Twenty zero waste tips
Tip 1: Start small. Getting to zero waste is a journey, not a destination. Start with small changes like doing a waste audit to understand your habits and patterns.
Tip 2: Educate yourself. Learn more about the zero waste lifestyle and join a community of like-minded people who can support and inspire you on your journey. (Start with these tips from the Living Green community.)
Tip 3: Use liquid castile soap in DIY recipes as replacement for many store-bought items such as body wash, diaper wash solution or household cleaners. (Here are 13 other ways to use castile soap, too!)
Tip 4: Choose reusable body care and hygiene products. Buy from a bulk-supply store or make your own — from dental care and body wash to cloth diapers and reusable menstrual cups or pads.
Tip 5: Shop for goods with minimal or no packaging. Support companies with packaging and product return programs (e.g. glass milk bottles, recycling programs, etc.). Bring your own reusable tote and produce bags.
Tip 6: Avoid single-use plastics. Choose reusables for on-the-go meals! Travel mugs, water bottles, cutlery, chopsticks, containers, cloth napkins, straws and resealable snack pouches are all great essentials.
Tip 7: Equip your kitchen. Build an inventory of reusable versions of frequently used items such as food covers, paper towels, beeswax wraps, sponges and silicone baking mats.
Tip 8: Re-invent your laundry habits and take care of your clothes. Storing items with care will help maintain them in excellent condition so they last longer and you don’t have to replace them. Use reusable wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. Make your own laundry soap.
Tip 9: Waste less food. Shop smarter, sharpen food-storage skills and create an “eat me first bin” for your fridge. Make the most from your food scraps. Don’t treat “best before” as “expiry” dates. Freeze foods you can’t consume right away. Plan meals.
Tip 10: Start growing food in your backyard, at a community garden or in a window sill planter box. You’ll reduce food waste, eliminate packaging waste, and reduce transportation emissions.
Tip 11: Experience and build community with clothing swaps, repair cafés, toy swaps and food-sharing clubs!
Tip 12: Shop in thrift and consignment stores. Wash items, alter and treat stains before creating the perfect outfit. This also goes for costumes (although fun as a swap as well) and sports gear.
Tip 13: Get creative in ‘reuse’. Reuse silica gel packs. Use mason jars for storage and bulk store shopping. Regift and wrap gifts without gift wrap.
Tip 14: Make your own home cleaners or buy in bulk from a refill shop where you can bring your own reusable containers.
Tip 15: Try the six Rs to avoid e-waste – re-evaluate, research, repair, re-use, recycle and rescue.
Tip 15: Compost food scraps and yard trimmings.
Tip 17: Shop for dry goods in bulk at stores that are either zero waste or allow packaging food in your own containers. Never hesitate to ask!
Tip 18: Go digital. Avoid printing. Buy or borrow e-books, audiobooks, music and movies. Opt for digital bills. Take your name off junk mail lists.
Tip 19: Use a bidet to minimize the need for toilet paper.
Tip 20: Use active or public transportation. Reduce waste from car maintenance.
