Lauren Singer's Zero-Waste Life: Lessons from Her TED Talk

Zero waste simply means less trash and more mindfulness. But when it becomes a lifestyle, or when you choose it as your lifestyle, add your own way of doing it. Honestly, there is no one way, or right or wrong method—just the zero-waste intention to produce less waste, starting with one small act that can trigger a healthy loop of mindful choices.

As the famous zero-waste chef and author, Anne Marie Bonneau once said, "We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly." And, we couldn’t agree more. We need as many people as possible attempting to reduce waste, even imperfectly. The effort to try is what counts and taking one step at a time.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Let’s say you start simply by not littering or being mindful of what you buy—how it’s packaged, whether it’s reusable, and how it fits into your waste-reduction goals.

Lauren Singer is an environmental advocate and an entrepreneur. Through her blogs and partnerships, she’s been vocal about climate change and sustainable living.

We share some of her insights from her TEDx Talk titled: "Why I Live a Zero Waste Life," where she introduces by showing a mason jar filled with tiny bits of trash. If you know her story, you already know the reveal - this jar represents all the trash she’s produced in three years. 

That’s it. Just one jar.

Lauren uses the jar technique to store her non-recyclable, non-compostable trash in her city.  Curious about what’s inside or what type of trash she managed to make and store in that one jar, watch the 4-minute clip here: Four Years of Trash: One Jar. What’s in Lauren Singer’s Mason Jar?

The Moment That Changed Everything

Being an environmental studies student back then, she had a moment of realization when she saw her fridge and how everything was wrapped in plastic. That was her wake-up call. She then planned to quit plastic and, inspired by Bea Johnson’s zero-waste lifestyle, she decided to go zero waste.

As Lauren puts it, “The idea that I didn’t have to produce any trash was so empowering and so inspiring.”

By zero waste, she means ‘No’ sending anything to landfill. She started understanding her pattern and began reducing waste:

• Making things on her own through DIY's instead of buying packaged products.
• Shopping second hand instead of buying new clothes.
• Decluttering and reducing her belongings to only what she truly needed.

Her philosophy? “I want to be remembered for the things I did on this planet—not for the trash I left behind.”

The key is always to start slow and simple. Make your own doable zero-waste lifestyle. As small as starting from your kitchen: start composting food, see what you buy, and check the packaging. Most importantly, figure out where you create trash. Make a list of things around you, scan your environment, and list what can be reused and what can’t.

For example:

• If you buy sauce and it comes in a glass bottle, try to reuse it or give it to recyclers.  
• The cardboard ones? DIY them into bookmarks, coasters, or dividers.  
• The plastic ones? That’s a hard one and the one we try to avoid. But if it’s a plastic box, reuse it for storage.

It is also important to make a list of things you really need—items you’re sure you’ll use. Remember, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. All the small steps you take bring you closer to a more mindful, sustainable lifestyle. And that’s what zero waste is all about.