Two adults, two kids, zero waste | Bea Johnson | TEDxFoggyBottom
Do you have an excess of stuff? Do you take the trash out on a regular basis? Bea Johnson started a global movement advocating for a zero waste lifestyle. Here, she reveals how she and her family produce less than one quart of waste per year, and how living simply has changed her life for the better.
Since 2008, Bea Johnson and her family are dedicated to living a zero waste lifestyle; they generate a mere quart size jar of waste per year. Through her blog and her book Zero Waste Home, Bea launched a global movement and continues to inspire a growing community to take a stance against needless waste with the application of the 5R's: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. She shatters misconceptions, proving that zero waste can not only be "stylish," but also lead to significant health benefits, and time and money savings.
Grand Prize winner of The Green Awards, she speaks at universities, corporate events and conferences internationally, and opens her home to educational tours and the media. She has appeared on TV shows and in publications around the world, from The Today Show to BBC Breakfast. With her passion and positive outlook, she has become a guru and spokesperson for the zero waste lifestyle or, as the New York Times stated, "The Priestess of Waste-Free Living."
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx
Пікірлер: 414
This is what humanity desperately needs! Less consumption, more life! Thanks to this woman who has clearly great ideas to make our world a better place!
@micheledulak4047
7 жыл бұрын
p1kakkiiuii [owowiwkwkkwkq9oqo
@GraceMcGrathEnvironment
5 жыл бұрын
auryflam79 that is for sure.
Why are so many people in this comment section bashing her for not being vegan? She does a lot to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Appreciate her effort instead of picking on her choices. Nobody's perfect!
@gardenjoy5223
6 жыл бұрын
As if vegans are perfect. A lot of them are aggressive. Not nice people at all. Very self-righteous and disdaining. Now there are also lots of nice ones, but to me: each aggressive one is one too many. They made vegan the new religion and try others to bow down to it too. No, thanks. No way!
@celestineernest1087
5 жыл бұрын
@@gardenjoy5223 its people who continue to eat animals who are agressive not vegans. Society impose violences and cruauty to animals. the actual religion is to eat animals, to predomine on theses individus. Dont worry the new vegan religion is not coming tomorrow, but animals slaughters go on, open your eyes and wake up
@gardenjoy5223
5 жыл бұрын
@@celestineernest1087 This is what I was talking about. Also in you it already has religious tendencies, when you write "open your eyes and wake up". Can't you see that aggression is in all humans, whether they are vegan or not? No, I guess you can't, since you have blinded yourself to it. Like eating animals is the source of aggression and not each person's wicked heart. With pride - the biggest failure of all - leading the way in most ideologies, like in veganism. "See how good I am for not eating animals? Everybody should stick to my worldview!" "And if you don't, we'll bash you, shame you, etc."
@ADCFproductions
4 жыл бұрын
@@gardenjoy5223 yup she just proved your point, out of nowhere lol I'm not vegan or even vegetarian but i eat less meat than what i used to. won't stop eating it however. About this zero waste lifestyle, where i live it's impossible! Everything is wrapped in plastic or whatever, if you go to the supermarket the only thing that is not packaged is the fruit :C
@qandeelmalik
3 жыл бұрын
Garden Joy kHz C Cxpx Xox Plz Zkldldlclflclflpfpcofocfppxnhmcjcjjchchmcop
Love the idea of everything fitting in a carry-on, people come and clean the home and then the rent pays for our vacation ... wow
Amazing. I started my zero waste life months ago. And thanks to Bea and so many people inspired by her. Let’s make our planet a better place!
@renesoto3986
3 жыл бұрын
Lets try and make corporations follow this idea
Growing up in the 1950s 60s we put water in plastic bottles in the fridge. When I complained about the taste, mom would just yell at me, yet I developed (at 8) my theory of plastic-bleeding. Plastic-makers have changed the formula of plastic-softener, but I still taste this. So, no; no more plastic for me - well, much less. However well you do it, it's better than wasting blindly. Good for you, Bea. LG, howie from Germany, but really from Brooklyn, NY.
What a tough crowd, not one peep whenever she made a joke.
@NeverMind353
6 жыл бұрын
Amanda Brems i just think the mic didnt pick up the crowd noise well. Apart from that, her jokes just weren't that funny...
@tawnyalehtinen5439
4 жыл бұрын
Agree, and she had some funnies!
@ADCFproductions
4 жыл бұрын
yup it's the mic, right at the start 0:50 you can hear people laugh but the sound is really low.
@supernukey419
4 жыл бұрын
Lgge Gee is that a joke?
@ADCFproductions
4 жыл бұрын
@@supernukey419 when i was a little boy in Poland, we all had ponies! My sister had pony, my cousin had pony, so what's wrong with that??
Very impressed how clean and organized. Simply elegant and spacious... open bright ... freedom!
Agh i always feel really uncomfortable when people make a joke and the audience doesnt laugh 😁
@BlondeRedheadislove
5 жыл бұрын
She has a good message, but yeah she's just lacking in the charisma to be funny. I've watched all her talks and she makes the same "jokes" every time.
@MohamedAyman-hz3kx
5 жыл бұрын
تزززم
@whatcatwhiskers8169
3 жыл бұрын
I find it funny
3:10 'the beauty of decluttering is that it lets you share the things you don't use or need with other people' --GOLD! Thanks for posting!
A zero waste lifestyle is good for everyone! You clear your mind and save your wallet with minimalism, you appreciate and care more for items, you eat healthier, save the environment and stall industries' mass production that almost always exploits workers in poor countries!
"A life based on experiences "💜💜💜 I wish I was there to ask questions 🖤💜
I really wanna start an all vegan, zero waste, self sustaining community one day
@micheledulak4047
7 жыл бұрын
mqkqkkqkkk2
@aqua3925
7 жыл бұрын
HydrangeaDragon take out all vegan and I'm in... I need meat:)
@evaiskra11
7 жыл бұрын
Are you recruiting yet? I'm in!
@sustainableshelbs2521
7 жыл бұрын
HydrangeoDragon, let's do it! Currently, I'm working on a project of my own to figure out how to be vegan, zero waste, and self sustaining. I'd love for you to check it out and follow me on my journey!
@cyclopath5475
7 жыл бұрын
You don't need, you just want it ;)
Omgggg, I'm just seeing this right now. I've been just to a few beautiful places in the world but were enough to realize that I want everyone else to visit those amazing natural beauties and the way of getting that is by conserving our home: planet earth. Thanks Bea, keep shining.🌱💜
freaking loved her!!
@riznaf7693
3 жыл бұрын
How has it been after 3 years?
I think there is not even one zero waste store in my country. It would be great to be the owner of the first!
@lukakay
6 жыл бұрын
Where are you from? A new business idea? ;)
@lisseth1163
6 жыл бұрын
Luka Kelman Costa Rica !
@MrsAkankshaAggarwalAsstProfess
6 жыл бұрын
there is a ted talk in which a girl has started a zero waste store..
@taizaaguiar2930
5 жыл бұрын
I think neither in mine, which is Brazil.
@ClySaga
4 жыл бұрын
@@taizaaguiar2930 in one of the biggest countries in the world: Brazil, there is no zero waist store?!! Either you haven't found it yet because the country is so big or the world is in a worse situation then I thought it was😅
This is my goal! I’ve watched this so many times now! I’ve made a few mistakes though. Trying to buy things to make my own products where the individual ingredients came packaged in more plastic than the original product I was trying to replace. You’re better of buying things in real life locally. Way less waste and more control over packaging choices.
@dawnbern2917
3 жыл бұрын
I found the same problem! I tried to make my own sunscreen and the zinc oxide at the local health food store came in a huge plastic container :-( I think I'm going to look on the Zero waste markets for a sunscreen product already made that comes in glass and shipped in paper :-)
Thank you so much Bea! You have honestly changed my life😄🌱🌲💙
I feel so motivated after watching this video, your so cool woman and I admire the huge effort that you are making to improve our world ❤️
I can absolutely appreciate what Mrs. Johnson has accomplished and is attempting to teach others. I personally will not wear hand-me-down shoes, but there are some takeaways in her examples that I could implement. Filtered water instead of the plastic gallons of water I purchase, for example. Food for thought! Minimalist thinking already!!
I came from Lauren's talk, this is so inspiring! I wish more people can implement this in their lives
Great job, Bea! Thank you!!
i love her, so inspirational!
Please be my mom!!!
@victoriagravelle9772
6 жыл бұрын
Tera.gggggggryujbgjgyuokxs
@APerson-ui5zq
5 жыл бұрын
be the mum This is my planning too :)
I have wondered myself how to save up money and honestly, this is the best way to do it... easy and good for the environment. I really don't think I need that many clothes, shoes and stuff. It makes me sick to see how much stuff I have... time to de-clutter and live as close to zero waste as possible.
@ajanablue9718
2 жыл бұрын
how did it go?
I believe plastics should be heavily taxed as well as meats and dairy. Those taxes should be used for ecological projects.
@Broadwaydrama
5 жыл бұрын
I think it would be better if they'd stop making plastics. Tax it would be like rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic. They could better invest the time in making laws about plastic free products
@ADCFproductions
4 жыл бұрын
Don't tax plastic, just stop production!!! Trust me, if you tax everything, the ONLY thing that is going to happen is people in government buying Mercedes and BMW's for themselves.
Wow this family deserves an award for what they accomplished.
Just clear, simple and helpful
Вот так должен выглядеть интерьер без всяких излишеств как у этой женщины. Я многие годы стремлюсь к такому минимализму и это очень облегчает жизнь. Почему так мало таких людей как она?!
19 years old and at the right time to know this gold 👏
This truly is very inspiring and amazing. It makes so much sense this is helpful in the research I'm doing and I'm very excited to make a change.
@MrsAkankshaAggarwalAsstProfess
6 жыл бұрын
hey even i m planning to take up this research
Great video, very informative. In Asia the waste situation is so bad. We're trying hard to convince people at Zero Waste Saigon
@aliceavery4356
4 жыл бұрын
hey! I lived in Saigon for a few months this year, and was really impressed that you guys had a store there and were trying to make a difference. Saigon was one of the worst places I've seen for plastic usage, but it was really great to see your store and a couple of others start to make a change!
@yolaina5584
4 жыл бұрын
@@aliceavery4356 எ
This is pretty awesome! I'm slowly trying to make the change.
She speaks so well and is so relatable
THANK YOU!
This video is so inspiring. I LOVE this woman
Thank You for the photos
Thank you!!!
I aim to have a zero waste lifestyle and start to actually save money and enjoy life. Very well put. Again I am very grateful to have seen this video and all from a science course.
Wow wow and another wow indeed! Thank you for that speech! I started this month my zero waste lifestyle!
@onlycorner5565
4 жыл бұрын
so now u are an angel? this is just an over the top lifstyle the speaker present. so many lies and omissions
This is really awesome and inspirational. Thank you.
@GraceMcGrathEnvironment
5 жыл бұрын
Plastic Project I totally agree.
Béa : depuis que j'ai lu ton livre j'ai pris conscience de bp de choses et j'ai réorienté ma vie. Tu as fait du bon boulot. Merci
This really inspired me to start anew. Thanks!
Thank you Bea Johnson you Rock
This is so cool. She's done this with her whole family, and, by being a teenager, I know that we rarely smile in front of our parents because they've done something for us (no offense to the awesome people who do!) I love her accent.
Such an inspiration!
wunderbar. Ein so tolles Video. Ich liebe es.
thank you this is helping me in my school project and has inspired me to try some of these methods of producing my own products
Genious!!!! Thank you Very much
Wow! Such an inspiration!
Wow! She and her family are hardcore!
It inspired me to do my own tips on going zero waste video..thank you!
This woman is an inspiration!
This is so inspiring!
♡ thank you.
@kedibonejoyce6568
5 жыл бұрын
Serena 9o
Love her man great inspiration
Wow, very inspiring!
She is so good!!
I really liked this video. It is so cool to hear from the women who started the movement.
Wow so thorough n amazing 👏👏
THAT IS AWESOME! THANK YOU, Bea!
Inspirational! I think this is exactly what my own anti-plastic and anti-consumerism ideals have been leading to.
she is such an inspiring person . i should follow the footstep too
zero waste lifestyle ... i respect it
Just ordered her book!!!
I have so many questions: 1. What they do with medecine (cuz most off them are not Recyclable) 2. I heard that paper towels are not recyclable 3. What we can do when we are not in a country with balk store and shampoo bars
@auraluna7679
5 жыл бұрын
Edit 2.if you mean paper towels to wipe down the kitchen counter etc then you can instead use a washable cloth. You didn't even have to buy one. Old ripped clothes are perfect for cleaning and you can wash and use them until they fall apart.
@shazarahramesar6395
5 жыл бұрын
honestly, not using paper towels/napkins in general is the best option, you can use handkerchiefs, rags, cloths instead
@miskamysa4323
5 жыл бұрын
As she said: They are way less ill; they don't use paper towels & they DIY their shampoos & cosmetics. The only problem is not living close to a market or a bulk store
@justynazaczek4710
5 жыл бұрын
@@miskamysa4323 You can nearly always find some bulk options in cities. If you live in some, look around.
@ulianaeme
5 жыл бұрын
@@miskamysa4323 well, you have a brilliant business opportunity there.
I hope you do the BEST for your kids--Because they are very special, and lik my parents said they are special cargo whether in a back seat or traveling by air, rail or just biking together! Maggie
SUPER!!!
This woman is my hero.
Inspiring!
es admirable,quiero traerla a mexico
Living close to Germany, I can't buy free of packaging, but they have bigger bulk items so that helps.
i have read her books, and found this video so late =)) but still I have been doing the zero waste lifestyle for a while, love it !
Superb talk.
If you live in the uk Midlands/ northern England there is an amazing zero waste store in Chester so if you can definitely go or go online and shop from wearth London
elle est merveilleuse! awesome!
If you ever visit Mechelen (Belgium), there's a package-free store called Kabas. Pay them a visit and bring a box (or 2, 3,...). Recommended by a regular customer... :)
great idea
It's really sad that bulk shopping is not cheap at all, not at least where I live in Oregon USA. Here, it's almost double the price it's like they charge you for using your own containers.
9:28 If clothing is made from synthetic fibers, dryer lint should NOT be composted.
@delphine5260
3 жыл бұрын
It makes a great for starter for bon fires if you put in an old cardboard toilet paper roll
That is a great advise sahib vander
She is the very best person that I want to be!!
I like her lifestyle. it is so beautiful
borax, vinegar, and baking soda is all one needs to clean. Bleach and all that isn't necessary.plus, it helps their cheap
In Denmark, u can only buy sertain fruits in bulk, sometimes bread, but everything else is pre- packaged. Nuts and such.
Great video.
AMAZING
I am going to try harder. it is difficult to start, I think I do need that book, but maybe an e version, right?
This is great, Bea, love it !My main problem is that I have cats but can't find bulk cat foods where I live.
@paigestrudwick3914
7 жыл бұрын
could you make it? :)
I read her book a few weeks ago ☺️❤
One of the best ted talks, thank you!! PS a few items she was wearing at the store arent part of the 20% =))
Quite unique presentations & Video clips on Climate Change Project 2020.
Well done
I wonder if she has seen Cowspiracy yet! The creator is an environmentalist who realized all his efforts had minimal impact compared to simply not supporting the animal food industries. It's really eye opening and interesting on the legal and political side.
@clarissagarcia401
6 жыл бұрын
such a good point!! Maybe shes vegetarian? Shes only mentioned butter and I didn't see meat in her fridge. I'm Vegan, But I have a ways to go to be zero waste.
@DanielaSanchezVEVO
6 жыл бұрын
She or her family are not vegetarians which i find hard to understand given the circumstances, i mean they created the zero waste movement but still they choose to ignore the HUGE impact that we make when we consume animal products.
@camillegarrioud7638
6 жыл бұрын
According to her book published in 2013, so it might have changed, they eat meat once a week and fish once a week too. So not vegeterians but not big meat eaters either
@SSuzie86
6 жыл бұрын
recent studies show that being vegan is not the most eco friendly way as cultivating certain grains uses more water etc.,evaluated many other factors, but all in all leaves a bigger footprint than some animal products. Before you attack me, I am not saying it is morally right, but as it looks veganism is not the most eco friendly way of living.
@melanieafuego7560
6 жыл бұрын
Zsuzsa Góz That's not true. Do you know who made the study and if it is from a reliable non-biased source? Most grains and plants we cultivate today are made to feed the life stock in raised in industrial farms. By consuming vegan products instead of animal products, you are actually still reducing the demand for it, therefore reducing your footprint.
the sounddddd!
Merci beaucoup.
Hey :) Does anyone know how to add subtitles to a youtube video like this? I am a native Mandarin (Chinese simplified) speaker and would love to translate the video into my language for people who might need.
@paigelaw9527
6 жыл бұрын
I think I figured it out for you! At the bottom of the video (on laptop) theres the thumbs up and thumbs down. all the way to the right of that is the three dots. click on that, and then click "add translation." I think that's how you do it! I hope this helps!
Bravo Béa
Pretty cool, but... eg she mentions old shoe with a hole that had to be replaced - and buying new shoes second-hadnd - cool! Yet I can't stop wandering what happened to the old shoe? I'm quite sure it doesn't fit in the jar and it's not recyclable. Hmm... Any suggestions? And ofc flying and leather plus the leg shaving comment. Still, what do they do with such waste (eg the shoes)?? Anyone??
@paigelee2994
4 жыл бұрын
It depends on the kind of shoes but the uppers may be compostable and the soles recyclable. I find it so sad that people are looking for every possible chance to tear her down just for doing her best for the environment. If the only things she’s done in years that contribute to the waste in our world is fly and throw away a shoe then she’s doing amazing!
Please tell me how to rid my life of junk mail!
@Anonymous-me8sq
6 жыл бұрын
It's in her book
@justarcheo
6 жыл бұрын
Just put a paper with title: DONT PUT JUNK MAILIN on your mailbox
Hey, I would love to do polish subtitles for this video. Is this possible?