“Zero Waste Lifestyle”- Everything You Need To Know

“We don’t need just a handful of people adopting zero-waste culture perfectly. Instead, we need millions of people doing the same imperfectly.” – Anne Marie Bonneau.

According to a study, the UK generates approximately 100 million tonnes of waste each year. Unfortunately, most of this waste produced doesn’t get recycled and ends up in landfills. Moreover, as this waste breaks down at a very slow speed, it leads to greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming.

Therefore, it is high time that people take steps to safeguard the environment by adopting an “Eco-friendly” lifestyle a.k.a “Zero Waste Lifestyle.”

What Is A Zero Waste Lifestyle?

It is an eco-friendly way of living to reduce the overall amount of waste produced by an individual. This lifestyle focuses on 3 Rs, i.e., Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. While it isn’t possible to create zero waste, there are numerous ways people can reduce their consumption of products that end up in landfills.

It also involves unlearning the unhealthy habits adopted over the years and practicing sustainable living. Therefore, it is not at all an easy way of living. However, it will surely help reduce the harmful impact on the ecosystem, saving biodiversity, minimizing carbon emission and garbage sent to landfills.

Considering the same, there is nothing bad in adopting this lifestyle. So, let’s learn how you can adopt “Zero Waste Lifestyle.”

zero waste lifestyle

9 Measures To Curb The Waste And Adopt Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

There are several ways in which you can reduce the waste produced from your routine life. These habits are simple yet effective which help in smooth shifting from the current lifestyle to an eco-friendly one.

Understand Your Waste Habits

The first and foremost thing that you need to do is to understand your waste habits. For that, you can examine your garbage cans. It might not sound like a very appealing idea; however, it will surely help you identify your consumption pattern. Moreover, it’ll help in deciding the habits that you might need to change.

For instance, if most of the waste includes plastic bags and packaging, you need to shift to using jute or paper bags. Similarly, if your waste includes food, you need to pay attention to the quantity of food you make and buy.

Eliminate Single-use Plastic

One of the major contributors to the rising pollution is plastic. Therefore, you need to reduce the use of single-use plastic(more preferably just stop using it.) It includes straws, paper towels, plastic bottles, food packaging, and coffee stirrers.

Instead of using these, you can shift to reusable stainless steel bottles, cloth napkins, metal cutlery, and use your shopping bag. It’ll help in reducing the overall waste produced to a great extent.

Prioritize On Recycling

Recycling is a great way to become eco-friendly. It helps in saving energy, minimizing carbon emission ,and reduces deforestation. There are two ways in which you can recycle. The first is to become creative and do DIY projects. For instance, you can use plastic bottles to make hanging planters. Similarly, you can use cans as storage containers.

The second method is to separate your trash and check with your local recycling plant. Also, learn about the recycling rules of the area you reside in.

When it comes to organic waste, recycling is equally important. Organic waste is any biodegradable waste that comes from plants or animals, such as food scraps and yard trimmings. These materials are capable of breaking down into nutrient-rich soil amendments through the process of composting.

Composting involves collecting organic materials, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, grass clippings, and coffee grounds, and allowing them to decompose over time. If you’re new to composting, read Subpod’s article for beginners on how to compost and learn more about the process to easily start your own composting journey. 

Start Using Organic Skin and Haircare Products

Organic products are made using natural ingredients and are cruelty-free. Thus, it gives you better and healthy skin without compromising with nature or harming any animal. Moreover, the packaging used for these products is usually paper or reusable material. Therefore, they stick to the primary purpose of a zero waste lifestyle along with offering the goodness of nature. On top of that, organic products are less likely to cause any allergic reactions.

Therefore, you must replace your existing products with organic products. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that it is the easiest way to protect the environment while taking care of your hair and skin.

Go Thrift Shopping

If you are a shopping enthusiast, then you should try shifting to thrift shopping. You can get many fashionable clothes, vintage decor items ,and other high-quality goods at a low cost.

It is a great way to go green, reduce waste and support the local community as well. Not to forget that you can unleash your creativity and create your style. It’ll ensure that the reusable items are not going to landfills; instead, they are being put to good use.

It is especially good for those who love to do DIY projects and home decor. So, you must give it a try. 

Switch To Rechargeable Batteries

Another way to adapt to an eco-friendly lifestyle is by replacing disposable batteries. Instead of those, you can use rechargeable batteries. It’ll help you reduce the plastic packaging and empty batteries, which affects the landfill ground. Moreover, rechargeable batteries use less energy and are more cost-effective than disposable batteries. 

In addition to this, it’ll also help save time that you’d generally spend on going to the shops to purchase new batteries.

zero waste shopping

Buy Fresh Food

Lastly, you should buy fresh food. It will be more nutritious than the processed food and will also reduce food wastage. Also, you can take your shopping bag to purchase fresh food every time you go out. Thus, your plastic waste will also be reduced. In case you eat meat, you can carry your own containers.

Follow Vegan Diet

Believe it or not, vegan diets can help in reducing water waste and overall energy consumption. To raise a pound of beef, you need approximately 100 to 200 times more water than plant foods. Therefore, if you cut down even one kilo of meat from the diet, you can help save up to 15,000 litres of water.

Additionally, plant based-proteins can be raised using 8 times less energy than meat-based protein. So, by occasionally following the vegan diet, you can help save the environment and live a sustainable life.

To sum it all up!

Adapting to a zero-waste lifestyle is something that every person should do. It will help improve the quality of life along with reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, you can take the benefit of more healthy skin, hair , and body. Therefore, you must take some steps towards it.

Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

MUST READ