Sustainable Minimalism: Embrace Zero Waste, Build Sustainability Habits That Last, and Become a Minimalist without Sacrificing the Planet

by Stephanie Marie Seferian

The Aspiring Minimalist’s Guide to Living Consciously and Contributing to a “Greener” Tomorrow

“This is the perfect book for people that want to find a realistic roadmap to sustainable living.” ―The Holistic Millennial

Eco-minimalism is a hot-button issue right now, and for good reason. Living a life with less can be the key to saving our precious planet.

Break the consumption cycle. There’s so much to do, and way too much to buy. Whether it’s through late night TV ads, social media, or other sources of influence, we are addicted to buying and then storing things. Sometimes we consume with no regret and other times we realize that we’re doing more harm than good to our wallets and our homes. It’s a constant cycle―one that many are longing to break. Who wants their hard-earned money to go toward something that soon ends up in a landfill?

A guide to eco-minimalism with a plan that is realistic. Manufacturing "stuff" exploits Earth's precious (and finite) resources. And then there's the harsh reality of where it all goes. Our discarded possessions ultimately head to landfills and contribute to environmental pollution, releasing greenhouse gases during breakdown and decomposition. Sustainable Minimalism is the solution. Empower yourself to incrementally incorporate the tenets of sustainable minimalism into your home and life. Learn to master the easiest tasks first and build upon your successes―a practical and stress-free process. Now that’s sustainable!

A blueprint for sustainability and stress management:

How to gain greater mental clarity and increase your free time with fewer possessions
Environmentally friendly ways of decluttering and organizing
Ways to improve your financial stability, while going green at the same time
How to get organized and operate a zero-waste home

If you enjoyed books like Zero Waste Home, The Minimalist Home, or The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, you’ll love Sustainable Minimalism.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Sustainability, Environment, Audiobook, Lifestyle, Inspirational

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 19, 2021

About the author

Stephanie Seferian is a former teacher-turned full-time podcast host of The Sustainable Minimalists podcast.

She’s also an avid distance runner, a lover of fiction, and an aspiring plant-based chef.

Stephanie lives just outside of Boston with her two daughters, yellow Labrador Retriever, 10,000-ish bees, and husband who loves to compost almost as much as she.

Reviews

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author definitely focused more on zero waste than minimalism. We’re talking a penny pinching, saving everything lifestyle that could rival a Mennonite grandma’s. Its an interesting combo because with being zero waste you save a lot more things, and with minimalism you generally don’t. Overall an interesting read but not quite what i was expecting.

[Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confrontational, informative and motivational - those are the three words that I feel best describe this book. A mix between minimalism and environmentalism, this work talks about the small steps you can take to reduce your impact on the world. I found it very interesting, although sometimes a bit overwhelming and unrealistic if I am honest. However, I will definitely take some ideas with me in the future!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read for people who are new to the world of sustainable minimalism.

This book definitely focused more on zero waste then it did minimalism.

Although lots of the tips were helpful, they were nothing that I hadn't read before.

I did also struggle with some of the advice. In order to live a more zero waste lifestyle, the author recommended you made, grow and do things yourself. But often this might mean going out and buying products for this- which doesn't really align with a minimalism mindset.

I didn't like how the author was against a lot of the capsule wardrobe advice found online but then proceeded to state you can't have much colour or pattern in your capsule wardrobe. A concept I don't agree with.

I did like the appendix at the back for ideas on how to recycle particular items. The only problem was, it was designed for Americans and I live in the UK.

The basic, overarching message of this book was good and will be a helpful read if you were discovering this concept for the first time but overall, it wasn't particularly useful for anyone already familiar with zero waste concepts.

[Ben Codrington · Rating 1 out of 5]

The occasional interesting tip but ironically way more pages than it needed to be.
Full of common sense sustainability tips that you already know "try to recycle and use less plastic", and at times seems to care more about the aesthetics of sustainability than actual sustainability. There were several tips that seemed to counterintuitively recommend adding more clutter or containers to your life.

[Michael Burnam-Fink · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll definitely put myself down more as a minimalist rather than a zero waste sustainability person. My own ecopolitics tend towards ecomodernism, which argues for a systematic cost-benefit approach to a high energy planet. "Waste" is a constructed, political category.

But me and Seferian can both agree that we have too much crap, too much shoddy, temporary junk designed to be thrown away, permanent purchases for temporary retail therapy, and all that's wrong. Along with the rants about buying in bulk in your own reusable containers, avoiding plastics, and composting and gardening, there's some brief pragmatic advice about vegetable storage which my Boomer parents never taught me (or I probably just ignored, in fairness), capsule wardrobes swapped out between seasons to use space in your closet efficiently, and while I am skeptical that various mixtures of vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap are as effective as commercial cleaning products, I'm willing to run at least one test.

[Anna Berwitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, but towards the end I began to get overwhelmed with the suggestions the author was making to live minimally. I think the first few chapters has some really good tips on small changes we can all make to live a more sustainably minimalistic life. If I could, I would give the first part of this book 4 1/2 stars, and the second part of this book 2 stars.

[Kendall Leclerc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life! After reading it, I have a different view of the world. As a “recovering hoarder,” Stephanie gave me realistic tools and strategies to implement in my life. I also found her extremely relatable.

[Rachael | Booklist Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Primer to Eco-Friendly Minimalist Living

Instead of simply decluttering and then fill your house only to declutter again, Seferian wants you to break the consumption cycle. Blending minimalist living with an eco-friendly lifestyle, Sustainable Minimalism gives tips and suggestions to lower your carbon footprint and reduce the amount of waste you produce. 

Similar to Bea Johnson's Zero Waste Home without being quite as judgemental, Seferian acknowledges the privilege needed to enact many green measures, yet encourages you to start with small affordable steps. While some of her remarks are pretty extreme (no more air travel, foraging for food), she focuses her attention on more actionable items like composting and alternatives to single-use plastics.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Victor Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything I wanted in a book about both individual environmentalist choices and minimalism. The entire book is the author's acknowledgement that environmentalism and minimalism are often at odds with each other and is her attempt to reconcile the two in a mutually supportive framework. I loved the practical ideas she shares throughout the book. Also, I really appreciated that she acknowledged that there are many factors that might prohibit one from being environmentalist and/or minimalist including systematic barriers.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Elizabeth Freeze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic combination of minimalism meets environmentalism. Stephanie’s no-judgement style helps you ease into your first steps or go deeper if you’re already into your journey. Very few authors address the minimalist approach to stuff as well as the sustainable way to tackle decluttering and how to reduce our own dependence on consumerism. It’s an inspiring read with the right amount of climate change doom to put you on the path to doing better, one step and a time.

[Dhaval · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Ajla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a quintessential guide for all things sustainability and minimalism. A book you keep on your shelf and constantly come back to for more tips, guidelines, DIY's and resources. You'll benefit so much from it no matter if you're a seasoned sustainable minimalist or a newbie. Would hiiiighly recommend this to anyone and everyone!
Also, go and listen to the podcast, I've been a devoted listener for years.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

Great stories, tips and real talk that will help you to understand why and how to make a change. Great positive insight that is easy to connect with.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned a lot.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many books in this genre but this one made me want to make more changes than any other one I've read.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buddhism Lite, without the spiritualism.

[Sian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 2.5 stars. Although it had some interesting statistics in it relating more so, to America, I didn’t fully agree with some of her suggestions. Having trialed certain practises and finding it caused problems with our drains and our washing machines, we have researched other more suitable options which have been more successful for us.

However, there is a lot of focus on holding off purchasing new, using/borrowing/purchasing secondhand goods and expressing a real awareness to zero waste, also being smarter with de-cluttering to reduce landfill, which could be helpful for those wanting to make some changes.

I did sometimes find myself feeling irritated by a fair few of her suggestions. I think the delivery comes across as quite intense and desperate for people to make the changes. I guess her belief in helping the planet is very important to the author (which it is important, I understand that) and her passion is clearly expressed, but it just felt a little thrown at me and demanding/insistent, rather than inspiring and allowing me to feel enthusiastic about making more changes, whereas I just felt a little wiped out by it. That’s not say everyone would feel like that, the book still has a lot of interesting information to share and so for some people, this could be a really awesome book. Just not the best for me.

[Quintin Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

More about sustainability than minimalism. Which there’s nothing wrong with that. My bigger issue is there were fewer practical action items than I would have like. Moreover, while the author notes that sustainable minimalism is easier for White, middle to upper class people it seems an after thought and something she felt she needed to throw in there. Ironically so many of the tips require the possession of some new item to start the process which are often expensive. I appreciate the times when she explicitly states how to reuse things you will have already bought (I.e. jars) but I feel like this is for a specific demographic (of which I am a part of) but it was frustrating that there weren’t more solutions for people who cannot afford to start this process or live in an area where it’s much harder. I will likely take some of its advice and put it to use in my own life, but I was a little frustrated with the presentation. Also, like most sustainability books there was an air of “if you’re not already doing this you’re not doing well enough” which is always frustrating.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: listened to the audiobook available through my library. It was about 6 hours, and less because I ended up listening at 2.5X -3.5X speed.

Audience: primarily parents/guardians who want to set an example for young ones they support

Not everyone has the time to enact all of the tips, or has the option to learn survival skills. (Thankfully online video platforms and the libraries may offer ways around paying methods.)

When in doubt,
- buy secondhand as much as you can
- buy what you would use
- ask: can you borrow something before buying?
- find ways to support your local economy
- make as much as you can, or buy in bulk or in reusable packaging (glass, aluminium)
- don’t fall for corporations and their marketing
- synthetic is not always better!
- reuse, reuse, reuse
- try composting

[Kelsey E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow! This book makes you think!

Such an incredible book! Stephanie brings key issues into light - how we can reduce our dependence on items and buying, but in a sustainable way. I love the way that this book connects many stories from other readers and listeners. Having the shared experience reminds us that we can all take small actions to benefit the greater good. This is truly a must read for 2021!

[Sara Budarz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted a short audiobook to listen to on a long train ride and thought this would work - but it was a letdown. Both because of the preachy tone and because it in the end still was coming from such an elitist, don't you secretly only want a few runway-worthy outfits instead of your average mall-clothing place. When she then also started to present super non-scientific voodoo nonsense regarding cosmetics and cancer, well, that was the end of that.

Hard pass.

[Scott E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair read. Suffers from Jack of all trades master of none. Minimalism craic is OK as is the sustainability stuff but none of it is top tier

[Nedam]

organic food is more eco-friendly than pesticide-laden produce

Untrue. Organic farms require far more space than traditional farms which either leads to deforestation or prevents returning land to wilderness. That's not eco-friendly. Thanks to modern farming ability to grow more on the same amount of space statisticians now say: "The world produces more food than ever, but the amount of land we use is now falling. This means we can feed more people while restoring wild habitat. Organic farms which need a lot more land destroy this opportunity.

Also, no one is stopping organic food to be pesticide-laden, it's just that those pesticides can't be synthetic.

It's a complex topic, especially because not every organic farm is same nor is every traditional farm same. But in general the rule is: organic farming is better for some things, non-organic for other things. For example, organic farming has higher nitrogen leaching (that's bad). In most studies organic milk, cereals, and pork generated higher greenhouse gas emissions per product than non-organic ones, but organic beef and olives had lower emissions.

In short, no, it's not as simple as spend more money, buy organic, and you're being more eco-friendly. Not at all.

Support Local Businesses The practice supports your neighbors, encourages job creation, curbs carbon emissions associated with product shipment over long distances, and in the case of food, reduces packaging waste. Perhaps the biggest benefit to supporting your local economy is that it strengthens community resilience, a necessity for combatting future challenges associated with climate change.

Oh boy. Where do I begin? That food shipment makes only 10% of its greenhouse gas emissions, and so that if you live where something doesn't naturally grow it is far more eco-friendly to import from a place where it does, since there it doesn't require extensive watering, heating, and other care, which makes most of food's emissions, and that what you eat matters faaaar more than where it came from? That people in rich countries caused the majority of greenhouse gas emissions through history and if we need to strengthen anyone's community resilience and create jobs it's communities in low-income countries who are the first ones to suffer climate change consequences? It's selfish, and cruel, to strengthen you own neighborhood while leaving most vulnerable people in the world to suffer the consequences of your airplane vacations, red meat consumption, etc.

Anyway, Sustainable Minimalism? Heck, yes! We need this (among other things) if we intend to feed and supply energy to 10-11 billion people that our population will peak at, without wrecking the climate even worse.

But this book either shies away from, or the author doesn't maybe even know about it, the tough questions and unpopular facts. Buying organic local food makes us feel fuzzy and warm and like we're good people. It's also useless, if not damaging, both for sustainability and minimalism.

Eating less or no (especially red) meat and getting protein from plants? Now that's where you would be making a true, real, enormous difference. Don't eat local organic beef, eat soy that came from another continent, and then you are a true sustainable minimalist, who has reduced its footprint and increased land available for wildlife. Live in a skyscraper instead of a detached house. But most people hate hearing stuff like that, and no amount of scientific backing will convince them to do what matters.

It's not a bad book, and it's about an important topic, but I need someone brave enough to give the most reliable facts on what's the most efficient way to reach sustainability, whether they're good to hear or not.

But always remember, don't perfect be the enemy of good. Any positive change you make is important.

DNF (did not finish)

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do you confuse what you own with what you are worth?

Diderot effect: Obtaining a new possession entitles you to purchase more

Out of sight does not mean out planet (waste).

Embark on your no-spend month: entertain by hosting boardgame night, dinner, movie night, hike, bike, new hobby, read from library

True value is dependent on utility.

Be intentional about what you grant admittance into your home. Unnecessary stuff creates clutter and takes more than it gives.

Clothing: Keep a donation box in the garage and fill it as needed to donate later. Have a few: donate, mend, repurpose.

Borrow from a friend or buy second hand. Invest in quality second hand to have product live well after you outgrow it.

Get in the habit of giving yourself 24hrs to mull over the potential purchase.

Be intentional with your family’s values and goals. Start by asking “If we could be the best family we could be, what kinds of things would we be doing and saying?”

Grease stains: cover with clear dish detergent, rub in with fingers/toothbrush. rinse and add white vinegar, rinse again after 3min and wash as normal.

Wash your clothes in cold water for health of garments and planet.

Use wool dryer ball with essential oil instead of single-use dryer sheets. It reduces overall drying time by retaining heat.

Globally, humans transform over 100b tons of raw material (minerals, ores, fossil fuels, biomass) into products/food each year yet 2/3 becomes waste. Waste is trash in oceans and garbage in landfills and uneaten food, pollution, lost manufacturing byproducts.

Look up your town’s recycling rules and help your family by creating a recycle cheat-sheet and paste it in the side of the bin.

Stubborn label jar: mix 1tbsp olive oil with 1tbsp baking soda and leave it on for 2hrs before rinsing. or equal parts vinegar and water to sit overnight.

Create a “eat me” bin in fridge for food nearing expiration.

Create a shopping kit for groceries and put it back right after unpacking groceries.

Consider making some meals meat-free.

Separate the food into reusable containers for snacks.

Rather than going through multiple single-use tissues, keep 4 handkerchiefs with you at all times. Create a silverware wrap with cloth napkin to waste fewer utensils and napkins.

Dry cleaning cleans with liquid- most use PERC and its a suspected human carcinogen that enters the human body through inhalation and skin exposure, linked to cancer, liver disease, reproductive disorders.

buynothingproject.org shares products ppl giveaway.

Storage: Keep winter squash, onions, garlic in dark cool locations to last longer.

Toilet bowl cleaner: 1c water, 1/2c castille soap, 1/4c vinegar, then add 1/2c baking soda and shake.

For marble/stone countertop: mix equal parts water with rubbing alcohol or vodka instead of vinegar.

Windows/mirrors: 1 white vinegar, 4 water, splash of lemon juice. Wipe with old newspaper.

Polish wood furniture: 1c vegetable oil, 1tsp lemon oil, apply with clean rag.

Pots/pans scrub: Mix sea salt with lemon juice into a paste and scrub away.

Dish soap: 1 castile soap, 10 water

Vaseline: 1/8c beeswax, 1/2c olive oil and melt over low heat in a double boiler. Let mixture cool.

Facial exfoliant: raw honey and sugar
Blemish: diluted tee tree oil

If not make, purchase responsibly to support companies committed to doing things right: ewg.org

Do a beach cleanup!

Adopt a rain-or-shine approach to nature to experience the uniqueness of each season, critical in creating strong bonds with nature.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

TL;DR: I found this book wasn’t put together well, and there are recommendations and DIY recipes I don’t agree with. That said, there were good points made about having conversations with kids and friends about minimalism and sustainability.

This book is essentially in three parts: minimalism, plastic-free zero-waste, and environmentalism. Unfortunately, as the book progresses minimalism gets lost in the interest of facets of sustainability, like glass jars and DIY products to use at home. Also, I’d like to point out that the author herself discloses a point that has become a pitfall of the minimalist movement: that aesthetics can trump true minimalism. She remarks that she is a “proud maximalist” of glass jars, yet the “minimalist” in her enjoys seeing just one material used in her cabinets. While repurposing glass jars is sustainable minimalism, there is a argument to made about reducing the amount of glass we bring in—glass, though recyclable, is very heavy and leads to increased emissions in transport, plus the current US recycling system unfortunately does not do a good job of recycling glass. Also, sustainable minimalism isn’t just seeing glass in your cabinets—it’s using what you have, even if the materials aren’t ideal for you, and the using minimalism to save up money to slowly transition to better-quality items. (She forgot to mention this, but if you make your own sauces, you don’t have to keep buying new jars from the store).

Something else that bothered me throughout the book was how she addresses caveats to minimalism. When discussing buying new items, she briefly mentions how sometimes fast/less-sustainable fashion may be the only option, but then she goes right to cost-per-wear, missing the opportunity to talk about how sustainable minimalism can still apply by only buying what is only needed. She touches on food deserts, but only after writing about all of the foods to seek out at the grocery store. It just feels like these important nuances are glossed over.

Finally, some of the products she suggests are not good to use or contradict herself. Sea sponges may have been used historically as a menstrual hygiene product, but they should NOT be used as there is an increased risk of bacterial infections (plus the question of sustainability: sea sponges are living creatures that must be harvested). She recommends hiding scuffs on patent leather with petroleum jelly, but it’s not until the end of the book that she gives a recipe on non-petroleum jelly (why didn’t she write “non-petroleum jelly” earlier?). Finally, she gives a recipe for DIY laundry detergent that actually wouldn’t clean much since the amount of Castile soap added per load is minuscule, and washing soda doesn’t remove dirt from clothing.

All that said, I appreciate the conversations she’s having with her family, especially her kids, and her advocacy for conversations about climate change. It’s not easy to uphold eco-minimalism when there’s so much social pressure, especially for kids, to have the latest new thing. Nonetheless, they are good values to hold, both for the environment and for teaching goal-setting and self-contentment (ie not keeping up with the Joneses).

[Brooke Espenschied · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book - first highlighting consumer capitalism in America and the pressure and visual cues to buy, buy, buy. Many of these purchases are one time uses - poorly made clothes, cheap decor, straws, paper towels, to-go containers, etc. The book highlights that the first way to a greener Earth is REDUCE, followed by reuse or regift. It also walks through the processing of decluttering week by week. Not only while the environment thank you but so will your wallet and your path to financial freedom. The book end with the last section dedicated to being self sufficient and ways to lower your carbon footprint and plastic consumption.

Personal Takeaways:
- *Commit to learning one new skill a year
- Shopping bans allow for: getting serious with finances/savings, highlight difference between wants and need, encourage you to slow down/spend QT, retrain your brain to desire less
- Buymeonce.com - website that researches brands and recommends highly rated products
- buynothingproject.org
- Gift Giving - consider: one greatest want, wearable, real need, sharable, read, experience
- Consider a 3 gift limit for Christmas/holidays
- Wardrobe capsule: 5 neutral tops and bottoms, 2 neutral dresses, 5 patterned tops and bottoms, few accents (hat, scarf, cardigan, vest) - total 30-50 pieces
- Stains: grease - dish detergent, then rinse, add white vinegar; shoe scuffs on leather - cotton swab and petroleum jelly; water stains on leather - toothbrush and vinegar; dirt on suede - rub lightly with nail file
- Most trash is made in the kitchen - food waste, packaging, paper towels
- * "Eat me now" refrigerator section
- * Eggshells provide calcium to plants and deter insect
- Consider composting (fruit, veggie scraps, egg shells - 1/3 of content, brown matter - yard waste/cardboard), add a bit of water; rotate weekly
- Drain cleaner - pour baking soda in sink, and drizzle vinegar on top, follow with HOT water
- *Bring your own tubber ware to restaurants
- Aim for 1-2 nights/week meat free
- Repurpose jars in the pantry
-* Add greenery - purify air by removing toxins
- * Using a laundry ball (can add a drop of essential oil) to lessen dry time
- Wash with a scoop of kosher salt (softens clothes) and essential oil of your choice
- * Purchasing a soap saver, bar soap over bottled soap
- Gardening - consider microgreens; 6 hours of sunlight for your garden
- Can freeze herbs by mincing finely, putting in ice trays, then topping with olive oil; freeze, then store. can be used for soups/stews
- Home Scents: fragrant house plants - jasmine or gardenia; baking soda in jars, Q tip in essential oil and place in TP roll
- Ideas to get your house involved: "Green Team" - walk around the neighborhood and pick up liter; collect rainwater in buckets
- Stuff animals can be donated to animal shelters
- Vases can be donated to floral shops
- Donate hangers to dry cleaners

[hr_collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains lots of good advice regarding minimalism and zero waste/sustainable living. I listened to the audiobook, though I highly recommend the physical copy because there were many lists that could have done with a sticky note and a highlighter.

Since this book focuses a lot more on sustainable living (very much on a budget, which is great since overspending is a form of maximalism) over minimalism, there were times I felt minimalism was being overshadowed a little—though, it's hard to come up with perfect solutions to getting rid of your possessions in such a way that completely curtails harming the planet. For example, when regarding your clothes as too shabby, stained, or damaged to donate, she recommends repurposing the fabric into napkins, doll clothing, etc. While it's a great idea for sustainably repurposing items into things you'll actually use, it ignores the minimalism ideal—that is, possessing less stuff—by increasing the quantity of your possessions.

It's a lot of overwhelming information for a beginner, and I think that's half the problem for people not adopting minimalist or sustainable practices—too much information at once instantly dispirits the reader. Given this, I don't recommend reading this like a book. Read it like a handbook and focus on the chapter/piece of advice on which you want to begin your journey.

[Na Xiong · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a very coincidental situation, I read Stephanie's Sustainable Minimalism, a book that is very helpful in guiding our minimalist lives. I highly recommend reading. We are in an era of fast-paced living, and everything is at our fingertips. The Internet is full of all kinds of information, and the various kinds of goods piled up in the store make it easy for us to fall into confusion, difficulty in choosing, and even increase our psychological burden.
In fact, we don't need much, and the book proposes that buying too much can easily make people fall into financial pressure. In addition, items that are quickly discarded become garbage, which also has a negative impact on the environment. The authors offer a series of practical suggestions for us to make plans, learn to organize efficiently, and be self-sufficient, eat healthily, and not rely too much on industrialized goods, which we can do in our daily lives.
Everyone has the ability to do their small part to contribute to our planet. All in all, this is a meaningful, valuable book! It is suitable for everyone who wants to practice green sustainable living. Thank you Stephanie, for this meaningful, sustainable book!

[Sarah Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually found this book much more inspiring and much less annoying than I expected. I’m not one for “tiny things you can do”, and am much more into scathing systemic analyses and critiques. The individualism of sustainability books turns me off. But this book had some excellent approaches to that problem in the last chapter, and I like the addition of sustainability as a revision of minimalism in general. I learned a lot of things I’ve already implemented. The only thing missing here is the gendered analysis. The vast majority of the suggestions here still are in the cis-hetero woman’s sphere. When will people tackle this imbalance more fiercely? Sustainability needs to get a much better analysis of household economics and heteronormative patriarchy. But short of that, I enjoyed and was inspired by this little book.