Have you ever wondered how much waste you produce every day? According to the World Bank, the average person generates about 0.74 kilograms of solid waste per day. That means in a year, you would create about 270 kilograms of trash, enough to fill a large dumpster. And that’s not even counting the water, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions that go into making, transporting, and disposing of all the stuff you buy and use.
Now imagine if you could reduce your waste to almost nothing. Imagine if you could live a more minimalist, eco-friendly, and frugal lifestyle that benefits both you and the planet. That’s what zero waste living is all about.
What is zero waste living and why is it important?
Zero waste living is a philosophy and a practice that aims to eliminate or minimize the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, incinerators, or oceans. It is based on the principle of the 5 Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot. By following these steps, you can prevent waste from being created in the first place, or find ways to repurpose, compost, or recycle it.
Zero waste living is important because it helps you to:
- Save money: By buying less, reusing more, and making your own products, you can cut down on your expenses and save for the things that really matter to you.
- Save resources: By consuming less, you can conserve the natural resources that are used to produce goods and services, such as water, energy, land, and minerals.
- Save the environment: By producing less waste, you can reduce the environmental impact of your lifestyle, such as greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
- Save your health: By choosing natural and organic products, you can avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins that can affect your well-being and quality of life.
How to start your zero waste journey with small steps
If you are interested in zero waste living, you might be wondering how to get started. You might think that it is too hard, too expensive, or too time-consuming to achieve. But the truth is, you don’t have to do it all at once. You can start with small steps and gradually make changes that suit your lifestyle, budget, and preferences. Here are some tips to help you begin your zero waste journey:
- Do a waste audit: The first step is to assess how much and what kind of waste you generate. For a week or a month, collect and sort your trash into different categories, such as paper, plastic, metal, glass, organic, etc. You can also weigh your trash to measure the amount. This will help you identify the sources of your waste and the areas where you can improve.
- Set goals and priorities: The next step is to set realistic and specific goals for yourself. For example, you can aim to reduce your waste by 10% in a month, or to eliminate one type of waste from your life, such as plastic bags or disposable cups. You can also prioritize the areas where you want to focus, such as your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, office, or travel.
- Learn and research: The third step is to educate yourself and find out more about zero waste living. You can read books, blogs, articles, or watch videos that share tips, tricks, and stories from other zero waste enthusiasts. You can also join online or offline communities that support and inspire each other to live more sustainably.
- Take action and track your progress: The final step is to take action and implement the changes that you want to make. You can start with simple swaps, such as using a reusable water bottle instead of a plastic one, or buying in bulk instead of in packaging. You can also try new habits, such as making your own products, composting your food scraps, or shopping secondhand. As you go along, you can track your progress and celebrate your achievements.
Now that you have an idea of how to start your zero waste journey, let’s look at some specific tips for different areas of your life.
The kitchen is one of the most wasteful places in the house. From food waste to packaging waste, there are many opportunities to reduce your environmental impact and save money. Here are some tips to make your kitchen more zero waste:
Zero Waste Kitchen
- How to reduce food waste and packaging
- Plan your meals and make a shopping list: This will help you avoid buying more food than you need or impulse purchases that you might not use.
- Buy local, seasonal, and organic food: This will reduce the transportation, packaging, and chemical inputs that go into your food production. You can also support your local farmers and economy.
- Buy in bulk and bring your own containers: This will eliminate the need for single-use packaging and plastic bags. You can also save money by buying only the amount that you need.
- Store your food properly and use it up: This will prevent your food from spoiling or going bad. You can use glass jars, cloth bags, beeswax wraps, or silicone lids to keep your food fresh. You can also use apps or websites that help you find recipes based on the ingredients that you have.
- How to make your own compost and use it for gardening
- Compost your food scraps and other organic waste: This will turn your waste into a valuable resource that can enrich your soil and grow your plants. You can use a compost bin, a worm farm, or a bokashi system to compost your waste at home. You can also find a local composting facility or community garden that accepts your waste.
- Use your compost for gardening: This will help you grow your own food, herbs, flowers, or plants. You can use your compost as a fertilizer, a mulch, or a soil amendment. You can also use it to make your own potting mix or seed starting mix.
- How to swap disposable items for reusable ones
- Use reusable dishes, utensils, and napkins: This will reduce the need for paper plates, plastic cutlery, and paper towels. You can also use bamboo, wood, or metal alternatives that are more durable and eco-friendly.
- Use reusable coffee filters, tea infusers, and strainers: This will reduce the need for paper filters, tea bags, and cheesecloth. You can also use stainless steel, silicone, or cotton alternatives that are easy to clean and reuse.
- Use reusable baking and cooking tools: This will reduce the need for parchment paper, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap. You can also use silicone mats, molds, and liners that are non-stick and oven-safe.
Zero Waste Bathroom
The bathroom is another place where you can make a big difference in your waste reduction. From personal care products to hygiene products, there are many ways to choose natural, organic, and reusable options. Here are some tips to make your bathroom more zero waste:
- How to choose natural and organic personal care products
- Read the labels and avoid harmful ingredients: This will help you avoid products that contain synthetic, toxic, or animal-derived ingredients that can harm your health and the environment. You can also use apps or websites that help you scan and analyze the ingredients of your products.
- Buy from ethical and sustainable brands: This will help you support businesses that care about the social and environmental impact of their products. You can also look for certifications or labels that indicate the quality and origin of your products, such as organic, fair trade, cruelty-free, vegan, etc.
- Buy in bulk and bring your own containers: This will help you reduce the packaging waste and plastic bottles that come with your products. You can also save money by buying only the amount that you need.
- How to make your own DIY beauty products and remedies
- Use simple and natural ingredients: This will help you make your own products that are safe, effective, and affordable. You can use ingredients that you already have in your kitchen, such as coconut oil, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, honey, etc.
- How to ditch single-use plastics and switch to alternatives
- Use reusable or biodegradable toothbrushes, razors, and floss: This will help you avoid plastic waste that can end up in landfills or oceans. You can use bamboo, wood, or metal alternatives that are more eco-friendly and durable.
- Use reusable or organic cotton pads, tampons, or menstrual cups: This will help you avoid disposable feminine hygiene products that can contain harmful chemicals and generate a lot of waste. You can use cloth, cotton, or silicone alternatives that are more comfortable and hygienic.
- Use reusable or compostable cotton swabs, tissues, and toilet paper: This will help you avoid paper waste that can deplete forests and pollute waterways. You can use bamboo, hemp, or corn alternatives that are more sustainable and biodegradable.
Zero Waste Bedroom
The bedroom is another place where you can make a positive change in your waste reduction. From clothing to bedding, there are many ways to choose ethical, sustainable, and reusable options. Here are some tips to make your bedroom more zero waste:
- How to declutter your closet and donate or sell unwanted clothes
- Follow the KonMari method and keep only what sparks joy: This will help you simplify your wardrobe and get rid of the clothes that you don’t wear, need, or love. You can also use the hanger trick, where you hang your clothes in reverse and see which ones you haven’t worn in a year.
- Donate, sell, or swap your unwanted clothes: This will help you give your clothes a second life and prevent them from going to waste. You can also support charities, thrift stores, or online platforms that accept your clothes. You can also organize or join a clothing swap with your friends or community.
- Repair, mend, or upcycle your old or damaged clothes: This will help you extend the lifespan of your clothes and save money on buying new ones. You can also unleash your creativity and transform your clothes into something new and unique. You can use sewing, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, or embellishing techniques to revamp your clothes.
- How to shop for ethical and sustainable fashion
- Choose quality over quantity and invest in timeless pieces: This will help you avoid fast fashion and its negative impacts on the environment and workers. You can also save money and space by buying less but better clothes that last longer and suit your style.
- Choose natural, organic, and recycled fabrics and materials: This will help you avoid synthetic, toxic, or animal-derived fabrics and materials that can harm your health and the environment. You can also look for certifications or labels that indicate the quality and origin of your fabrics and materials, such as organic, fair trade, recycled, etc.
- Choose ethical and sustainable brands and designers: This will help you support businesses that care about the social and environmental impact of their products. You can also look for certifications or labels that indicate the standards and practices of your brands and designers, such as B Corp, GOTS, PETA, etc.
- How to care for your clothes and extend their lifespan
- Wash your clothes less and use cold water and natural detergents: This will help you save water, energy, and money, and prevent your clothes from fading, shrinking, or wearing out. You can also use vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice to remove stains, odors, or bacteria from your clothes.
- Dry your clothes naturally and avoid using a dryer: This will help you save energy and money, and prevent your clothes from shrinking, wrinkling, or losing shape. You can also use a clothesline, a drying rack, or hangers to dry your clothes.
- Fold or hang your clothes properly and store them in a cool and dry place: This will help you prevent your clothes from creasing, stretching, or getting damaged by pests or mold. You can also use cedar balls, lavender sachets, or moth repellents to protect your clothes from moths or insects.
Zero Waste Office
The office is another place where you can make a significant difference in your waste reduction. From paper to electronics, there are many ways to choose digital, green, and reusable options. Here are some tips to make your office more zero waste:
- How to go paperless and digitize your documents
- Use online tools and apps to create, edit, and share your documents: This will help you avoid printing and wasting paper, ink, and toner. You can also use cloud storage, email, or online platforms to store and access your documents. You can use tools and apps such as Google Docs, Evernote, Dropbox, etc.
- Use digital signatures and invoices to sign and send your documents: This will help you avoid printing and mailing paper, envelopes, and stamps. You can also use online services, platforms, or apps to sign and send your documents. You can use services, platforms, or apps such as DocuSign, PayPal, Venmo, etc.
- Use scanners or cameras to digitize your paper documents: This will help you convert your paper documents into digital files that you can store and access online. You can also use online tools or apps to edit, organize, or search your digital files. You can use tools or apps such as CamScanner, Adobe Scan, Evernote, etc.
- How to use green energy and save electricity
- Use renewable energy sources to power your office: This will help you reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your electricity bills. You can also support the development and adoption of clean and green energy. You can use renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal.
- Use energy-efficient devices and appliances to run your office: This will help you save energy and money, and prevent your devices and appliances from overheating or breaking down. You can also look for certifications or labels that indicate the energy efficiency of your devices and appliances, such as Energy Star, EPEAT, etc.
- Use smart power strips and timers to control your office: This will help you save energy and money, and prevent your devices and appliances from wasting electricity when they are not in use. You can also use smart power strips and timers that automatically turn off or on your devices and appliances according to your schedule or preferences.
- How to recycle or upcycle your old electronics and gadgets
- Recycle your old electronics and gadgets properly and safely: This will help you prevent your old electronics and gadgets from ending up in landfills or oceans, where they can leach toxic chemicals and metals into the soil and water. You can also recover valuable materials and components from your old electronics and gadgets. You can use local recycling facilities or programs that accept your old electronics and gadgets.
- Upcycle your old electronics and gadgets creatively and usefully: This will help you give your old electronics and gadgets a new purpose and function. You can also unleash your creativity and transform your old electronics and gadgets into something new and unique. You can use DIY tutorials, videos, or blogs that show you how to upcycle your old electronics and gadgets.
Zero Waste Travel
The travel is another place where you can make a huge difference in your waste reduction. From transportation to accommodation, there are many ways to choose low-impact, light, and reusable options. Here are some tips to make your travel more zero waste:
- How to plan a low-impact trip and avoid flying
- Choose your destination wisely and consider the environmental impact of your travel: This will help you avoid traveling to places that are over-touristed, endangered, or fragile. You can also support places that are eco-friendly, resilient, or regenerative. You can use online tools or websites that help you find and compare the environmental impact of your travel, such as Green Travel Index, Eco Companion, etc.
- Choose your mode of transportation carefully and avoid flying: This will help you reduce your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions from your travel. You can also save money and time by avoiding flights. You can use alternative modes of transportation such as trains, buses, bikes, or cars. You can use online tools or websites that help you find and compare the best mode of transportation for your travel, such as Rome2rio, Omio, etc.
- Choose your activities responsibly and avoid harmful or unethical ones: This will help you avoid activities that can harm or exploit the environment, animals, or people of your destination. You can also support activities that can benefit or protect the environment, animals, or people of your destination. You can use online tools or websites that help you find and compare the best activities for your travel, such as Responsible Travel, Ecotourism, etc.
- How to pack light and bring your own essentials
- Pack only what you need and use a minimalist packing list: This will help you avoid overpacking and wasting space, weight, and money. You can also avoid paying extra fees or taxes for your luggage. You can use a minimalist packing list that includes only the essentials for your travel, such as clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc.
- Pack your own reusable and zero waste items and avoid disposable ones: This will help you avoid using and wasting single-use items that can generate a lot of trash and pollution. You can also save money and space by using reusable and zero waste items that can last longer and serve multiple purposes. You can pack your own reusable and zero waste items such as water bottle, coffee cup, cutlery, straw, napkin, bag, etc.
- Pack your own snacks and meals and avoid packaged ones: This will help you avoid buying and wasting packaged food and drinks that can contain harmful chemicals and additives. You can also save money and time by avoiding queues or lines for food and drinks.
- How to pack your own snacks and meals and avoid packaged ones
- Pack your own snacks and meals such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, salads, etc. You can also use reusable containers, jars, or wraps to store and carry your food.
- Avoid buying and consuming packaged food and drinks such as chips, candy, soda, juice, etc. You can also use online tools or websites that help you find and compare the nutritional value and environmental impact of your food and drinks, such as Fooducate, Eaternity, etc.
- How to support local communities and eco-friendly businesses
- Choose your accommodation wisely and consider the environmental and social impact of your stay: This will help you avoid staying in places that are wasteful, polluting, or exploiting. You can also support places that are green, clean, or empowering. You can use online tools or websites that help you find and compare the best accommodation for your travel, such as Green Key, Ecobnb, etc.
- Choose your souvenirs carefully and consider the cultural and ethical impact of your purchase: This will help you avoid buying souvenirs that are cheap, tacky, or harmful. You can also support souvenirs that are authentic, meaningful, or beneficial. You can use online tools or websites that help you find and compare the best souvenirs for your travel, such as Fair Trade, Unesco, etc.
- Choose your experiences mindfully and consider the ecological and educational impact of your visit: This will help you avoid visiting places or doing activities that are damaging, invasive, or ignorant. You can also support places or activities that are conserving, respectful, or enlightening. You can use online tools or websites that help you find and compare the best experiences for your travel, such as Ecotourism, Green Globe, etc.
Conclusion
Zero waste living is a way of life that aims to reduce or eliminate the amount of waste that we produce and consume. It is not only good for the environment, but also for our health, wallet, and happiness. By following the 5 Rs of zero waste living, we can prevent waste from being created in the first place, or find ways to repurpose, compost, or recycle it.
Zero waste living is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a journey that can be adapted to your own lifestyle, budget, and preferences. You can start with small steps and gradually make changes that suit you. You can also learn from others and join the growing community of zero waste enthusiasts.
Zero waste living is not a sacrifice, but a choice. A choice to live more simply, consciously, and responsibly. A choice to live more in harmony with nature and ourselves. A choice to live more zero waste.
Travel Hacking | How to Fly and Stay for Free
