However, there are small changes you can make – such as switching to reusable shopping bags, coffee cups and other items and learning how to recycle properly – that will add up to a huge difference over time. To help make this mission manageable (and dare we say, fun), here are six easy steps that will launch you into your new, sustainable lifestyle.
1. Know the recycling rules inside out
The recycling rules and symbols can be incredibly confusing, especially considering they vary between different states and countries. To ensure you’re doing the right thing, research the rules for your area.
You may be surprised at how many things you thought were recyclable really aren’t and vice-versa. Though this can be disheartening, don’t let it get you down. Instead, use it as motivation to get started on the next level of your zero-waste mission.
2. Select items with minimal packaging
With the recycling rules safely tucked away in your brain, it’s time to cut back on everything that doesn’t fit. The benefit of this step is that it will naturally encourage you to eat healthier.
You can buy fresh, unpackaged fruits and veggies from your local farmer’s market or grocery store, and there are plenty of stores with bulk sections that allow you to buy dry foods without all the unnecessary packaging.
3. Reusable containers
To help you in your bulk-buying quest, it’s worth investing in some high-quality containers to store all your dry goods, like grains, cereals, dried fruits, and baking ingredients. You can take these containers with you and fill them at the shop or market stall, and as a bonus, they’ll keep your food neatly stored and safe from going moldy or stale.
4. Switch to reusable shopping bags
All your fresh, unpackaged items need to go somewhere if you’re to have any hope of getting them back home. To achieve this task, arm yourself with some reusable cloth bags and produce sacks, and ensure they’re in a place where you won’t forget to grab them before you head for the stores.
recycling paper towelsrecycling trash bags
some recycling ideas to consider
5. Avoid throwaway items
Water bottles, disposable cutlery, straws and coffee cups are a huge environmental problem. Set yourself up with a stylish and durable water bottle, a coffee thermos or reusable cup to suit your size preference and a portable cutlery set. From here, you can assess any other disposable items you’re regularly accepting from businesses and hunt down sustainable alternatives.
6. Create a composting system
So much of what we throw out could be nourishing the earth if it was composted. Though you may think this is happening in landfills, that simply isn’t the case. The way organic and non-organic waste is stratified in landfills actually leads to the purification of compostable matter, meaning they end up adding to the problem when they could be working to fix it.
other valuable tips:
Even if you don’t have your own garden, you can still create an apartment-specific composting system. This way, none of your scraps will be wasted, your garden (or a local community garden or farmer’s market) will benefit from your composted nutrients, and you can rest easy in the knowledge that you’re not adding to the toxicity of landfill.
Switching to a zero-waste lifestyle isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Turn your quest for reusable items and sustainable practices into a game, and enjoy the feeling of levelling-up every time your garbage gets noticeably smaller.
Image credit: zero waste by Pixabay
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