Final Up to date on January 23, 2024
Going zero waste isn’t rocket science. It’s additionally not about producing ZERO waste.
You’ll be able to learn extra about this tough time period in my publish What’s Zero Waste? What’s the Round Economic system?
Zero waste is an industrial time period.
You’ll be able to nonetheless get your corporation licensed zero waste / closed loop / round financial system (all of them imply the identical factor!) and what it means is a 90% diversion from landfill.
The very fact of the matter is that it’s unimaginable to go utterly zero waste as a result of we don’t reside in a round financial system however moderately a linear one.
I’m not going to bore you with all of the information, however in case you’re intrigued remember to test the weblog publish out above!
No, no moderately you’re right here to study how one can reduce 80% of your waste simply by doing three easy issues! And, we’ll get there in a single mome.
As a result of, first I’d wish to introduce you to our sponsor! This publish was sponsored by Arbor Teas. All ideas and opinions are my very own for extra data please see my disclosure coverage.
Y’all. You recognize I like Arbor Teas and I’m going to hit all of the excessive factors with a bullet blitz! BULLET BLITZ
- Solely tea model to supply unfastened leaf tea in yard compostable packaging!
- They bundle in cellulose making the swap from canisters lowered the carbon footprint of their packages by 60% (AMAZING!)
- They bundle all of their teas in a photo voltaic powered constructing
- All of their shipments are offset carbon impartial
- They supply their teas from natural, biodynamic, and regenerative farms.
- They’ve plastic free matcha. I repeat PLASTIC FREE MATCHA.
- They’re simply genuinely the nicest individuals on the face of the planet.
- And, their teas are simply freaking superb!
As I write this weblog publish, the solar is shining, the birds are chirping, my apple tree is in bloom, I’m consuming their Natural English Breakfast Tea with a number of drops of CBD oil and it looks like an ideal morning.
I’ve carried out a number of waste audits in individuals’s houses. My mother and father love me once I come to go to.
I all the time test their native waste administration web site and undergo their trash and recycling to ensure they’re doing every part appropriately. (Family and friends simply love me.)
They’re sometimes all the time doing fairly nicely in all probability as a result of they know I’m coming.
However, if that’s what it takes to get completely sorted bins – then SO BE IT.
However, whereas performing these waste audits I’ve seen a number of recurring themes.
Whereas I are likely to view zero waste as extra of a select your individual journey as a result of everybody creates various kinds of trash there are some common heavy hitters.
RELATED: The best way to Carry out a Waste Audit
1. natural materials:
Did you see this one coming? 60% of the common American household’s trash is filled with natural matter. That is a kind of disconnect areas.
I believe most individuals know that they SHOULD compost, however they don’t as a result of they don’t have the time or vitality to study extra about composting of their space.
I’m going to make it so easy for you!
In case you can simply block out half-hour in your schedule, sit down and browse each of those weblog posts, it is possible for you to to discover a composting answer for you – I simply understand it!
Composting will not be as scary because it sounds and it’s so essential.
Natural materials (meals scraps, newsprint, hair, nail clippings, natural cotton tampons and so on) can’t breakdown in landfills as a result of they’re not aerated correctly.
16% of all methane emissions within the US come from landfills and methane is round 30% extra highly effective than CO2.
After we discuss local weather change this has to do with gasses that heat our ambiance.
The most typical one we hear about is carbon (CO2) however the truth is there are lots of different extra highly effective gasses that may keep in our ambiance for much longer even for 1000’s of years like hydrofluorocarbons.
You’ll be able to learn extra about this within the weblog publish on The place to Purchase Carbon Offsets.
2. meals packaging:
I strive to not harp on meals packaging as a result of I do know this can be a actually laborious one for lots of people.
In truth, lots of people don’t wish to go zero waste as a result of they don’t have bulk shops obtainable which I believe is actually unhappy as a result of keep in mind… it’s not about being excellent it’s nearly doing the very best you may!
Or in true weblog motto, “It’s not about perfection; it’s about making higher selections.”
After all, when you’ve got bulk bins and bundle free meals close to you, undoubtedly strive and go for that! You’ll be able to learn extra in my weblog publish The Final Information to Zero Waste Grocery Purchasing.
In case you don’t have any bulk bins or zero waste shops close to you then remember to take a look at my publish The best way to Store With out Bulk Bins and 15 Methods to Be Zero Waste And not using a Bulk Retailer (as a result of zero waste is a lot greater than package-free meals!)
Nevertheless, since most of us go grocery purchasing as soon as every week, it might stand to purpose that one of many greatest sources of trash that we’d produce would come from meals and meals associated packaging.
I’m not going to let you know simply to buy bundle free, I’m going to advocate that you simply swap to a complete meals, plant primarily based weight loss program.
What I like about this suggestion is that it’s not going to deprive you of something per-se.
Possibly you simply actually desire a pop-tart someday otherwise you actually wish to rejoice a giant event with a steak.
This received’t reduce you off from any meals teams however will enable you to transfer to a weight loss program made up of largely entire and recent meals.
This implies largely crops like fruits, veggies, and grains which is inherently more healthy and one which naturally reduces packaging.
Plus, consuming this manner additionally creates a drastic enchancment in your carbon footprint!
So, you’ve heard all the well being gurus say it time and time once more – store the perimeter of the grocery retailer.
And, attempt to make a number of of your individual staples like do-it-yourself nut milk and peanut butter.
Throw in a number of hours of meal prep on the weekend and also you’ve bought your self EASY plant primarily based meals able to serve up and eat in a matter of minutes.
This week I baked 5 candy potatoes, made a giant batch of mango, banana smoothies (sure you may freeze every week’s value of smoothies!) and made an enormous batch of vegetarian chili that’s simply OMG.
And, now I’ve bought breakfast and lunch taken care of for the week with simply by spending an hour within the kitchen knocking issues out.
In case you’re nonetheless feeling misplaced on ditching meals packaging, then take a look at the zero waste grocery retailer problem at Grocery Outlet and Goal that I ran with a number of different pals!
3. paper towels:
Idk what it’s about paper towels, however this swap is an space that folks simply wish to struggle me on.
It’s truthfully absurd the quantity of paper towels the common household goes by means of most of that are completely pointless.
Like when individuals use paper towels to dry their fingers. *CRINGE*
So, I’ve created a helpful weblog publish for you referred to as 6 Ideas for Breaking Up With Paper Towels, there’s additionally a video in case you desire video content material!
Properly, that’s it! With tree easy and simple swaps you need to be nicely in your technique to slicing out 80% of your trash.
Additionally a giant shout out to the sponsor of this publish – Arbor Teas!!
Have you ever completed a waste audit? I’d like to know the majority of what you discover in your trash can.