If you are looking for guidance on how to live more sustainably, zero waste living is a go-to. This ever-growing environmental movement aims to prevent waste from going to landfills, and to do so, it takes into account the waste produced from everything from the clothes you wear to the food you eat. However, just because zero waste covers a lot of ground doesn’t mean that it’s difficult to start.
The beginner’s guide below outlines key aspects of the movement, along with actionable tips on how you can start a zero-waste lifestyle today!
Keep Useable Items
A hot topic in many zero waste beginner guides is replacing items with more sustainable alternatives. For example, ditching the single-use sandwich bags for reusable silicon ones or Tupperware. But while zero waste swaps are great, you should always use what you have before diving into any new purchases. It may feel good to bid farewell to your plastic toothbrush for bamboo. But by replacing it before it is worn out, you are shortening its lifespan and sending it to the landfill prematurely.
Replace with Care
Once you’ve used up a single-use item, run out of a product, or wear something out, it is time to look to sustainable solutions. Here are 3 questions to ask yourself (in order of priority).
- Do I need this item?
Example: Perhaps you’ve just run out of plastic drinking straws. In this case, you may decide you don’t even need reusable ones since you can drink from the cup directly.
- Do I have something already that can replace this?
Example: You’re out of paper towels. Instead of buying a bundle of washable cloths to replace them, you may cut up an irreparable shirt to make DIY rags. As a bonus, this also gives the shirt renewed purpose.
- Can this be borrowed, rented, or thrift?
Example: You only need a drill for a quick project and rarely have use for one otherwise. In this scenario, it may be best to borrow or rent one. Borrowed, rented, and thrift items have the advantage of having no packaging and being budget-friendly. Plus, by shopping secondhand, you are prolonging the life of items already in circulation, saving natural resources, and keeping them out of the landfill.
You may have noticed that the three questions above fall closely in line with “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. Zero waste expands upon the internationally recognized 3Rs with the zero waste hierarchy—a tool that can further guide zero-waste lifestyles and businesses alike. This train of thought that prioritizes what already exists over consumerism is largely what zero waste hinges on to try to cultivate a circular economy. This type of economy is the opposite of our current make, take, and waste model (linear economy) which is overwhelming landfills. Instead, it focuses on sustainability through the reuse of materials.
Make it Fun
Zero waste can make a serious impact on our waste habits, but that doesn’t mean it is all work and no play. In fact, one way to create a zero-waste lifestyle that sticks is to have fun with it! Here are a few zero waste activities to consider.
Get Your Family Involved
Zero waste crafts are a great way to get those creative juices flowing and get the whole family involved. Activities to consider include making a natural bird feeder, dying eggs with natural dyes made from vegetable scraps, folding seed starter pots out of newspaper, or making beeswax wraps.
Reuse Creatively
“One person’s trash is another person’s treasure” can certainly apply to this movement. Before tossing items away, see if they can be reused to extend their usefulness. This may include crocheting a plastic onion bag into a dish scrubber, making a plastic bottle into a self-watering planter, or taking the label off empty food jars for bulk shopping.
Try a Swap Group
If you want to encourage your friends to live sustainably and score some new clothes, try a clothing swap with friends. It gives you a chance to get some new garments while purging a few that no longer suit your needs or tastes. A win-win!
Don’t have friends that are a similar size? Check social media to see if there are any swap groups or get-togethers happening in your community. If not, you can always host your own clothing swap.
Embrace Compost and Recycling
Composting and recycling make a huge impact and can easily cut the amount you’re sending to the landfill in half—if not more. It’s important to note that no waste is best. However, compostable and recyclable items are still better than landfill waste as they can contribute to a circular economy.
Compost
Composting has a slew of benefits, but one of the main ones is that it allows food to decompose without releasing greenhouse gases. In contrast, when food decomposes in a landfill, it releases methane and other potent gases due to the lack of oxygen flow.
How to: Place a small bin in the kitchen to toss everything from food waste to produce peels. Odor a concern? Try keeping a bag in the freezer to make composting odor-free and easy. The two most common ways to compost are:
- A city-run program with a bin that will be picked up by your municipality
- A backyard composter
Recycling
Recycling is important since it allows materials to be processed and used again. This reuse translates to less natural resource harvesting, which helps protect the integrity of our natural environment.
How to: Set up a small recycling bin under the sink to make it easy for you to toss recyclables. Once full, it can get emptied into a larger bin outside. Almost all townships have a recycling program in place, so disposing of these items is as easy as bringing them to the curb for pick up in most places.
Start Slow
Don’t rush to change everything right away. Zero waste isn’t something that happens overnight—it is a continuous adaptation of our patterns and habits. Pick one or two swaps to make at first and see how they fit into your lifestyle before diving into more. Making too many changes at once is often unsustainable and can make the process feel overwhelming.
Don’t Stress Over Imperfections
Lastly, know that zero waste doesn’t strive for perfection. No change is too small and every change counts. Therefore, it’s okay if you still produce some waste. It’s okay if a popular zero waste swap isn’t for you. It’s even okay to use a paper napkin every now and then. None of these mark failure and we certainly hope these obstacles don’t mark the end of your zero waste journey!
Zero waste takes time, but it is well worth it. After all, zero waste living isn’t just a lifestyle—it’s a movement that pushes us toward positive social and environmental change.
Credit by: Olivia, Zero Waste
