How to Weave Zero-Waste Living into Your Daily Rituals with Elizabeth Di Prinzio, Founder of Earth + Element

Now more than ever, it is essential to understand the impact of our actions on the planet. As Founder of Earth + Element, Elizabeth Di Prinzio creates reusable products that come from the earth and can go back into the earth. Each Earth + Element product is handmade from clay and meant to be used throughout your daily life. Adopting a zero-waste lifestyle can be challenging, but investing in reusable ceramics from Earth + Element is definitely a good way to start! Check out our interview with Elizabeth below to learn about Earth + Element’s eco-approach to business and how to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

You spent over a decade working in the entertainment industry, what inspired you to leave the industry and start Earth + Element? What was your journey in creating this company? 

Founder of Earth + Element, Elizabeth Di Prinzio

At the time I was shifting my path to a healthier lifestyle. From the food I was eating, the products I was buying, and including what I did for a living needed to mirror what my heart was calling for. I was witnessing a massive amount of waste in my work environment and it was taking a toll on my spirit. Inspired by nature and the planet I dreamed up a job that I could see myself doing for a long time. That's when my passion for creating with the earth, began. 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced founding Earth + Element? 

One of the challenging parts of running a pottery studio is developing products that can be reproduced by real hands, profitable while keeping their integrity and true to our ethos. Most large pottery studios are strictly making by molds, and that's not for me. We still throw a lot of our pieces, and I love that because that's where you are going to find our makers mark. The imperfections of real hands add so much artistic value to a piece.

Earth + Element’s mission is to “weave ceramics into your daily rituals.” How can purchasing reusable ceramics contribute to zero-waste living? 

We say "weave" as to imply a slow gradual shift to your rituals, shopping habits, and your quiet time. Living a zero-waste lifestyle is something that takes a continuous daily effort. By using refillable dispensers, jars, corks, etc. you are choosing to not contribute to the endless amount of plastic bottles that are filling up landfills and oceans. Single-use product packaging is a waste of good resources. I'm so happy to see so many package-free shops opening up this year!

Founder of Earth + Element, Elizabeth Di Prinzio

Purchasing hand-made reusable items can be more expensive than buying machine-made items. What makes Earth + Element products a good investment?

I think one of the main points of zero waste is to make sure that what you're buying and investing in is something that will last for the next 5 years, and that relates to cost. The saying "buy cheap, buy twice," is in relation to how something is made. Most machine-made, plastic containers break, crack, and then end up in the trash. Whether it's ceramic jars, glass jars, or steel, are all better options and can be more affordable over time.

Can you tell us about Earth + Element’s “eco-approach” to daily operations and packaging? 

This has been evolving over the years but mainly started with our shipping. Since the beginning, we have been plastic-free and that is frightening to someone who ships out very fragile pieces, but plastic is just not an option. Our entire package to a customer is either recyclable, biodegradable, can be mixed in your compost, or is actual trash that has been given new life. In the studio, we practice reclaiming every piece of unused clay, trimming's, and then turn them into new pieces. 

Do you think it’s possible to live a completely zero-waste lifestyle? 

We are very far from that conversation, but I do believe that the earth has a remarkable way of regenerating itself quickly. As it's been said by Anne Marie Bonneau “We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” 

Could you tell us about Earth + Element’s partnership with Nature’s Path? 

We were so honored to join forces with Nature's Path to bring attention to the food insecurity that the world is facing through COVID. Many children who would normally get food from school do not have that access to school lunches right now. Nature's Path has pledged to fill one million bowls of food through their food-raiser campaign and we have created an "Eat Well Do Good" bowl to symbolize this partnership. We are selling these bowls and donating the profits back to this cause. 

What’s your day to day like running Earth + Element? How has COVID-19 impacted that? 

Working through COVID has been a new and challenging experience to navigate through. The fear of so many uncertain circumstances changed our daily operations. I now feel confident we are going to make it through safely. I've split up schedules to minimize my exposure to staff and I moved us into a larger space to account for social distancing. 

Here at Life Curated, we truly believe that women can have it all. How do you balance running Earth + Element and your personal life? 

I love what I do so it's easy for me to jump back and forth between my business and personal life, but I do have set working hours that I try to stick to as to avoid burning out. My weekends are mainly for family, relaxing, re-charging and when things get too overwhelming I ask for help. My fiancé is an incredible support system and having a strong partner by your side allows for a healthy balance.

Last show you binged watched: Little Fires Everywhere on Netflix

Favorite book to recommend: Living Balanced by Joel & Michelle Levy

If you could have lunch with any woman, who would it be? O P R A H !!!

Coffee or tea? Coffee, yes, yes, yes!

By: Jodi Nguyen