Introduction

The zero waste movement is growing in popularity. Thanks to the internet, we now have access to the tools and resources to make this lifestyle change possible. However, going “zero waste” can seem like an overwhelming task at first. It takes time and effort (lots of it!) but if you start small with these tips on how to become a zero waster, you’ll be off on your way towards living a more sustainable life! Skip bin hire Adelaide maintains zero waste in their area.

It’s hard to go “zero waste”

It’s important to recognize that going “zero waste” is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it will take you some time before you reach your goals. You can start with small changes and work your way up from there.

For example, if you want to reduce your waste as much as possible, then consider buying products in bulk at the grocery store or farmer’s market instead of individually packaged items. In other words, buy one big container (this is much more sustainable) and divide it into smaller containers at home after opening it up so that they’re ready for use – this way you won’t need plastic bags for storage either!

Zero Waste Strategy

• Start small. When you begin your zero waste journey, it’s tempting to try to tackle every aspect of your life at once: “I’ll start by making my own toothpaste, then I’ll make all my own laundry detergent and soap! Next thing you know, I’ll be making my own bread and growing all my food!” While this may be a noble endeavor (and one that will certainly provide many challenges), it’s also overwhelming. It’s likely that if this is the first time you’ve considered going zero waste, such an intensive approach will only result in frustration and failure.

Instead, start small—in particular, with things that aren’t cheap or easy. Think about it: If you can make one thing yourself for free instead of buying something for $5 or $10 from the store every week or month (or whatever), then not only are you saving money but also helping reduce waste overall. Making your own lip balm from beeswax is probably too difficult for most people; replacing your shampoo bar with Dr Bronner’s Castile Soap is much more realistic and sustainable over time!

Zero Waste Strategy 1. Use What You Have

Your first step towards a zero waste strategy is to use what you have. Just because you’re trying to be more sustainable doesn’t mean you can’t still do the things that make you happy. As an example, when my best friend was visiting from New York City, I asked her if she wanted me to go buy some coffee for us at Starbucks. She said no thanks and that she’d rather just drink tea out of her mug. By not buying anything new, we saved money and kept our waste down because we didn’t need plates or cups at all!

It’s also great fun making your own things like bath bombs or lip balm as gifts for friends or family members! You can get creative with different flavors by adding natural oils like peppermint oil or coconut oil instead of store-bought artificial scents (which often contain potentially harmful chemicals). It only takes a few minutes once you’ve got the right ingredients ready before hand so don’t worry about being stuck doing something boring while everyone else has fun in their own way!

Zero Waste Strategy 2. Eliminate Paper Towels

“Okay, okay. I get it! Paper towels are bad. Why don’t I just use cloth rags instead?” you ask.

First off, they won’t do the job as well as paper towels, and neither will sponges or a kitchen towel (which is basically just a larger version of said sponge). You need something that can soak up large amounts of liquid without falling apart. This means you should be using a microfiber towel like the ones used by car detailers. They come in a variety of colors and sizes and can quickly absorb liquid without disintegrating into smelly pieces of stringy cotton fiber like old-fashioned rags tend to do when they’re wetted down with some cleaning solution or other water-based liquid product such as dish soap or hand sanitizer gel oil mixture .

Zero Waste Strategy 3. Go Container-less

When you have a zero waste lifestyle, you don’t rely on disposable containers to store, prepare or transport food. Instead, you use reusable containers that can be easily washed and reused again. This saves both money and time because you won’t need to buy new storage items every time something breaks or spills. At first glance it might seem like this would leave your kitchen looking cluttered with lots of random jars lying around everywhere but the truth is most of us only really need three types of container: one for storing dry goods like grains and nuts in the pantry; another for leftovers in preparation for freezing/refrigerating/reheating later; and finally one more for keeping things fresh in the fridge (like herbs).

You may already have some reusable containers at home already but if not then check out glass mason jars! They’re cheap enough to buy at local thrift stores or garage sales plus they come with lids so no need for plastic wrap anymore 🙂

Zero Waste Strategy 4. Switch to Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are a safe and reusable alternative to tampons and pads. Made of medical grade silicone, they are easy to insert and remove. Menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours (though most women will typically only need them for 6 or 7 hours) and can be worn during swimming, sports or any other activity that could get your period on your clothes or towels. You may need some time to get used to using it, but after that you’ll never want a pad again!

There are three brands available in Australia: the Lena Cup; Fleurcup; and Mpower cup. The Lena Cup comes in two sizes (smaller size is recommended for beginners), while both Fleurcup and Mpower cup have four different sizes so it can fit every person regardless of their anatomy.

Zero Waste Strategy 5. Buy in Bulk or Make Your Own Products

• Buy in Bulk or Make Your Own Products

It’s not always possible to avoid packaging with products, but you can still reduce your waste by buying in bulk and making your own products. By buying food and household goods in bulk, you can reuse and recycle containers that would otherwise be thrown out. Buying in bulk is cheaper than buying individual servings as well, so you can save money while also reducing your impact on the environment! Making your own shampoo or body wash is also an easy way to produce zero-waste goods that are healthier for both humans and ecosystems alike.

Zero Waste Strategy 6. Use Your Own Produce Bag

A produce bag is a reusable bag that you use when you buy produce. You can put all of your fruit and vegetables in it, then use it later for other things, like storing trash or filling with ice to make an ice pack.

You can even buy your own produce bags online! There are many different kinds available, including cloth bags, mylar bags and mesh bags. The best place to get them is at a zero waste store such as Abundance Cooperative Market in Austin, Texas (see Resources). If you don’t live near one of these stores or don’t have access to them yet then try making your own out of old t-shirts or bed sheets because they’re easy to sew together using some basic sewing skills (don’t forget about our Sewing Zero Waste course coming soon!).

Bonus Zero Waste Tip!!

• Buy a reusable water bottle.
• Make your own toothpaste.
• Buy a reusable coffee cup.
• Use a reusable shopping bag for your groceries and other items purchased at the store (or take advantage of bulk-buy pricing).
• Buy in bulk and make your own products, like homemade laundry detergent or dish soap!

Start simple and small, building on your success every day on the journey to zero waste

As you’re building your zero-waste strategy, it’s important to start simple and small. That way, you can find out what works for you before adding too many things into your life at once.

Pick one area of your life to start with: food, beauty products or packaging waste are all great places to start. Find ways to reduce waste in that area—can you bring lunch from home instead of buying it at work? Can you bring reusable containers for snacks on the go? Can you buy bulk items instead of packaged ones? When there is unavoidable waste produced (like from grocery shopping), think about how else it can be reused or recycled before tossing it in the trash bin (think: composting). And finally, if there’s no way around throwing something away completely (like meat bones or waxed fruit peelings), make sure they go into a proper recycling bin if available.

Conclusion

Zero waste is a journey, and it takes time to get there. Start small and build from there. The ultimate goal is to live in harmony with the Earth, so don’t feel bad if you slip up once in awhile! Go here to check the sizes of our bins that may fit for you.