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Hi there! My name is Mira Petrova and I'm a young illustrator and graphic designer who lives in Sofia, Bulgaria. For many years now, I've been occupied with thoughts and feelings about global warming and the way we, humankind, harm our planet.

I dream of living a zero-waste life, but very often I fail miserably, and it makes me sad and discouraged. The simple truth is—zero waste living can be hard! But I realized the following: the more I become "aware" of what I buy and what alternatives I have, the more conscious I become; my decision-making process changes and with that, the amount of waste I produce. That's how the term "waste awareness" appeared in my life. Zero waste just sounded way too ambitious and overwhelming.

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I Create A Comics To Share My Funny Struggle With Zero Waste Living

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Night Owl
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that motto. I wish all tourists were like that (and throw their garbage in garbage cans)

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So with that new approach to the subject, I started creating this comic strip (with the inspirational help of my super supportive boyfriend). We decided to call it Waste Aware Animals. We wanted to give people a fun and positive way to learn and share about the zero waste philosophy, free of shame and guilt. And spread the message that we can all be part of the change or inspire it in others, sometimes even with the smallest actions.

The fox characters, Mr and Miss Fox, are, of course, based on two of us. As for why the characters are all animals (even though they live in the big city and face all the everyday life problems that we do), well, who could possibly be a better inspiration for sustainable living than the animals? And also—who could be cuter?

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I Create A Comics To Share My Funny Struggle With Zero Waste Living

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Lingon
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sew my clothes from people's old curtains, table cloth etc. Nobody has the same clothes as I.

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All the stories in the comics are inspired either by my personal experiences and situations that I have witnessed or overheard. Since we started publishing it, people also write in to share zero waste-related situations, ideas, and successes and I couldn't be happier and more grateful. It makes me feel like we're all part of one big community and together, we can make a difference.

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Lingon
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And produce as much as you can of what you use. Humans take better care of things they have done themselves.

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I Create A Comics To Share My Funny Struggle With Zero Waste Living

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Bobby's Girl
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Grandma always said, "You'll catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar." Greta is right, but her delivery needs work. She's preaching to the choir, while alienating the congregation she hopes to reach.

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I Create A Comics To Share My Funny Struggle With Zero Waste Living

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Francis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes it is normal for the climate to change BUT not that fast and not that extreme!

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Francis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i always try to take a little plastic bag with me when i go into the woods or at the beach and collect trash that i find on my way, so i can dispose/recycle it all.

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Pretty Pangolin
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can buy stainless steel cutlery at the thrift store for just a dollar or two. It doesn't harm the environment because it already exists - you're just re-using it. Get a couple of sets and wrap them in a cloth napkin to take with you. If they accidentally get lost/thrown out it's not a big deal.

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Cassie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do this with Christmas and birthday gifts. My family thought it was really weird at first and some even scoffed at me, but now my family accepts it, sometimes even welcomes it, and nobody complains about not having to throw all that paper away anymore. I use pretty bandanas or reused fabric pieces that I put away every time and the recipient can keep it if they want it.

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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As I've said before, trees are my favorite things ever. I appreciate what they do for us and they are so beautiful! Especially in winter, I call naked trees cemetery trees.

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pusheen buttercup
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get people hate ads and people don't like bills- I see no reason to have it in paper form, imo. For books, I like actual paper books, if they're for fun to read, but for everything else, just email it. Easier to sort, easier to clean up, and delete when done! No mess. Also that better for the environment thing. When they email us they ALSO send paper! I don't want to see the same thing twice, and deal with it, twice.

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XxInstantKarmaxX
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no it's from a building instead of it being washed our with plastic into the sea it is filtered cleaned and put into pumps like that one

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Magpie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Remember the big chain shops employ teams of psychologists to make us buy more. Try taking a list - and a pen. As you shop write the prices on the list. Add them up as you go along. Repeat the first sentence to yourself as you shop.

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Magpie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also check if you really have to wash that item. If we only wore it for a few hours, it could well be fine to wear again.

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Firework
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Paper straws force you to use multiple straws in one drink, they cut down trees to make them, and they aren't even biodegradable. Metal straws are probably the best ones.

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Pillowhead
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last year I put my small Rosemary in the living room as my Christmas tree

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Emma Pham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

left side: what earth will probably look like in 50 years right side: what earth probably looked like 2000 years ago

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Boop
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family does the popcorn thing and I have to restrain myself before eating it off the tree!

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That one marvel fan
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeas they do I am Recycling cans and bottles to fundraise for my 8 grade trip and i am almost halfway there!

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Firework
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to my chemistry teacher anything will work as long as it's an alkali so it can neutralise the acid. And then breath mints do the rest.

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