Want to make a difference but don't know where to start? Here are a couple changes that you can start implementing today that won't have you spending any money.
| Your basic zero waste kit |
1. Memories over stuff – Do you remember what you got for your 10th birthday? I don’t that’s for sure! I do however remember going on family holidays and that time we went to the circus. Creating experiences are more memorable than stuff you’ll eventually forget about.
2. Go paperless – How many countless bank statements have you thrown away over the years? Change your mail to be emailed to you online, instead of receiving all those letters that you will never actually read. With what paper you do have, reuse it to write your shopping lists or line the cat litter tray.
3. Bring your own lunch to work – Add more nutrition to your day and more money to your wallet by making your own lunches and bringing them to work with you.
4. Use a reusable water bottle – Or jar or whatever you can find around the house to carry some water with you on your day. Not only does this save you money but also keeps you hydrated and looking fresh.
5. Simplify your beauty routine - You don’t need to smother your face with 22 different products each morning to make it through the day. Eliminate unnecessary products and simplify your routine, even go without for a day or two a week. Give your face time to breathe.
6. Minimise your cleaning supplies – You really don’t need to fill your cupboards with hordes of cleaning supplies when you can use the ingredients in your pantry to clean everything in your home efficiently. All you need is bicarb, vinegar and some elbow grease.
| Simple cleaning essentials |
7. Recycle – Add a recycling bin to your home to allow rubbish which would originally go to landfill to be reused. REDcycle in Australia recycles all soft plastics into useful items such as playgrounds and park benches for the community, which are collected at selected supermarkets. http://www.redcycle.net.au/
8. Bring your own cutlery – Grab a knife and fork out of the drawer and stash them in your handbag, you never know when you might want to grab a bite to eat when you are out and you can avoid all that disposable plastic.
9. Use up what you have before buying new stuff – This is a tough one, but using up something that you already have minimalises your belongings and allows items to not go to waste.
10. Walk or cycle – Decrease your carbon footprint by walking, cycling, carpooling or taking public transport when you can.
11. Borrow instead of buying - If you only need something once or for a particular job, just borrow either from a library or friends and family who are nice enough to lend you something you might need. It will save you money and decreases the stuff you own.
| Borrow books for free from your local library |
12. Donate – Gather up everything which has been collecting dust in your home and give them new life by donating them to a charity.
13. Reusable bags – Carrying a reusable bag in your handbag reduces so much unnecessary waste. You can even make one of out an old shirt to save buying a reusable bag.
14. Save electricity – Switching off appliances when not in use and turning off the lights when you leave a room. Simple but an effective way to decrease your carbon footprint and your electricity bill.
Do you have any other zero waste tips that you would add?
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