We may feel helpless or discouraged by the constant stream of negative environmental news. There is an effective way to reduce our impact on the environment. This includes a zero-waste lifestyle. The modern culture of consumerism and overconsumption of water and energy can lead to enormous waste. Zero waste means looking at all aspects of your life to see better ways to reduce waste and get organised. While each step is small, the cumulative effects can be huge and will only increase as more people get involved. Let’s learn more about the zero waste lifestyle and how to adapt it here.
Basic Steps to Start the Zero waste lifestyle
The zero-waste lifestyle is an ongoing project that grows in scope and complexity over time. To get started, you don’t need to make big lifestyle changes. Here are three simple changes you can make immediately to reduce your carbon footprint. They also serve as a foundation for a long-term plan.
Always Use Glass Jars and Bottles
Glass jars or bottles are a great way to store wet or dry goods in the kitchen. They look better and can be reused over and over again. You can also take them to wholesale markets and fill them with bulk products. This eliminates the need for packaging. You can reuse them, like tomato sauce cans or cookie jars. You can also find thrift stores that sell jars that you can give a new life to.
Always Bring Reusable Cloth Bags When Shopping
Reusable cloth bags can make a difference from the millions of disposable plastic and paper bags thrown away each year. Reusable cloth bags are affordable and can last for many years if properly cared for and cleaned. You can also make your own bags from old sheets or clothes for a waste-free lifestyle.
Prioritize Reusable Items
You can make sure that disposable items are replaced with reusable versions to reduce plastic waste. You can replace disposable napkins with cloth ones. Instead of wrapping sandwiches in paper towels and using paper napkins, you can use paper towels or stainless steel containers. Instead of relying on bottled water, get a high-quality glass or stainless steel water bottle. You don’t need tissues. Instead, you can go back to the days when everyone had a tissue: Wash and reuse. Instead of buying disposable tissues, you can use old clothes to clean them. With a little effort, the possibilities are endless.
The Wisdom of the Three Rs
There are practical ways to achieve a higher level of zero waste. Bea Johnson, a leading figure in minimalist living, came up with the 3 R’s of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle introduced in the 1970’s. The two additional R’s, Refuse and Red, offer a complete solution to reducing your waste footprint without living an extremely minimalist lifestyle.
Reduce
This is a good way to reduce the number of products you buy and avoid buying unnecessary things. Instead of buying things out of desperation and wasting food, plan your meals at least a week in advance. This will save you time and money, and you will also be less likely to throw away your shopping bags. If you feel the need to buy a new appliance or item, think about whether you will use it. If it’s a worthwhile investment, look for quality to ensure the product will last.
Reuse
Reusing glass containers is a good idea. Instead of throwing them away, consider putting them to another use. Look for ways to repair broken or damaged items instead of throwing them away. Consider donating an item in good condition but unused to a garage sale so it doesn’t go to waste and can be found valuable by someone else.
Recycle
You need to try to buy many kinds of today’s daily products with recyclable packaging. There are many options for it. This is beneficial as the recycling act can save energy and gradually become a standard choice if most people begin doing it.
