Zero waste in your everyday life
Handy tips on how to reduce waste & alternatives to plastic
More and more people are keen to avoid creating waste in their everyday lives and live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. You might ask yourself if living a zero-waste lifestyle is impractical. The good news is, that there are ways to make an eco-friendly lifestyle easier and there are great alternatives to plastic available. In our guide, we will give you helpful information and tips on how you can reduce waste in your home and also when going shopping. We will also show you how reducing waste doesn't have to be complicated.
What does zero waste mean?
People who would like to live a zero-waste lifestyle believe in conserving resources and using them sparingly. An important aspect of this lifestyle is the attempt to create as little waste as possible.
A zero-waste lifestyle is based on five simple principles:
Refuse: if you don't really need something, it's better to do without it. For example, think about which items in your household you have more that one of and which could be shared with neighbours, family or friends.
Reduce: consuming less also means throwing away less. This doesn't just apply to material things. Electricity and water consumption as well as your car also fall into this category.
Reuse: a lot of things can be used for a long time. Taking good care of them helps to extend their lifespan. Repairing things, lending or giving them to someone who can still use them also increases how long they are used for and helps to prevent waste.
Recycle: valuable raw materials can sometimes be salvaged from waste. This means, that you should separate your waste properly.
Tip: upcycling can turn waste products into new and useful items, such as practical cloths for cleaning.Rot: waste that cannot be reused should ideally be biodegradable. This means that it will decompose over time so that it can be recycled by our ecosystem.
Zero waste means "no rubbish". The idea of not producing any more waste at all may sound admirable, but for a lot of people it may seem difficult to achieve. Not producing any waste would require a great deal of change and neither our society nor our industry are fully prepared for this yet. This is why "low waste" or "less waste" concepts have also become popular.
Reducing waste in the bathroom
Most of us start the day by getting washed and ready in the bathroom. This is a good place to start by reducing waste and taking a step towards a plastic-free lifestyle:
Bamboo toothbrushes: usually, a plastic toothbrush will only be used for around three months before it lands in the bin. A bamboo toothbrushis a more sustainable alternative. The renewable raw material is compostable, and the toothbrush bristles are usually made of organic plastic.
Toothpaste tablets: by choosing the correct toothpaste, you can help to reduce waste. Many zero-waste shops now sell toothpaste tablets, which reduces disposable packaging. The tablets can easily be stored in a tin or a jar.
Biodegradable dental floss: nowadays there are also environmentally friendly alternatives for dental floss, for example refillable dental floss in a jar made from natural materials such as corn or beeswax.
Shampoo bars and body wash: solid soaps for hair and body are an environmentally friendly alternative to liquid products. Not only are they free from plastic, but they are also economical and practical for travelling.
Razors: Instead of a disposable razor, you can opt for a reusable version.
Reusable make-up remover pads: to remove your make-up, you can use washable cotton pads or a simple flannel and soap to remove cosmetics and sweat from your face. Reusable cotton pads, cloths or flannels can easily be washed in the washing machine and reused time after time.
Reducing waste in the kitchen
We produce a lot of waste in our kitchens every day. Organic waste includes fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, wilted flowers and a lot of spoilt foods. Often, we end up throwing away a lot of food because we have not stored it properly or did not effectively plan what we will need. Being well organised and storing food correctly can help to minimise the amount of organic waste we produce.
Tip: You can find a lot of tips online on how to properly store fruit and vegetables. For example, you can find more information here: https://www.foodsavvy.org.uk/storing-fruit-veg
Storage jars for dried foods
Large storage jars are ideal for storing any dried foods. You don’t need to buy new jars for this purpose. You can simply rinse out and reuse any old jam or pickle jars. The advantage of these jars is that they are airtight, dishwasher-safe and long-lasting.
How to avoid waste when you drink coffee
You can also reduce waste whilst drinking coffee. It’s better to spend money on a packet of fair-trade coffee that you can make excellent coffee with by using a stovetop espresso maker or a French press. If you enjoy drinking coffee from a coffee machine, you can opt for environmentally friendly capsules and pads that are biodegradable.
Alternatives to plastic
When you have used up your straws, cling film, napkins and other disposable products, replace them with environmentally friendly alternatives. Some examples are:
glass or metal straws
beeswax wraps instead of cling film
serviettes made from fabric
wooden kitchen utensils
A plastic-free household: how to cut down on plastic
Most people have all kinds of plastic bottles at home such as a soap dispenser in the bathroom, washing-up liquid and cleaning products in plastic bottles. However, there are ways to avoid plastic in your household.
Here are some tips on how to reduce plastic in your household:
solid bars of soap: these are good alternatives to liquid soap. Look for ones in cardboard packaging or go to a zero-waste shop.
powdered washing detergent: when it comes to detergents, choose a washing powder as these are usually more effective, often contain no preservatives and are packaged in recyclable cardboard.
Make your own cleaning products: vinegar, citric acid, baking soda and curd soap can be used to make a wide range of DIY cleaning products. It’s worth giving it a try. For example, you could try to make your own laundry detergent. We have put together detailed instructions in our article on how to make your own environmentally friendly detergent.
Tip: You can store your homemade household products either in an airtight jar or in a glass spray bottle, which has been thoroughly rinsed out.
Plastic-free alternatives for on the go
You can quickly accumulate a lot of disposable packaging when you’re on the go. However, for those of you that take your breakfast or lunch with you to school, work or uni, there are some simple tricks to prevent producing waste.
The basics of minimising waste on the go
We have put together a few simple tricks on how to reduce your waste when you are on the go:
Alternatives to aluminium foil und sandwich bags
Glass, metal, or BPA-free plastic lunch boxes are reusable and easy to clean.
Beeswax wraps are flexible like tinfoil, but they are easy to wash and reuse. In addition, they are also ecological and safe. You can see how to make one in our step-by-step guide on how to make a DIY lunch bag.
You can use jars or reusable bags to store fruit, nuts and other snacks, which you can take with you to work. This helps you to save on plastic waste and it also helps you to avoid going to the vending machine for a sweet treat.
Alternatives to bottles and disposable coffee cups
Nowadays lots of cafés will allow you to bring your own reusable cup and some cafés will even give you a small discount on your hot drink!
It’s worth investing in a travel mug and water bottle made of stainless steel, glass or BPA-free plastic. They are robust, will last you a long time and are perfect for when you are on the go.
Tip: there are various initiatives that reward using reusable bottles. Participating shops will mostly display a sign saying that they will be happy to refill your bottle free of charge.
It is worth finding out if tap water is safe to drink in your country. If it is deemed as safe to drink, you can avoid having to buy and lug crates of water. In addition, it’s also easier on your budget.
Environmentally friendly transport
Part of the zero-waste lifestyle is getting around in an environmentally friendly way. Ideally, you should walk or go by bike. This does not only protect the environment, but it’s also a good way to stay fit and healthy. Another good option is carpooling or taking public transport if cycling or walking are not possible.
Tip: many public transport companies now offer their own app for buying e-tickets. This is a great way to avoid producing paper waste. Nowadays, cinemas, theatres, concerts, and other cultural events generally also offer online tickets. Find out if you will need a printed copy of your ticket before attending an event.
How to be environmentally friendly when eating out
If you’re planning on going out for dinner and you already know that you may not be able to finish your portion, then it’s a good idea to take an empty lunchbox with you. It’s a great way to avoid using any polystyrene and aluminium packaging.
If you’re going to visit the ice cream parlour afterwards, then have your ice cream in a cone instead of a tub. In addition, you can avoid straws completely, as most drinks don’t need a straw. Avoid disposable tableware by taking travel cutlery with you, made from stainless steel or wood. It doesn’t take up much space, it is robust and much more environmentally friendly than plastic cutlery.
Environmentally friendly shopping
Zero waste shopping is a concept, which is focused on producing as little waste as possible whilst shopping. However, plastic packaging, receipts and plastic bags are everywhere. This means that it does take a little bit of practice and getting used to at first. Here are some tips on how to make it easier to get started and avoid producing waste when you go shopping:
Write a shopping list: whether you are shopping for food or clothes, make sure to write a list beforehand. This way you can keep track and only buy what you really need.
Use reusable shopping bags made of fabric: when you’re out and about, make sure that you always have an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags with you such as a cotton shopper.
Decline a receipt: ask your cashier not to print a receipt. This is a simple way to reduce waste. Some shops even have their own app that provide you with a digital receipt.
Join a library! You will have access to a huge selection of books any time you need them without having to buy any. You can try and borrow many other things instead of buying them. At a lot of DIY centres, you can rent a drill or other tools for a few hours or several days.
Buying food without packaging
Fruit and vegetables without packaging: weekly markets and an increasing number of supermarkets sell fruit and vegetables without packaging.
Use fabric bags: you can put your bread and buns from the bakery straight into a reusable fabric bag.
Reusable containers for meat and cheese: some supermarkets even allow you to bring your own containers for cheese and meats from the deli section.
Shop at a zero-waste shop: it is particularly practical to shop at a zero-waste shop, as you can buy only as much as you really need. You can put your food shop into your own containers and avoid a lot of waste. Some examples of practical containers are:
screw-top jars
preserving jars
metal food boxes
Tupperware
fabric bags
shopping nets
old food packaging (e.g. from pasta)
Tip: Another option for reducing waste in your everyday life is to save food from being thrown away. Apps like ‘Too Good To Go’ and food-sharing providers offer a service where they resell and even give away unused foods from supermarkets and restaurants.
Tips for environmentally friendly shopping
Whether you are shopping for clothes or for household appliances, they should always be long-lasting. Try and buy more high-quality products as they are worth the money because they are longer lasting, and you will be more willing to have them repaired when they break rather than buying a new one. You don’t even need to own many tools and appliances yourself. You can share a drill and lawnmower with your neighbour or borrow them from your friends. You can either donate old clothes or using a sewing machine you can upcycle them. For example, you can create wash cloths, make-up pads or baby wipes from old clothes.
When you buy new clothes, you can follow these helpful tips:
Go for quality over quantity. High-quality clothing can be washed on repeat without losing its form and colour.
Choose timeless designs so that you can wear your new T-shirt for many seasons to come.
Buy second-hand clothes from flea markets, second-hand shops or online from second-hand websites.
Throw a clothing swap party with friends and discover new favourites.
Hire clothing instead of buying. There are a good number of shops from which you can hire clothing, bags and accessories. The advantage is that you can first try out clothing and thus avoid making a bad purchase. This saves you money and makes your wardrobe more versatile
Conclusion: reduce waste in your everyday life one step at a time
Living a zero-waste lifestyle can be achieved by integrating small changes step by step into your everyday life.For example, over time, by using a fabric bag and a reusable water bottle, you can not only reduce plastic waste but also save money. Don’t feel discouraged if you can’t do without packaged products straight away. Every little step counts and is an important step towards an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
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References and further information
https://www.compostnetwork.info/policy/biowaste-in-europe/separate-collection/
(Last accessed on 01.07.2024)
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/green-growth/waste-prevention-and-management/index_en.htm
(Last accessed on 01.07.2024)
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Municipal_waste_statistics
(Last accessed on 01.07.2024)
https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/zero-waste-tips-for-your-home/
(Last accessed on 01.07.2024)
https://pollybarks.com/blog/zero-waste-lifestyle-guide
(Last accessed on 01.07.2024)
https://www.refill.org.uk/alternatives-to-single-use-plastic/
(Last accessed on 01.07.2024)
The image sources in this text are in chronological order
Cover photo: iStock.com/Ekaterina Morozova
1. Image in text: iStock.com/Nomad
2. Image in text: Ekaterina Morozova
3. Image in text: iStock.com/GrapeImages