How to start zero waste lifestyle
What is zero waste lifestyle?
Zero waste is the philosophy of lifestyle that aims at reducing the amount of waste produced to reduce waste in landfills, oceans, and soil.
Benefits of zero waste lifestyle
Reduce pollution
Zero waste style helps to reduce pollution due to excessive waste.
Reduced waste
Landfills are flooded now from waste. Zero waste helps to reduce the waste.
Steps to start zero waste style
Conduct a waste audit
It helps to understand the amount and type of waste. This gives an analysis of waste. It gives us an idea of where we can reduce our waste.
Steps to conduct waste audit
Collect waste.
Categorize the waste into different types that is plastic, paper, organic waste, and food.
Analysis of your waste identifies the most common type of waste that can be reduced or replaced with sustainable brands.
More about waste audit: Proper way to manage waste produced at home
Refuse
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| Say no to straw: how to start zero waste lifestyle |
It is the most important step to zero waste. Say no to single-use plastic, excessive packaging, and unnecessary change.
Tips to refuse
Always carry your reusable bag, water, and cutlery.
Only buy and take what you need.
Reduce
Reduce extra things to reduce waste production. It involves mindful consumption and decluttering.
Tips to reduce
Adopt a minimalist lifestyle.
Purchase goods that involve reduced packaging.
Opt for digital versions of newspapers, books, and documents.
Reuse
Use the things that you have up to their potential.
Tips to reuse
Try to give old things a new life by transforming them.
Use only reusable things like reusable bags instead of plastic bags and metal containers.
Repair things that you have to use once more.
Recycle
Recycling should only be considered at last after refusing, reducing, and reusing.
Tips to recycle
Understand what can be recycled and what can't.
Send them to recycling centers to categorize waste into different categories.
To know more about: The 4R'S guide of refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle
Compost
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| Compost: how to start zero waste lifestyle |
Compost the organic waste that you have to reduce waste in landfills. It doesn't only reduce waste but also enhances soil fertility.
Composting methods:
Install a compost bin at your home. You can also make your own compost bin.
Vermicomposting: use worms to compost easily.
You can also directly compost by digging a pit in your garden and pouring organic waste into it.
How to compost| beginner guide
Sustainable shopping
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| Sustainable shopping: how to start zero waste lifestyle |
It is an important step to a zero-waste lifestyle. Making conscious choices while shopping can drastically reduce the input waste at our homes.
Consider second-hand options.
Shop locally to reduce the carbon footprint.
Buy sustainable brands with eco-certification.
Buy food with minimal packaging or no packaging.
Homemade options
Creating our own things at home not only reduces money but also has a good impact on our environment reducing packaging waste.
Use baking soda, vinegar, and essential oil as a cleaning product.
Use a mixture of baking soda and salt as toothpaste.
Use coconut oil as a moisturizer. Use gram flour as a scrub.
Prepare food at home instead of munching outside.
Aware your surroundings
It is the most difficult task but should be considered altogether as you get the people that surround you to bring a change. Inspire them with your actions.
Conduct community programs and advocate for policy changes.
Measure your progress
Measure your progress to see what further improvements you can make. Motivate yourself from time to time by educating yourself about environmental conservation. Track your journey but remember to take short steps consistently.
Problems in starting zero waste lifestyle
You can meet many challenges to start your zero waste. Some of them are accessibility, time and effort, and resistance.
Accessibility: sustainable brands or products discussed here may not be accessible or affordable.
Time and effort: starting a zero-waste journey always takes effort.
Resistance: we may have to face resistance from our friends and family.
Solution
we should start gradually so that we can stay hassle-free and maintain it forever. Making zero waste practices our habits. Read stories of other people to learn from them and find inspiration. Educate yourself about zero waste lifestyle practices.
Tips to start zero waste lifestyle
Say no to straws.
Straws are made of single-use plastic. Instead, go for drinking without a straw or buy reusable straws.
Use clothe handkerchief
Use cloth handkerchiefs instead of tissue paper, which generates a lot of waste.
Use only refillable pens
Plastic pens end up in waste after two to three days. Refillable pens can save a lot of plastic waste.
Use natural fabrics
Clothes are one of the major waste elements. These are made of synthetic fabric that does not biodegrade in soil. Instead, use natural fiber to stay a zero-waste producer.
Use biodegradable pads
These are good for our environment. They are biodegradable and do not lead to any waste production.
Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk reduces packaging waste that comes with products.
Grow your own vegetables and fruits
Grow your own vegetables and fruits at home to reduce packaging waste from grocery shopping.
Use eco friendly decoration
Use eco-friendly decorations to decorate your home. There are many eco-friendly options to consider.
Conclusion
zero waste lifestyle is a lifestyle in which one focuses on zero production of waste. You can't be a perfect zero-waste producer but can minimize it for sure. Following the steps of zero waste style which are refuse, reduce, recycle, and compost, we can bring a significant change in reducing our output waste. Every small change can bring us closer to our goal of zero waste life. To start a zero waste style, one should remember that it is not a destination but a way of life that we need to carry on.
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