I'm Rubbish At This

an imperfect zero waster in university documents every piece of trash they create.

[iamrubbishatthis]

hiatus

project currently on hold as I’m heading home and can’t just keep a pile of trash to photograph lol also because I’m packing and tidying up and there’s a lot of things I kept in case I could reuse but again since I’m going home I’ll probably just toss :(

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june 2nd, 2020 (x)

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june 1st, 2020 (x)

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may 31, 2020 (x)

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may 30, 2020 (x)

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may 29, 2020 (x)

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may 28, 2020 (x)

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all the trash I produced from May 1st-June 2nd, bar some food waste because I didn't want things decomposing in my room for a month. weighs 0.6kg.

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may 27, 2020 (x)

3x instant french vanillas: still need to find a replacement

instant noodles: I’m not proud of this either, but also I’m a university student during a pandemic

disinfecting wipe: had to clean the stove and I have a bunch of these wipes - after these are done I will make my own cleaning spray!

not pictured:

a disposable pantiliner: I’m nearing the end of my period, and while I use period underwear and a menstrual cup, by the end there’s not enough to justify using either, and reusable pantiliners I have the issue of them twisting around? not sure why they do that.

how to improve: coffee alternative, pantiliner alternative, make own cleaning spray

[iamrubbishatthis]

may 26, 2020 (x)

3x instant french vanillas: still need to find a replacement

edamame: I love edamame and I have never been able to find some not wrapped in plastic - any recommendations?

not pictured:

a disposable pantiliner: I’m nearing the end of my period, and while I use period underwear and a menstrual cup, by the end there’s not enough to justify using either, and reusable pantiliners I have the issue of them twisting around? not sure why they do that.

chicken bones: I don’t want to photograph food because I know it’s a bit tricky for some people but I want to keep track of my food waste!

how to improve: coffee replacement, edamame replacement, alternative to pantiliners

[iamrubbishatthis]

may 25, 2020 (x)

takeout: so styrofoam is recyclable, but often food-stained items cannot be recycled, and thus contaminate the whole batch! so I tried to scrub this down but it wasn’t happening, so unfortunately it’s garbage. also, no matter what I put in they always give me utensils and at that point you may as well use them because well... might as well fulfill their purpose. also, yes, this is the takeout from day 1.

3x instant french vanillas: still need to find a replacement

foil: I opened an new carton of yogurt, and I have not been able to find a replacement other than making my own :( - let me know if you have any recommendations!

how to improve: yogurt replacement, find better coffee replacement, less takeout/with better packaging

[iamrubbishatthis]

may 24, 2020 (x)

yes, most of the trash I make is coffee. no, i’m not happy about it either. 

not pictured - some biryani I spilled on the floor :( 

[iamrubbishatthis]

may 23, 2020 (x)

2 french vanillas - man I need to find a replacement

not pictured - a baby wipe, because I’m on my period.

[iamrubbishatthis]

may 22, 2020 (x)

just 2 french vanillas today! man, I really need to find a better alternative for coffee/warm comfort drink that I love 

[iamrubbishatthis]

may 21, 2020 (x)

day one of iamrubbishatthis! here is all my trash I made today.

homefries: yes, I could just get potatoes, but those tend to come in huge packages + y’know, the global pandemic. i also have nerve issues in my arms so chopping things can be a struggle, so I do prefer to get homefries. I’ll try to find something that’s a larger package so less waste per amount of potato. 

3x instant french vanillas: these function as caffeine and comfort drink for me - I’m allergic to chocolate so I needed something to replace it. I used to drink a brand that came in this massive tub but I have not been able to find it again for years, and so far this is the replacement I like the most. it is wasteful though, so I will still be on the hunt! also I’m on my period, cut me some slack. 

plastic wrap thingy: I ordered takeout. I’m on my period, cut me some slack. I didn’t finish it all so the rest of the food + packaging is in the fridge. 

as I mentioned, I’m on my period, but I don’t have waste from that as I’m currently using thinx underwear! 

how to improve: larger sized products, find better coffee replacement

[iamrubbishatthis]

some resources

first I want to stress this URL: do NOT buy things you don’t need, there are often alternatives! go to my tag #justzwthings to see some alternatives that I use to be more zero waste that are items that aren’t photogenic and pretty. but if you do need to purchase something, I would very much appreciate if you used my links.

thinx: http://ref.thinxify.me/v/chencoco

[iamrubbishatthis]

about me

hi! I’m Coco, a university student trying to become more sustainable and is currently very involved in the zero waste movement in their university. this is a way for me to document how that journey is going, as well as show that zero waste is not a glamorous mason jars and pretty tote bags journey, but one that is messy and where there are mistakes.

if you would like to contact me: http://scr.im/cchen