Minimalism is a movement which shifts focus from material possessions and encourages us to embrace what we all need and what we should value above all else. In its essence, minimalism is the decluttering of your life. It is the removal of material possessions, the removal of excess clothes, gadgets, electronics, furniture and all the other aspects of our lives which at one point we believed the be essential. Although this approach has many characteristics in common with the zero waste movement, the two communities have clashed with many believing that is impossible to live a zero waste life if you are a minimalist or vice versa.

Naturally, both movements should gel and fit together quite nicely. When you desire less and expect less, in turn you create less waste and improve the environment. However, there are some aspects of each movement which contradict the other. For example, when living a zero waste lifestyle, you are going to have more items than you normally would. For shopping and food storage, reusable bags, glass jars and food containers are essential. These are items that may seem excessive to a minimalist. Zero wasters are likely to carry reusables while it would be more common for minimalists to carry disposables. Despite the fact that minimalists would suggest giving away these items, it’s important to note what is enough. Of course, what is considered “enough” differs from person to person.  

This is however where the minimalist movement greatly compliments the zero waste movement. Both movements help us to identify what it is that we actually need and what in truth, we can live without. Zero wasters tend to keep hold of certain items in the expectation that they can reused and reused to prevent them going to the landfill. However, even these items can represent negativity thoughts or aspects of a previous way of living that may be holding the individual back. This is where both movements need to work together. Although both movements are undoubtably positive as a whole, the minimalist movement tends to focus more on the individual while zero wasters are more concerned with avoiding waste going to the landfill and improving the health of the environment.  

Before we can effect the health of the environment as whole, we must first look at ourselves. We need to discover whether or not we are living a healthy lifestyle, even if we do subscribe to a zero waste or minimalist life. Both movements have so much in common. They give us a way to simplify and progress to the well being our own healths and that of the environment, discovering what is important, what is waste and what is excess. Both of these movements are likely to have a hugely significant impact on the life of the planet and on the lives of those which live on it if implemented correctly. In a world where many believe that the planet is in no danger and our need to reduce waste is over estimated, minimalists and zero wasters can work together and help take huge steps toward a better and healthier future.  

Cover Image: Be More With Less Blog