A Beginner’s Guide to Zero Waste Living

We thought it would be fun to share 15 easy tips for going zero-waste that everyone can easily apply to your daily life. You may not be able to implement all of them right away, but you can definitely get a kick start simply by reading along.

Switching over to a low waste, or better still, a zero-waste lifestyle is not an easy task. We live in a consumer society which has a somewhat negative effect on our day-to-day behaviour. Sadly, this has a decremental effect on our environment. But, hopefully, our beginner’s guide to zero-waste living will give you some inspiration on how to become more sustainable and eco-friendly!

So without further ado, here are our simple, actionable steps to help you ditch the plastic and follow a more sustainable lifestyle.

SUSTAINABLE TIPS AND HOW TO LIVE PLASTIC FREE

Conscious Shopping - When you're next at the supermarket, take a look around and observe the amount of food wrapped in plastic. Do we really need our broccoli to be wrapped in cling film? Buy food without packaging, or minimal packaging instead, and join the revolution! Even better, track down your nearest zero-waste store and support them instead. They’re pioneers of the earth-friendly way of life.

Natural Hygiene - Natural deodorant and shampoo bars are fantastic; their fragrances are incredible and their packaging is 100% recyclable. A normal-sized 60ml tub can last a reasonably smelly person at least three months! Ditch the noxious sprays and try something less intrusive for a few months. You'll be pleased that you did! Whilst you’re at it, swap out your disposable razor for a safety razor. Our earth-friendly bamboo razor is unisex and will save you lots of money in the long-run. What’s more, you get a much better shave!

Refillable Storage - We've all seen those amazing pantry photos on Instagram, right? Next time you run short of a particular food, cosmetic, or detergent, think about how you can replace your reliance on plastic and refill a glass jar instead. A nice added bonus is that your home will look great for it too. If you don’t have a zero-waste store in your town, have a look online and find one who delivers to your location. 

Reusable Bottles - Never leave your house without a full reusable water bottle; the ultimate accessory for sustainable folk. Not only is it great for your health, but it also allows you to limit the number of plastic water bottles that you buy. Water refill stations are now popping up everywhere making it even easier! 

Shopping Bags - This one may seem obvious, but it's an important step to take on your journey towards a zero-waste lifestyle. Commit to bringing a reusable bag with you to the supermarket. If you forget it, turn around and go back to get it! After forgetting your bag once, you'll be less likely to forget it again.

Electronics - Changing your light bulbs to LED equivalents is a great way to reduce your energy consumption. Be mindful when using electronic equipment and always remember to turn off your devices when they are not being used. A little thought goes a long way. Switching your devices from standby mode to off can also help to save up to 30% more energy! The next step is to switch to renewable energy.

Contentment - We live in a world full of constant advertisements. One of the most rebellious things you can do is be content with what you already have. Things don't define you. They don't give you worth. Instead of buying things to make you look better, try spending time bettering yourself. Take a class, learn a new skill, and truly focus on self-improvement. 

Balance & Ethics - Each decision you make is a vote for the future you want. So, buying plastic-free goods and purchasing products from ethical companies is a move towards an economy without waste where nature can thrive. So get out there and do the best you can!

Going Zero Waste

Beach Clean-Up - The pollution of our beaches, coastlines and oceans is not a pretty sight. The rate we’re at, we’ll have more plastic than fish in our seas by 2050. If you see plastic floating around in the waves or stuck on the beach, just collect it and bin it. You’ll feel good doing it! Perhaps you can even give up a morning of your next holiday to join a volunteer initiative such as Trash Hero?

Food Waste & Preparation - Take a packed lunch to work instead of eating out every day. At the same time, learn how to create a meal plan in order to avoid food waste. Try freezing your food without using plastic bags by purchasing natural food wraps instead. If you do pick up a takeaway, don’t forget to carry your bamboo cutlery - that way you can say ‘no’ to plastic utensils!

Recycling - Recycling plastic means creating less new plastic. That’s definitely a good thing, especially as it's usually made from fossil fuel hydrocarbons. Recycling also reduces the need to grow, harvest or extract new raw materials from the earth. So he sure to use that little recycling bin whenever you can!

Switch the Straw - Switching from plastic drinking straws to a reusable equivalent is another great way to reduce your reliance on single-use plastic. Swap to bamboo, stainless steel or paper. You could even go straw-less! Jungle Straws produce beautiful, eco-friendly bamboo straws that help you make the switch, but there are other alternatives that you could consider too.

Buy Well - When you purchase something new, really think about its full life-cycle. Think about where it came from and where it's likely going after you're finished with it. Always check the secondhand market first and if you're going to buy something brand new, make sure you're taking everything into consideration.

Go Paperless - Sign up to receive electronic bills and statements instead of receiving paper statements each month. Very often, companies send mail out in envelopes with plastic windows. Many entities offer electronic statements including banks and utility companies. Make that switch today! 

Have Fun - The best way to reduce your reliance on plastic and to live a zero-waste lifestyle is to simply have fun doing it! Get the kids involved with activities and games, or challenge them to start keeping diaries to track progress. Make it an enjoyable process and it'll become a lot easier to implement those positive changes in your life and enable you to think consciously.

It can be a little overwhelming when you’re trying to figure out where to start. We hope our handy little beginner’s guide to zero-waste living will give you the inspiration you need to begin your eco-friendly journey! 

If you’re looking for more information, head over to our Instagram and Facebook channels. You’ll find plenty more sustainable tips and advice on how to live a sustainable and plastic-free life.