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?