The problem with “sustainable lifestyle” bloggers is that they’re liars.

That does not mean that they are always lying on purpose or that a sustainable or minimalist lifestyle is not a good thing to have but ultimately, they’re selling you something, an ideal, and like much you will be sold in your life – at least some of it is fake.

Reducing plastic waste and becoming less consumerist isn’t all clean wooden counters and upcycled mason jars. It isn’t all 5 Quick and Easy Tips. It’s also untidy cupboards of yogurt cartons to reuse to plant seeds and scraps of old shirts for rags and old paper carrier bags full of paper carrier bags to use as bin liners or put your muddy boots in. Keeping things to reuse and recycle takes up space, it is rarely minimalist. It’s remembering to make extra dinner for tomorrows lunch, even when you’re tired, and the trial and error of getting a travel mug that doesn’t leak all over the inside of your bag on the bus.

Sustainable lifestyle YouTube channels and WordPress stars with glowing skin and clean white interior decorating styles, say things like “quick and easy” because they have the luxury of time and the resources to spend more money. And let’s be clear here, to live a “sustainable”, zero waste life you WILL have to spend a bit more money than your less sustainable peers. The reason these bloggers tell you otherwise? Because they’re selling you something. Frequently they are literally selling you “green” products from companies that sponsor their blogs. Quite frankly, making an elitist artform out of thrift, recycling and common-sense is beginning to irritate.