Zero waste is an ongoing journey. Start by reviewing your trash can and considering which changes need to be made to reduce waste production. Stay eco-conscious by carrying a reusable water bottle or mug, using your mason jar when shopping, and bringing along your utensils rather than plastic silverware.
1. Reuse
Finding creative uses for materials like plastic bags, paper towels, and food containers rather than tossing them is one way to reduce waste. An old t-shirt could become a cleaning cloth, while glass jars could become flower vases; these are just two examples of this innovative zero-waste strategy.
Reducing waste means eliminating plastic straws and to-go containers at restaurants, as well as opting out of junk mail and purchasing in bulk. Furthermore, learning more about local recycling guidelines is another effective way to cut back. Remembering the journey towards zero waste should be seen as the goal, and progress should not be the measure of success!
2. Recycle
At home or away, keeping an arsenal of reusable bags, straws, utensils, and containers will make reducing waste simple and fast. Composting (via worm bin, bokashi, or backyard compost heap) takes more time but remains essential for reaching zero waste status.
Launch an audit and collect data on how much waste you produce and what type it is. Use that information to plan future changes. Repurpose household items by turning old t-shirts into cleaning rags or glass jars into flower vases—there are endless options!
3. Compost
Composting can have an enormous impact on your journey to zero-waste living. By recycling coffee grounds, creating nutrient-rich soil for gardening purposes, and diverting food scraps away from landfills, composting can make a major contribution.
Be sure to maintain an even pile by layering both green and brown materials (such as dried leaves, cardboard, or crop residue) alternately. Misting it regularly should help ensure moist conditions—the finished pile should resemble the consistency of a damp sponge. Be familiar with your local recycling guidelines and ensure you’re sorting your items accordingly. Although waste reduction should remain your main goal, recycling remains an integral component of living a zero-waste lifestyle.
4. Refuse
By opting out of buying or using disposable items, you help reduce waste. Be it plastic straws or non-recyclable water bottles—each simple choice has the power to reduce environmental waste.
Switching to cloth towels or reusable food storage is another simple way to reduce waste. Selecting eco-friendly kitchen products made with recycled materials will also have a positive effect. Tracing your waste and understanding what products you consume will enable you to make decisions to minimize it. Learn about recycling guidelines in your area and always recycle correctly.
5. Reduce
Reducing waste at home by streamlining what comes in is one of the key aspects of zero-waste living. This may mean buying in bulk, using reusable bags, cloth napkins, and more.
Buy a compost bin to give food waste and paper products that cannot be reused another chance, providing much-needed nutrients and fiber back into the soil. Start a vegetable garden to reduce food waste! Although it requires extra work on your part, the results could have a substantial effect.
6. Buy Local
Living zero waste involves forgoing items that generate excessive trash, although this may seem daunting at first. It is more achievable than you think! Start by cutting back on energy use; your actions will save money and lower your carbon footprint.
The next step should be shopping locally. Grocery stores typically provide bulk food areas with self-weighing containers. In cities, you could also visit farmers’ markets or look out for locally made products. Finally, when products like paper towels or makeup remover wipes run out, try switching over to washable cloth rags or DIY cleaning solutions as an alternative solution.
7. Donate
Adopting the zero-waste lifestyle might seem intimidating at first, but it doesn’t need to be. Like any significant transition, it is wiser to introduce the “three Rs” (refuse, reduce, and recycle) gradually over time.
Reduce kitchen trash by replacing single-use plastics with reusable items such as bamboo utensil sets. Also make sure to research local recycling guidelines and sort trash according to them (paper and cardboard can go in blue containers on campus; food scraps go into green compost bins); you could also donate food donations to local organizations in need.
8. Repurpose
Reusing items that you no longer need can help reduce waste; for instance, repurposing old cloths as grocery bags, using old rags for cleaning purposes, or creating light blankets to bring along on picnics. Try keeping butter wrappers in the freezer and using them to grease pots and pans, or opt for reusable cloth wraps that keep food fresher longer.
Your restaurant choices may also help reduce paper waste; opt for restaurants that use real plates, cups, and napkins instead of paper. And if there is space in your yard for compost bins, start one and turn all those food scraps and paper into nutrient-rich mulch!
9. Refill
Reaching zero waste requires taking an in-depth look at how we interact with products we consume, from directly sourcing food from farmers or refillable tumblers and bamboo utensils to other options like buying locally. Food scraps constitute the highest percentage of household waste, making composting an essential step. Even without access to a garden, there are alternative composting techniques such as bokashi or vermicomposting containers available that make the process easy and accessible in your own kitchen.
Save glass jars as storage solutions and switch to natural cleaning products made from ingredients you already have on hand, including making homemade cleaners from ingredients available to you. In addition, replace single-use cling wrap with cloth reusable covers that keep food fresh and clean—saving both resources and reducing waste!
