Zero Waste Living with an Accessible Twist

Ever wanted to go zero waste (or low waste even) but felt you couldn't due to the lack of access to bulk stores? If so than this post is for you! Here are 20+ tips...

Tip #1: Find Alternative Packaging

You may already know the horrors of plastic... the way it suffocates our marine life so even while other packagings may not be "zero waste" in my eyes they are! Packagings like glass and aluminum are inifinitely recyclable and are therefore much better than plastic!

Tip #2: Buy The Biggest Size Available

Now sometimes plastic is simply not avoidable and if it isn't at least try and buy the biggest size available. This saves emissions from you driving to the store to get more and more, as well as plastic packaging!

Tip #3: Use Those Scraps and Compost

Make some natural tie dye or use them in your meals... whatever it is make the most of them!

Tip #4: Ditch Produce Bags and Go Naked

Covid 19 has put a strain on the zero waste movement to say the least. Even produce bags aren't an option! So what can you do? Go bagless! Shop for your produce naked and do a produce wash when you get home!

Tip #5: Shop Plant Based

While you may not be saving physical waste you are saving emissions! Animal agriculture is one of the main polluters contributing to climate change so buy shopping plant based you are ultimately saving emissions... so your not "wasting" them if that makes any sense at all!

Tip #6: Consider Carpooling

Carpooling is an amazing way to save on emissions! Even if you aren't keen on public transportation carpooling is an amazing option.

Tip #7: Shop Local and In Season

Shopping local will ensure that your produce hasn't had to be transported hundreds of miles to get to you... and the same goes for food that is in season!

Tip #8: Shop Secondhand

Shopping secondhand saves those hidden gems from the landfill and supports a circular economy!

Tip #9: Carry a "kit" of essentials with you

I always have a car kit on me with things like reusable bags, cloths, straws, cups etc. just in case! You'll waste the most in this unexpected situations!

Tip #10: Buy Soap Bars!

They are often plastic free and made with natural ingredients! Not to mention how easily accessible they are for most people!

Tip #11: Invest in reusables like a safety razor or stashed bags

While they may be way more expensive upfront than it's wasteful competitors safety razors and stasher bags are so worth it long term.

Tip #12: Ditch Bandaids

Or buy compostable ones!

Tip #13: Diys!!

I used to hate diys but for zero waste living they are the best! They are often so cheap, take less than five minutes to make, and work so well!

Tip #14: Choose "for here"

This tip may not exactly be applicable for right now due to covid 19 however it is a great - simple - way to reduce waste!

Tip #15: Eat out less in general

Cooking at home means that you get to pick where the ingredients come from... did you know that businesses produce 70x more waste than an average household. The waste produced from your food is more than what you simply see.

Tip #16: Focus On personal Swaps

You may not be able to pick how you obtain your food but you most certainly can look at other areas like your personal hygiene (your shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, deodorant etc.) as well as your diet!

Tip #17: Upcycle old T-shirts into rags, produce bags, face cloths etc.

Don't let that shirt go to waste! There are so many things you can do with it!

Tip #18: Switch to concentrated products like tooth tabs and mouth wash tabs

Not only are these usually plastic free but they also save you from harsh chemicals, emissions from transportation, and you can reuse it's packaging!!

Tip #19: Get a Micro Fibres Filter or wash your clothes LESS

Ever single time you wash your clothes it releases teeny tiny microfibres into our waterways which directly affects aquatic life!

Tip #20: DO YOUR BEST!

You don't have to be perfect and to be frank that shouldn't be your goal. Celebrate your progress and those small wins and keep yourself motivated.