I dare you to dream that landfills could be a thing of the past.
I dare you to enjoy package-free meals.
I dare you to have the courage to be different.
I dare you to get rid of your trash can.
I dare you to influence suppliers and systems.
I dare you to enjoy package-free meals.
I dare you to have the courage to be different.
I dare you to get rid of your trash can.
I dare you to influence suppliers and systems.
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WHY ZERO-WASTE?
Landfills are ever-expanding, methane belching environmental abominations. But they are a necessary evil, right? Well, Sweden proves that they aren't, at least not on such a large scale. Through careful waste reduction, a high rate of recycling, and turning their remaining trash into energy for heating homes, Sweden ends up with less than 1 % of their trash becoming landfill waste (via).
Our addiction to single-use plastic results in 8 million tons of plastic entering our oceans yearly. As this plastic breaks into pieces (but does not biodegrade), a plastic particle "soup" forms. 90% of sea birds (via) and 67% of fish bound for human consumption (via) are found to have plastic in them.
The pollution of our beautiful planet and home is fueled by an ever increasing mentality of convenience and an acceptance (and even embracing) of planned obsolescence.
Landfills are ever-expanding, methane belching environmental abominations. But they are a necessary evil, right? Well, Sweden proves that they aren't, at least not on such a large scale. Through careful waste reduction, a high rate of recycling, and turning their remaining trash into energy for heating homes, Sweden ends up with less than 1 % of their trash becoming landfill waste (via).
Our addiction to single-use plastic results in 8 million tons of plastic entering our oceans yearly. As this plastic breaks into pieces (but does not biodegrade), a plastic particle "soup" forms. 90% of sea birds (via) and 67% of fish bound for human consumption (via) are found to have plastic in them.
The pollution of our beautiful planet and home is fueled by an ever increasing mentality of convenience and an acceptance (and even embracing) of planned obsolescence.
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HOW DO WE MOVE TOWARD ZERO-WASTE?
Zero-waste begins with a choice and a healthy dose of creativity. Just try one thing at a time...one choice at a time.
The 5 R's of zero-waste, according to Bea Johnson, are:
Refuse what you do not need
Reduce what you do need
Reuse
Recycle
Rot... and only in that order.
Keep in mind ::
Starting doesn't involve buying a bunch a new stuff.
Practice voluntary simplicity.
Use what you have. Use up what you have.
Stop junk mail + reuse what sneaks through.
Periodically look through the trash + decide if there is a zero-waste alternative for each item...or if you can go without next time.
Recycle less.
Borrow + share.
Buy secondhand, trade, mend + repair.
Find contentedness + identify "enough".
Shop less.
Do without.
Opt out.
Give consumables, experiences, replacements, or useful items as gifts.
Say, "No, thank you," to freebies.
Avoid temptation.
Be creative.
When it comes to food ::
Reduce grocery packaging by filling your own containers (bags, bento, scarf, bins) at the bulk bins. Find bulk in your area with the free Bulk App.
Shop at the farmer's market.
Shop the perimeter of the grocery store where the food is healthier + often package-free.
Ask for fish, meat, bread and cheese to be put your own containers at the various counters.
Always bring reusable bags to transport purchases home.
Compile a list of delicious recipes that can be made from waste-free ingredients.
Make some things at home like coffee, yogurt, + tomato sauce.
Take food from home for lunch or snacks. Pack it in jars or wrapped in a kitchen towel.
Switch to a different kind of fast food.
Take a reusable bottle or mason jar to the coffee shop... or stay + enjoy the drink in one of their cups.
Refuse straws.
Grow something... whether it be onions from onions...sprouts grown in a jar... herbs grown in a windowsill... or tomatoes grown on a balcony or in the backyard.
Compost.
Cleaning ::
Clean with vinegar, water, and baking soda.
Trade out paper towels for rags made from old kitchen towels or t-shirts.
In the bathroom ::
Consider doing without some products.
Buy recycled toilet paper wrapped in paper.
Switch to a compostable bamboo toothbrush + dental lace, when your current products need to be replaced.
Use baking soda as toothpowder or make your own toothpaste.
Buy unpackaged soap.
Try no-poo, if you like... or buy a shampoo/conditioner bar or shampoo in bulk.
Use a safety razor.
Make some of your own beauty products.
Use a mineral salt stone for deodorant.
Try a lotion bar.
Use a menstrual cup and/or reusable pads and/or period panties.
Choose cosmetics in refillable or reusable packaging.
Zero-waste begins with a choice and a healthy dose of creativity. Just try one thing at a time...one choice at a time.
The 5 R's of zero-waste, according to Bea Johnson, are:
Refuse what you do not need
Reduce what you do need
Reuse
Recycle
Rot... and only in that order.
Keep in mind ::
Starting doesn't involve buying a bunch a new stuff.
Practice voluntary simplicity.
Use what you have. Use up what you have.
Stop junk mail + reuse what sneaks through.
Periodically look through the trash + decide if there is a zero-waste alternative for each item...or if you can go without next time.
Recycle less.
Borrow + share.
Buy secondhand, trade, mend + repair.
Find contentedness + identify "enough".
Shop less.
Do without.
Opt out.
Give consumables, experiences, replacements, or useful items as gifts.
Say, "No, thank you," to freebies.
Avoid temptation.
Be creative.
When it comes to food ::
Reduce grocery packaging by filling your own containers (bags, bento, scarf, bins) at the bulk bins. Find bulk in your area with the free Bulk App.
Shop at the farmer's market.
Shop the perimeter of the grocery store where the food is healthier + often package-free.
Ask for fish, meat, bread and cheese to be put your own containers at the various counters.
Always bring reusable bags to transport purchases home.
Compile a list of delicious recipes that can be made from waste-free ingredients.
Make some things at home like coffee, yogurt, + tomato sauce.
Take food from home for lunch or snacks. Pack it in jars or wrapped in a kitchen towel.
Switch to a different kind of fast food.
Take a reusable bottle or mason jar to the coffee shop... or stay + enjoy the drink in one of their cups.
Refuse straws.
Grow something... whether it be onions from onions...sprouts grown in a jar... herbs grown in a windowsill... or tomatoes grown on a balcony or in the backyard.
Compost.
Cleaning ::
Clean with vinegar, water, and baking soda.
Trade out paper towels for rags made from old kitchen towels or t-shirts.
In the bathroom ::
Consider doing without some products.
Buy recycled toilet paper wrapped in paper.
Switch to a compostable bamboo toothbrush + dental lace, when your current products need to be replaced.
Use baking soda as toothpowder or make your own toothpaste.
Buy unpackaged soap.
Try no-poo, if you like... or buy a shampoo/conditioner bar or shampoo in bulk.
Use a safety razor.
Make some of your own beauty products.
Use a mineral salt stone for deodorant.
Try a lotion bar.
Use a menstrual cup and/or reusable pads and/or period panties.
Choose cosmetics in refillable or reusable packaging.
Zero-waste Toolkit:
Get motivated + educated.
Get started without shopping.
Grocery shopping kit.
Zero-waste essentials :: 01 + 02.
Our zero-waste bathroom progress.
Read Bea Johnson's book Zero-Waste Home.
Zero-waste in a pandemic?
Get motivated + educated.
Get started without shopping.
Grocery shopping kit.
Zero-waste essentials :: 01 + 02.
Our zero-waste bathroom progress.
Read Bea Johnson's book Zero-Waste Home.
Zero-waste in a pandemic?
