This may seem obvious, yet some products offered in supermarkets aren’t always locally sourced. You’ll find many international products. Buying these products contributes to pollution and waste, as they have to be transported to our homes. Similarly, these products also need to be treated to prevent them from spoiling too quickly, even before they reach the shelves. Petrochemicals are therefore used to improve their preservation.
Finally, how can we control the origin and true composition of products when they travel the world before arriving on our plates? This has been the subject of numerous food safety scandals. Not exactly zero waste.
By consuming local, seasonal, and ideally organic produce, you can, firstly, be sure of its origin. And there’s no need for preservatives since the journey is minimal. Furthermore, you’ll protect your health by consuming natural, unprocessed, and unmodified products.
Reuse or repair
And to reduce consumption, what could be better than reusing or repairing? If you’re handy, you can repurpose your belongings. For example, transform an old ladder into a pretty DIY shelf. Or use fabric scraps to make tote bags, the possibilities are endless!
Also, instead of throwing something away as soon as it’s damaged or broken, you can choose to repair it. Mend clothes, for example. If you have some DIY skills, repair your appliances instead of throwing them away.
Today, thanks to the internet, you can find tutorials on any type of repair. Even if you’re not a pro, you can manage and avoid creating unnecessary waste!
If it’s really not your area of expertise, you can also go to a Repair Café. A great initiative where you can bring your items to be repaired! The simplest solution is still to contact a friend or family member who knows about repairs to help you fix your broken items! In any case, try to repair things as much as possible before throwing them away and buying new ones.
Avoid plastic
It’s one of our guiding principles: eliminating plastic from our consumption. It’s the foundation when embarking on a zero-waste lifestyle. To do this, you need to adopt sustainable materials.
For example, replace plastic bottles with glass bottles. Instead of buying pasta in plastic bags, buy it in bulk and then put it in glass jars! The same goes for all your tableware; banish single-use cutlery and other disposable plates. In all your purchases, always choose the sustainable version, which is much more environmentally friendly.
Reduce your consumption
Of course, the other guiding principle is also to reduce your consumption in general.
You have to avoid impulsive purchases and the “buy for the sake of buying” mentality. You can follow methods to help you create less waste! Overall, Zero Waste encourages you to go against the grain of our consumerist system and adopt a more reasonable and thoughtful way of consuming. Even if the prices are attractive, you must first consider the real necessity of the purchase. This excessive consumption is perfectly illustrated by Black Friday. Rock-bottom prices to sell even more. It’s pushing consumption with products that are often unnecessary.
Wear secondhand or ethical clothing
Secondhand clothing has existed for years, in thrift stores! They were the pioneers of Zero Waste for clothing.
Today, this concept of secondhand clothing has developed thanks to the internet. Even Facebook now offers a marketplace where you can buy and sell secondhand clothes.
If, however, the opportunity isn’t right for you, but you still want to buy zero-waste clothing, you can also choose ethical and eco-friendly brands. Some brands offer a wide selection of their own designs, as well as creations from partner brands. Buying responsible clothing couldn’t be easier!
Travel green
When we talk about eco-friendly travel, we often think of electric cars. Certainly, this is one of the preferred modes of transportation. But it’s not the only option! Financially, electric cars aren’t accessible to everyone. It’s also possible to choose other means of transport with little or no carbon footprint.
For very short trips, walking is the best option. For everyday travel, choose a bicycle! Finally, for longer journeys, consider taking the train or carpooling! This last option allows you to avoid traveling alone, save money, and, of course, pollute less!
Keys to success for achieving your zero waste goals
Start with easily achievable goals and progress at your own pace.
Setting goals that are too difficult to reach quickly becomes frustrating. The same is true for Zero Waste. There’s no need to try to become a pro right away. You have to take it gradually and at your own pace. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself with deadlines. This won’t motivate you; it will have the opposite effect.
By adopting this sensible approach, you’re sure to succeed in your transformation! For example, start by eliminating plastic bags from your cupboards and replacing them with reusable fabric bags. Little by little, you’ll raise your goals and be able to achieve them without them seeming unattainable.
Replace the most polluting items with easy-to-use accessories.
What could be simpler, for example, than remembering to put a tote bag in your purse or coat pocket before leaving in the morning? Or why wait to replace your cotton swabs with an eco-friendly ear pick? It’s small actions like these, taken together, that allow you to reduce your carbon footprint!
Zero waste isn’t something that comes naturally to anyone. But with a little practice and the right advice, it will hold no secrets for you. This guide is just a glimpse to help you begin your virtuous transformation. But if you can already put these into practice, you’ll have taken a big step towards a greener world! And it needs it!
Our planet is suffocating. We are overwhelmed by waste, plastic and otherwise, and we must act now, to defend our sustainability and reduce landfill usage!