10 Ways to Adopt a Zero Waste Lifestyle This Earth Day!

Okay, it’s time to talk. We have a serious problem, a problem with waste.

On whole, the American population only represents five percent of the world’s population, yet as a nation, we generate about 30 percent of the world’s garbage. Now I’m not placing blame on anyone individual, we are all in this together. On average, every person in the U.S. creates one million pounds of materials per person a year. To break this down a little, that is enough garbage to fill 63,000 garbage trucks every day. All that trash doesn’t just disappear, there are over 1,908 landfills in the U.S. and we’ve all heard the stories about trash island.

I know these figures seem impossible, but think about how much waste you produce on a regular day. Disposable water bottles, coffee cups, napkins, all the packaging you throw out, the list goes on and on because we live in a very disposable society. But sitting back and accepting this trash problem is hardly the answer, in fact, with a few adjustments living a zero-waste lifestyle is very possible.

Living a zero-waste lifestyle involves a little forethought and a lot of inspiration. Bea Johnson, the famed Zero Waste Home blogger and zero waste guru, outlines simple steps everyone can adopt to limit their trash legacy. If everyone in America adopted only a few of these habits, we could save thousands of tons of trash from landfills, improve air and water quality, and even save some money in the process.

Source: VICE Life/Youtube

Per Bea Johnson’s method, I have separated these tips into categories that show you how to prevent waste in the various aspects of your life.

So, what do you say, is it time for you to break up with your trash?

Kitchen

1. Down with Disposables — The kitchen is filled with disposable items that are responsible for a whole lot of waste. Try these alternatives instead:

• Replace paper towels with reusable rags
• Pack to-go meals with reusable sandwich bags
• Non-Disposable or biodegradable dinnerware
• Always bring your own shopping bags
• Earth-friendly sponges

2.  Buy in Bulk — Disposable containers generate 13 million tons of plastic waste in the U.S. Taking a few minutes of planning before you head to the grocery store can help eliminate that waste.

• Bring mason jars to the grocery store to hold bulk items or foods from the deli counter. Check out this expert guide to zero waste shopping from Trash is for Tossers.
• Consider buying bulk castile soap to use as hand and dish cleaner instead of buying a bunch of little bottles of different cleaners. Castille soap can also be used as body wash and shampoo.

3.  Love your Leftovers — Forty percent of all food goes to waste in the U.S. Check out these recipes from WeHateToWaste.com and learn to love your leftovers. Whatever can’t be salvaged should be composted!

Closet

4. Shop Second Hand — Carbon Trust estimates that CO2 emissions associated with clothing account for three percent of global emissions. This number includes out-sourced production, shipping, washing, and drying. Shopping second-hand saves good clothing from a landfill and reduces the overall demand for clothing production.

5.  Take Care of Clothes — Buying fewer items of higher quality will save you money in the long run and make it more likely you will take the time to mend rips and tears instead of throwing them out.

Office

6. Bring Your Lunch — According to RecycleWorks.org, disposable lunches (to-go packaging, plastic utensils, etc.) generate 100 pounds of trash per person annually. Check out these waste-free lunch supplies from ReUseIt.com and save some waste and money as well.

7.  Go Digital — The average office worker uses two pounds of paper per day! Take notes on your laptop and communicate with your colleagues via e-mail rather than using paper.

8.  Recycle! — Unless your office has gone completely paperless, chances are there are stacks of paper that could be recycled. While reusable water bottles are the BEST option, any plastic water bottles should be recycled as well. Introduce a recycling bin to your office, you can even make a game out of it with help from Recyclebank.

Bathroom

9.  Simplify Cleaning Supplies — White Vinegar and baking soda are your new best friends. These all-natural alternatives to dangerous chemical cleaners are versatile, effective, and eliminate plastic bottle waste. Check out this link for a list of zero waste alternatives for all your bathroom supplies.

10.  Make Your Cosmetics — Save money, avoid harsh chemicals, plastic containers, and packaging by making your cosmetics. Check out Free People’s blog for instructions on how to make your natural cheek and lip stains, perfume, shampoo, make-up remover, and more. Also, be sure to check out OGP’s very own DIY beauty guides right here.

Source: TEDx Talks/Youtube

These are only a few ways you can live with less waste. So for more information on adopting a zero-waste lifestyle, check out these helpful resources:

• Zero Waste Home 
• The Story of Stuff
• 42 Ways Not To Make Trash via No Impact Man
• Trash Is For Tossers
• Why You Should Try Zero Waste Living via Utne

Earthlings For Life Tee by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• A 12-Month Plan for Going Low-to-Zero Waste
• 7 Tips for Starting Down the Path to Zero Waste
• The Shocking Statistic That Inspired This Woman to Open a Zero Waste Grocery Store
• YouTuber Talks Zero Waste Lifestyle During Pandemic

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that are raising awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your own food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!