8 Powerful Ways to Begin Zero Waste

“It’s the best thing since sliced bread.” Going or should we say switching to a zero waste lifestyle is a grand movement to living green and caring about our home, the Earth. When I first came across the Zero Waste Movement, I could help but think its a glorified way to reverse our wasteful ways in a modern life. I know a little cynical, but give me a chance to explain.

If we think about it, about as early as 100-120 years ago there was little waste being made as compared to today’s waste creation. Most items purchased at the general store were wrapped up in cloth or mason jars and baskets were used to carry. Personal or community gardens, canning and preserving food was also custom back in these days. So one can ‘t help to think that the Zero Waste Movement is essetnailly us realizing the error of our ways and reseting or reserving to the way we use to handle ourselves back in the day.

Regardless, I am personally happy and grateful that we, the people, have began the Zero Waste Movement. And with that here are a eight powerful ways to begin your Zero Waste journey.

1. Use mesh bags for all your produce. Instead of using the store provided plastic bags invest in reusable mesh bags for all your produce. Also option to buy produce that is not package, even if it means spending a little more. Those extra few cents will mean healthier Earth for years to come.

2. Use reusable bags or baskets when shopping. This seemed to be the first sign of the Zero Waste Movement and one everyone knows. Instead of using plastic bags, invest in some useable cloth basket or woven baskets to carry your shopping haul. It save you 5 cents which most stores are charging these days and plastic as we know has become quite dangerous to all biodiversity on Earth.

3. Use beewax wrap. This stuff is marvellous, a miracle worker! Instead of using plastic wrap, pick up or make yourself some beewax wraps to wrap up all your food. This is something we just started in our house and we love it. We picked up Abeego, the original beewax wrap and plastic is a thing of the past for us. These wraps keep all our perishables fresher longer, hence it being a miracle worker.

4. Jars, Jars, Jars. Mason jars (and cloth bags) will be your home’s best friend. These superheroes can hold just about anything. Load these babies up in your basket or reusable cloth bag for each of your shopping trips. There are a few stores that offer or are accepting reusable containers for items that be purposed in bulk, such as Bulk Barn and zero waste grocery stores. Simply tare the wieght of your container or bag, fill it with the item you need, check out and your go to go! Yet wait! Dreading the mason jar purchase? Don’t! Take stock of what items you have in your house now that are stored in glass jars. Wash, sanitize, reuse and repeat.

5. Reusable Cup/ Water Bottle, Straws, Cutlery. This is has to be one of our favourites! Walking into a cafe or going to work with a reusable hot/ cold bottle, reusable container and my pouch with my metal cutlery and straw to use for my take out order as a posed to the disposables offered. These items have become a staple for us for on the go orders and if you think about it it helps cut a lot of disposable plastic and paper waste. Plus I’m sure it helps others cut cost, that could end up being reflected back to the consumer. So let’s. all do our best to make food travel as waste free as possible.

6. Reusable Metal Containers. These guys are amazing compared to their plastic competitors. Metal can be sanitized in high temptress safer than plastic. Metal containers can be used in replace of plastic freezer bags for storing meat, veggies, fruits, etc in the freezer. They can keep a meal drop off from home or the café warmer longer than plastic can. They do come with an initial hefty price tag when switching over, but the cost term benefits to everyone’s long term health we believe outweigh the initial hefty price tag.

7. Waste Free Makeup & Personal Toiletries. Look to your bathroom or dressing area to find a few big waste creators. Make up, deodorant, body/face creams, shampoo, conditioners, and soaps (typically body wash) are all stored in waste creating packages. The best way to eliminate this waste is to find companies who refill their products and or waste-less grocery or dispensary stores who can refill your containers. Or another great way to eliminate these waste creators is to make (DIY) your own. There are tons of recipes and help tips on how to do this all over the internet. Plus it’s a ton of fun and your creative side (that you maybe thought you didn’t have) will thank you and so will the environment.

8. Napkins. Throw away those tissues (aka Kleenex), disposable napkins, paper towels, feminine products, diapers and toilet paper for good! Replace it with all with good quality cloth for each item. We personally prefer sustainable organic cotton. Napkins are no longer just for special occasions. Life’s too short to save something special dinners only. So dust them off and put them to use beside your plates. Even pick up a different colour napkins and use those for your tissues (aka Kleenex) for those nose issues. Let’s bring back the handkerchief! Reusable paper towels are a big hit and really it’s just like taking a tea towel to clean up spills and misses and then wash it to resume again later. Lastly diapers, toliet paper and feminine pads. These are some gigantic waste creators!! We’ve been using the cloth pads for a year now and let me tell you the amount of money, worry and waste we’ve save is blissful! Did you know that all three of these items contain chemicals that are not particularly healthy to your skin? Yes even toilet paper. Yes the thought of reusable cloth toliet paper (also call family cloths which you throw into a pail with disinfecting solution until washing) might just tip you over the edge, but with a little research, testing organizing and rule setting the switch should be an easy one. The best part is, you can also use some material you have in your house already to start making the switch. Like take that old towel with a bunch of holes in it, cut it down and start using it for dish cloths or paper towels.

These are just a few of the ways that you can begin your zero waste journey. We will have post on individual zero waste items and our experience with them in the future. Are you inspired? Can you see how much waste and money you could save?