Philly is going through a trash epidemic right now, and here’s a radical concept that could help people now with their trash, but also moving forward.
Your trash can is a mirror. Look at it.
What you throw away reveals everything about how you live, what you value, and how much you’re willing to pay for convenience.
Most people don’t like what they see, so they take out the trash and forget about it.
That’s the part that’s critical, forgetting about it when the trash leaves our possession…
Where does it go?
Here’s the thing: zero waste isn’t about becoming a monk who lives off berries and rainwater.
It’s about being intentional with your choices.
The 80/20 of Not Trashing Your Life
Four changes eliminate 80% of your household waste:
- Stop buying water in plastic bottles. Get a filter. Get a reusable bottle. Done.
- Bring your own grocery bags. Keep them in your car, by your door, wherever you won’t forget them. This is logistics, not rocket science.
- Buy less stuff. Use what you have before buying more. Your closet is probably a graveyard of impulse purchases anyway.
- Compost your food scraps. Even apartment dwellers can vermiculture. Yes, worms in your kitchen. Get over it.
Okay, This one may be on the more extreme end but it’s a damn good hobby to get into to reduce waste
The Psychology of Waste
We waste because we’re lazy and because waste is invisible. The moment you put something in the trash, it becomes someone else’s problem. Out of sight, out of mind, out of conscience.
Who cares?
That’s part of the problem.
Zero waste forces you to confront every purchase decision. When you can’t throw something away, you start asking better questions: Do I actually need this? Can I borrow it? Will I use it more than once?
This isn’t about saving the planet (though that’s nice). It’s about saving your money, your space, and your sanity.
Start Here, Right Now
Don’t reorganize your entire life. Pick one thing:
- Replace paper towels with old t-shirts cut into squares
- Make your own deodorant (baking soda + coconut oil + essential oil) okay this one may be crazy too.
- Shop the bulk bins with mason jars
- Fix something instead of replacing it
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. It’s thinking before you buy.
The Uncomfortable Truth
Zero waste is inconvenient. It requires planning, preparation, and occasionally explaining to cashiers why you’re putting loose bananas directly into your cart.
But so is being broke from buying things you don’t need.
So is living in a cluttered house full of stuff you forgot you owned.
So is pretending your consumption doesn’t have consequences.
Choose your inconvenience.
The Bottom Line
Zero waste isn’t about judgment or virtue signaling. It’s about being honest about what you actually need versus what you think you want.
Your trash can is still a mirror. But now you get to decide what it reflects.
Start small. Start today. Start with one less thing in the bin.
The planet will thank you. Your wallet will thank you. Your future self will thank you for finally paying attention.
Get on with it!
Joe DiAndrea 