There is no trash in a zero waste home, and everything is either reused, recycled, or composted. It may seem daunting at first, but with some simple changes, you can make your home zero waste too!
Here are ten tips for a zero waste home.
- Refuse single-use items
It is the first and most important step to taking your home to zero waste. Start by refusing straws, plastic cutlery, and other disposable items you don’t need.
- Cut back on food waste
The most obvious way to reduce food waste is by cooking only what you need and eating all your leftovers. You can also store it in freshie food saver bags. Get into the habit of taking home your leftovers from restaurants and freezing anything that won’t be eaten in the next few days.
- Store food in reusable containers
Instead of disposable plastic baggies or aluminum foil, switch to reusable storage containers made out of glass or stainless steel. Not only will this reduce your waste, but it’ll also save you money in the long run. It will also answer the question of how to keep produce fresh.
- Shop at bulk stores
Bulk stores are one of the best places to reduce waste because you can buy just the amount of food you need. Please bring your reusable containers and reusable produce bags and fill them up with grains, nuts, seeds, and other dry goods. You can also buy fresh produce and bulk liquids like spices and cooking oil.
- Use cloth napkins
Next time you’re at the grocery store, buy some cloth napkins to use instead of paper ones. If you have a lot of parties or other events that need lots of cleaning up, just run them through the wash for reuse. Cloth napkins can also be used as a placemat or wrap-up sandwiches.
- Make your cleaning products
Most commercial cleaning products are full of harsh chemicals and contain wasteful packaging. Instead, make your natural cleaning products using simple vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Not only will this save you money, but it’ll also reduce the amount of waste produced by your cleaning products.
- Use reusable menstrual products
Tampons and pads are made out of non-biodegradable materials and create a lot of waste each month. Switch to a reusable menstrual cup or cloth pads, and you’ll dramatically reduce the amount of trash you produce each month.
- Hang dry your clothes
If you hang your clothes dry, you can cut that number in half. Not only does this save energy, but it also prevents your clothes from wearing out as quickly.
- Repair instead of replace
If something breaks or stops working, don’t just throw it away. Instead, take the time to research how to fix your broken appliances or broken clothes. You’d be surprised at what you can learn online!
- Compost food scraps
If all else fails, compost your food scraps. It isn’t ideal because it creates methane gas, but it will help reduce the amount of waste your produce in the landfill.
If you’re unsure where to start, don’t be afraid to begin small. Start with a reusable water bottle and one cloth napkin per day, or use those spare plastic bags for dog poo instead of using a plastic bag from the store. Whatever you do, remember that every little bit counts!
