The Vegan Argument for Being Zero-Waste
"When you realize the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future."
-Dian Fossey
Embracing Imperfection
Veganism is about doing what is practicable and possible to help animals, which is also how we should approach zero-waste; both are about doing the best we can, the best for the animals and the best for the planet. However, vegans have a tendency to let ourselves off the hook, so to speak, when it comes to issues tangentially related to animal rights because we've already taken the greatest step towards living ethically and eco-friendly. While that may be the case, if we're going to talk the talk about how horrible animal agriculture is for the environment, we should be willing to walk the walk by doing everything in our power to protect the planet in other areas of our lives.
The Dangers of Plastic
Every year, more than 35 million tons of plastic are discarded in the US, according to the EPA. Per capita, that’s about 0.16 tons, or 212 pounds. Unfortunately, less than ten percent of that plastic is actually recycled, the rest ending up in landfills, waterways, or incinerators. As vegans, we should be concerned with what this plastic waste does to wildlife and their habitats, as the core tenet of our belief system is to do no harm to animals.
Plastic that remains on the planet will never go away; it will only get smaller. In the oceans, microplastics are a serious threat to baby fishes, who mistake the small pieces for food. The fewer small fishes there are, the less food for larger, predatory animals. In conjunction with overfishing -- it’s estimated that about 2.7 trillion marine animals are intentionally and accidentally slaughtered every year -- keystone species like bluefin tuna, who are integral to maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem, are under severe threat, and even small changes we make in our lifestyle choices could be the difference between life and death for our aquatic friends.
Making Connections
Being vegan is the most basic action we can take to help the planet and the animals who call it home, but that doesn't mean we should stop there. In fact, I'd argue that the definition of veganism itself posits that all animals be included in our circle of compassion, and purchasing products with minimal environmental footprints is one aspect of how we can enact that in our lives. Overall, everything on this planet is interconnected, and our survival -- as individuals, as a species, as Earthlings -- depends on the choices we make.
be conscious, be kind, be vegan
Related posts you may enjoy:
"The Five Factors of Veganism"
"The Best & Worst of Zero-Waste, Pt. 4"