What does Inge, the blogger behind GRüNISH, think?

Inge, the blogger behind GRüNISH, was so kind to answer my questions on her general opinion on the Zero Waste lifestyle.

Your general opinion on this lifestyle (what are the prospects of this lifestyle in the future?

I think Zero Waste Lifestyle is not only a new trend but we're also about to experience a big change in industrialized countries. In the past years people gained the understanding that nature is endangered and we're leaving a tremendous amount of trash and pollution for our children. With Zero Waste Lifestyle, everyone gets to do something good for the environment, even at home and that feels good. We'll see many more people in the future converting to this lifestyle and more and more bulk shops will open up.

Is it hard to live this lifestyle (especially with children)?

My kids are small and they just know it this way. We never had packaged sweets, pouched smoothies, baby food in jars, etc. We get some snacks in the bulk aisle and otherwise we have fruits and veggies.

Cloth diapering is challenging, you have to know exactly how to care for the diapers. I was lucky enough to meet a cloth diapering expert who helped me in the beginning.

Another challenge is it to refuse goodies that are given to my kids by others. I know it's meant as a nice gesture but I don't want little plastic things as free gifts. So how to politely refuse without causing a meltdown by the kids and a sad face by the giver?

Are you strick when it comes to packaged sweets?

My daughter learned about goldfish (packaged cracker like snack) in preschool and she loves them. So once in a while we get some for her. And sometimes she gets mango juice which comes in a plastic bottle. I guess, we're not strickt but we limit packaged stuff to a very small amount compared to others.

Can you find any bulk products for children (baby)?

For baby's food (he's 8 months old) I steam veggies and fruits and make a cereal with oat meal flour. My daughter (she's almost 3 years) eats the same that we eat so nothing extra to buy for her. Her favorite breakfast is ginger granola and she loves shoveling it in her granola jar in the bulk aisle.

Would you encourage other people to do this?

Yes, I encourage other people to do this and I am helping with suggestions to make a start easier for them. I've organized a local Zero Waster group in which we help each other with ideas and knowledge. And I've founded the Zero Waste Bloggers Network to help bloggers that are writing about their journey to Zero Waste (just like you).

Finally the biggest obstacles to living this lifestyle.

Biggest obstacle I have yet to discover. I'm lucky to live in the wonderful, small town Hood River in Oregon (USA) where we have a grocery store with a large bulk aisle and small businesses where the owners are friendly neighbors and always willing to help in the best way they can.