The term “zero-waste” is one of the buzzwords of the 21st century. This refers to a lifestyle wherein you refuse and reduce waste as much as possible. That way, we can ensure that this planet will remain livable for the next generation.
If you want to adopt this kind of lifestyle, we suggest starting from home. That’s because it is one place where you can control the amount of water that you generate.
By Robert Helms
The Importance of Starting a Zero-Waste Journey at Home
Before we start anything, what is zero waste exactly?
Zero-waste is the act of producing no waste whatsoever. The goal is to reduce consumption and create no trash. You can achieve this by removing all garbage from the home and using products made from recycled material or items that can be composted.
As we live in an age where the environment has become the focus for many people, we must reduce our generated waste. And what better way than starting with your own home. You’ll reduce the harm you do to the environment while also living a healthy life at home.
Now that you know some of what makes a zero-waste journey important, it’s time to ask yourself what you can do at home to start doing that.
Consume Less
The zero-waste movement promotes the idea of reducing one’s waste by limiting the number of items that one consumes.
Consuming less means that you can save more money, reduce your environmental footprint, and be healthier. For your zero-waste journey, try to consume fewer items in the following categories:
- Clothing: buy second-hand clothes or make your clothes.
- Household goods: use what you have before buying anything new.
- Bags: carry a backpack or purse instead of plastic shopping bags or paper bags.
- Food: bring reusable containers when shopping for groceries.
Once you learn how to consume less, you’re taking off the bulk of the hard work that comes with starting and maintaining a zero-waste journey at home.
Declutter
Decluttering is the process of getting rid of the things you no longer need to make room for new items. If you have been struggling with decluttering, here are some tips that may help you on your way to a zero-waste journey.
You can start by setting up a box or bag for each room to collect items as they are removed from the room. Ensure that you have enough space in these boxes or bags to hold all of the things from that room before you start decluttering.
Sort through each item and ask yourself if it brings joy or is necessary for your day-to-day needs. Keep the item if it does, and consider selling or donating it if it doesn’t. However, don’t be afraid to dispose of things you need to get rid of.
Think of this as your last hurrah for consumerism as you embrace a new lifestyle.
Switch to Reusables
A zero-waste journey can involve many things, but it should never involve disposable items. The main goal of a zero-waste journey is to reduce the number of things thrown away after use. Thus, we should avoid single-use items and switch to reusable items instead.
You might wonder: Why do I have to switch to reusable items and start a zero-waste journey?
One of the main reasons is that landfill is filling up fast. And it’s full of plastic, which never biodegrades. Plastic will not go away if we dispose of it in a landfill. So what can we do?
Instead, try using reusable items as much as possible for your zero-waste journey, and you might see some good results. Besides, reusable items offer several benefits that will make switching to them more convenient for you in the long run.
They are more affordable, let you save money on food waste, make us less reliant on poorly made products, and won’t last long anyway.
Start Zero-Waste Cleaning
According to someone I spoke with from Planet Maids Cleaning Services NYC, a simple way to start your zero-waste journey is by modifying your cleaning routine at home.
Cleaning sustainably is not about doing all your cleaning in one go. It’s about replacing toxic cleaners and wasteful products with eco-friendly alternatives. That way, you can clean your home without harming the environment.
Many people are interested in living a zero-waste lifestyle and aim to produce as little waste as possible. You can upgrade your cleaning routine to be more zero-waste-friendly by getting back to the basics. Start by using natural, eco-friendly cleaners that will help you maintain a low-impact lifestyle while keeping your house squeaky clean.
Practice Recycling
Recycling is a critical process. It helps you reduce the waste you generate, polluting the land, sea, and air. Moreover, recycling makes you more thoughtful about consuming items and what you do with them after their intended use.
It is essential to know what wastes you can and cannot recycle when recycling. It is also necessary to make sure that you are recycling correctly to be reused in another way or recycled again.
We should follow the mantra of “recycle what you can” and “reuse what you can’t.” In this way, we can keep our waste output to a minimum and have a cleaner world without buying new things.
Use a Tote Bag
A tote bag made of organic cotton is an excellent choice for your zero-waste journey. It will be durable and eco-friendly while being functional and stylish. Please make sure you buy one with handles that allow you to use it easily.
Using a tote bag is a simple way to reduce your waste, especially when shopping for more items. It fulfills two criteria in this article: 1) it is a great way to consume less, and 2) it is a way to switch to reusable. Thus, try to get tote bags instead of plastic bags when shopping.
Final Thoughts on Beginning your Zero-Waste Journey at Home
It is not necessary to do anything grand to embrace the zero-waste lifestyle. What’s important is that you become more intentional with the things you buy and consume. That way, you can reduce the amount of waste you generate at home.