food: do you have your own evening snacks and movies? Buy the snacks in bulk or try to make them yourself! It's a "sweet" way to introduce some zero waste alternatives without imposing yourself too much.
2 - Setting a good example
Planning a dinner or aperitif with friends at home?
Organize yourself: plan the menu with your partner (if you usually do this), selecting "zero waste" dishes, easy to prepare and serve. Try to show that organizing a waste-free event is not more complicated, but simpler. When the guests ask you what to bring, ask for a selection of music or a movie to watch after dinner...
Everyone likes to eat in real dishes, drink wine in a glass and use knives that really cut. The guests will surely appreciate and you will demonstrate how easy (and beautiful!) it is to organize a zero-waste dinner.
3 - Avoiding impositions
Think again for a moment about all the times that, perhaps as young people, rules and changes have been imposed on you without the possibility of discussion "for our own good" or to the friend who was ostracized by the group after yet another paternal about his religion, political affiliation, etc.. That's it. Even if we are super enthusiastic about zero waste for all the benefits it has brought us, we must remember that it would not have any positive implications if we imposed it on others, in conversations as well as in daily life. What would be the point of removing our partner's deodorant from the trolley when he doesn't look at or monopolize all the conversations and take them to the trash? The partner would probably end up buying things secretly, even those for which there is a more sustainable alternative, while friends and relatives would move away. In this way we would lose the opportunity to confront each other: sometimes it is better to let one's actions speak for one's curiosity rather than our words to persuade at all costs.
4 - Giving good and attractive alternatives
Unfortunately, we have to accept that the ecological motivation is not always the one that makes the most sense, but this does not mean discouraging oneself but only becoming more aware and creative of the many advantages that zero waste offers:
Does your partner have food allergies or intolerances? Homemade products are made from fewer ingredients and checking the components that bother you becomes much easier as well as modifying the fragrance.
Does your partner love fashion and express yourself through your own style? Next time you have to go out shopping, look for the vintage or craft shops in the area: often there are very original items of the best quality, not to mention the many designer pieces at much lower prices that can be found in the shops of second hand.
Does your partner have to live on a tight budget? Choose a common goal such as a short trip, a concert, a day at the spa and then put the money you would have spent on those items or products that now, thanks to zero waste, you no longer have to buy.
5 - Going step by step
The last piece of advice we give you is to remember that everyone proceeds at their own speed and that it is right to slow down a bit in order to walk next to each other.