Zero Waste Living?

How to Get Started with Zero Waste Living

Choose better and less packaging to eliminate superfluous waste.

 Zero waste is a movement that has gained popularity in recent years as people strive to reduce the amount of trash they generate through everyday consumption. The ultimate goal is to produce no trash whatsoever, but as that's challenging in today's world, zero waste can also refer to individual, standalone efforts to replace disposable products with reusable ones.

Reducing one's waste is a noble aspiration these days because the quantity of trash being generated globally is staggering – and very little is recycled. The average American produces 4.5 pounds of waste daily.1Estimates of plastic recycling rates range from 9% to 14%, but of that a mere 2% is recycled effectively, meaning it's actually turned into something that's as useful as its original form.2

Bea Johnson, the author of a book called "Zero Waste Home" (which is widely regarded as kicking off the modern zero waste movement) describes the mantra as "Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot." The most important thing is to refuse offers of over-packaged items and superfluous junk that you'll then have to deal with in the waste stream. "Refuse" is a powerful act of protest that sends a message to the world about where your priorities lie. "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" are standard phrases, followed by "Rot," which refers to composting. Buy products and packaging that will biodegrade at the end of their use and leave no trace of their existence; plastic does not readily biodegrade and does not fall into this camp.

There are several ways to embrace zero waste living. Here are some beginner-friendly tips.

Shop With Reusable Containers and Bags

Learn How to Make Things From Scratch

Buy Items With the Least Amount of Packaging

Wean Yourself Off Disposable Products

Create a Zero-Waste Kit to Carry With You

Compost Your Food Scraps

Strive for Progress, Not Perfection

Zero waste living takes a bit more work and planning to execute, but it pays back in money saved and waste eliminated. It's deeply satisfying to see your trash bin shrinking (and your compost heap growing) and to know that you're doing your part to keep the Earth clean and healthy. 

Excerpts from Treehugger Newsletter Jan. 24, 2023

By

Katherine Martinko

  Updated March 16, 2021 10:27AM EDT

Sources:

1. LYTKOWSKI. "Think Twice Before You Throw Out Your Plastic Water Bottle". Dumpsters.Com, 2020.

2. "The Story Of Plastic". The Story Of Plastic, 2020,