How To Begin Your Zero Waste Journey

Zero Waste is a journey where you essentially aim for the stars, hoping to reach the sky. It is possible to greatly reduce your waste by changing your habits.

‘Zero Waste’ is more or less a marketing phrase that sounds pretty and intrigues people. The idea behind it, however, is worth looking into.

The thing you need to understand about ‘Zero Waste’ is that there will always be some waste, in some part of the purchase cycle. When you buy something, somewhere between production and delivery, there will be some waste. That is unavoidable. Even if you make all your clothes yourself and grow all your food yourself, the fabric will most likely be packaged, as will the soil and the seeds.

You have the power to reduce your waste

You are capable of changing what kind of waste you produce and how much of it. You can turn your waste into the bare minimum amount and you can go from producing non-biodegradable waste such as plastic, to producing biodegradable waste that can be composted, reused or re-purposed. You can’t produce zero waste, but you can produce very little and then reuse/recycle that sustainably.

When it comes to shopping, say no to plastic bags. Bring your own fabric bags or if you must get a bag, choose paper instead. For purchasing fruits and greens, don’t use the plastic bags the grocery stores have. Bring your own produce bags. Buy items in bulk and more rarely, and if possible, in paper bags/boxes rather than plastic. Stop purchasing pre-packaged meals and expensive snacks. They produce a lot of waste, are pricey, often contain additives and to be frank, cooking for yourself is far healthier and kinder to you wallet.

No Spend Challenge

To become less wasteful and spend less money, consume less. Try out the NO-SPEND challenge for a week, a month or even a year. Similarly to when you try to eat healthier and manage your nutrition, keep a journal and log your purchases, with dates and motive behind the purchase and the waste you produced as a result. Doing so even just for a week will give you a better idea of where you can make changes and what you can stop doing completely. Most things we do in life are either because we want to or out of habit. If you want to do it, you can tweak details around it, and if it is simply something you do out of habit, change your habits for more sustainable ones. 

You can read more about saying no to plastics and how to go from using plastic to using sustainable alternatives here on this site.

Here are a few ways you can start your zero waste journey:

• Make your own coffee and bring it with you in a travel mug.

• Switch to metal or fabric coffee filters.

• Bring cloth bags and say no to plastic ones.

• Find ways to re-purpose the waste you do produce.

• Don’t buy junk-food or packaged meals.

• If there is a junk-food you love, learn how to make it at home.

• Start growing your own food.

• Switch your deodorant for a salt crystal or make a Himalayan salt water spray.

• Switch your plastic toothbrush to a bamboo one.

• Make your own toothpaste.

• Use a city compost for your food waste and turn it into soil and fertiliser.

• Change your eating habits into healthier ones and buy in bulk.

• Go shopping less often.

• Don’t buy packaged fruit and veggies.

• Say no to plastic.

• Re-use glass jars.

• Switch some of your pharmaceuticals to herbal remedies.

• Make your own herbal supplements.

• When buying online, ask for more eco-friendly packaging.

• Buy local and support small brands

Those tips should get you started on lowering your waste and acquiring more sustainable habits.

The ultimate sustainability tip I have come across thus far, however, is the famous quote from the Depression era. 

Use it Up, Wear It Out, Make it Do or Do Without!