I'll be the first to admit it: sometimes you just don't have the energy to actually read something. I think that's why podcasts were invented! For those of you that enjoy learning about waste reduction and what is happening in the sustainability world, let me introduce you to the best zero waste podcasts. You won't want to turn them off!
This was the first podcast about zero waste I ever listened to! It is generally geared towards beginners and individuals who haven't already done a bunch of research. As a zero waste blogger, I found that most of the companies they talked about I had already researched, but there were a few surprises! It is set up in an interview format with Laura Nash posing the questions. Each podcast varies in length from 15 minutes to an hour.
The Zero Waste Countdown frequently does interviews with large companies like HP Ink and Proctor & Gamble to hear how they are working on reducing waste at the large scale level. Some of the episodes seem a little "optimistic" in my view and don't quite question the companies as much as I would want. It is really good though for getting an idea of zero waste efforts across the spectrum of businesses and understanding how these large companies think about waste.
Based out of Portland, Oregon, Talking Trash specifically focuses on the zero waste movement on a local level. They interview a variety of local activists and business owners that are trying out new waste reduction techniques. I particularly liked this podcast when I was based out of Portland myself because it was about local initiatives. I felt like everyone they interviewed were from organizations I had actually heard of and/or worked with. But that doesn't mean it isn't interesting for anyone outside of Portland too!
Some of my favorite episodes are the one about Nossa Familia and another about the Eco Schools Network. Each podcast is between 20-35 minutes long and set up in an interview style format.
Hippie Haven Podcast: How to Live an Ethical + Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
This podcast isn't just focused on zero waste, but that's a good thing! The host, Callie, covers topics from composting to vegan wine to saving the bees to debunking zero waste myths. This podcast has been going on quite a while and has the most episodes published on this list. So if you're looking for some time to kill, start here!
The Hippie Haven Podcast is also set up in an interview style, but tends to focus on interviewing individuals and small businesses. Unlike the Zero Waste Countdown, you won't find Callie interviewing or promoting large corporations. She even posted a cool episode on why she thinks Loop is green washing! The podcasts vary from 4 minutes to over an hour in length.
This podcast already has quite a few episodes out as well, so it's a good one to start into if you're in it for the long haul. Practical(ly) Zero Waste focuses mostly on waste reduction but also touches on related topics like plant based diet, minimalism, and mindfulness.
Episodes are in interview format and tend to focus on a specific waste reduction topics (e.g. periods, food, kids). The episodes range from 20 to 50 minutes long and a new episode is published every Sunday.
For a more international focused podcast (or at least not specifically focused on the U.S.), Malin Leth and Evalina Lundqvist host the Love Zero Waste podcast. It is a relatively small play list as they only have eight episodes up so far but I think this podcast has a lot of potential! Episodes range from 20-35 minutes.
If you don't yet follow the blogger Polly Barks (previously known as Green Indy), you need to right now! She recently launched a podcast series as well called Zero Waste Deep Dives and it's eye opening. Polly doesn't shy away from asking really tough questions and pushing the zero waste movement to acknowledge the true systemic barriers against us.
The podcast only has eight episodes so far, but each tackles a huge issue. One of my favorites? Episode #3: Should we let companies into the Zero Waste Movement? With companies like Loop coming out (and talked about on some of the podcasts mentioned above), this podcast bucks the system a bit and asks whether we need to be supporting large scale zero waste programs that are run by companies with a horrible record.
What zero waste podcasts do you listen to?