‘Zero waste‘ is a lifestyle that copes with the overconsumption from our current society. It’s about consuming less in a more responsible way. The swirling trash in our oceans due to human action is raising awareness on zero-waste ideology and our will to change our habits.
Here are a few daily tips you can follow to help kickstart your zero waste way of life.
How to reduce domestic trash
Our house is our comfort zone, the place we typically spend most of our time, so it’s an ideal starting point for a zero waste life. First, let’s sort out the items that no longer serve us. What we can donate, recycle or resell? A streamlined home is the key to clearer thoughts, and a minimalistic way of living helps us consume responsibly because we only keep what we need.
The next step is about reducing our trash. Forget buying all those packaged products for your bathroom and kitchen needs, let’s make our own instead! For body cleansing, keep it simple with a solid bar shampoo and one all-purpose product. There are plenty of easy DIY recipes that will suit your individual tastes and you’ll find that you can basically replace all of your products with simple combinations of natural ingredients.
If you can’t avoid buying certain products, try to buy bulk whenever possible. Plastic packaging is made from fossil fuels, contains chemicals that threaten water quality, and takes 450 years to break down into microplastics – so that plastic soap bottle that lasted you two weeks will outlive generations of your family. By incorporating bulk food and products into your grocery list you will slowly see those single use packages disappear from your waste bin and you’ll be on your way to a zero waste life.
How to reduce workplace trash
It can sometimes feel complicated to pay attention to the trash we produce at work because other people and factors are at play. However, by just packing your lunch in reusable containers or taking your own metal straw and cutlery when you dine out, you can easily transition your zero waste lifestyle from your home to your office. Avoid going to the supermarket to buy a ready-made meal with lots of packaging, instead opt for leftovers and eliminate the trash.
When it comes to workplace operations, pay attention to how you use paper sheets. Print only what’s necessary, reuse scrap paper for drafts and notetaking. In our all-connected world, why not use a virtual post-it?
How to reduce holiday trash
Holidays are for forgetting all your worries and responsibilities, except your zero waste lifestyle!
When packing, don’t forget your reusable safety kit : refillable water bottle and small glass jars for snack. It will prevent you from having to purchase and consume disposable snacks packaged with straws, paper towels, plastic plates and forks.
When you arrive at your destination, take note about local recycling systems and how trash is sorted. Do your best to make sure your waste gets to the correct bin.
And since you’re on holiday, why not taste the local culture by visiting a local market or shop to buy fresh, unpackaged goods? You’ll avoid unnecessary waste and create a memorable experience at the same time. That’s what vacation is for, isn’t it?
Replacing every day habits with zero-waste solutions is can seem demanding, so take on this endeavor at your own pace. Remember every sustainable action is a step toward a more responsible life. Are you ready to start?
