From wildfires to droughts and floods, you frequently hear about the harmful effects of climate change on our planet. Since you are aware that human activities are the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions, you know that it is our responsibility to adopt better habits to help in reducing global warming.
In fact, to save the Earth, you have decided to go for a zero waste lifestyle. But you don’t know where to start. Although it might seem intimidating, embracing this new way of life can be an easy right. We’ve put together 6 basics tips that you can follow to go zero waste.
1. Understand The Concept
First things first! You have to educate yourself on the topic. What is Zero Waste? It is a list of principles that help you stop sending trash to landfills and to, instead, live more sustainably by putting into practice the 5 R’s:
- Refuse: Saying no to things that you don’t need.
- Reduce: Don’t be a victim of over-consumption and reduce the number of things that you use.
- Reuse: Avoid investing in disposable items. Think about donating too!
- Recycle: Turn old items into new products.
- Rot: No more food in your trash, all go for composting.
It is important that you understand that adopting new habits takes time. Therefore, it is rather a continuous process than something that will happen overnight.
2. Get Rid Of Plastic Bags And Packaging
Say no to plastic bags! Instead, you can start using recycle shopping bags. You can either make your own grocery bag with a piece of fabric (by recycling an old pair of jeans) or invest in one for life. It is often made from mesh, canvas or cloth and is available in most supermarkets.
We recommend that you avoid buying plastic containers for your food when you can get yours at home. Empty jars of jam or milk bottles made of glass that exist in all sizes and shapes be cleaned and reused multiple times. Besides saving the world, you will also save on money!
3. Bring Your Own Water Bottle
Since it is readily available, we usually don’t really bother in bringing our own water bottles. We prefer buying plastic water bottles and then throwing them into the trash. Yet, when you invest in a reusable water bottle, preferably made of metal or glass, you can save on an average of 156 plastic bottles per year.
4. Don’t Waste Any Food
Think about composting! This is the most effective way of going zero waste as the foods that would usually go to landfills will now be used for your garden. You can use fruit peels and vegetable parts, coffee grounds, eggshells, among other organic matter to create your own compost. Considered as “black gold”, this homemade compost will give nutrients to your plants and improve your soil by retaining moisture.
5. Establish A Recycling Routine
You can start by learning more about recycling facilities near you and then writing down a list of items that can be recycle. An option that you have is to create your own small recycling center by placing small bins dedicated to recycling items. It is important to note that if materials are mixed they will not be recyclable.
6. Get Creative With Up-cycling
Up-cycling is a creative way of adopting a zero waste lifestyle. You will be able to breathe new life into your old belongings by transforming them into original products of higher quality and value. If you are looking for ideas, you can get plenty of DIY ideas for up-cycling online.
If you start with these baby steps, you will be living a zero waste life in no time. Have you been adopting any of these tips recently? Leave a comment to share your experience with this new lifestyle.