Living in a world where just about everything we buy comes in its own package, it’s hard to imagine being able to have a zero waste home. Not everything is recyclable and not all recyclables are easy to dispose of properly.
Even if you can’t imagine creating zero waste at home, trying to cut back on your waste is a great place to start, and might even lead to you achieving this lofty goal.
How do you get the ball rolling? Try these helpful strategies.
Ditch the shopping bags
From the grocery store to the department store, everywhere you shop puts what you buy in their own bag. Sometimes these shops use paper bags, which are recyclable. Some use plastic, which you may be able to drop off at your local grocery to recycle, but that requires remembering to take them with you on your next trip.
To avoid all the hassle, and waste, of store bags, ditch them. Keep a supply of reusable bags, in different sizes, in your car to always have at the ready. Whether you need a lot for the grocery or just want one oversized bag for your outlet mall shopping, you’ll avoid creating any waste in this specific area.
Figure out your recycling options
While you may have a service that picks up recycling, do you know exactly what they will and won’t take? To prevent your recyclables from simply getting tossed at the recycling center, review the specifications of your service. What do they take? What don’t they? Do you have to wash all containers clean before throwing them out? Is it okay to put all your recyclable items into a trash bag for pick-up? Knowing the rules will help ensure these items don’t become waste down the line.
And, for items your pick-up service won’t take, try and find the closest recycling center that will. This can include everything from glass to higher numbered plastics and even old electronics and batteries. Even if you have to make a monthly trip to drop these items off, you’re keeping them out of the trash.
Swap paper for cloth
Currently in the US, people use more than 13 billion pounds of paper towels each year. That amounts to a huge chunk of trash that gets thrown out. Add to the mix those paper napkins, and well it’s impossible to call your home zero waste. Thankfully, there are alternatives gaining traction.
When it comes to paper napkins, opt for cloth. Yes, you’ll have to wash them, but tossing them in with your regular load of laundry won’t waste any more water or energy. Make sure you get enough so you won’t have to wash them daily, and if you end up having a lot of people over, it’s okay to grab some compostable paper napkins that will simply go into your compost bin.
To replace paper towels, check out cotton dish cloths or reusable towels as replacements. Various brands of reusable paper towels are now available for those who are trying to live a zero waste lifestyle. They often come in multipacks with bright colors or cute designs. For cleaning, you can even cut up old towels or cotton t-shirts and turn them into rags as well.
Shop smart to minimize waste
There are so many brands out there doing their best to minimize their waste, whether it’s through innovations in manufacturing and packaging or offsetting their own plastic footprint. For those partners at IMPACT COLLECTIVE, you’ll see innovations that range from recyclable vitamin and supplement bottles to edible spoons and biodegradable packaging. Many IMPACT partner brands are plastic neutral as well.
Seeking out brands that are working toward minimizing their waste is a way to take your zero waste strategy outside of your home. You may end up with a little bit to throw away but can do so knowing the brand whose packaging it is has offset that waste for you.
Developing a smart shopping strategy also includes no longer using single-use items. This includes plastic water bottles, straws, and plastic utensils. Instead, fill up a reusable water bottle each day and get a set of reusable silverware you can carry with you for when you’re eating on the go.
Repurpose, reuse, and recharge
There are many items that can go on to live a second life in your home. Starting small, think about all those glass jars you get food in like pasta sauce or jelly. What happens to those containers once you’re done? They don’t have to go into the trash, or even to the recycling center. You can use those containers again and again to store food, drinks or even to grow your favorite herbs.
When it comes to reusing, someone else’s discarded item could easily become your hidden treasure. Hit up thrift stores and consignment shops when you’re in need of something new-to-you to prevent these items from eventually ending up in the trash. When you’re done with them, if they’re still in good condition, donate them so they can live another life.
Prioritizing recharging can keep plenty of used batteries out of the trash and help you create less waste. While so many of our electronics today charge up with a cord, there are still a few things we need batteries for to make them run. Instead of buying single-use ones, get a set of rechargeable batteries in different sizes so you’ve always got reusable choices at home ready to go.
You can go zero waste with a little effort
With a focus on adding as little waste to your local landfill as possible, you’re truly living a zero waste lifestyle. You’ll most likely still have a little trash, and that’s okay. Doing your best to cut back as much as possible is what matters and is what will help us all sustain and improve our environment.