Do you tend to cringe at the amount of frivolous packaging when you call for a product online? Are you filled with guilt when you see a massive roll of paper being used to print out a bill at a departmental store? Homies and homettes, if you just nodded your head or heaved a sigh of frustration, we feel you.
Honest to God, leading an absolute zero-waste lifestyle is next to impossible. However, you can choose to lead a zero-waste lifestyle where you pay close attention to your consumer habits and how much waste you’re adding to the environment.
But First, What Is Zero-Waste?
When you lead a zero-waste lifestyle, you are more alert to what you buy, use and throw away. In simpler words, you are committed to reducing the need to buy and throw, reuse as much as possible, try to recycle as little as one can, and compost next to none. Why? Because we want to produce the least waste possible.
The Simplest No-Fuss Zero-Waste Swaps If You’re A Beginner:
1. Ditch Single-Use Plastic Products
The simplest and the easiest way to start a zero-waste life is by ditching single-use plastic, right away, in whatever ways you can.
Here are a few things that you can switch to instead of single-use products:
- Opt for reusable mason or steel jars over plastic containers,
- Carry your own water bottle, over plastic water bottles,
- Reusable cutlery over plastic cutlery,
- Shampoo & soap bars over plastic or glass bottles,
- Silicone baking mats over aluminium foil/parchment paper,
- Bamboo dish scrubbers over plastic scrubbers and sponges,
- Biodegradable laundry pods over bottles detergent,
- Eco-friendly bamboo hair brush over plastic hair brush.
Here’s a handy {Zero} Waste Kit by the ZeroWasteStore that makes it simple to reduce your daily waste.
2. Buy In Bulk
You can reduce so much waste by simply buying in bulk. Online stores like EarthHero, The Good Fill, and ZeroWasteStore allow you to refill or order products in bulk in returnable and compostable containers. You can also take your refillable bottles, jars, or shopping bags to minimize the waste that comes from packaging.
3. Purchase Naked Produce
Daily grocery items & vegetables that come in wrapped plastic are such a disappointing sight. You can start buying naked produce & veggies from your local markets. Many beauty brands like Kiehl’s, ASA Beauty, and Tinge allow you to refill the same products from them. For home and cleaning products, brands like Neat, Blueland, and Truman’s can refill all your cleaning solutions as and when you want.
4. Start Composting, It’s Super Easy
Switch your all-in-one garbage bin to a composting bin. Organic waste takes longer to decompose in conventional landfills due to lack of air, and also adds tonnes of unwanted methane into the atmosphere. This can be avoided by one simple step – composting what you can right at home. Use a stainless steel composting bucket that will keep things clean & fuss-free in your kitchen. You can dump it into your home-composting system once it’s full, or add it to your home garden.
5. Avoid Single-Use Paper
Did you know: if you reduce your paper napkin usage by just one, you’ll contribute towards diverting 571,23,000 pounds of paper waste every year! How crazy simple is that? This simple zero-waste swap costs no discomfort and will create a huge impact. Use reusable sponges, mops made of old clothes, reusable and washable wipes for cleaning. You can also swap your conventional toiler paper roll with this premium bamboo toilet paper.
6. Keep Reusable Shopping Bags With You/ In Your Vehicle
According to unep.org, “We produce about 300 million tonnes of plastic waste every year.” That equals the weight of the entire human population! So, here’s a small step you can take to play your part and make a change. Keep a reusable shopping bag or tote bag, or even pre-used plastic bags in your vehicle. So every time you stop by for an impromptu buy, you don’t have to accept the single-use plastic bag.
7. Pack Zero-Waste Lunch For Work Or School
A small step with a large impact! Zero-waste lunch boxes for work and school can save you money and ensure you eat healthy, while producing no waste. We recommend including reusable utensils, a water bottle, a napkin, a steel or glassware lunch box that can be microwaved, and dozens of tasty zero-waste lunch recipes in your zero-waste lunch to keep you working throughout the day.
8. Upcycle, Thrift Before Buying
Before you decide to buy something, consider using what you already have. There’s no harm in looking at something pre-loved or pre-owned. Instead of buying new clothes, if you’re open to the idea, consider thrifting. You will be surprised at the kind of hidden treasures you’ll come across. Or, you can sell your loved items or buy pre-loved items from reselling and thrifting apps like Depop, ThredUp, Poshmark, and Vestiaire Collective.
9. Buy From Small Businesses Or Sustainable Brands
Knowing is doing! Switch from big retailers to small businesses or sustainable brands. Take note of the supply chains, and packaging materials used before buying, to reduce your carbon footprint. Marketplaces like The Little Market, Thrive Market, DoneGood, and Accompany have got you covered here by bringing sustainable and ethical brands and artisans under one umbrella.
10. Reuse, Reuse, Reuse
Reuse as much as possible. Here are simple ways of reusing everyday products:
- Reuse old Tees to create a cute blanket,
- DIY old tyres to tables,
- Reuse glass bottles as planters,
- Reuse candle jars as planters or containers,
- Coffee cans as bag dispensers,
- Tin cans as utensil holders.
Change is difficult, but it’s imminent, given the need of the hour. It’s not always easy to resist buying something new and shiny. But with no change in our attitude, there might be a time when we might see only shiny plastic in the oceans.
Yours consciously,
GoodGuilt.
