Hey there! I'm Aria Chen, the founder of OkWaster, and I'm so glad you're here. At 26, I'm on a mission to prove that sustainable living doesn't have to be perfect to make a difference. Let me share my story with you.
Growing up in a Chinese-American household in San Francisco, I witnessed two contrasting worlds. My grandmother, who lived with us, was the original zero-waste champion before it was trendy. She transformed leftover rice into congee, repurposed glass jars into storage containers, and knew exactly how to make things last. Meanwhile, I was immersed in the fast-paced, convenience-driven American lifestyle, watching as single-use plastics and disposable everything became the norm.
During my years at UC Berkeley, where I studied Environmental Science, the disconnect between these two worlds became glaringly obvious. While writing my thesis on urban waste management, I realized that the solution to our environmental crisis wasn't in complex policies alone – it was in returning to those simple, mindful practices my grandmother had shown me all along.
After graduating, I spent two years in corporate sustainability consulting. While the work was meaningful, I felt frustrated by the gap between big environmental initiatives and everyday actions. That's when OkWaster was born – not from a desire to be perfect, but from the realization that we need to make sustainable living more approachable.
The name "OkWaster" came from a moment of self-acceptance. One day, while beating myself up about accidentally buying a plastic-wrapped sandwich, I thought, "You know what? It's OK. Being okay at zero-waste is better than not trying at all." That became our founding philosophy.
At OkWaster, we believe in:
Progress Over Perfection: Your zero-waste journey is unique. Whether you're just switching to a reusable water bottle or going full composting-queen, every step counts.
Practical Solutions: We focus on realistic, affordable alternatives that actually work for busy lives. No judgment if you can't make your own almond milk – we've got alternatives!
Community Support: This is a space where questions are welcomed, mistakes are learning opportunities, and small victories are celebrated.
Educational Empowerment: Understanding the 'why' behind sustainable choices helps make lasting changes. We break down complex environmental issues into digestible bits.
Cultural Inclusivity: Sustainable living looks different across cultures. We celebrate diverse approaches to zero-waste living and learn from traditional practices worldwide.
When I'm not creating content for OkWaster or sourcing sustainable products to recommend, you'll find me:
My own zero-waste journey is far from perfect. My apartment isn't Instagram-worthy minimalist, and yes, I sometimes forget my reusable bags. But that's exactly why OkWaster resonates with so many people – we're all learning together.
Some of my proudest achievements include:
The future of OkWaster is exciting! We're working on:
Your journey matters to me. Whether you're here because you want to make a difference, save money, or simply live more mindfully, you're in the right place. OkWaster is more than a website – it's a community of imperfect environmentalists trying our best.
Follow along on social media, sign up for our newsletter, or just browse around. Every article, product recommendation, and tip comes from personal experience and thorough research. We're in this together, and together, we can make a significant impact – one small change at a time.
Remember: You don't have to be perfect to make a difference. Being "ok" at zero-waste is perfectly fine, and you're always welcome here.
With hope for a cleaner future,
Aria
"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." - Robert Swan
Want to get in touch? Drop me a line at or find me on Instagram @okwaster where I share daily sustainable living tips and behind-the-scenes glimpses of my zero-waste journey.