BUY BULK: Useful tip or privileged trip?

Easy for me say “SHOP BULK.”

But these stores are expensive & not always close or easy to access.

What’s the strategy to budget for bulk OR is the plastic free lifestyle just for the privileged? Of course it’s not.

But how much context can one instagram tip give? And how much does this movement need that extra context to be inclusive and empowering to all communities?

Is it enough to sway the privileged purchasing power and social sway to make bulk foods and reusables more affordable and accessible to all? Or is this a perverse colonisation of natural ways of living? With the wealthy donning clay dyed fibres carrying hand sculpted reusable cups.. Or is this an essential part of the global awakening? An exciting turning point in the revolution? The commoditisation of “natural lifestyle” or “eco living” a basic truth about the role of capitalism in our buyer society, and it’s very nature a win in comparison to the wasteful alternative trends? And then, how might we sustain these shifts to be less fleeting and more rooted? Is this our one chance to lock in regenerative systems or is this humanity’s coming of age? Are we in an eco chamber of change or can we build momentum and create the thriving world our hearts know is possible?

***This is a topic I discuss in my book "I Quit Plastics" available for order at iquitplastics.com/book & I am curious to hear your thoughts. Also featured on Elephant Journal***

I advocate to shop at farmers markets. Folks respond they live in cold climates or food deserts. I encourage shopping bulk, yet these shops are often quite expensive. I say plant your herbs & milk your nuts & bake your own crackers & hand wash your synthetics—single parents are out here like, mate, you’re lucky I made time to read this far! lol

I share a lot of what I personally do as an array of options for y’all to take in and perhaps adopt a few along the way. By no means is this the only way to live a life with a light footprint in alignment with nature.

What I share, from my life, certainly was influenced by the circumstances I was born into, the education I pursued & the hardships that awakened a desire to live with purpose and to righteously defend our planet upon which all life relies.

In the beginning of my activism I was unaware of the privilege my skin tone, nationality, accent, extroversion afforded me. I was loud, passionate, unrelenting. I was also broke. I decidedly gave my time to ocean conservation nonprofits and marine debris research institutions and plastic ban policy campaigns.

So, whilst it is easy to endorse branded reusables from my instagram platform and my photos may appear as if I spend hundos at the bulk stores—this is not the bourgeois approach where my method has it’s roots.

I experimented my way to fully plastic free on an measly activist’s micro budget. How? I’ve made HEAPS of mistakes. And I often think I’ve done the dirty work so y’all can take my word for what works. But I don’t always make the time or have the caption space to go deep on why and how I came to these tips.

So here is how I manage my cash:

To be honest, I rarely actually spend money. I repurpose jars for reusables. I trade stuff and swap clothes.. I save cash by abstaining from most stuff because of the packaging and then I can budget for bulk shops. AND I’ve purchased a zillion non organic veggies because it’s what I could afford. I’ve stocked up on bulk spices one month and been grateful I went big when I had the funds to carry me through scrimpier times. I’ve gone to the bulk stores, compared prices and suppliers, and then called up local farmers to order huge paper bags of foods direct. I’ve abstained from HEAPS of stuff because it is wrapped in packaging that won't break down for ten centuries.

And I didn’t always fit in or seem normal or have the popular thing or the cool style clothes or the socially acceptable technology. I think when we discover a flaw in our culture or disagree with how our species is living, it is helpful to release oneself from the oppressing shackles of the image obsessed eco-systems we are oft born into. It is important for us to question the norms, where they come from and why we all prescribe to them.

I come from some degree of “privilege.” It is my belief that I could use this privilege for many paths. Personally, I feel I have a moral obligation to use this privilege for betterment. That does not make me a better or more wise or holy person. In fact, my path was more of a zig zag between lost puppy and tropical storm! It is only in hindsight that I can unpack the years, and wonder ‘what kept me to this commitment against plastics and dedication to the oceans.’ What lifted me up? Who supported me? I woke to my privilege as a voice in this movement and the flaws in the message I share, specific to my life and circumstances. And how much of this is useful to inspire others? How much is massaging my conscience or stroking my ego to justify all of those years I felt a martyr for this cause?

I can only speak from my experience. I feel constantly humbled by this journey. I feel grateful so many are becoming interested in reducing plastic pollution. I am grateful to be challenged and pushed to offer more accessible and diverse strategies to come back to nature. And truly, I am a forever student. I learn so much from the people around me, my Byron Bay community of eco warriors, my global network of activists and change makers, the elders who patiently teach, the youth who innocently clarify, the indigenous teachers I have been humbled to study with, the spiritual guides who continue to offer gentle wisdom, the social media accounts I follow, the books I read, the deep chats and passing comments, the dear friends and family who love through error and grace. I’m here for it all.

AND This in itself—is privilege.

Merely to have the time to read or make or choose or chat—this is privilege.

I realise that my privilege gives me a voice. And if I can save people time, and money and inspire healthy choices—I feel good. And if my purchases can help drive down costs to make bulk food and reusables more accessible to more humans, I feel good. And I am still exploring this topic. I am open and admittedly working on my humility and stepping back and sharing and uplifting others.

So, I close—and I’d love your take as well—that we each are unique. And we should celebrate our uniqueness. Just as nature thrives with biodiversity, so must we reject homogenisation and all embrace our unique self and circumstances and know we are and will be different. And that witnessing each other’s journey is like looking through a window or observing another’s garden. Despite our social conditioning, it is not in fact for comparison. This is their personal creation, decisions, circumstances. If it helps to create healthy boundaries around these things—such as, I subscribe to this feed for DIY recipes and I’ll just scroll past her reflective rants—do it. Do what works for you. What serves YOUR higher purpose. Nothing else matters except that you’re doing you’re own best. You’re personal individual unique best. No one should be judging you. Especially not your own self.

Thank you for your time 💙

Also featured on Elephant Journal