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I love that they recognize their privilege which allows them to live this lifestyle and are using they’re resources and voices for systematic chance rather than shaming the individual citizens for being unable to love this sustainability.
@@theurbanthirdhomesteadno there privilege is their time and resources including health and sustainable supports the ability to choose needs. Lots of people work hard and cannot do what they are doing for many various reasons…..they are smart and understand this. Great work.
@@theurbanthirdhomestead One of the biggest privileges that the average person in the zero waste community HAS is effort and hard work. For example, many disabled people would simply not be able to live in such a way without, at least, way more systemic changes, but for some they would barely be able to live this way at all, simply because of their medical and support needs. Money and time can also be a privilege in these situations, even despite how much money ends up being saved.
I’m nearly 60 and desperately worried about our planet. I’ve failed to pass this on to my own adult children who have fallen for a consumer life style. My adult children always want the latest phone, the new sofa for Christmas and the new car every couple of years. The planet will survive and regenerate without us, but we will be extinct if we don’t change our ways. I enjoyed your film it gave me hope, we need to live like our great grandparents, i do what i can, and do many of the things you do. It’s wonderful to see young people changing hearts and minds. All power to you both ❤
Is it a class thing? I've never purchased a new piece of furniture. Plus antique and secondhand looks better. I think some people want to look like NPCs. They actually like it somehow. Kids got braces, trips to Disney, wife has nose job, etc etc. Their life is literally a starter pack summed up😆
This is so amazing!! My grandparents were of the depression generation of the 1930s. Even into the 1980s, they lived a very low waste life even in Brooklyn, NY. I remember my grandmother all those decades later after the depression, she would still wash and reuse aluminum foil and anything she could. I don't ever remember her ever using plastic containers. Everything was in glass containers. Fresh veggies were not prepackaged. Meat was wrapped in butcher paper, not plastic. She never learned to drive because she didn't need to. She could walk everywhere she needed to be. If she needed to head into Manhattan, she took a train.
I'm very glad that we are slowly turning back to these things globally. It was a big revelation for me that how the most developed countries live. I'm from Eastern-Europe, and all my life we've been composting, using up empty jars to put homemade things into it, bought second hand clothes that come from the UK and Germany mostly, and just avoid unnecessary waste in general. I don't remember throwing out much food, and we always had animals who could eat the remainder. I don't say we live that much more sustainable in general (sadly a lot of people are into once-used plastic wraps for their fruits and sandwiches for example), but I was very surprised when I found out that the average US citizen throws out 30 kgs worth of clothes each year, or that they throw away jars, etc. I wish we turned back to trying to reuse everything, and educate our kids about how to reduce reuse and recycle.
People in the West look down on Eastern Europe because of the Soviet history and more recently the amounts of poverty, but at least these most basic tenets of low-waste living haven't been forgotten. As an Australian, I don't throw out much clothing but I know people who do. It is difficult for many of us to do things such as conserve jars and other packaging, or dispose of things responsibly, simply because these capitalism-centric societies are just not set up for that. People don't like the "ugly" things that it requires to do those things, like keeping animals who can consume food waste, composting, public transport, reusing empty packaging, letting native plants grow abundantly, etc., but they're certainly willing to look the other way when it comes to other ugly things that serve wasteful capitalistic profit-margins, like cars, concrete, genocide, sweat shops, dumps, environmental devastation, and piles upon piles of wasted plastic and electronics.
Thats how they should be. I agree with their lifestyle choices, but nothing worse then someone who harps and throws soup on paintings and blocks road ways. No theyre doing their thing, teaching others and minding their own business
I really, truly appreciate how there's examples given of how Hannah and Liam are part of a greater collective trying to affect policy change because so often it feels like "going zero waste" is mostly on the part of the consumer, when so much, like planned obsolescence, is outside of the consumer's control.
I have been to one of their talks in Wellington and honestly they are the most incredible people who are walking the walk. They are just intelligent folk who are able to speak about the truth in our society.
A LOT of people do, however, the powers that be literally make it impossible for the average citizen to sustain this type of lifestyle. This is what happens when our leaders care more about $$$ than the future and prosperity of the people.
Nah ... because then NOTHING would be produced and we would still be shitting from trees. ( I mean ... if it still were so ... we would ne care I guess)
Inspiring and true. I've lightened my own footprint on the planet considerably in recent years because of these same concerns and am constantly searching out new ways to do so. I'll be 80 in February, have been an orgaic gardener since the 1960s, now have a composting toilet (a grand name for sawdust, a plywood box with a bucket, and a toilet seat on top), and I can't remember the last time I threw away a jar. I not only save and reuse them, but I also decorate them with handpainted flowers that many seem to admire. The most important part of your lovely message is for each of us to do what we can where we are and to encourage others to do so. I also lobby extensively for a ban on toxic agri-chemicals like glyphosate ... but that's a whole other soapbox, so I'll stop now and just say - well done you two. "A movement is only people moving" and you are moving people to reclaim our planet. Legends! Keep calm and carry on! I salute you!
Thanks for sharing this comment and all the wonderful things you have done and do to support our planet! Just jumping in here to celebrate the composting toilet with you!! We set one up for ourselves for the first time last year and we LOVE it. Hope you are enjoying yours too 😀😀
Man, they live a good life with not that much money. I live a miserable life with store bought products that make me sick and addicted. Time for a change this coming year.
@@cyberflightfpv4184 i have reached all my goals. i feel bad for you though, from how bitter you sound it seems like you have never managed to make anything in your life go the way you planned.... very sad and i wish you the best, sincerely
this is really impactful, thank you, makes me think a lot about how I can change my lifestyle too! Sending Hannah and Liam good luck and lots of support on their journey! Thank you Happen Films!
When you go to the supermarket take your containers and empty your purchasers and leave the packaging..... If everyone did this the packaging would change
I think this life style goes hand in hand with love and laughter, I think everyone would find the joy in daily life so much more easily when they become less wasteful, destructive, more creative and less attached to possessions 😊 @@azin3002
I sort of wanted to dislike them for being so right on but they are actually really lovely and kudos to them for having a good go at making a cleaner planet. I gave up all plastic in my bathroom about 5 years ago…so, I’m trying!
Hi guys - how wonderful and dedicated you are! Thank you for this. I remember you guys from wayyy back and we tried to implement many of the zero waste principles in our life, and often failed. We had 4 young kids and honestly, the pressure to help them fit into society , clothing, birthday parties, sports etc, - well, yeah, it was hard to find a balance. The social system is powerful, and its hard to go against it. But, in many ways, and there are many, we made progress. One of our daughters became a biological anthropologist, and works hard on conservation and the others all find ways to contribute to less is more. We don’t buy much, we ophop, we compost etc. And my husband even started a construction company with principles of zero waste, no plastic, all recyclable materials etc.. So - your message has permeated many peoples lives, and will go on in ways you just can’t even imagine. Thank you for being brave. Aroha to you both.
This comment is so inspirational and uplifting - it sounds like you have had some really major wins (even if the small, immediate things were not always easy - that's life!) Love the 'less is more' thinking, your daughter's study trajectory, composting and op-shopping of course!, and that your husband has built the principles into his business - next level!! Thanks for sharing this, it means a lot
I also try to live by these principles, but I've found that it's a lot of extra work since our modern world is made for CONVENIENCE everything. Being disabled, I do have to rely on many modern conveniences and don't have the privilege of doing things like gardening or taking my things to the recycling center. But in my own home, what makes it more difficult is trying to teach the ppl around me who help me, to not bring home multiple "gifts" for me that I don't need and can't use. They do things unnecessarily, like use 3x the detergent, or spray for insects when it's not necessary and no one asked. It's exhausting and Idk if it's even possible or making a difference when I still have to use single use plastics for medical purposes.
I enjoyed and understand the principle of no waste. I buy my food in bulk, only shopping twice a year. I do have waste as bulk food comes in plastic quite often for example organic dried fruit . It's the retailer dealing with the waste. There is no getting around it. I've tried to come to terms with this, there isn't much that I can do. I have a blended family of 4, ages from 18 to 80. One does the best one can but zero waste is impossible.
Thanks for sharing Hannah and Liam's story. It's very inspiringly heartwarming. They's really showing us that to live a fulfilling life doesn't really need much. Love it.
You’re both awesome! No one needs to feel overwhelmed by doing their part. Simple things like making simple meals from scratch and never eating out which can be done if you think simple and batch cook, having a small wardrobe of just basics (I learned to sew in Home Ec in junior high and started making all my own clothes about 15 years ago), growing even a few food items, using less plastic until you’re close to using none - hundreds of little things that add up over time. You’ve inspired me to go even further than I’ve come so far. Wonderful! Thanks for the inspiration.
@@RunninUpThatHillhExcept the using less plastic part! I'm just broke so I hear you but I see a ton of one time use things in my friends and families houses. And even though most are low income, they still buy new things instead of going to a thrift store. Idk why
@@composthog4332 yeah. and people don't know how to fix things. i always fix and mend, mainly because i can't afford to buy new shit. the new appliances now also don't last more than five years. it's HORRIBLE. I am constantly looking for anything built before 1985. And that includes cars. I think if everyone agreed to stop buying stupid things, they'd stop being made. Like a fridge with the thing to get a drink of water on the front, or ice maker. Horrible ideas. It breaks, the entire 3000$ fridge totally breaks somehow.
@@RunninUpThatHillh so so true!! I still have garden tools that belonged to my grandfather and they are the best. They stay sharp and the wooden handles are so strong. I just wish that the older well built things didn't take so much energy/gas and didn't pollute more. But of course having to make a new anything causes tremendous amounts of environmental damage! My little sister is 53 and she still wears socks that my mom knitted for my dad in the early 60's 😄 Anyway, I agree 100% on all the extra stuff that just breaks. Grrrrr
Ideas: It would be good if planned obsolescence would go away; for instance, refrigerators should last 25 to 30 years not 8 to10. Parts for similar items should be standardized like the light bulb sockets and standardized battery sizes. The right to repair appliances and equipment with parts made available to the consumer: (I have to throw away a toaster because one element is burned out.)
I fix my own things, rhis way I can have 1000usd tv for 5usd, I love It, I fou want to you can repair basicly anything. Without planned obsolescene the market would fall apart, and trust me, you really don't want that to happen.
What wholesome couple! I love their philosophy and practice. They're right that change is very simple and not big. I switched to paper-packaged bar shampoos and that led me to learning about waste free lifestyle, then to healthier eating and living. I'm not perfect with this, but these small changes had impact on my overall life. What would greatly help is if more people made these small changes as well, so we can accumulate as a mass, because this lifestyle pick up momentum when done together. (E.g. having a local package-free grocery store, compost center, secondhand shop, community garden or farm)
I live with as little waste as possible, it’s disheartening to see my neighbours overflowing bins, but I still keep up my effort. I shop at thrift stores and rarely buy anything new. There’s so much out there that can be reused or just simply used, often things are discarded without ever having been used. Loved the video.
You are doing incredibly well to reduce your impact on this Earth. If most of the rest of humanity made the effort to live more like you are living, the world would be a beautiful place in which to live. Well done to both of you!
I personally feel that the way forward is to promote the endless personal and communal benefits of this way of living - it cultivates positive attitudes such a compassion, gratitude and patience. As the couple here said it builds a community where people help each other out. You become more empowered as you learn tools of self sufficiency. You become closer to the earth as you grow your own crops and return it to the ground. At the end of the day everyone is ultimately searching for greater happiness and peace, and I truly do believe this is one big solution. If we cultivate an attitude of us vs them aka green ppl vs ignorant consumers/big evil corporations, I think we isolate people as it makes people instantly defensive. If we can show people the satisfaction and love this life brings, with non judgement of people who may not follow the lifestyle, my hope is people will naturally become curious and will come :)
It takes two to tango. So if a people decided to take action to change their lifestyle like this couple, they would surely see the change. If people were to stop seeing themselves as one person who cannot make a difference but be positive as to being that change, then we would make an impact on waste reduction. Thanks for sharing your efforts and experience of how simple life can be and enjoying it.🎉❤
Inspirational, well done Hannah and Liam. I will begin making walnut milk ,and cut out all of the throw away oat milk cartons. Thanks Happen Films for sharing the love. Big LOVE to all
Happen Films - again another brilliant film. Wonderful likeable intelligent passionate couple. Are they keen on adopting a burnt out 60yo officer worker who is wanting a better more mindful life saving our precious earth 🌍
Wow, Hannah and Liam are amazing human beings! Thank you for sharing their story. I'm slowly adopting the "zero-waste" lifestyle. I have so much to learn but watching this video was super helpful and inspiring!
We need more Hannah and Liam’s in the world. A great approach to the problem but it’s hard to implement without correct recycling and infrastructure in the place where you live. Thank you for sharing.
I've been making my own deodorant, toothpaste, and hand lotion for years. I also never buy plastic bottled water, I bring my own bags when I shop and I try to buy things in glass instead of plastic. I also made dozens of tissues out of old organic cotton sheets. I never use store bought tissues, and neither do my kids. We use organic cotton reusable menstrual pads too which saves a lot of plastic and money. I also love to forage for food and have a fairly large garden. I think everyone should have fruit trees. By the way, raspberries are super easy to grow and they spread. It's free food and saves so much plastic!! I can't do everything I'd like to do, but I'm trying my best. The little things we do add up!
@@Equilibrium4321OK, I make the deodorant with arrowroot, shea butter, magnesium hydroxide, jojoba oil and essential oils. The toothpaste is made with calcium carbonate, xylitol, coconut oil and peppermint essential oil.
Always start with positive, incremental change...I completely concur with that. We can incorporate win--win strategies for everyone that motivate further change down the line...
Amazing! So good that you're spreading the zero waste message. I used to work at a few zero waste shops in the UK and I was sadly shocked that alot of the time they were actually using quite small plastic packets of produce such as cereal or beans, and emptying into the containers. So basically greenwashing and charging more for it! So if anyone uses a zero waste shop, ask to see their original packaging and hope that they're sourcing big bags of dried foods rather than small! Especially as in the UK zero-waste shops are super expensive.. Not sure about NZ
A lot of times it's a facade. Ppl don't actually care. That's why they buy expensive cars, phones, appliances, clothes, and toss it for new every year. They just want to be seen going in to the zero waste store.😂
This is very good, I am based in Cambridge UK. We take great care over our rubbish, but we still have some package, bottles and tins, but no green waste. That goes in to a composting box, I made that a bit like yours, pallet. No care. Bikes or Bus some of the time. Very good forward thinking. I would like to see this taken up here.
Beautiful story and it shows the importance of involving the community. That is the impact that an individual can have, first spreading the message, show and tell and from there, inpiring other people to join in.
Thank you for this inspiring story. Hannah and Liam's perspective and action remind this passage. "What will this look like for you, who now must concern yourself with preparing for a future that will be so unlike the past? Think first that you must reduce your consumption of resources by at least fifty percent, particularly if you live in a wealthy nation or an affluent lifestyle. If you are very rich, you will have to reduce your consumption even more. Your willingness to do this represents your integrity and your concern for the world. For if you insist upon an affluent, luxurious lifestyle, you will be feeding the engine of war." ~ Marshall Vian Summers, Adapting to Great Change
Good people, good video. The point made near the end, that personal action helps to eventually normalise something, is spot on. What saddens me most about the parlous mess we've turned the world into is how much damage we've done in such a small space of time. In my lifetime l've witnessed the influx of plastic containers, stretch-wrap, single use, in- built obsolescence and the very worst excesses of an over-entitled consumer society. I' m in my 60s. That's all it's taken: 60 years to go from a post-war, make do and mend, waste not, want not way of life, to this. Thank goodness we are changing...
We don't have a car. One of the things i'm really thankful for is that my 2 are growing up traveling on public transport. I think public transport is really civilising. Or at least it is the hight of civilisation. The ability for strangers to all sit together calmly is a distinguishing feature of our species. I think it is really good for kids to get used to using the train. For their manors and their independence
What a wonderful inspirational film, thanks so much! I am also walking in this direction here in Germany, thus still far away from these 2 heroes. People still surprise me with their reaction when I just avoid paperbags when purchasing rolls at the bakery. They tell me: But why? These bags are for free and just paper! And I try to explain that many such paper bags are sprayed with nonstick chemicals AND over a year I avoid probably 100 bags and maybe 1 tree will survive because of this small change over the years. I imagine how many trees we could save when more people avoided the for free paper bags!
The need for an economy that supports this lifestyle is essential. Where I am in Germany, I can pretty much do without a car, but packaging is a huge challenge. Markets are good, but I’ve found maybe one package free grocery store in my large city - but at a great distance from my home. It’s a whole day round-trip by public transport. Just having that closer would be an enormous help.
Packaging was created not just for advertising, but to provide clean food that remains fresher longer. I personally don't partake in it, but 75% of the planet would starve to death without it.
Absolutely LOVED this clip! Thankyou so much for putting it up. There was an amazing zero waste business in Palmerston North called Be Free Grocer. They had the same kaupapa as you two but sadly they had to close due to health issues. Sadly no one purchased that business from what I know (situation may have changed now though) so all that work the owners did building the business up has gone into park for now. I hope we see alot more initiatives like this all over the world in the future❤
I have been working towards minimal waste but your film has inspired me to go for zero waste and hopefully inspire others. I have a rewilding project in its early stages so I will be looking to you both for further inspiration.
I loved watching this and I find Hannah and Liam inspiring and yet very down to earth. I don't know how many people I'm speaking for when I say that my (our) biggest hurdle at home to becoming low-0-waste is that we're not all pulling on the same string. In a household with 4 or more people, you can be doing all you can yourself to reduce waste and change how you shop etc. If the other members of the family or shared household are living out the status quo, you quickly get the feeling that the tracks you've been laying down so intentionally are being torn up again right behind you. This is very frustrating! It's led to many heated conversations which all had at their heart the fact that many people are apparently not ready to change the way they think and feel about consumption and before a desire to live more simply and less wastefully awakens in the heart/mind, it's very hard for people to turn their backs on the idea that they deserve to consume more, that they've a right to consume more (and therefore make rubbish). When I talk to certain members of my family about it, they get very defensive and react as though I were trying to take something away from them. Even though it's also clear as day to them that they have no need for many things that they lay claim to. The big question here for me is: How do we get more people to want to change? (Aside from watching awesome films like this one)
You aren't alone! Often the people closest to you can be the most frustrating (we say that with a lot of love for our friends, relations, co-habitants, haha!) - partly we believe that's because we hold these people to higher standards because we love them and expect them to be aligned with our values. Whereas, we extend greater grace to people we don't really know, or don't know well. It sounds like you might be in the position we found ourselves in originally, where we were making a big effort and craved to be around others that wanted to make an effort too because we were feeling a bit isolated and despondent. When we cast the net out, we were pleasantly surprised to find that for every person not willing to change, there were so many more who really were willing and keen - and were already doing lots in their own lives and communities. Finding those people was really great for us! Over time we've come to feel that rather than putting our energy into trying to change resistant people one-on-one (whether they're people we know or people we don't), we'd rather focus on taking on the barriers that make it difficult for people to live low-waste, alongside working to build new social norms with the people we've met who are already keen/doing stuff. So, our approach has been to actively work to find the people in our community that are on the same page as us in terms of practical action and then we hang out together and support each other to do our various things - whether that's lifestyle change, business stuff, community get togethers etc. Hope that helps!!
Thanks for that, Hannah. I totally agree about extending more grace to strangers than to those closest to us. What I was getting at though was the "felt" undoing of changes I'm making within the home. Concrete example: I go out of my way to buy seasonal and bulk foods that come either in brown paper packaging or no packaging, while my husband brings home one plastic container of out-of-season blueberries after another. I mean, you'd be frustrated too if Liam was doing that, right? We even have 4 blueberry bushes on our terrace but they of course only produce berries in the summer. So, that's the kind of thing I was referring to. As for connecting with others further afield, I have turned a few fellow suburbians into bokashi composters and we've also joined a very local CSA. @@hannahblumhardt5724
@@hilly2777 Understood, yes I would be very frustrated, and Liam would be frustrated at me too if I came home with packaged goods!! Sorry that you have to deal with that, I can understand that must be challenging. It sounds like you are implementing many changes in your life and the truth is that those things can't be undone by another person's actions/choices for which you are not responsible :-) On the other hand, that's great you have spread the bokashi composting enthusiasm around and that you are providing that support to your local CSA! :-)
Sounds like, you’re really trying and thats awesome! Ka pai! Can i say, I found a few good strategies over the years and that is that its better to engage, rather than educate. Lead by example, and praise others efforts. It’s more about sowing seeds, than remodelling the garden. Change takes time.❤
You could start with the Chinese - they are creating far more waste and polluting the environment way more than any other country. Don’t worry about your flatmates buying takeaways.
I know what they are saying, but I think use what you have and do the best you can is really important. Education is very important as well. Beautiful couple and good luck on their journey.❤❤ And everyone else on this journey as well. Alot of it is hard, but do what you can I think that's the best we all can all help in the long term. Just being aware is important too ❤❤
Such clear communicating on this issue. Loved both Liam and Hannah's delivery! Superheroes! Well honed and really human. Loved watching this. Inspiring - I will be implementing this in my own house!
This is really inspiring. Thank you for being an example and trailblazers for others. I hope people recognize the importance behind all of this and take even as little as 3-5% of what you showcased in this video and incorporate that in their lives... Just an idea as a seed is enough to start... in my opinion. Thank you. I wish your message reaches many hearts 🙏
Tool Libraries are great. I am an older person who volunteers (alongside a crew of mostly older people) in a Victorian (Aus) tool library once a week. It is great to interact with friendly knowledgable people while contributing myself. We have so many items that are available, including kitchen tools. The tools are checked and maintained regularly, and we also host a monthly repair cafe where folk can bring in items to be fixed bu a team of skilled volunteers. I have contributed a number of duplicate hand tools to the library as well. Some of these were put into the catalogue, others were added to a pool of items we onsell cheaply on a regular basis. I could go on but will stop here… I hope you find one near you or maybe you could start your own. 😊
We have a tool library and a maker's lab in my small town in Colorado. I do clothing repair and darning (wool clothing repair) for my son and his friends because I can and they appreciate my skills and they want to reduce. I knit for them as well. I offer to teach a free class to anyone who wants to learn how to knit every Friday as a drop in from noon to 4pm on my day off. If you possess Skills that are useful mentor younger people that want to learn. Good for everyone involved.
Fantastic video. I would love you to do more on this couple and follow their journey. Change absolutely starts with the individual, its where we have the most agency and then that echos out into our community.
I have so much love and respect for how you live and the work you do and it makes me want to do better at living in my principles. Why do people sneer at individual change? We are a society made up of individuals and a lot of individuals changing leads to societal change.
This was inspiring and beautiful! Many hands make light work. If we all do our part the best we can and inspire each other we can build a regenerative system! 💚
This is how people used to live. I think if this often. You would go to local shop, with shopkeeper, buy flour in a cotton sac, and re-use the sac. Property tax is $400 a month or so, how much of this amount is for garbage collection? Imagine if we all lived this way, had hardly any garbage, and paid to dispose of tiny amount.
I do feel once we have the (or some) knowledge we can all make changes and it doesn't have to be all at once, start off small and work your way up from there. It is disheartening when so many people just don't care and Government/Corporations must do more, I feel as individuals if we do what we can then we are doing our part and it feels good. Thanks for this video!!
I love this =) We've lived in a tiny house in the Strathbogie Ranges for 5 years and are in the process of planning our own little hemp crete house. One of the issues we've really come across living so rurally is that we ALL need a car, there's no local public transport here and if we want to buy organic and low package we either have to drive 40 mins each way to Seymour, an hour to mansfield each way or to really get the goods, 2 hours to Terra Madre each way in Melbourne. We spend SO much on our cars (we have 2 and my partners parents have 2) and gosh I wish there was a way around it!
A group of us Greens in London in the 80’s-90’s used to wear T.Shirts with written on them in big letters from top to bottom, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle(the 4 R’s ). Living like this is also a very social lifestyle where people cooperate which becomes mutually beneficial, so building local & regional communities & networks.The real (R)evolution! 🌻🌎✊🏽
I wish we had more places to buy grains in bulk here in Malaysia. But I am able to buy produce from a local village home grown market and I can bring my own bag. I also take glass jars for soy milk or make my own. I dont use plastic bags anymore, in fact, almost all my containers are glass or ceramic. There are some great youtube channels with homemade cleaners and soaps. You are right that the biggest barrier is small repair companies or bulk / unpackaged food sourcing. But being a veggies eater helps. I raise chickens and grow grains/seed heads for them. Low waste isn't difficult if you plan ahead and think hiw to avoid packaging. Great work! Great video.
Real people making real change. This video again, proves to me that there IS purpose in making change at the singular level. Even if it's only to demonstrate to others that it is possible.
To what end? 1.4 billion cars in the world, over 10 billion scheduled aircraft flight last year, around 50 thousand merchant vessels on the ocean at any one time. Over 1 thousand coal fired power plants in China alone. All this lot is running on fossil fuel to serve the 8 billion inhabitants of planet earth, and 99.9999999999% of them (me included) are unwilling or unable to do anything about it. Just enjoy life and accept the inevitable extinction of the human race.
I'm in love with this, I'm like this with electronics. I buy broken electronics all the time for even more than I should sometimes just to bring back life to the device and have someone enjoy it for many more years!
These are the things our ancestors did not that long ago. Re-use glass containers, canning, compost, no plastic, patchwork quilts, patches on clothes, acquiring hand-me-downs, growing your own food, sharing equipment and books with neighbors, keeping items like furniture and essentials for generations, etc. It was a good way of life. Even I at 65 remember many of these things as common. It would be wonderful to hearken back to those eras. Great film and people increasing quality of life, not quantity of things to possess.
This is great and exactly the kind of thing I'm really interested in. Such a good point about infrastructure, I'm trying my best to reduce my waste but we really do need the wider community to help make it possible.
I love this! I try to do my part, and while it’s extra work for me I do think it’s important for our world. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I picked up some great tips!
Beautiful couple. Where are these wonderful communities in the US? Where someone isn't fearful of riding a bike around town, find affordable housing so all your valuable time isn't wasted making someone rich, and a plethora of small businesses exist within biking distances to purchase sustainable products and services ?
Honestly I will probably never choose to live as strictly as they do but mad respect to them for that. People underestimate how much discipline and perseverance that requires!
And for what? All they are doing is denying themselves the pleasures of modern society while as the same time living in a delusion, they haven’t made a jot of difference to the worlds eco problems and won’t even if they live like that for another 100 years.
An environmentalist once said, ' We don't need 1 or 2 (almost) perfect individuals living a (near) zero-waste lifestyle. What we need are thousands of imperfect people trying their best to live a (near) zero-waste lifestyle. I am not perfect but I am doing my share in caring for the planet. My sister told me my advocacy is just a waste of time and effort because a lot of people are still mummed on what's happening to our environment. I don't care. I will continue to do what's right. I want to be the 'change' in this messed-up world (as what Rob Greenfield said).
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Thay are not drinking coffee thay drinking alcohol.
That hair on him is so disgusting I have to click off, good luck
I love that they recognize their privilege which allows them to live this lifestyle and are using they’re resources and voices for systematic chance rather than shaming the individual citizens for being unable to love this sustainability.
I also really liked that aspect of their dialogue. 😊
No, it's fucking stupid.
What privilege? They've bent over backwards to make this happen. Does hard work mean nothing anymore? All that matters is the color of your skin? 🤦♀️
@@theurbanthirdhomesteadno there privilege is their time and resources including health and sustainable supports the ability to choose needs. Lots of people work hard and cannot do what they are doing for many various reasons…..they are smart and understand this. Great work.
@@theurbanthirdhomestead One of the biggest privileges that the average person in the zero waste community HAS is effort and hard work. For example, many disabled people would simply not be able to live in such a way without, at least, way more systemic changes, but for some they would barely be able to live this way at all, simply because of their medical and support needs. Money and time can also be a privilege in these situations, even despite how much money ends up being saved.
I’m nearly 60 and desperately worried about our planet. I’ve failed to pass this on to my own adult children who have fallen for a consumer life style. My adult children always want the latest phone, the new sofa for Christmas and the new car every couple of years.
The planet will survive and regenerate without us, but we will be extinct if we don’t change our ways.
I enjoyed your film it gave me hope, we need to live like our great grandparents, i do what i can, and do many of the things you do.
It’s wonderful to see young people changing hearts and minds.
All power to you both ❤
Is it a class thing? I've never purchased a new piece of furniture. Plus antique and secondhand looks better. I think some people want to look like NPCs. They actually like it somehow. Kids got braces, trips to Disney, wife has nose job, etc etc. Their life is literally a starter pack summed up😆
@@Paul-ue4ff Suck a tail pipe buddy.
❤❤❤
I feel that kind of frustration too. My 2 kids are how you just mentioned 🫤
Yes I am working on promoting this lifestyle as well, I want my planet to be beautiful place even more so and remain that way.
This is so amazing!! My grandparents were of the depression generation of the 1930s. Even into the 1980s, they lived a very low waste life even in Brooklyn, NY. I remember my grandmother all those decades later after the depression, she would still wash and reuse aluminum foil and anything she could. I don't ever remember her ever using plastic containers. Everything was in glass containers. Fresh veggies were not prepackaged. Meat was wrapped in butcher paper, not plastic. She never learned to drive because she didn't need to. She could walk everywhere she needed to be. If she needed to head into Manhattan, she took a train.
This is what i want for myself a tranquil life, geting a car scares me
@@oldchild527 I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels this way about cars
I love that they gave credit to those around them that made it possible. Shop owners, mechanics, ext.
I'm very glad that we are slowly turning back to these things globally. It was a big revelation for me that how the most developed countries live. I'm from Eastern-Europe, and all my life we've been composting, using up empty jars to put homemade things into it, bought second hand clothes that come from the UK and Germany mostly, and just avoid unnecessary waste in general. I don't remember throwing out much food, and we always had animals who could eat the remainder. I don't say we live that much more sustainable in general (sadly a lot of people are into once-used plastic wraps for their fruits and sandwiches for example), but I was very surprised when I found out that the average US citizen throws out 30 kgs worth of clothes each year, or that they throw away jars, etc. I wish we turned back to trying to reuse everything, and educate our kids about how to reduce reuse and recycle.
People in the West look down on Eastern Europe because of the Soviet history and more recently the amounts of poverty, but at least these most basic tenets of low-waste living haven't been forgotten. As an Australian, I don't throw out much clothing but I know people who do. It is difficult for many of us to do things such as conserve jars and other packaging, or dispose of things responsibly, simply because these capitalism-centric societies are just not set up for that. People don't like the "ugly" things that it requires to do those things, like keeping animals who can consume food waste, composting, public transport, reusing empty packaging, letting native plants grow abundantly, etc., but they're certainly willing to look the other way when it comes to other ugly things that serve wasteful capitalistic profit-margins, like cars, concrete, genocide, sweat shops, dumps, environmental devastation, and piles upon piles of wasted plastic and electronics.
I love how they seem super open-minded and understanding of others despite their extreme lifestyle.
Thats how they should be. I agree with their lifestyle choices, but nothing worse then someone who harps and throws soup on paintings and blocks road ways. No theyre doing their thing, teaching others and minding their own business
I really, truly appreciate how there's examples given of how Hannah and Liam are part of a greater collective trying to affect policy change because so often it feels like "going zero waste" is mostly on the part of the consumer, when so much, like planned obsolescence, is outside of the consumer's control.
I have been to one of their talks in Wellington and honestly they are the most incredible people who are walking the walk. They are just intelligent folk who are able to speak about the truth in our society.
Wouldnt it be great to have a planet full of people with this minset? ❤
A LOT of people do, however, the powers that be literally make it impossible for the average citizen to sustain this type of lifestyle. This is what happens when our leaders care more about $$$ than the future and prosperity of the people.
Nah ... because then NOTHING would be produced and we would still be shitting from trees. ( I mean ... if it still were so ... we would ne care I guess)
unfortunately we live under a control and profit driven system, so keep dreaming
Inspiring and true. I've lightened my own footprint on the planet considerably in recent years because of these same concerns and am constantly searching out new ways to do so. I'll be 80 in February, have been an orgaic gardener since the 1960s, now have a composting toilet (a grand name for sawdust, a plywood box with a bucket, and a toilet seat on top), and I can't remember the last time I threw away a jar. I not only save and reuse them, but I also decorate them with handpainted flowers that many seem to admire. The most important part of your lovely message is for each of us to do what we can where we are and to encourage others to do so. I also lobby extensively for a ban on toxic agri-chemicals like glyphosate ... but that's a whole other soapbox, so I'll stop now and just say - well done you two. "A movement is only people moving" and you are moving people to reclaim our planet. Legends! Keep calm and carry on! I salute you!
Thanks for sharing this comment and all the wonderful things you have done and do to support our planet! Just jumping in here to celebrate the composting toilet with you!! We set one up for ourselves for the first time last year and we LOVE it. Hope you are enjoying yours too 😀😀
Man, they live a good life with not that much money. I live a miserable life with store bought products that make me sick and addicted. Time for a change this coming year.
I hope your year is going well! Breaking old habits is difficult so I hope you’re doing and feeling better :)
Best of luck! I hope you're achieving your goals I recommend minimalism.
So how much has changed for you in the last 5 months, bet you haven’t lifted a finger to change
@@cyberflightfpv4184 i have reached all my goals. i feel bad for you though, from how bitter you sound it seems like you have never managed to make anything in your life go the way you planned.... very sad and i wish you the best, sincerely
@@cyberflightfpv4184wow what a horrible attitude, hope your year gets better
this is really impactful, thank you, makes me think a lot about how I can change my lifestyle too! Sending Hannah and Liam good luck and lots of support on their journey! Thank you Happen Films!
Thank you! Its great to hear you found the film impactful and its given you some ideas :)
I ‘m appalled by the ridiculous amount of plastic packaging food conglomerates have caused and the degradation of food quality.
putting air into packaging should be banned
When you go to the supermarket take your containers and empty your purchasers and leave the packaging..... If everyone did this the packaging would change
@@maggietaylor9713 doubt would work. they’d have to hire more people, butcher etc…
These two are officially superheros. Not only how what they are doing but how they are doing it, with love and laughter 🥰💕
100% agreed!!!
I think this life style goes hand in hand with love and laughter, I think everyone would find the joy in daily life so much more easily when they become less wasteful, destructive, more creative and less attached to possessions 😊 @@azin3002
I sort of wanted to dislike them for being so right on but they are actually really lovely and kudos to them for having a good go at making a cleaner planet. I gave up all plastic in my bathroom about 5 years ago…so, I’m trying!
Hi guys - how wonderful and dedicated you are! Thank you for this. I remember you guys from wayyy back and we tried to implement many of the zero waste principles in our life, and often failed. We had 4 young kids and honestly, the pressure to help them fit into society , clothing, birthday parties, sports etc, - well, yeah, it was hard to find a balance. The social system is powerful, and its hard to go against it. But, in many ways, and there are many, we made progress. One of our daughters became a biological anthropologist, and works hard on conservation and the others all find ways to contribute to less is more. We don’t buy much, we ophop, we compost etc. And my husband even started a construction company with principles of zero waste, no plastic, all recyclable materials etc..
So - your message has permeated many peoples lives, and will go on in ways you just can’t even imagine. Thank you for being brave.
Aroha to you both.
This comment is so inspirational and uplifting - it sounds like you have had some really major wins (even if the small, immediate things were not always easy - that's life!) Love the 'less is more' thinking, your daughter's study trajectory, composting and op-shopping of course!, and that your husband has built the principles into his business - next level!! Thanks for sharing this, it means a lot
I also try to live by these principles, but I've found that it's a lot of extra work since our modern world is made for CONVENIENCE everything. Being disabled, I do have to rely on many modern conveniences and don't have the privilege of doing things like gardening or taking my things to the recycling center. But in my own home, what makes it more difficult is trying to teach the ppl around me who help me, to not bring home multiple "gifts" for me that I don't need and can't use. They do things unnecessarily, like use 3x the detergent, or spray for insects when it's not necessary and no one asked. It's exhausting and Idk if it's even possible or making a difference when I still have to use single use plastics for medical purposes.
I enjoyed and understand the principle of no waste. I buy my food in bulk, only shopping twice a year. I do have waste as bulk food comes in plastic quite often for example organic dried fruit . It's the retailer dealing with the waste. There is no getting around it. I've tried to come to terms with this, there isn't much that I can do. I have a blended family of 4, ages from 18 to 80. One does the best one can but zero waste is impossible.
Thanks for sharing Hannah and Liam's story. It's very inspiringly heartwarming. They's really showing us that to live a fulfilling life doesn't really need much. Love it.
Beautiful people, we need more people like you in the world 🌎 Think locally not globally.
Or ... think globally. Act locally.
Cool. I use many of these tactics by myself, but really this needs public action 👍
You’re both awesome! No one needs to feel overwhelmed by doing their part. Simple things like making simple meals from scratch and never eating out which can be done if you think simple and batch cook, having a small wardrobe of just basics (I learned to sew in Home Ec in junior high and started making all my own clothes about 15 years ago), growing even a few food items, using less plastic until you’re close to using none - hundreds of little things that add up over time. You’ve inspired me to go even further than I’ve come so far. Wonderful! Thanks for the inspiration.
Sounds like the average lower working class family. Who knew.😂
@@RunninUpThatHillhExcept the using less plastic part! I'm just broke so I hear you but I see a ton of one time use things in my friends and families houses. And even though most are low income, they still buy new things instead of going to a thrift store. Idk why
@@composthog4332 yeah. and people don't know how to fix things. i always fix and mend, mainly because i can't afford to buy new shit. the new appliances now also don't last more than five years. it's HORRIBLE. I am constantly looking for anything built before 1985. And that includes cars. I think if everyone agreed to stop buying stupid things, they'd stop being made. Like a fridge with the thing to get a drink of water on the front, or ice maker. Horrible ideas. It breaks, the entire 3000$ fridge totally breaks somehow.
@@RunninUpThatHillh so so true!! I still have garden tools that belonged to my grandfather and they are the best. They stay sharp and the wooden handles are so strong. I just wish that the older well built things didn't take so much energy/gas and didn't pollute more. But of course having to make a new anything causes tremendous amounts of environmental damage! My little sister is 53 and she still wears socks that my mom knitted for my dad in the early 60's 😄 Anyway, I agree 100% on all the extra stuff that just breaks. Grrrrr
Ideas: It would be good if planned obsolescence would go away; for instance, refrigerators should last 25 to 30 years not 8 to10. Parts for similar items should be standardized like the light bulb sockets and standardized battery sizes. The right to repair appliances and equipment with parts made available to the consumer: (I have to throw away a toaster because one element is burned out.)
Totally agree!
We live in a disposable society, if I want something fix it’s more expensive than buying a new one.
@@mimi1o8 Pressure needs to be placed on regulators to reduce our 'disposable society.'
I fix my own things, rhis way I can have 1000usd tv for 5usd, I love It, I fou want to you can repair basicly anything. Without planned obsolescene the market would fall apart, and trust me, you really don't want that to happen.
@@mimi1o8 Thats not true, you can fix anything with parts cost of some dollar, people just don't do it.
You guys are the real change makers.
Thank you 💙❤️💚
What wholesome couple! I love their philosophy and practice. They're right that change is very simple and not big. I switched to paper-packaged bar shampoos and that led me to learning about waste free lifestyle, then to healthier eating and living. I'm not perfect with this, but these small changes had impact on my overall life. What would greatly help is if more people made these small changes as well, so we can accumulate as a mass, because this lifestyle pick up momentum when done together. (E.g. having a local package-free grocery store, compost center, secondhand shop, community garden or farm)
Just started using shampoo and conditioner bars also. Loving it!
Yes yes yes❤
I live with as little waste as possible, it’s disheartening to see my neighbours overflowing bins, but I still keep up my effort. I shop at thrift stores and rarely buy anything new. There’s so much out there that can be reused or just simply used, often things are discarded without ever having been used. Loved the video.
You are doing incredibly well to reduce your impact on this Earth. If most of the rest of humanity made the effort to live more like you are living, the world would be a beautiful place in which to live. Well done to both of you!
I personally feel that the way forward is to promote the endless personal and communal benefits of this way of living - it cultivates positive attitudes such a compassion, gratitude and patience. As the couple here said it builds a community where people help each other out. You become more empowered as you learn tools of self sufficiency. You become closer to the earth as you grow your own crops and return it to the ground. At the end of the day everyone is ultimately searching for greater happiness and peace, and I truly do believe this is one big solution. If we cultivate an attitude of us vs them aka green ppl vs ignorant consumers/big evil corporations, I think we isolate people as it makes people instantly defensive. If we can show people the satisfaction and love this life brings, with non judgement of people who may not follow the lifestyle, my hope is people will naturally become curious and will come :)
It takes two to tango. So if a people decided to take action to change their lifestyle like this couple, they would surely see the change. If people were to stop seeing themselves as one person who cannot make a difference but be positive as to being that change, then we would make an impact on waste reduction. Thanks for sharing your efforts and experience of how simple life can be and enjoying it.🎉❤
Great film, Wellington New Zealand looks like a great place to live.
We went to a talk by these 2 many years ago. Inspiring, practical and realistic. They definitely made an impact on our roomful of people.
Inspirational, well done Hannah and Liam. I will begin making walnut milk ,and cut out all of the throw away oat milk cartons. Thanks Happen Films for sharing the love. Big LOVE to all
Happen Films - again another brilliant film. Wonderful likeable intelligent passionate couple. Are they keen on adopting a burnt out 60yo officer worker who is wanting a better more mindful life saving our precious earth 🌍
😂 Could we make that TWO?!
Wow, Hannah and Liam are amazing human beings! Thank you for sharing their story. I'm slowly adopting the "zero-waste" lifestyle. I have so much to learn but watching this video was super helpful and inspiring!
What a breath of fresh air this was to watch. I love y'all.
You guys are great. Thanks for the inspiration.
We need more Hannah and Liam’s in the world. A great approach to the problem but it’s hard to implement without correct recycling and infrastructure in the place where you live. Thank you for sharing.
Big Ups Hannah, Liam & Happen Films Crew!!! 🙌@StudioSHIM are SO inspired by this journey of solutions 🙏💖
How has this taken so long to get on here. These people have been amazing for years ❤
What a fantastic episode! Thank you for your work and the resources you shared! Very inspiring.
Love love love every sentence every image. Thank you for the inspiration 💚💫
I love this ❤️ I’m so happy that you have gave really good examples. Thank you for your knowledge
Yet another inspiring doco, thank you so much Happen Films 😊😊😊😊
Respect!! Amazing articulate couple. Great work. Another great film.
I've been making my own deodorant, toothpaste, and hand lotion for years. I also never buy plastic bottled water, I bring my own bags when I shop and I try to buy things in glass instead of plastic. I also made dozens of tissues out of old organic cotton sheets. I never use store bought tissues, and neither do my kids. We use organic cotton reusable menstrual pads too which saves a lot of plastic and money. I also love to forage for food and have a fairly large garden. I think everyone should have fruit trees. By the way, raspberries are super easy to grow and they spread. It's free food and saves so much plastic!! I can't do everything I'd like to do, but I'm trying my best. The little things we do add up!
@@Equilibrium4321 Which are you referring to?
@@Equilibrium4321 I'll have to get my recipes out, don't have time at the moment
@@Equilibrium4321OK, I make the deodorant with arrowroot, shea butter, magnesium hydroxide, jojoba oil and essential oils. The toothpaste is made with calcium carbonate, xylitol, coconut oil and peppermint essential oil.
@@NicolesNaturals how do you make your hand lotion?
@@mimi1o8 I melt some beeswax and mix together aloe, olive oil, essential oils, vitamin E and blend them in a blender.
Always start with positive, incremental change...I completely concur with that. We can incorporate win--win strategies for everyone that motivate further change down the line...
Another great piece of work from Happen Films. Well done!
Amazing! So good that you're spreading the zero waste message. I used to work at a few zero waste shops in the UK and I was sadly shocked that alot of the time they were actually using quite small plastic packets of produce such as cereal or beans, and emptying into the containers. So basically greenwashing and charging more for it! So if anyone uses a zero waste shop, ask to see their original packaging and hope that they're sourcing big bags of dried foods rather than small! Especially as in the UK zero-waste shops are super expensive.. Not sure about NZ
A lot of times it's a facade. Ppl don't actually care. That's why they buy expensive cars, phones, appliances, clothes, and toss it for new every year. They just want to be seen going in to the zero waste store.😂
When I find this kind of action, I believe in those people who want to rescue earth 🌎 👏🏻
This is very good, I am based in Cambridge UK. We take great care over our rubbish, but we still have some package, bottles and tins, but no green waste. That goes in to a composting box, I made that a bit like yours, pallet. No care. Bikes or Bus some of the time. Very good forward thinking. I would like to see this taken up here.
Beautiful story and it shows the importance of involving the community. That is the impact that an individual can have, first spreading the message, show and tell and from there, inpiring other people to join in.
Thank you for this inspiring story. Hannah and Liam's perspective and action remind this passage.
"What will this look like for you, who now must concern yourself with preparing for a future that will be so unlike the past? Think first that you must reduce your consumption of resources by at least fifty percent, particularly if you live in a wealthy nation or an affluent lifestyle. If you are very rich, you will have to reduce your consumption even more.
Your willingness to do this represents your integrity and your concern for the world. For if you insist upon an affluent, luxurious lifestyle, you will be feeding the engine of war." ~ Marshall Vian Summers, Adapting to Great Change
Good people, good video. The point made near the end, that personal action helps to eventually normalise something, is spot on.
What saddens me most about the parlous mess we've turned the world into is how much damage we've done in such a small space of time. In my lifetime l've witnessed the influx of plastic containers, stretch-wrap, single use, in- built obsolescence and the very worst excesses of an over-entitled consumer society. I' m in my 60s. That's all it's taken: 60 years to go from a post-war, make do and mend, waste not, want not way of life, to this. Thank goodness we are changing...
We don't have a car. One of the things i'm really thankful for is that my 2 are growing up traveling on public transport. I think public transport is really civilising. Or at least it is the hight of civilisation. The ability for strangers to all sit together calmly is a distinguishing feature of our species. I think it is really good for kids to get used to using the train. For their manors and their independence
Amazing couple. Thank you both for what you’re doing!!!!
What a wonderful inspirational film, thanks so much! I am also walking in this direction here in Germany, thus still far away from these 2 heroes. People still surprise me with their reaction when I just avoid paperbags when purchasing rolls at the bakery. They tell me: But why? These bags are for free and just paper! And I try to explain that many such paper bags are sprayed with nonstick chemicals AND over a year I avoid probably 100 bags and maybe 1 tree will survive because of this small change over the years. I imagine how many trees we could save when more people avoided the for free paper bags!
As always, a thought provoking, informational, impactful creation from Happen Films. Fine work, folks.
Thanks so much, Amy!
Another great story telling film. Thank you Jordan and Antoinette!
Thanks for continuing to follow and support Samantha!
@happenfilms I love your work ❤ I watch your documentarys over and over! Thank you 💕
The need for an economy that supports this lifestyle is essential. Where I am in Germany, I can pretty much do without a car, but packaging is a huge challenge. Markets are good, but I’ve found maybe one package free grocery store in my large city - but at a great distance from my home. It’s a whole day round-trip by public transport. Just having that closer would be an enormous help.
Packaging was created not just for advertising, but to provide clean food that remains fresher longer. I personally don't partake in it, but 75% of the planet would starve to death without it.
Absolutely LOVED this clip! Thankyou so much for putting it up.
There was an amazing zero waste business in Palmerston North called Be Free Grocer.
They had the same kaupapa as you two but sadly they had to close due to health issues.
Sadly no one purchased that business from what I know (situation may have changed now though) so all that work the owners did building the business up has gone into park for now.
I hope we see alot more initiatives like this all over the world in the future❤
I have been working towards minimal waste but your film has inspired me to go for zero waste and hopefully inspire others. I have a rewilding project in its early stages so I will be looking to you both for further inspiration.
I loved watching this and I find Hannah and Liam inspiring and yet very down to earth. I don't know how many people I'm speaking for when I say that my (our) biggest hurdle at home to becoming low-0-waste is that we're not all pulling on the same string. In a household with 4 or more people, you can be doing all you can yourself to reduce waste and change how you shop etc. If the other members of the family or shared household are living out the status quo, you quickly get the feeling that the tracks you've been laying down so intentionally are being torn up again right behind you. This is very frustrating! It's led to many heated conversations which all had at their heart the fact that many people are apparently not ready to change the way they think and feel about consumption and before a desire to live more simply and less wastefully awakens in the heart/mind, it's very hard for people to turn their backs on the idea that they deserve to consume more, that they've a right to consume more (and therefore make rubbish). When I talk to certain members of my family about it, they get very defensive and react as though I were trying to take something away from them. Even though it's also clear as day to them that they have no need for many things that they lay claim to. The big question here for me is: How do we get more people to want to change? (Aside from watching awesome films like this one)
You aren't alone! Often the people closest to you can be the most frustrating (we say that with a lot of love for our friends, relations, co-habitants, haha!) - partly we believe that's because we hold these people to higher standards because we love them and expect them to be aligned with our values. Whereas, we extend greater grace to people we don't really know, or don't know well.
It sounds like you might be in the position we found ourselves in originally, where we were making a big effort and craved to be around others that wanted to make an effort too because we were feeling a bit isolated and despondent. When we cast the net out, we were pleasantly surprised to find that for every person not willing to change, there were so many more who really were willing and keen - and were already doing lots in their own lives and communities. Finding those people was really great for us!
Over time we've come to feel that rather than putting our energy into trying to change resistant people one-on-one (whether they're people we know or people we don't), we'd rather focus on taking on the barriers that make it difficult for people to live low-waste, alongside working to build new social norms with the people we've met who are already keen/doing stuff. So, our approach has been to actively work to find the people in our community that are on the same page as us in terms of practical action and then we hang out together and support each other to do our various things - whether that's lifestyle change, business stuff, community get togethers etc. Hope that helps!!
Thanks for that, Hannah. I totally agree about extending more grace to strangers than to those closest to us. What I was getting at though was the "felt" undoing of changes I'm making within the home. Concrete example: I go out of my way to buy seasonal and bulk foods that come either in brown paper packaging or no packaging, while my husband brings home one plastic container of out-of-season blueberries after another. I mean, you'd be frustrated too if Liam was doing that, right? We even have 4 blueberry bushes on our terrace but they of course only produce berries in the summer. So, that's the kind of thing I was referring to. As for connecting with others further afield, I have turned a few fellow suburbians into bokashi composters and we've also joined a very local CSA. @@hannahblumhardt5724
@@hilly2777 Understood, yes I would be very frustrated, and Liam would be frustrated at me too if I came home with packaged goods!! Sorry that you have to deal with that, I can understand that must be challenging. It sounds like you are implementing many changes in your life and the truth is that those things can't be undone by another person's actions/choices for which you are not responsible :-) On the other hand, that's great you have spread the bokashi composting enthusiasm around and that you are providing that support to your local CSA! :-)
Sounds like, you’re really trying and thats awesome! Ka pai! Can i say, I found a few good strategies over the years and that is that its better to engage, rather than educate. Lead by example, and praise others efforts. It’s more about sowing seeds, than remodelling the garden. Change takes time.❤
You could start with the Chinese - they are creating far more waste and polluting the environment way more than any other country. Don’t worry about your flatmates buying takeaways.
I know what they are saying, but I think use what you have and do the best you can is really important. Education is very important as well. Beautiful couple and good luck on their journey.❤❤ And everyone else on this journey as well. Alot of it is hard, but do what you can I think that's the best we all can all help in the long term. Just being aware is important too ❤❤
Such clear communicating on this issue. Loved both Liam and Hannah's delivery! Superheroes! Well honed and really human. Loved watching this. Inspiring - I will be implementing this in my own house!
Thanks for the lovely feedback!
Wonderful ❤your existence! It makes me more aware of my buying and waste products thanks 🙏🏼 so much for all you do!
This is really inspiring.
Thank you for being an example and trailblazers for others. I hope people recognize the importance behind all of this and take even as little as 3-5% of what you showcased in this video and incorporate that in their lives... Just an idea as a seed is enough to start... in my opinion.
Thank you. I wish your message reaches many hearts 🙏
Tool library, that sounds really interesting!!
Tool Libraries are great. I am an older person who volunteers (alongside a crew of mostly older people) in a Victorian (Aus) tool library once a week. It is great to interact with friendly knowledgable people while contributing myself.
We have so many items that are available, including kitchen tools. The tools are checked and maintained regularly, and we also host a monthly repair cafe where folk can bring in items to be fixed bu a team of skilled volunteers. I have contributed a number of duplicate hand tools to the library as well. Some of these were put into the catalogue, others were added to a pool of items we onsell cheaply on a regular basis. I could go on but will stop here… I hope you find one near you or maybe you could start your own. 😊
We have a tool library and a maker's lab in my small town in Colorado. I do clothing repair and darning (wool clothing repair) for my son and his friends because I can and they appreciate my skills and they want to reduce. I knit for them as well. I offer to teach a free class to anyone who wants to learn how to knit every Friday as a drop in from noon to 4pm on my day off. If you possess Skills that are useful mentor younger people that want to learn. Good for everyone involved.
Fantastic video. I would love you to do more on this couple and follow their journey. Change absolutely starts with the individual, its where we have the most agency and then that echos out into our community.
I have so much love and respect for how you live and the work you do and it makes me want to do better at living in my principles. Why do people sneer at individual change? We are a society made up of individuals and a lot of individuals changing leads to societal change.
This was inspiring and beautiful! Many hands make light work. If we all do our part the best we can and inspire each other we can build a regenerative system! 💚
This is how people used to live. I think if this often. You would go to local shop, with shopkeeper, buy flour in a cotton sac, and re-use the sac. Property tax is $400 a month or so, how much of this amount is for garbage collection? Imagine if we all lived this way, had hardly any garbage, and paid to dispose of tiny amount.
Do you really think they’d lower the cost? You’re dreaming.
I do feel once we have the (or some) knowledge we can all make changes and it doesn't have to be all at once, start off small and work your way up from there. It is disheartening when so many people just don't care and Government/Corporations must do more, I feel as individuals if we do what we can then we are doing our part and it feels good. Thanks for this video!!
I love this =) We've lived in a tiny house in the Strathbogie Ranges for 5 years and are in the process of planning our own little hemp crete house. One of the issues we've really come across living so rurally is that we ALL need a car, there's no local public transport here and if we want to buy organic and low package we either have to drive 40 mins each way to Seymour, an hour to mansfield each way or to really get the goods, 2 hours to Terra Madre each way in Melbourne. We spend SO much on our cars (we have 2 and my partners parents have 2) and gosh I wish there was a way around it!
A group of us Greens in London in the 80’s-90’s used to wear T.Shirts with written on them in big letters from top to bottom, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle(the 4 R’s ). Living like this is also a very social lifestyle where people cooperate which becomes mutually beneficial, so building local & regional communities & networks.The real (R)evolution! 🌻🌎✊🏽
I loved this video! I feel inspired, not lectured. Thank you!
Love❤ this info film & encouragement to be fair !😌
I wish we had more places to buy grains in bulk here in Malaysia. But I am able to buy produce from a local village home grown market and I can bring my own bag. I also take glass jars for soy milk or make my own. I dont use plastic bags anymore, in fact, almost all my containers are glass or ceramic. There are some great youtube channels with homemade cleaners and soaps. You are right that the biggest barrier is small repair companies or bulk / unpackaged food sourcing. But being a veggies eater helps. I raise chickens and grow grains/seed heads for them. Low waste isn't difficult if you plan ahead and think hiw to avoid packaging. Great work! Great video.
Real people making real change. This video again, proves to me that there IS purpose in making change at the singular level. Even if it's only to demonstrate to others that it is possible.
To what end? 1.4 billion cars in the world, over 10 billion scheduled aircraft flight last year, around 50 thousand merchant vessels on the ocean at any one time. Over 1 thousand coal fired power plants in China alone. All this lot is running on fossil fuel to serve the 8 billion inhabitants of planet earth, and 99.9999999999% of them (me included) are unwilling or unable to do anything about it. Just enjoy life and accept the inevitable extinction of the human race.
I'm in love with this, I'm like this with electronics. I buy broken electronics all the time for even more than I should sometimes just to bring back life to the device and have someone enjoy it for many more years!
Thank you for having the intelligence, courage, and tenacity to push this movement forward.
These are the things our ancestors did not that long ago. Re-use glass containers, canning, compost, no plastic, patchwork quilts, patches on clothes, acquiring hand-me-downs, growing your own food, sharing equipment and books with neighbors, keeping items like furniture and essentials for generations, etc. It was a good way of life. Even I at 65 remember many of these things as common. It would be wonderful to hearken back to those eras. Great film and people increasing quality of life, not quantity of things to possess.
Wonderful to hear these gems of wisdom and very inspiring. Makes me feel hopeful and will transfer this to my lifestyle choices. Thank you!
Great little doco, thanks guys : )
Thanks Peter!
Awesome!! Thank you for posting
This is great and exactly the kind of thing I'm really interested in. Such a good point about infrastructure, I'm trying my best to reduce my waste but we really do need the wider community to help make it possible.
These folks are badass!
I love this! I try to do my part, and while it’s extra work for me I do think it’s important for our world. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I picked up some great tips!
Loved hearing your story, Thank you x
that fluffy black necklace is AMAZING!
What an epic film! Thank you for sharing their story and passion 🙂
Wonderful. The last nudge about entitlement is exactly the issue.
Thank you so much for these lovely videos! WE LOVE YOU GUYS A LOT!!!!!!!!
Beautiful couple. Where are these wonderful communities in the US? Where someone isn't fearful of riding a bike around town, find affordable housing so all your valuable time isn't wasted making someone rich, and a plethora of small businesses exist within biking distances to purchase sustainable products and services ?
Honestly I will probably never choose to live as strictly as they do but mad respect to them for that. People underestimate how much discipline and perseverance that requires!
And for what? All they are doing is denying themselves the pleasures of modern society while as the same time living in a delusion, they haven’t made a jot of difference to the worlds eco problems and won’t even if they live like that for another 100 years.
Such an inspiration ❤ love your films, thank you for what you do and sharing the story of others 🎉😊
Thank you, very thought provoking & interesting, and well presented.
An environmentalist once said, ' We don't need 1 or 2 (almost) perfect individuals living a (near) zero-waste lifestyle. What we need are thousands of imperfect people trying their best to live a (near) zero-waste lifestyle. I am not perfect but I am doing my share in caring for the planet. My sister told me my advocacy is just a waste of time and effort because a lot of people are still mummed on what's happening to our environment. I don't care. I will continue to do what's right. I want to be the 'change' in this messed-up world (as what Rob Greenfield said).
Great work again, loved it!
I especially like that they appear to be wearing clothes made from old woollen blankets!