26 Zero Waste Tips to Apply Everyday

Here are 26 zero waste tips to help you as you transition to a more sustainable way of life:

Always Be Organized

Know what you already have and be clear about what you really need. Good organisational skills really can go a long way as you move towards a zero waste lifestyle.

Buy Less

That really is all there is to it. The less you buy, the less waste you will generate. Refuse non-sustainable products, and think very carefully before buying anything at all.

Cook From Scratch

Cooking is one of the most useful skills to have when trying to go greener. Hone your cooking skills and whip up healthy, tasty, local, seasonal, organic meals for yourself and your family.

Dig For Victory

Best of all is when you can cook using ingredients you've grown yourself. You can grow at least some of your own food – even when you don't have any outside space at all.

Eat Out Sustainably

Even if you do grow your own, and eat sustainably at home, everything can go out the window when eating out. Think carefully when choosing where to eat, and carry reusable items with you so you can cut down on waste.

Find Zero Waste Solutions

There are plenty of great zero waste solutions out there – from reusable bags and take-out containers, to reusable cutlery and straws. Take the time to seek out alternatives to damaging single-use plastic items.

Garden – Not Just For Food

If you have a garden, you cannot only use it to grow your own food. It can also provide a range of other natural resources. For example, herbs and flowers to use in home cleaning and your own cleaning and beauty regime.

Hunt Out Information – Keep Learning

Learning and the pursuit of knowledge should be life-long. No matter what age you are, its never too late to learn knew things, and gain new skills that will help you on your journey to zero waste.

Invest in Plastic-Free, Sustainable Products

In addition to thinking carefully before buying anything, you should also invest in sustainable products. Plastic-free, sustainable options can sometimes cost a little more. But if you really want to go zero waste, the investment is worth it.

Judge Each Product By Looking at the Whole Lifecycle

Don't just look at packaging. Think about waste through the whole lifecycle of a product when making decisions.

Keep Everything You Own As Long As Possible

Zero waste is not about cleansing your home of all non-desirable products right away. Before making replacements, think about how you can keep what you already own in use for as long as possible.

Lighten Your Load – Declutter Your Life

But decluttering your life can help you transition to a zero waste lifestyle. So donate or gift items you no longer need or want to lighten your load without generating waste.

Make Do and Mend

Learning how to repair or mend old items is one great way to reduce waste by keeping items you own for as long as possible.

Natural is Almost Always Better

No matter how careful you are, you will inevitably sometimes need new things. Remember, when making your choices, that natural materials are almost always better.

Open Dialogue is Key To Keeping Others On Board

If others in your household are not as dedicated as you to zero waste living, it is important to keep the conversation going. Simply chatting about the issues is always a good place to start.

Persuade Others By Showing Not Telling

But don't preach. Show others about zero waste living and lead by example, rather than lecturing them about what they should do.

Quality Over Quantity

You may be worried about money. Sustainable options are often a little more expensive. But prioritizing quality over quantity will help you keep finances healthy over time.

Recycling Alone is Not Enough

Follow the five 'R's of sustainability – refuse, reduce, reuse and repair – then recycle what's left. Recycling is great – but it will never be the whole picture.

Shop With a List

You may have great intentions. But those can fall by the wayside when you actually hit the stores. Shop with a list to avoid over-buying or impulse purchases.

Travel Sustainably

How you get from A to B is, of course important. But you should also think about where you stay, what you do, and what you can take with you to make travels more sustainable and reduce waste.

Upcycle - Utilize Resources You Have To Hand

Make the most of natural resources, and reclaimed items/ waste around you every day.

Verify and Fact-Check Everything

Don't be fooled by greenwashing – do your research.

Walk or Cycle – Don't Drive When You Can Avoid It

Car tires are a source of micro-plastic pollution many don't think about.

X Marks The Spot – Measure and Mark Successes Along The Path To Zero Waste

Know how far you've come, and you'll be able to see more clearly where improvements are still to be made.

You Have a Voice – Use It

Vote, engage with others, be an activist. Act local, think global.

Zone in on Sustainability Blind Spots

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

- Jane Goodall