Going zero waste might sound very complicated and difficult but it is not always the case. The most important thing is slowly changing the habits that make you generate waste. Plus, going zero waste is a journey and it takes time, effort and consistency.
There are many ways to reduce waste some of them easier than others. But if you really want to commit to waste reduction here are the basic and simplest steps to get you started.
Get rid of disposables
Getting rid of disposable items is one of the basic ways to reduce waste at home. Start from straws, bags, paper towels, plastic bottles and paper napkins. The kitchen and bathroom is usually filled with disposable items that are responsible for a lot of waste. Living zero waste you can start using alternatives – bamboo straws, cloth napkins, reusable shopping bags, bamboo toothbrushes and more.
Recycle
Reduce, reuse, recycle is the mantra of zero waste living. And there is a good reason for that. You can recycle a lot of things that would otherwise go to waste for example cartridges, electronics, light bulbs and so much more. However, the first step is to manage your waste properly so that you pick and organize all the things that can be recycled.
Compost
The biggest part of our household waste is organic waste. Things like onion peels, food scraps, paper, which can all be composted. Some companies already have packaging that can be composted too, so make sure you set up your composting system so that you can take advantage of all the benefits. Even if you don’t have a garden, there are many indoor composting systems available that are exactly what you need.
Reuse Waste
The first and most important question to ask is how can we reduce waste? By buying less and more consciously. What comes next is the reuse of waste. You can reuse so many things around the house which means you will not need to constantly buy new things. Repurposing is a great way to make use of old stuff that you would otherwise throw away.
Reduce Food Waste
We don’t realize it but we throw away a lot of food – uneaten leftovers, spoiled produce. One way to reduce your food waste is to compost it and turn it into hummus. Another way is to first cook and eat what you already have at home before buying new things. Stick to your shopping list and don’t buy things on a whim. Prepare and store perishable foods whenever you can-canning, freezing, preserving. Doing all this will help you reduce the amount of food you throw away.
There is no one correct way of doing things. Rather there is a way to choose how to start and continue your zero waste journey. Reducing your consumption, in general, is the most important thing. Then you can pick a couple of things and give them a try. Just start somewhere and be sure that all the little things add up to a huge impact!
