More and more people are thinking about going zero waste and you are, too. That’s why you’re here, right? While it might seem like a big change at first, know that you don’t need to go all in from the start. The more steps you take in this direction, the better, but every small swap matters.
Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps
The convenience of tossing something in a plastic bag and to the back of the freezer or the conscious choice to put in more effort for more a more sustainable kitchen? It’s tough to favor one over the other, given that not everyone has equal opportunities for these lifestyle choices. If, however, you’re inclined to reduce waste in your kitchen, this is a good place to start.
Grocery Shopping
Have you noticed that most of the trash in your house comes from the kitchen? In addition to food waste, there’s also tons of packaging that comes with most grocery store hauls. Try choosing options that have little to no packaging, even if that implies bringing your own produce mesh bags to the store. Speaking of which, bring your own reusable canvas bags when you’re shopping, and have some in your car just in case. Bulk stores (or simply bulk products) are the best choice. If there must be packaging, then chose paper, glass and metal over plastic or mixed materials that cannot be separated for recycling.
You might have noticed that a lot of takeaway restaurants now offer reusable packaging that you can give back next time you order, kind of like most coffee shops over reusable cups. A certain Stanley cup is not necessary – having a reusable water bottle or thermos is less about status and more about what’s good for the planet.
Food Waste
Try to buy less food at once if you suspect you’ll end up throwing part of it away. This is especially true for fresh produce (hello, 3-weeks old lettuce head in the back of my fridge!). Speaking of which, storing produce properly can help prolong its life. When you do throw food away, it’s a good idea to start your own compost bin or at least to separate it from your other types of trash and into the organic waste bin.
Storage
Use old mason jars to store groceries you bought in bulk – a lot of produce, grains and seeds actually hold better in glass than in plastic!
No one wants to throw food away, but cling film, ziplock bags and similar items tend to add up. Luckily, there are many alternatives to plastic wrap & co, including easy to make and eco-friendly beeswrap.
Cleaning
If you can make your own cleaning supplies for the kitchen, you’ll be saving quite a lot of money and resources. Instead of paper towels or wipes on every spill, get yourself some reusable dishcloths, make your own out of old towels, and break up with paper towels for good.
Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps
Bathrooms also send to gather a lot of waste, with all the shampoo bottles, makeup remover wipes and Q-tips. So where do you start?
If you’re replacing your toothbrush often enough, then you’re throwing plastic away every couple of months – and it won’t be recycled. Opt for bamboo toothbrushes, and look for toothpaste and mouthwash that’s not packaged in plastic.
When it comes to hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body scrub and all your other bath essentials, go for their solid counterparts whenever you can. Look for products that are not packaged in plastic, and if they are, get those that can be refilled (refill bags normally contain much less plastic than regular product bottles). Even better if you can make your own beauty products, where you can control the ingredients as well as the packaging (or lack thereof).
The same goes for cleaning and laundry products. Make your own if you can, buy unpackaged and in bulk as the second best option, or search for the most sustainable packaging possible, like paper, glass and metal.
Whenever you can, ditch disposable, single-use items such as Q-tips, disposable razors, tampons and cleaning wipes. Alternatives such as bamboo Q-tips, reusable safety razor, menstrual cups or period underwear all work as well as their counterparts.
Zero Waste Gift Giving Swaps
It seems to me like there’s now more gifting opportunities than ever. From classic Christmas stockings to more recently established boo-baskets, it’s so much fun to give and to receive. All that waste, however? Not so fun. Gift wrapping paper is famously coated with plastic, so it can’t be recycled. What’s more, a lot of common gifts like toys and cosmetics already come in plastic packaging.
If you’re conscious about reducing waste in your gift giving, consider two main issues: wrapping and the gifts themselves. To avoid anything ending up in the landfill, gift experiences, services, food, DIY gifts or second hand items. If you’re buying packaged items, look for sustainable packaging such as paper or metal. Finally, consider wrapping your gifts in last years’ wrapping paper, fabric or reusable baskets.
More Zero Waste Swaps
Upcycling objects in your home is an easy way to prolong their life. The same goes for repairing – especially clothes, footwear, and electronics. It’s relatively easy to dye a stained t-shirt or make shorts out of those jeans you no longer wear.
Whenever you can, consider buying second hand before committing to something new. Clothes, electronics, books, furniture, the second hand market is now bigger than ever (no wonder). If you’re buying stuff that’s already been produced, you reduce the need for additional manufacture, shipping, packaging, and waste.
Similarly, before you throw an item (like your old phone or winter coat) in the trash, add it to an online marketplace or bring it to a charity shop where you’re sure donations end up with people in need and not in the landfill.
Babies famously need a lot of stuff, and while the second-hand market for baby goods is huge (and we looove hand-me-downs), not everyone is comfortable using it. Here are some of our favorite sustainable purchases for baby essentials.
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