Bea Johnson/ 2015/ 8 min/ Waste, Recycling
Film Description: Bea Johnson’s Zero Waste Home is a compelling collection of videos that dives into the transformative lifestyle of Bea Johnson, a leading figure in the zero waste movement. Since 2008, Bea Johnson has been living waste-free with her husband and two sons, and this film offers a look at her journey. The selection of videos includes TV segments, practical how-to guides, podcasts, and a review of her influential book, Zero Waste Home (known as Zéro Déchet in French). Through these various formats, Bea Johnson demonstrates how living a zero waste lifestyle can be both practical and stylish, while also leading to significant health benefits, and saving time and money.
The film highlights Bea Johnson’s unique approach to waste reduction. She is known for her innovative "trash jar," a pint-sized container that she uses to fit her family’s entire yearly garbage. This simple yet powerful symbol represents her commitment to minimizing waste and serves as a visual testament to the effectiveness of her methods. Her lifestyle and practices challenge the conventional notion that living without waste is impractical or overly restrictive.
Bea Johnson's book, Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste, plays a central role in the film. Published in 2013, the book has been a runaway success, translated into 28 languages, and remains a #1 bestseller on Amazon in its category. The book introduces readers to The 5Rs of Zero Waste, a method developed by Johnson to help individuals and families reduce their waste in a structured and manageable way. The 5Rs—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot—provide a clear framework for those looking to adopt a zero waste lifestyle.
Throughout the film, viewers are exposed to various facets of Bea Johnson’s life and work. Her impact extends beyond personal lifestyle choices; she has become a prominent spokesperson and guru for the zero waste movement. The New York Times has dubbed her "The Waste-Free Priestess," a testament to her influence and the respect she has garnered in the field. Bea Johnson has appeared on numerous TV shows and in a wide array of publications worldwide, further spreading the message of zero waste living.
In addition to her media appearances, Bea Johnson has given close to 400 talks in 70 countries across six continents. Her speaking engagements include high-profile events at Google, Amazon, Starbucks, the European Parliament, NATO, and the United Nations. She has delivered three TED talks, further establishing her as a key figure in promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness.
Her work has inspired countless individuals to adopt zero waste lifestyles, and it has also influenced larger organizations and corporations to offer alternatives to single-use products. Bea Johnson’s efforts have led to the creation of unpackaged shops, reusable products, and new organizations dedicated to sustainability. Her influence is evident in the growing number of businesses and initiatives that focus on reducing waste and promoting environmental responsibility.
Bea Johnson is also the founder of Bulk Finder, a web-based app designed to help people find bulk food and product locations worldwide. This tool supports the zero waste movement by making it easier for people to purchase goods without excess packaging.
In Zero Waste Home, Bea Johnson’s journey is not just about personal achievement but about sparking a broader movement toward sustainability. The film mimics her message that living waste-free is achievable, beneficial, and can be seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
Director Bio: Currently, Bea Johnson lives in a 188 square-foot trailer and travels full-time across the United States and Canada with her husband, their chihuahua, and her famous 15-piece wardrobe. Her minimalist lifestyle and commitment to zero waste continue to inspire and challenge others to rethink their approach to consumption and waste.
Bea Johnson is a Franco-American author, speaker and minimalist known for initiating the movement of waste-free living in the 21st century.
Her work has inspired millions of people to adopt zero waste lifestyles, open unpackaged shops, conceive reusable products, and launch organizations, but also large corporations to offer alternatives to single-use.