How to Live a ZeroWaste Lifestyle
Ontario produces nearly one ton of waste per person, three quarters of which ends up in landfills. This is dangerous both to the environment and our health. One way to address this problem is by reducing (or eliminating, if possible) the amount of waste produced by your household. Here are some tips on how you could start a zerowaste lifestyle: Assess your waste Take note of what you toss in the bin. Determine where you’re most wasteful and focus on addressing that area. You don’t have to make changes overnight, but if you notice you throw out a lot of wrapping from prepackaged produce, try buying fruit that isn’t in plastic or cellophane. Start where you can Once you’ve assessed what you throw in the bin, determine several small ways to change. Try ditching plastic bags in favour of reusable tote bags. If you use a lot of bottled water, try buying a filtered pitcher or tap and using an attractive stainless steel bottle you can drink from every day. Replace when you run out Deciding to live a zerowaste lifestyle requires commitment and discipline, but you don’t have to dump all your plastics and disposables right now. Use what you already own. When they wear out, you can recycle them and replace those containers with ecofriendly alternatives.
Don’t throw away leftovers The Commission for Environmental Cooperation has reported that globally, Canadians are major offenders when it comes to food waste. This behaviour is equated to throwing away a quarter of your groceries the moment you leave the supermarket. Cut food waste by keeping leftovers in airtight containers, storing them in your fridge, and saving them for lunch or dinner the next day. Avoid disposables Disposable razors often end up as garbage. Buy an electric razor to reduce the number of razors you throw away. Here are other items you can change in the house:
Ecofriendly sponges
Shopping tote bags
Dishtowels (instead of paper towels)
Rags for cleaning (instead of disposable wipes)
Reusable sandwich containers and bento boxes
Washable cloth napkins for meals
Consider wooden utensils for picnics and parties
Decline plastic straws and drink straight from the cup. If you wish to use a straw, buy a reusable one made of stainless steel, glass, or bamboo.
Consider menstrual cups Menstrual cups are made of medical grade silicone, and are an ecofriendly substitute to pads and tampons. These cups are washable and one can be used for up to five years. They also can save you hundreds of dollars over that time. Fully embracing a zerowaste lifestyle, requires small, incremental changes. It is a process, but one that ultimately saves you on waste management and trash removal costs, purchasing new items, and helps the environment. If you need a professional waste management service in Southern Ontario that cares about the environment, call M&M Disposal and Bin Rental at (519) 6496440.