ZERO WASTE: Attempting to be Zero Waste in a Post-Maria Environment
There are so many, many things to be grateful for those who survived the brunt of Hurricane Maria, and there is a lot of work and reconstruction to be done both as a nation and within each one of our lives. I take this moment to disclaim any notion that what I will discuss here is an ill intended attack on those who aren't into reduced waste (zero waste is still a lofty goal to pursue as I'll discuss why), but as a point of view of someone who did her best to be zero-waste during and after a natural disaster.
Needless to say, I wasn't successful all the time.
It must be said that for the most part, zero waste can be a time and money investment that those who are fresh off an emergency situation are not able to make. To make a frankly dire experience, as much as I preferred to have the reusable plates and cutlery, there were obstacles that prevented me from using them. The main problem (and one that's still happening in many counties in Puerto Rico) is the access to clean and safe water to clean said items and something as intimate as a menstrual cup for those who experience periods. With the mounting reports of leptospirosis (a potentially deadly bacterial infection that lives in rodent urine), it was a significant enough issue that using disposables was indeed the safest for a while before the water was certified to be safe for use.
This might seem trivial but it highlights what is essentially a debate between sustainability and survival when it comes to the most prominent aspects of zero waste. But I can say that, after going through the experience, there are ways to reduce the waste one produces during an event without sacrificing sustainability.
Right off the bat, recycling and reusing will be your companions through this time. Always set aside more water for washing than you think and for at least a few days. DIY disinfectants and scrubs can keep the place clean though stronger stuff might be needed to keep things clean. If you find a source of clean water, make the most out of it but with the least amount of waste possible. I used these ideas, while also bringing with me my small insulated mug for coffee, a reusable water bottle, my ceramic microwave bowl and utensils as an alternative to the disposables, and limiting my food outings to save up. Most things you plan on recycling that might affect your health, consider boiling them for 5 minutes before use to properly kill off any bacteria.
For those trying to be zero-waste in this or similar situation, don't be discouraged because you had to endure an emergency. It's always important to be safe and secure first, and to have as much time to recover as possible.
- Att. Swattie
Needless to say, I wasn't successful all the time.
It must be said that for the most part, zero waste can be a time and money investment that those who are fresh off an emergency situation are not able to make. To make a frankly dire experience, as much as I preferred to have the reusable plates and cutlery, there were obstacles that prevented me from using them. The main problem (and one that's still happening in many counties in Puerto Rico) is the access to clean and safe water to clean said items and something as intimate as a menstrual cup for those who experience periods. With the mounting reports of leptospirosis (a potentially deadly bacterial infection that lives in rodent urine), it was a significant enough issue that using disposables was indeed the safest for a while before the water was certified to be safe for use.
This might seem trivial but it highlights what is essentially a debate between sustainability and survival when it comes to the most prominent aspects of zero waste. But I can say that, after going through the experience, there are ways to reduce the waste one produces during an event without sacrificing sustainability.
Right off the bat, recycling and reusing will be your companions through this time. Always set aside more water for washing than you think and for at least a few days. DIY disinfectants and scrubs can keep the place clean though stronger stuff might be needed to keep things clean. If you find a source of clean water, make the most out of it but with the least amount of waste possible. I used these ideas, while also bringing with me my small insulated mug for coffee, a reusable water bottle, my ceramic microwave bowl and utensils as an alternative to the disposables, and limiting my food outings to save up. Most things you plan on recycling that might affect your health, consider boiling them for 5 minutes before use to properly kill off any bacteria.
For those trying to be zero-waste in this or similar situation, don't be discouraged because you had to endure an emergency. It's always important to be safe and secure first, and to have as much time to recover as possible.
- Att. Swattie
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