Zero waste and eco-friendly lifestyle might sound overwhelming and intimidating, but knowing how to start is vital. Some people decide to start right off and cut off all plastic and single-use products, others start with small changes and build their way up. Whichever path you decide to take, consistency is key.

People wonder what actually is zero waste. The goal of a zero waste lifestyle is to avoid sending anything to the landfill. Refuse what you don’t need, reduce what you do use, reuse what you can, recycle what you can’t reduce or reuse, compost what’s leftover. It is not always doable, but the idea is to use what you have and to lessen your waste and the impact on the planet as much as possible.

Here are a couple changes to make your zero waste journey as easy as possible:

Plastic cups → Cupffee cups

Coffee filters → Filter-free coffee maker

Parchment paper →  Oiled surface

Plastic sandwich bags → Reusable food containers

Plastic wrap → Beeswax wrap

Plastic bags → Crochet shopping bags

Plastic water bottles → Reusable water bottles

Straws → Metal/Bamboo/Silicone straws

Plastic utensils → Wooden utensils

Regular toothbrush → Bamboo toothbrush

Regular toothpaste → Powder toothpaste

Deodorant → Deodorant bar or stick

Shampoo → Shampoo bar

Hair brush → Bamboo hairbrush

Shower gels → Soap bars

Razors → Reusable stainless steel razors

Cotton rounds → Reusable cotton rounds

Lighters → Rechargeable lighters

With so many options for reducing trash, the zero waste movement is entering a new era of thoughtful consumption. Now the question is – how close can you get to zero?