Give a Sh*t

1. Your individual actions are powerful catalysts for planetary change.

We are the ones we have been waiting for.

Challenge defeatist thinking. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by global environmental problems and believe that only governments or corporations can make a difference. This leads to inaction, but the truth is that individual behaviors, multiplied across communities, are what created the current planetary pickle in the first place.

Harness collective influence. Just as widespread consumption and disposable culture led to environmental burden, widespread adoption of sustainable habits can unfuck the world. Humans are heavily influenced by peers, so individual shifts can go viral, creating collective movements for positive change.

Personal benefits abound. Living more sustainably isn't just good for the planet; it's good for you. The author saved nearly $15,000 in one year by adopting these strategies, finding the lifestyle liberating, less stressful, healthier, and more aligned with personal values, leading to a greater sense of purpose.

2. Embrace the "Give a Shit" philosophy: Live better with less waste and more compassion.

Basically, Give a Sh*t is the kind of book I wanted when I was exploring how to be the best version of myself, and it will hopefully be your buddy through your transition to a kinder, more conscious life.

A holistic approach. Giving a shit isn't about one single action; it's a multifaceted philosophy integrating several key ideologies for a streamlined, stress-free, and sustainable existence. It's a roadmap, not a rigid dogma, allowing you to choose what works for you.

Core tenets include:

• Animal friendly: Protecting animals through diet, product choices, and adoption.
• Minimalist: Living better with less stuff to gain clarity and reduce environmental strain.
• Low and zero waste: Reducing landfill contributions through repurposing, reusing, recycling, and composting.
• People forward: Supporting fair labor, healthy communities, and social justice.
• Location considerate: Choosing local, ethically sourced goods to reduce travel emissions and support artisans.
• Eco-friendly: Making environmentally sound choices in materials, diet, and products.

No judgment, no perfection. This isn't an all-or-nothing pursuit. The goal is gentle, gradual shifts, not absolute perfection. You can engage in life's pleasures while aligning with your desire to do good.

3. Master waste reduction at home: Recycle right and compost everything possible.

Although there are clearly marked, conveniently located recycle bins nearby, trash cans (often labeled “landfill” to really hit home to people where their toss leads) are usually overflowing with more misplaced plastic than a reality TV star’s face.

Recycling is a last resort. While important, recycling alone won't save the planet, especially since Americans are often bad at doing it correctly (wishcycling). The priority should be refusing, reducing, and repurposing items before they reach the recycling bin.

Recycle with precision and passion:

• Study local guidelines: Know what materials (aluminum, glass, paper, certain plastics) are accepted and how they need to be separated.
• Avoid wishcycling: Don't put non-recyclable items (Styrofoam, plastic caps/hangers, mirrors, Pyrex, food-contaminated containers) in the bin.
• Clean everything: Rinse containers to prevent contamination and odors.
• Organize by end point: Have separate bins for municipal recycling and items recycled/donated elsewhere (batteries, corks, hazardous materials).

Composting diverts massive waste. Food waste is the single biggest occupant of US landfills and a major source of methane emissions. Composting organic materials is an effective way to reduce landfill volume, save energy, and create valuable soil.

Composting is easier than you think:

• Research local options: Check for municipal pickup, farmers' market drop-offs, or subscription services.
• Compost food scraps: Divert fruit/vegetable peels, coffee grounds, tea bags, and even greasy paper takeout containers (if not mixed with inorganic material).
• Compost other items: Hair, fingernails, and pencil shavings can often be composted.

4. Boost home energy efficiency: Simple swaps save resources and money.

Did you know that an estimated 8 percent (and $100) of your annual electricity bill is due to items not in use that are plugged in?

Cull disproportionate consumption. American households use a massive amount of energy, significantly more than many other developed countries. Simple changes in how we use appliances, lighting, water, and climate control can drastically reduce environmental burden and costs.

Reduce appliance and device energy use:

• Unplug items not in use to avoid "phantom energy drain."
• Rethink energy hogs like cable boxes (using more power than a fridge).
• Repair devices first before buying new.
• Buy secondhand or invest in Energy Star certified appliances.
• Consider resource sharing for infrequently used items.

Optimize lighting and water use:

• Turn off lights when leaving a room.
• Swap incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs or CFLs.
• Use natural light whenever possible.
• Fix leaks promptly (a dripping faucet wastes gallons).
• Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
• Take shorter, cooler showers and fewer baths.
• Only flush the "three P's" to protect sewer systems.

Improve heating and cooling efficiency:

• Seal drafts around windows, doors, and outlets.
• Consider energy-efficient windows or coatings.
• Use curtains and fans to regulate temperature.
• Install a smart thermostat.
• Maintain climate system filters.
• Plant trees strategically around your home for natural insulation.

5. Pare down your space: Minimalism brings clarity and reduces burden.

Experts estimate that Americans waste fifty-five minutes a day just looking for things—that’s three thousand hours a year!

Less clutter, more serenity. The average American home is packed with hundreds of thousands of items, leading to wasted time searching for things and increased cleaning burden. Minimalism, or living better with less, saves time, sanity, and reduces strain on environmental resources.

Ask key questions to declutter:

• How often do I use this? (Keep if used regularly, donate if not used in 6-12 months).
• Do I keep it out of guilt or obligation? (Rehome items kept only out of duty).
• Is it important for my job or existence? (Keep essentials).
• Does it inspire me? (Keep items that "spark joy").
• Do I have duplicates? (Keep only the best one or two).
• Do I need to keep it for legal or liability reasons? (Keep necessary documents/items).

Avoid external storage. Self-storage facilities are booming due to our obsession with stuff, but they are often a "passive money suck" for items that are forgotten. Most people have ample space at home if they simply declutter.

Moving made easier. With less stuff, moving becomes significantly less arduous and doesn't require excessive disposable boxes and packing tape. Consider reusable box services for an even greener move.

6. Furnish ethically: Think secondhand first and choose sustainable materials.

I’ve gotten to the point where I love the patience, pursuit, and interesting secondhand-item histories so much that buying new has almost entirely lost its luster.

Reduce furniture waste. Furniture accounts for millions of tons of waste annually and is one of the least recycled items. Buying secondhand is the most sustainable option as it utilizes existing items and prevents them from going to landfill.

Secondhand benefits:

• Embodies reduce, reuse, recycle principles.
• Often sturdier and better quality than modern items designed for "planned obsolescence."
• Can be easily restored or repaired.
• More affordable than buying new.
• Offers unique, timeless pieces.

Where to find secondhand scores: Craigslist, Freecycle, local resale/charity shops, and even curbside finds in affluent areas.

When buying new, choose consciously:

• Research companies committed to greener products (e.g., Sustainable Furnishings Council).
• Opt for multifunction pieces that grow with your needs.
• Select natural, sustainable materials (responsibly harvested wood, metal, glass, organic fabrics, reclaimed materials).
• Buy untreated or unfinished items to avoid toxic off-gassing.
• Look for longevity, lifetime guarantees, and repair options.
• Demand transparency and look for certifications (FSC, Greenguard, GOTS, GOLS, Made Safe).
• Support small and local artisans to reduce shipping emissions.

7. Eating fewer animal products is the single most impactful action for the planet.

Every plane, train, automobile, ship, and cat in a shark costume riding a Roomba (maybe not that last one…) in the world combined erode less of the ozone and use fewer resources than the seemingly innocuous steak on your plate.

Animal agriculture's massive footprint. Scientific research overwhelmingly shows that animal agriculture has a greater negative impact on the planet than all transportation industries combined. This includes significant contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water consumption, and pollution.

Find your reason for vegan:

• Climate Change: Responsible for a huge percentage of GHG emissions (methane, CO2, nitrous oxide).
• Pollution: Produces vast amounts of untreated waste that pollutes waterways and air.
• Habitat Destruction: Requires massive amounts of land for grazing and feed crops, driving deforestation (especially in the Amazon) and threatening biodiversity.
• Resource Consumption: Uses a disproportionate amount of global freshwater, grain, and fossil fuels compared to plant-based foods.
• Resource Inequity: Feeds vast amounts of grain to livestock while millions of people starve globally.

The solution is simple. Eating fewer (or no) animal products is the single most effective way for an individual to reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact.

Daily impact of one vegan day: Saves an estimated 1,100 gallons of water, 45 pounds of grain, 30 square feet of forested land, 20 pounds of CO2, and one animal's life.

8. Understand the devastating environmental and social costs of animal agriculture.

If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.

Animal suffering is inherent. Industrialized animal agriculture, including factory farms (CAFOs), often involves practices that cause significant suffering to animals, regardless of "humane" labeling. Animals can face painful procedures without pain relief, extreme confinement, unnatural growth rates leading to health issues, and inhumane slaughter methods.

Worker exploitation is rampant. Slaughterhouse and meat processing jobs are among the most dangerous, with high rates of injury and illness. Workers, often low-income persons of color and immigrants, face poor conditions, low wages, and psychological trauma (PITS) from the act of killing, which can lead to increased violent crime rates in surrounding communities.

Cognitive dissonance maintains the system. The food system relies on consumers being disconnected from the reality of animal farming and slaughter. Packaging, marketing, and the remote location of facilities hide the often brutal processes involved.

Speciesism is a bias. Deciding which animals are worthy of protection (pets) versus which are commodities (food) is often based on cultural bias rather than scientific understanding. Animals, great and small, possess intelligence, feel pain and fear, and deserve respect for their ecological contributions.

9. Shop and store food mindfully: Reduce waste and support better systems.

Plastic bags are the fourth most abundant item of trash, to the tune of one hundred billion bags used each year in America alone.

Reduce waste at the source. Grocery shopping habits significantly impact waste creation. By planning, bringing your own supplies, and choosing minimally packaged items, you can drastically reduce your footprint.

Shop the "Give a Shit" way:

• BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag/Bottle/Container): Avoid disposable plastic bags, water bottles, and containers by bringing your own reusable kit.
• Know before you go: Check your fridge and pantry to avoid duplicate purchases.
• Shop with a list: Stick to a plan to avoid impulse buys and food waste.
• Buy only what you need: Shop more frequently for perishables if possible.
• Grab organic when you can: Supports healthier soil and farmers.
• Support fair trade: Ensures ethical labor standards for imported goods.
• Avoid palm oil: A major driver of deforestation and animal suffering.
• Eat "ugly" food: Reduces waste of perfectly good produce.
• Reduce packaging: Choose items with minimal or recyclable/reusable packaging.
• Buy in bulk: Save money and packaging on nonperishables using your own containers.
• Stay local: Support farmers' markets and CSAs for fresh, seasonal, low-travel food.

Store properly and prep ASAP. Prevent food waste by storing groceries correctly upon arrival and prepping meals in advance. This makes healthy options readily available and reduces the likelihood of food spoiling before it's used.

10. Cook simple, delicious plant-based meals using kitchen staples.

Mark Bittman, a food writer of global renown, says he creates gourmet meals in a microscopic kitchen with a well-edited (read: super-spare) arsenal of kitchen tools.

Kitchen minimalism is key. A happy, eco-friendly kitchen is easy to navigate and contains only the items you use frequently. Avoid single-purpose gadgets and opt for versatile tools that can perform multiple functions.

Build a minimalist kitchen arsenal:

• Focus on quality, durable items made from natural materials (wood, metal, glass).
• Prioritize items for meals you make most often.
• Choose timeless pieces that will last.
• Consider secondhand kitchenware (metal and glass are easy to sterilize).
• Look for lifetime guarantees and repair options.

Embrace low-waste cooking habits:

• Swap paper towels for reusable cloth rags.
• Repurpose jars and containers from food items for storage.
• Make your own staples like nut milk, hummus, and vegetable broth from scraps.
• Use up leftovers creatively.

Delicious plant-based recipes are accessible. You don't need to be an expert or buy fancy ingredients to cook amazing vegan food. Simple, comforting, and impressive recipes exist for every occasion, from everyday meals to special events, proving that plant-based eating is enjoyable and satisfying.

Last updated: May 3, 2025