If the coastlines overflowing with man-made waste and the forests, waterways, woodlands, and ravines being ravaged and overgrown by trash and other effluents isn’t enough to sicken you to your very core, then you need to take a long ahead look at yourself. Us and the generations before us have taken the planet, its resources and other beings for granted, and it’s time to put it right. Right here. Right now! A great and positive pay to kick things off would be to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle. This way each of us can make a difference. A little can indeed go a long way.
Now, if you’re still thinking, “That’s all well and good, but how do I go about living a zero-waste lifestyle?”, well, you’ve come to the right place! Continue reading to learn how to make this a more fulfilling way of life for yourself.
Hang on, so what is a zero-waste lifestyle?
Simply put, a zero-waste lifestyle aims to be more considerate and thoughtful in the employment and use of resources. This could play out in every day by adopting a more minimalistic approach and trying to eliminate unnecessary waste.
The zero-waste starter pack
Buying guide
To begin with, start out by making good buying choices. For instance, shun products which use more non-biodegradable packaging than necessary, in favor of those which employ reusable packagings, such as cardboard and glass. Even better, you could choose to consume fewer processed food items which use excessive packaging, and instead, choose to go the natural route by integrating more fruits and vegetables into your diet.
Did you know that you can turn waste paper, biodegradable packaging, and containers into compost? Well, the short answer is a resounding ‘yes’! Now, you can combine these materials with kitchen and food waste, and start your own indoor compost bin. When full, you can transfer this into an outdoor bin. This way, very little goes to waste!
Mugs and bottles on the go
On your next trip to a cafe or restaurant, eschew the waxed paper cups, and instead bring along your very own travel mug and bottle for the ride! Some establishments wholly welcome this movement and even offer discounts to customers who bring their own mugs and bottles with them. Also, try and avoid plastic stirrers and straws.
Less, less, less!
The hyper-consumerist world that surrounds us harasses us into the excessive use of everything, and this includes detergents, toothpaste, soaps, and other cleaning agents. Therefore, cutting down on these would a good place to start when ushering in a zero-waste lifestyle. Use as little as possible, and you’d be on your way!
Create your own cleaning products
Segueing in nicely from the last item, you could even begin making your very own non-chemical cleaning products! All it will take is some natural ingredients you most likely have lying about the house. These items include white distilled vinegar, baking soda, and bulk castile soap. Find out how you can use these ingredients to make your own toilet bowl, cleaner, soap, face wash, surface cleaner, and even bleach.
Hankies at the ready
Our forebears got it right, they always had a hanky on them, and it served a variety of purposes. Purposes for which our generation unnecessarily use a fistful of tissues for. When it comes to handkerchiefs, there’s no better time than the present. This could seem like a little thing, but it could make all the difference.
Well, well, well, now that your starter pack is here, it’s time to spring into action and make these things a part of your life, going forward. What’s more, with your new perspective and ideas, you can make even more cutbacks, and even inspire and instruct others to follow your lead! Let’s make the zero-waste movement a part of our everyday!
