Stacy Savage, founder of Zero Waste Strategies, tells us that what inspired her to choose a more conscious and sustainable way of living is having firsthand experience with pollution.

"I grew up under the brown, hazy skies and rotten egg smells of southeast Texas where the oil and gas industry dominates the area’s regional economy. Both my parents and most of my extended family worked at these refinery plants, so I have firsthand experience with pollution," she shared.

"Seeing the tangible impacts of climate change (and knowing my whole family is complicit) enforces that every little action counts," she added. "Choosing a more sustainable lifestyle became less about necessity and more about wanting to be part of the solution. Plus, there's a rewarding sense of peace when you know you're contributing positively even in small ways."

She's been in the sustainability industry, helping companies produce less waste for more than 20 years. So who better than her to ask for some advice on how to apply the zero waste strategies she offers to business in our own lives?

But before we dive into it, we were curious to know if she agrees that people nowadays are replacing and discarding their belongings too often.

"You know, we live in a world that's driven by consumerism, always encouraging us to buy the latest and greatest. But I really think it's important for us to pause and consider the impact of replacing items so frequently," she told us.

"Many belongings have a longer lifespan than we give them credit for, and by keeping them around a bit longer, we can reduce waste and make more mindful choices that are kinder to the planet."

"We also need to hold corporations accountable that produce items under 'planned obsolescence,' which calls for items to be designed for breakage or systems to be outdated quickly," she noted.

Planned obsolescence is a purposeful strategy of designing products that break quickly or become no longer useful rather quickly. Businesses apply this idea to their practices to encourage sales without really thinking about the impact it has on our environment.

To be more considerate of our planet, we should try our best not to buy into the planned obsolescence strategy that companies are selling and take better care of our things instead.

"Taking good care of what we have is simple and effective. It starts with regular maintenance, like cleaning and storing items properly. Being gentle in how we use and handle our possessions goes a long way, too. It's about respecting the things we've invested in, and doing so can greatly extend their life, which can save us money and reduce waste in the process," Savage advised.

And sometimes, all a dearly loved item needs is a little bit of mending - not us hurrying to throw it into a landfill. Learning some basic repair or repurposing skills can greatly prolong the life of our belongings.

"It's amazing what a needle and thread can accomplish. I love repurposing items as well—an old ladder can become a stylish bookshelf, for example, or an old tire can be stuffed with fiber filling and upholstered to make a dog bed," Savage suggested.

"The key is to see potential in the old. Sometimes, just a fresh coat of paint or a new use for an old object can breathe new life into it. And remember, it's okay to ask for help or turn to online communities for creative ideas. I would recommend searching your local area for a “Fix-it Clinic” where tinkerers in the community gather, usually at a library, to mend broken items, such as jewelry and small electronics. There's a sense of pride and satisfaction that comes from creating something new from something old!" Savage said as a farewell.