Have you tried a Zero-Waste living?

We are not living a zero waste life – yet.

Because guess what? It doesn’t happen overnight. And if you try and make that significant of a life change happen immediately, chances are, it won’t stick.

That’s a major misconception about the zero waste lifestyle. We read stories about zero waste rock stars who haven’t produced trash in years , but that’s just their highlight reel. Everyone who is zero waste had to start somewhere.

So if you’re any bit interested in living a zero or less waste lifestyle, here are some key things to keep in mind:

Establish your “Why” !

Most everyone who decides to explore the zero waste lifestyle has a “why” behind what they’re doing. Get specific with your “why” so you can return to it on a daily basis as your inner motive.

Are you a surfer who hates seeing plastic wash up on the beach?

Have you experienced a health scare or issue after using a beauty product containing toxins?

Are you fed up with our political leaders not giving a damn about climate change?

Write it on your mirror, tattoo it on your bicep – always come back to you WHY.

Assess your Waste !

Dig through your trash!

Just kidding….kind of.

The easiest place to start is assessing where you’re making a lot of waste and focusing on those areas first. Even if you can’t solve every aspect of that area right away, you can start to prioritize the steps you want to take. Which leads me to my next point…

Prioritize !

Maybe you realize you’re throwing away a lot of trash by getting to-go coffee and takeout on weekdays. Prioritize making coffee at home and taking it in a reusable mug, and meal prepping and packing your lunch.

Maybe you’re a product junkie and realize you’re throwing away tons of shampoo, lotion and soap bottles. Look into shampoo bars, bulk beauty items and sustainably made products.

Looking at the big picture of all the waste in your life can feel overwhelming, but once you break it down and focus on one area at a time, it becomes so much more doable.

Replace Items as they run out !

Where all my budget-conscious friends at?

Repeat after me: I do not need to buy every zero waste alternative at once. Phew, that felt good didn’t it?

If you have the cash, and the desire to do a full overhaul of your life at once, by all means, go for it! 

But what I’d recommend is purchasing zero waste alternatives once your non-zero waste items run out. Because buying something then throwing it out unused is pretty wasteful too, right?

For example: if you just spent an arm and leg on razor refills, use them up. No sense throwing away an unused item. But once they’re out, switch to the zero waste alternative like this safety razor.

And chances are the price of the zero waste item will be on par, if not cheaper, than the non sustainable drug store alternative.

But on the topic of using up your old items….

Research how to properly recycle old items, donate, sell or up-cycle them !

Your goal is zero waste, so don’t go throwing your old items in the trash now!

Recycle whatever you can. Compost whenever you can. Find a way to reuse an old item whenever you can. Donate items, or gift them to friends. The goal of zero waste living is to keep matter out of landfills. 

Remember: It’s a Process !

It won’t happen overnight, and it might even take a year or two to go fully zero waste if that’s your goal. But you know what, you’re awesome for wanting to make this change and for making the effort to do so.

Everyone’s zero waste journey is different. So never compare yourself to other people. Get inspiration from them, communicate with other zero waste-ers in the process when you have questions or concerns, be supported by other people – not intimidated.

Reference: trashisfortossers.com