Zero Waste Workshop – The Source Bulks Foods

As part of our Arnhem weekly mindfulness sessions today we were treated to an insightful, inspiring zero waste workshop with the incredible Suzie from The Source Bulk Foods.

As a team we are committed to sustainability and life-long learning, and it’s sessions like these that keep us inspired. Outside of our working lives we try our best to move towards a zero-waste existence, and are always sharing hacks and ideas among the team. Things like reusable coffee cups, always carrying a water bottle, waxed sandwich wraps, cloth bags for produce, using jars, shopping at the farmers market and bulk food stores, composting, using bamboo toothbrushes, and menstrual cups are all kinda the norm in our office; but that’s not to say that we don’t encounter challenges that leave us confused and conflicted.

We aim to send nothing to a landfill by being mindful about what we actually need, reusing and repurposing as much as we can, sending as little as possible to be recycled, and composting what cannot be recycled. But, we’re still far from perfect.

Changing mindsets and habits doesn’t happen overnight, but if we all take small steps together to change our behaviours then there’s a chance that our planet will survive.

Zero waste not only protects and helps to mitigate the damaging effects on our environment, but benefits communities and helps us to support the economy at a local level too.

A zero waste approach conserves natural resources and reduces pollution from extraction, manufacturing and disposal. Reducing and reusing means fewer products are made. Recycling keeps waste out of landfills. This in turns reduces pollution and so the positive cycle begins.

Suzie’s message was quite simple today:

Refuse – Reduce – Reuse – Recycle – Rot

Here are The Source’s Top 10 Tips to help get you, or a friend started:

Carry a reusable water bottle

Shop at bulk food stores

Bring your own coffee cup

Say ‘No’ to plastic bags

Stock your pantry using glass jars

Bring your own shopping bag

Refill your own containers and jars

Say ‘No’ to plastic straws & cutlery

Make food from scratch

Reuse first and then recycle

With a little thought, and sharing your hacks, tips and experiences we can become part of the solution. And if someone asks you ‘Why?’ – Suzie says just tell them - there’s no Planet B!

We talked about many things today surrounding hidden plastics, cost barriers to becoming zero waste, political issues, common challenges and misconceptions. Here are a few links that you might like inspired by our workshop today:

An article on China's ban on taking Australian recycled waste - CLICK HERE

An infographic on fossil fuels and recycling plastic - VIEW HERE

An inspiring TedTalk by David Katz about a way to make plastic a commodity - WATCH HERE

A guide to eating sustainably and ethically - READ HERE

p.s. below you can find an incredible zero waste recipe for Almond Milk and Almond Pulp Crackers. These are the creation of The Kitchen Coach/Ashely Jubinville and are totally delicious. There’s no waste as the almond meal is used to make yummy crackers ✨