Kathryn Kellogg: a year’s worth of trash in one single jar
The Zero-Waste movement originated in the US thanks to an enthusiastic blogger
How it all tragically started
One day, Kathryn Kellogg started to feel a terrible pain in her breast. She was only 20 when she found out she had not one, but several tumors in her chest area. Luckily, all the tumors were benign, but removing them would have been quite pointless according to the doctors. So, Kathryn had somehow to learn how to live with the unbearable pain. This tragic event led her to reconsider her entire lifestyle, included her idea of personal care.
A new life
She finally started rethinking her life with a healthy mindset, discovering the profound relationship between human routine and sustainability. Personal care is so intimately bound to environmental care.
With just a few expedients, Kathryn was able to collect a year’s worth of trash in a tiny jar. You heard that right: thanks to a newly found daily routine, one single glass jar was more than enough.
How did she do this? Is this really possible?
You may think she had to cut on a lot of pleasures in life to achieve such a goal. Maybe you’re even imagining Kathryn giving up her precious toothbrush while her teeth relentlessly rot. But Kathryn didn’t have to make any sacrifices. She simply went for a more sustainable alternative, choosing a recyclable bamboo toothbrush over a boring, plastic one.
She didn’t sacrifice her love for food either. Firstly, she started fitting her groceries inside glass jars and canvas totes; moreover, she began to shop more locally, buying 100% organic products.
Kathryn gradually changed all her habits. Like many of us today, she only uses a reusable bottle for her water. She also proved that it doesn’t take a Hogwarts wizard to create detergents and cosmetics. It’s actually quite easy to make homemade products: anyone can do it.
Spreading the word
Kathryn is the author of the blog Going Zero Waste, which tells her story and counts numerous followers. “Every day you have the decision to positively impact the planet. How do you get to work? How do you buy your groceries? What are you eating? What are you buying? Everything is interconnected. Every purchase you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in”.

Matteo is about to get a degree in Philosophy and currently works as a Marketing Manager. He’s well experienced in digital marketing and contemporary French philosophy alike. After co-founding Atmosphera, he’s now ready to launch Theodore&Rachel, a brand producing sustainable clothing according to the principles of circular fashion.