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An individual's guide to sustainable living


I think it best to set out my intentions from the very beginning. My goal is not to be perfect. I have no delusions that I will be living a completely sustainable lifestyle. To do that I would need to build a house by hand in the countryside where I can grow my own food and make my own clothes. I would need to completely cut myself off from the modern world. I have no desire to do that. Instead, I want to be an active participant in this world.
That being said, I have made the decision to lead a life that is less impactful on the planet. I am challenging myself to live a lifestyle that is considered “alternative” simply because I refuse the basic wasteful practices of the average household in western societies. Since this is an alternative lifestyle, I often find myself defending my choices or explaining the intricacies of my life. Generally, I do not mind. I want to share this lifestyle with others as a way to make it more accessible.
            Roughly four years ago was the first time I learned about this subculture of environmentalists who lived without creating trash. I was captivated by this short YouTube video of a woman who kept a year’s worth of trash in a sixteen-ounce mason jar. I quickly and obsessively learned everything I could about living a “Zero Waste” lifestyle.
In the end, I determined my goal was sustainability and conscious consumerism. When I purchase anything, I want to know not only where it came from but what will happen to it when I am finished with it. Furthermore, what is the full impact of my purchase from production to transportation to disposal.
It should also be noted that my reason for doing this was never to protect the planet. I know, that is a bit of an odd statement for someone who considers themselves an environmentalist. However, long after plant and animal life go extinct, this hunk of rock we live on will still be here. I am doing this for people. I am willing to make these sacrifices so that later generations will have the same opportunities.
My path was not simple, and it was not straightforward. I made several mistakes and had to reevaluate my choices more than once. In the following posts I will explain how I gathered my information, how I applied what I learned to my life, and how law school has impacted my choices.



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