Before discussing the lifestyle changes for zero-waste living, you need to understand first what zero-waste living is. Some of you may right away assume that it’s about reducing your personal trash to the point where you almost have none. The truth is, that’s not possible, and that’s too unrealistic to try to achieve. Handling waste is only one of the unchangeable things of your everyday life.
Instead, zero-waste living is a set of principles that teach you to be more mindful of what you consume and how you dispose of it when you’re done to it. These principles will guide you to make the most of what you buy without purchasing excess things and make your best effort in disposing of them properly. In simplest terms, zero-waste living will be your lifestyle’s new mantra and not only an idea of how you should buy and get rid of things.
Over the years, more people are now trying to switch their lives into zero-waste living not only with the desire to be healthier but as well as reduce their environmental footprint and improve the quality of their life. Taking care of both yourself and your planet is one way to show that you care for everyone else that you value in your life.
To help you get started, here are eight small lifestyle changes you can make towards a successful zero-waste living.
Do A Trash Audit
The first step towards zero-waste living is to perform an inventory check of what you have, what you used, and what you’ll throw away. This is often called a “trash audit.” In this step, you need to take a closer look at your current trash and see which of these things you often throw the most. At the same time, you can also note the wastes you think are still reusable or donated to charity. Once you’ve figured out which things you often throw, you may now start to think of ways on how you can cut back your usage on these disposable items. To get rid of these things properly, you may contact your chosen rubbish removal service or check this link and book a regular rubbish pick-up.
Consume Less
As you roam around shopping malls or groceries, make sure only to buy things you need. If you see something nice, but you don’t need it, then there’s no reason for you to buy it. Buying things you don’t need will only cause you to consume more and end up having more waste. Remember, the less you consume, the less waste you produce.
Use What You Have
Since you’re consuming less, this means you’ll have to utilize what you already have. Check your home and see what you already own that can help you minimize waste and can be used for other purposes. For instance, instead of buying another vase for your new flowers, you can use those empty glass bottles you used the other day as your new flower containers. Not only did you minimize throwing bottles, but you’ve also maximized its usage.
Get Rid Of Single-Use Materials
In most cases, it’s the single-use materials that are the main culprit for collecting many wastes every day. Some of these are paper napkins, plastic utensils, and plastic bottles. Instead of the single-use materials, replace them with reusable things. For example, stop using plastic bottles and get yourself a water tumbler so you can refill it anytime.
Use Reusable Bags For Shopping
Many people still actively use plastic bags during shopping because they always forget their reusable bags at home. To help you remember, always keep at least one reusable bag in your car, your office desk, and your personal bag. Using reusable bags instead of plastic ones, you can already make a significant impact on helping the environment.
Use Bar Soap
When given an option towards using the bar soap, or the liquid soap, always opt for the bar soap. Bar soaps are often wrapped in a paper wrapper, while liquid soaps are placed in plastic bottles, which are harsher for the environment. Additionally, you may also want to consider using a zero-waste laundry detergent.
Repair Things When Possible
Another source of waste is when you see some of your things that are already broken or old. Instead of throwing them away, you can try repairing them to avoid unnecessary waste. If your bedside lamp is not working, check first if it can still be fixed before you hastily decide on buying a new one or throwing it out into the trash.
Donate Unused Items
Do you have any unwanted things at home that you’re thinking of throwing away? Instead of disposing of them, you can donate them to a local charity. If you don’t find these things useful, some people will. So, gather them together and give them away.
Start Living The Zero-Waste Lifestyle!
Living a zero-waste lifestyle can be your first step towards giving back to the environment. This may not happen overnight, but taking small steps is better than doing nothing for your planet. Be patient with the process. If you and the rest of the planet savers combine your little efforts in living a zero-waste lifestyle, it can have a massive impact in reducing landfill waste.
