Tips for Transitioning to a Zero Waste Lifestyle

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Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of waste your household produces? You’re not alone. The average American generates 4.5 pounds of trash per day, and only about 34% of that gets recycled.

If you want to make a difference for the environment – and your wallet – transitioning to a zero-waste lifestyle is the way to go. But where do you start?

It can be daunting to try to change all your bad habits at once, so here are six tips to help make the transition easier.

Tips for Transitioning to a Zero Waste Lifestyle

Start Slow and Simple

You don’t have to go from producing lots of trash to zero overnight. It’s a process, so start with the basics. Begin by replacing single-use items like plastic bags, drinking straws, paper towels, and food containers with reusable alternatives like canvas bags, stainless steel straws, zero waste lotion and cream packaging, and glass or stainless steel containers.

You can also get creative with finding replacements – try using an old t-shirt as a dish towel, or bring your cup to the coffee shop.

Additionally, try to avoid items with excess packaging. Why buy a snack bar in a wrapper when you can buy the same one without it? If that’s not an option, forgo pre-packaged snacks altogether and make your own!

Get Creative With Food Waste

Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to household trash, but there are lots of ways to reduce it. Grow your herbs and vegetables in a garden or balcony planter.

Compost kitchen scraps in your backyard or bring them to a local compost drop-off site – you can even make your compost bin out of a plastic tub! If you live in an apartment building, check with your landlord or city to see if there’s a community composting program.

Of course, you can also reduce food waste by being mindful of what you buy. Meal planning, buying in bulk when possible, and avoiding excess packaging are all great ways to reduce your food waste and save money at the same time!

Shop at Zero-Waste Stores and Bulk Bins

Instead of buying pre-packaged snacks, opt for buying in bulk – most grocery stores have bulk bins where you can buy staple items like rice, nuts, and dried fruits with your containers or bags.

If that’s not an option, look for zero-waste stores in your area – these stores often offer plastic-free alternatives to many household items.

On the other hand, if you do find yourself needing to buy something that comes in single-use packaging, look for compostable or biodegradable materials instead of plastic.

Embrace Secondhand and Resale Shopping

One of the best ways to reduce your household waste is to shop secondhand and resell items when you’re done with them.

Try to buy clothes, furniture, and other household items from secondhand stores or online resellers instead of buying new ones.

You can also sell your unwanted items on sites like eBay or Craigslist. Not only is this a great way to save money, but it’s also helping reduce waste by keeping these items out of landfills.

Of course, if something can’t be reused, make sure to recycle it responsibly.

DIY Your Cleaning and Beauty Products

Cleaning and beauty products often come in wasteful packaging – but the good news is that many of these items can be made at home with simple ingredients like baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar.

Making your cleaning supplies is not only cheaper than buying them, but it’s also a great way to reduce your household waste.

For instance, you can make your all-purpose cleaning spray with white vinegar and water, or create a natural makeup remover with olive oil and coconut oil.

These simple swaps can go a long way in helping reduce your carbon footprint – so it’s a win-win!

On the other hand, detergents and soaps can be a bit tricky to make – but there are plenty of zero-waste brands that offer eco-friendly alternatives.

Be Mindful of Your Water Use

Finally, when transitioning to a zero-waste lifestyle, it’s important to take into account the impact of your water use.

For instance, instead of taking long showers or baths, try to take shorter ones and invest in an eco-friendly showerhead. You can also reduce water waste by using a bucket or basin while doing the dishes instead of running the tap, and use a rain barrel to collect rainwater for your garden.

Of course, reducing your household water use isn’t just good for the environment – it can also save you money on your utility bills.

Transitioning to a zero-waste lifestyle can seem daunting at first, but small changes can make a big difference. By following these six tips, you can reduce your carbon footprint and start living more sustainably – all while saving money in the process.

Julie Higgins
Author
Julie is a Staff Writer at momooze.com. She has been working in publishing houses before joining the editorial team at momooze. Julie's love and passion are topics around beauty, lifestyle, hair and nails.