Best Zero Waste Living Tips for Beginners

Zero waste living, or zero waste lifestyle, is a way of life that centers on reducing the amount of waste we send to landfills.

But in our current lifetime, when almost everything is single-use and disposable, it can be an overwhelming task to reduce the trash created from our daily necessities.

So while many want to adopt a zero waste lifestyle for the planet and future generations, they find it hard to get started as they’re worried it might complicate theirs and their family’s current lifestyle.

Believe us; we’ve been there.

In our case, we started our journey by cutting down plastic use to reduce waste at home and other aspects of our life.

And to give you more ideas on how to get started with a zero waste lifestyle with ease, we reached out to more than 100+ personalities in the zero waste living and asked them a simple question:

“What are the best ways to reduce waste for beginners?”

We’re so blessed that some of them gladly decided to help and provided us with their best zero waste living tip.

Here’s what they’ve got to say…

1. Switch to banks with clean ESG record

“Take a hard look at where you bank and what that bank is invested in. If you’re looking to have a big impact by making a single change, switching to a bank with a clean ESG record will do the trick. To make that action count even more: let your current bank know why you’re leaving.”

Candice Caldwell

refabdiaries.com
Follow Candice: Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Candice is the wonderful mind behind the sustainable and zero waste living blog Refab Diaries (aka Candoodles).

One of the reasons she started her blog is because she wants to spread awareness about the fact that most people who live in the developed nations buys too much unnecessary stuffs that is responsible for a lot of waste.

Her blog Refab Diaries focus on practical and innovative ideas on DIY, crafting, and decorating using reused, repurposed, and upcycled materials.

Some of her post we love includes what to do with aluminum cans and how to repurpose old guitars.

If you’re someone who’s eager to adapt a zero waste lifestyle, Candice and Refab Diaries can help you get a head start.

2. Rethink real food

“Living a zero-waste lifestyle is all about making small changes that can have big impacts. It’s not always easy, but it’s totally worth it. The best way to make the transition is by starting slow and taking baby steps. Start with rethinking real food — we’re so accustomed to buying our food in packages that most of us don’t even think about shopping for produce without them. There is nothing wrong with buying food that comes in a box or a bag, just look for items that don’t come wrapped in plastic and you’re good to go.”

Iryna Cruz

trashbackwards.com

Iryna Cruz is one of the founders of the sustainable living blog, TrashBackwards.

She’s been an eco-warrior and have been fighting for the environment and plastic pollution since she was sixteen.

TrashBackwards focus on spreading awareness about how plastics are choking our oceans and waterways.

She and together with her team shares brilliant tips for people who want to live better, more sustainable lives, including how to create less waste in everyday life.

3. Plan your meals

“Meal planning is the best way you can reduce food and packaging waste in the kitchen. By planning meals and only buying ingredients you will actually cook each week, you’ll reduce the chances of overbuying and throwing out uneaten food.”

Kristina Todini, RDN

forkintheroad.co
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Kristina is a registered dietitian who believes food should be good for you and good for the planet.

She is also the person behind the blog Fork in the Road where she shares conscious living articles and green eating recipes to spread awareness and encourage sustainable living, eating with the seasons, and choosing a simple life with less environmental impact.

Kristina believes that it is possible to live a full, satisfying life with less, and that small changes in the way we live can add up to a big impact on the world.

4. Start with a trash audit

“Look at everything in your trash bin for a week and see what types of waste you’re producing. From there, you can start to work out different ways to reduce the packaging you’re using. What items could be purchased at a bulk foods store? (if you have one that’s accessible) I like to buy my larger packed items like flour, sugar, pasta, rice, nuts, and oats in bulk. That’s six pieces of plastic packaging I’m saving each fortnight. What items can be brought in cans, glass, or boxes? Oils, sauces, dried foods, pasta – look for things that come in packaging that can be reused or recycled. What foods could you make instead of buying packaged? Can you make your own bread or plant-based milk? Could you swap packaged snacks for homemade ones? This is in an investment of time but a great way to reduce plastic waste.”

Kira Simpson

thegreenhubonline.com
Follow Candice: Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Youtube

Kira is the founder of Green Hub, an Australian sustainable fashion and lifestyle blog, directory, and digital magazine.

She began her “eco journey” by getting a Keepcup, switching to eco-friendly cleaning products and signing a few petitions to save the oceans and ban coal mines.

And through her blog, she shares brands, research, guides, and practical tips to help empower you to make lifestyle choices which are kinder to people and the planet.

Kira believes that while small actions can collectively make a big difference, and each of us have the power to vote, invest, make lifestyle choices, become activists to leave the world a better place.

5. Opt for durable and reusable products

“Get a few essential & reusable items, such as a water bottle, produce bags, and reusable bags. Switching to long-lasting & reusable products can save you money while reducing a lot of plastic waste.”

Merilin

almostzerowaste.com
Follow Merilin: | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Youtube

Merilin is the witty and brilliant mind behind the Almost Zero Waste blog.

She thinks of herself as “an imperfect zero waste advocate that is passionate about sustainability, veganism, and living harmoniously with nature.”

Through Almost Zero Waste, Merilin shares simple guides, DIY’s, and guides to help other people make more sustainable choices in life.

Moreover, Merilin explains that “zero waste” is more of a goal or ideal rather than a complete target, which intention is to:

Refuse things that we don’t need
Reduce what we need

Reuse as much as possible
Repair things
Compost (rot) our food waste

Recycle

Zero waste living is about making conscious and sustainable choices, but always focusing on what works best for you.

6. Switch to zero waste cleaning products

“Ditch paper towels and disposable cleaning tools, use rags and washable products instead.”

Lisa Sharp

greenokla.com
Follow Lisa: Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Lisa is the person behind the green living blog Green Oklahoma.

You might also be familiar with her other blog Retro Housewife Goes Green where she shares vintage, homemaking and green living tips.

And through Green Oklahoma, Lisa shares tips to help people live a greener life in the area.

She provides useful insights and guides about eco-friendly products, local stores, and services to help people live a greener lifestyle in the region.

7. Adapt a sustainable shaving routine

“Switching to a safety razor and shaving soap for shaving is the best zero waste swap I have ever made! Safety razors work in pretty much the same way as generic Gillette foam, and shaving soaps are just shaving foam without the high water content (meaning they last longer). The best part about switching to sustainable shaving methods is that it actually saves you money too!”

Jamie Skinner

jungleculture.eco
Follow Jamie: Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Jungle Culture is an online eco-friendly shop that was originally conceived to remedy the damage plastic straws are doing to our environment.

Recently, Jungle Culture also have produce organic coconut bowls, bamboo cutlery, safety razors, shaving soaps, wooden cups made from sustainable materials.

Jungle Culture’s philosophy is to inspire people to see the beauty and purpose in nature by providing earth-friendly goods sourced directly from independent artisans all over the world.

8. Air dry your clothes

“Air dry your clothes instead of using your dryer. Dryers are very energy-intensive, and your clothes wear out fairly quickly when you tumble dry them. Instead, hang dry your clothes on a drying rack or a clothesline: you’ll avoid wasting energy, and you will extend the life of your clothing, thus reducing the amount of textile waste you create each year.”

Eva Astoul

greenwithless.com
Follow Eva: Facebook | Pinterest

Eva is the founder of the Green With Less blog and is very passionate about eco-friendly and sustainable living.

The same passion leads her to start a blog about sustainability, simple living, and growth-focused healthy lifestyles.

Through Green With Less, Eva shares brilliant and practical tips on how average people can live a more sustainable and minimalist life.

We’ve worked with Eva before in our article about the best green parenting tips and we’re grateful she’s lend us a hand with this article too.

9. Reduce, reuse, recycle

“The key to zero waste is summed up in the familiar “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Ways to reduce include choosing reusable products over disposable ones, buying good quality products that will last, performing routine maintenance, and swearing off impulse buying. Ways to reuse include donating to and patronizing thrift stores, repairing instead of replacing as much as possible, and buying refurbished or remanufactured products. Recycling comes last in the hierarchy and includes more than just putting stuff out at the curb. For example, compost your food scraps.”

David Guion

sustainabilityscout.com
Follow Candice: Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

David Guion is the man behind the sustainable living blog, Sustainability Scout.

He shares various information and the latest news within the eco-friendly and sustainable living community.

Visit Sustainability Scout and you’ll find carefully researched, balanced, and practical information that can help you live in harmony with nature.

Davis also authored multiple books about green living.

10. Purchase (high-quality) used children’s items

“Get used items and kids’ clothes from vintage stores and internet buying websites. Babies grow out of garments quickly, and to do it this manner has spared families big bucks while enabling them to provide their kids with high-quality (and often never-worn) clothing. This is also a fantastic approach to decrease waste and save the planet’s raw materials!”

JustEco

justeco.in
Follow JustEco: Facebook | Pinterest

JustEco is an eco-friendly lifestyle blog that shares useful tips and insights on eco-friendly tech gadgets, latest green energy news, DIY ideas, and zero waste products.

Some of their most popular post includes eco-friendly appliances, how to have an eco-friendly wedding, and various eco-friendly baby products.

JustEco’s mission is to spread awareness about conscious living and help people understand the importance of protecting our environment.

11. Do what you can, one small step at a time

“To get started, the best thing to do is to take notice of how much waste you currently create and move forward one step at a time. You don’t need to buy trendy new products to be zero waste. Start by reusing your glass jars instead of recycling.”

Jessica Boccio

4thegreatergood.com
Follow Jessica: Facebook

Jessica is the founder of 4 The Greater Good, an online resource and market place for sustainable and ethical products.

For a product to inncluded in 4 The Greater Good, Jessica and her team must be able to verify that it does no harm to the person using them, the planet growing them, or the people who make them.

They go through intensive research about a product’s ingredients, sustainability, and manufacturing processes.

4 The Greater Good also has a blog section that shares informative contents about eco-friendly gifts, what are the harmful ingredients in products and why going organic is good for you and the planet.

Final Thoughts

What a collection of practical zero waste living tips from our brilliant contributors, right?

With this, we hope that we at least has given you a couple of ideas on how to start your zero waste journey without complicating your current lifestyle.

And don’t forget to visit the blogs and businesses above to find more information about zero waste living and products.