How to Start a Zero Waste Lifestyle
- whitneyopaige
- Mar 30, 2025
- 4 min read
What is Zero Waste?
Zero waste is reducing your consumption of trash to a minimum. The concept of zero waste is different from recycling and composting at the end of a product's life cycle. Instead, zero waste is about trying to reduce the amount of trash. While some may think of this as a nonrealistic goal, there are easy alternatives to this lifestyle to make it more available to everyday people.
Benefits and Challenges
Although we understand that a zero waste lifestyle is hard to achieve, the ideas below explain how zero waste can be beneficial for you and the environment.
Benefits of Zero Waste
Environmental impact: The first benefit of zero waster is that when you produce less trash less trash ends up in the landfill. Burning trash releases toxins into the atmosphere so putting less trash into the landfill can make the planet cleaner.
Cost Savings: Because you are using less trash, you are able to save money that you would have used on disposable products.
Health Benefits: Not only is zero waste beneficial for the environment it can also reduce your exposure to toxins.
Challenges of Zero Waste
Accessibility: When you are attempting zero waste, finding items that you need can be difficult. For example, certain areas may not have recycling or compost options. It can also be more difficult to find grocery stores that have zero waste support.
Cost Considerations: While you will most likely save money in the long run it can be expensive up front to invest in zero waste items.
Lifestyle Changes: Making adjustments in your routine is difficult and can be time consuming to be able to practice a zero waste lifestyle.
Ways to Achieve Zero Waste
There are many ways to achieve zero waste. For starters, when you are purchasing an item it is important to think:
Can you reuse this item for something else?
If you already have something similar that could replace the item you are buying, could you use that instead?
Before you replace an item that is broken you should always try and repair it.
Can you buy this in a second hand store?
There are also small changes that you can make to your everyday home life. If you are able to these are some changes that you can make:
It is better to use a dryer line than use energy to use a dryer machine.
Instead of using a plastic bag for your trash you can use compostable bags instead. For example the company Public Goods is a good brand to try.
Unless you are in an area where you are unable to drink tap water it is always best to stick to tap water.
If your city does not offer a composting option you can check with community gardens or farms if they are able to compost it into their soil. You can also look into home composting options.
Different Brands to Help you Achieve Zero Waste
Ridwell is a company that helps you recycle items that are otherwise difficult to recycle. Ridwell will send you bags that you can place specific items in. For example, batteries, lightbulbs, plastic packing and much more. In total Ridwell has recycled more than 23 million pounds of plastic while being able to preserve 97% of the item material. Ridwell can be used at your home, where you work and your school to help reduce waste. Ridwell is a great business to help you with items that you do not know what to do with and become more eco friendly.
Zero Waste Store is a sustainable company dedicated to reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly living through a curated selection of environmentally conscious products. Committed to minimizing the environmental impact of consumer goods, the store offers a range of reusable, biodegradable, and zero-waste items, from personal care and cleaning products to kitchen essentials. By focusing on plastic-free packaging and ethically sourced materials, Zero Waste Store makes it easy for individuals to adopt a greener lifestyle. If you support Zero Waste Store you promote sustainability, as each purchase helps reduce pollution, save resources, and move toward a cleaner, healthier planet. With easy online shopping, the store empowers consumers to make a positive impact by choosing products that align with eco-friendly values, making sustainability accessible for everyone.
Recyclops is an innovative brand focused on making recycling more accessible and convenient for communities, particularly in areas without traditional curbside recycling services. By partnering with local drivers who pick up and transport recyclables, Recyclops provides a sustainable and efficient recycling solution. This decentralized approach allows Recyclops to offer affordable recycling services to underserved areas, which often lack municipal recycling infrastructure. Recyclops’ commitment to sustainability and waste reduction makes it a strong brand choice for environmentally conscious consumers. Using Recyclops not only helps reduce the environmental impact of waste but also supports a local, eco-friendly initiative that aligns with a broader mission of reducing pollution and conserving resources. This unique model enables Recyclops to extend recycling to places it might not otherwise reach, making it a great option for those looking to contribute to a greener planet.
Overall this photo shows the mission of zero waste to minimize the impact of over consumption through a circular economy. In the beginning the product is designed, manufactured and distributed to the consumer. After the consumer is finished using the product they can either reuse the item for a different purpose or repair the item back to its original state. There are many options for gathering the item once you are finished. For example, you could give it to friends, family, donation centers or companies including Ridwell and Recyclops. Although many people try to repurpose their products, a large portion of items end up in the landfill disrupting the circular economy. Even though we did research about this topic we encourage you to do your own research to discover more about zero waste and how it can benefit your lifestyle.
Comments