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In a society where disposable products are the norm, a 30-year-old woman from Shandon Province, named Su Yige, has captured widespread attention for her unique eco-conscious lifestyle. For five years, Su has rejected sanitary pads and toilet paper, avoided food delivery, and even cultivated over 300 earthworms at home to process organic waste. While her commitment to the environment has earned both admiration and criticism, her story raises questions about the lengths to which one can go in the name of sustainability.
Su Yige, a self-proclaimed environmentalist, started her journey toward a "zero-waste lifestyle" at the age of 18. She adopted reusable alternatives like menstrual cups to replace sanitary pads, a decision she insists is both eco-friendly and hygienic. Similarly, she ditched toilet paper, instead opting for a homemade cleansing solution. Su claims this approach not only reduces waste but also aligns with her broader environmental goals.
Her habits extend beyond personal hygiene. Su avoids purchasing packaged goods and never orders food delivery, citing the excessive waste created by disposable packaging. Instead, she shops with reusable cloth bags and bamboo baskets and prepares all her meals from scratch. In her words, "Every bit of waste we avoid brings us one step closer to a sustainable future."
One of Su’s most unusual practices involves raising over 300 earthworms in her home. Using a specially designed composting bin, Su feeds them organic kitchen scraps, allowing the worms to break down waste into nutrient-rich compost. The resulting material is used as fertilizer for her household plants. "Earthworms are nature’s recyclers," Su explained, "and they play an essential role in reducing organic waste."
While innovative, her practices have drawn criticism. Many netizens find the idea of keeping earthworms at home unappealing, especially for a young woman. "I would never set foot in her house," one commenter joked. Others questioned whether such measures were necessary, labeling them as extreme or impractical.
Su’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond waste management. She rarely buys new clothes, sometimes wearing the same outfits for years. Instead of using chemical-laden cleaning products, she makes her own from natural ingredients. Her minimalist lifestyle also extends to her social interactions—Su avoids giving or receiving gifts due to the waste generated by packaging.
Despite her efforts, Su admits that her habits have isolated her socially. Friends have distanced themselves, and a former boyfriend ended their relationship, unable to adapt to her unconventional lifestyle. "It was painful, but I realized I couldn’t compromise my values for anyone," Su said.
Su’s environmental awareness was nurtured by her upbringing. Raised by frugal, eco-conscious parents, she grew up in a household that valued simplicity and sustainability. Her parents wore clothes for years before donating them and emphasized reducing household waste long before recycling became mainstream in China.
This foundation was reinforced during her time studying abroad, where she joined environmental organizations and was inspired by the “zero-waste” movement popular in some Western countries. There, she observed practices like bulk shopping, where customers bring their own containers to buy household essentials, and decided to incorporate these habits into her daily life upon returning to China.
As Su's story gained traction online, public opinion became polarized. Many praised her for taking meaningful action to protect the environment. "She’s an inspiration," one netizen wrote. "If more people lived like her, the planet would be in much better shape." Another commented, "It’s rare to see someone so committed to their beliefs. I admire her courage."
However, others viewed her lifestyle as unnecessarily extreme. "She’s taking things too far," one critic said. "Environmentalism doesn’t have to mean giving up basic comforts." Another added, "She’s making her life harder for no reason. There are more balanced ways to be eco-friendly."
For Su, the criticism is a small price to pay for raising awareness about environmental issues. She hopes her story will inspire others to adopt sustainable habits, even on a smaller scale. "I don’t expect everyone to follow my lifestyle," she said, "but we can all make small changes that add up over time."
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