The Ultimate Guide to Zero Waste Living: 5 R’s To Go Green

The Ultimate Guide to Zero Waste Living: 5 R’s To Go Green

Are you trying to start eco-friendly living or zero waste living? Great! I know trying to save the environment can be very daunting. Thanks to zero waste, saving the environment has become a bit easier. Zero waste is not just about not buying stuff, it is not a consumer lifestyle. So, what is zero waste?

A zero-waste lifestyle is one that avoids waste as a result of consumption. As humans, producing waste comes naturally to us, and we may not be able to change this behaviour overnight. However, once we recognize the effect of this change on our environment, we can work towards it to make our environment eco-friendly.

We have rounded up five principles of zero waste living you can use to manage your waste. Without further ado, let’s get started.

1. Refuse This principle encourages the prevention of waste. This may not be your favourite step to take in zero waste living, but you simply have to learn to say no. Yes! It’s that easy.  Refuse things you don’t need.

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Go for reusable bags for bulk items.

Refuse business cards and fliers. Instead, you can use your phone to take photos of it.

Say no to free plastic water bottles.

Pop a “no junk mail” sign on your letterbox to stop paper deliveries.

2. Reduce By reducing your consumption of what you can’t refuse, you will be able to simplify your needs. This helps you focus more on the quality of the things you need, and less on the quantity. Therefore, buy quality products that will last longer and start reducing your daily waste. Reducing your consumption rate has more to do with examining your actual needs, not wants.  Start by reducing the number of plastic products you use by opting for a package-free, compostable, and recyclable products.  Also, reduce the number of clothes you buy. Buy quality clothes instead.  Take leftover food to work for lunch to avoid food waste, plastic waste, etc.  Make your skincare and cleaning products to reduce plastics in your home.  Get creative by repurposing old products [like furniture, clothes, etc] instead of getting new ones.

3. Reuse This replaces the need to use disposables. Instead of buying brand-new products, you can repair and reuse things.  Shop with reusable bags.  Buy reusable water bottles, coffee cups, straws, etc.  Opt for loose tea bags, reusable hemp coffee filters.  Choose rechargeable batteries.  Find ways to repair broken items.

4. Rot Composting your food scraps helps to offset harmful emissions. It also cuts down the need for plastic bags and significantly reduces landfill waste. Composting has to do with simply putting food scrap and organic matter back into the ground. This serves the purpose of replenishing natural resources.

For those who love gardening, it can serve as a great source of fertilizer for your garden and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Therefore, instead

of throwing food scraps into your trash can, you can add them to a compost heap and use them for your garden.

Nonetheless, if you don’t own a garden, you can save your scraps in your freezer and take them to your gardener friends, worm farm or any compost company.

5. Recycle You may have probably heard about recycling and how it saves the environment.

Great! However, this is not a perfect solution to stop waste but, definitely a great way to reduce waste.

Recycling still requires a huge amount of resources and energy. No wonder it’s the last resort for zero waste management. Many products including plastics use up more resources during recycling, hence, try to avoid packaged foods or plastic materials.

Conclusion Zero waste living although it can be overwhelming, it’s possible. With these zero waste living principles above, you can be mindful of the waste you generate. Be the superhero who saves mother Earth and money at the same time.

Do you have any other ideas on how to live a zero-waste lifestyle? Kindly share your thoughts with us. Looking forward to hearing from you. © Eco Bravo