When it comes to reducing your human footprint, learning ways to reduce your waste is an excellent start. For many, the concept of becoming more mindful in their production of trash can seem like a daunting process, but it really doesn’t have to be. There are many simple ways to start living a minimal-to-no-waste lifestyle that will gently you push you in the right direction. After all, this is a lifestyle change and you can’t change all your old habits overnight. No one would expect you too, either. We’ve compiled some of the simplest ways to start living minimal-to-no-waste that will help you become more mindful of your trash production in the future.
First Off, Assess Yourself
Why do you want to adopt a minimal-to-no-waste lifestyle? What or who are you doing this for? The truth is, some people adapt to lifestyle changes depending on what trends are in the limelight. Wanting to adopt a minimal-to-no-waste lifestyle isn’t a trend; it’s a way of life. This doesn’t mean you need to go off and get a tattoo to seal your commitment to the deal, this simply means that you need to be sure that your desires in achieving a minimal-to-no-waste lifestyle are in the right place. Sometimes, we just need small changes in our lives that build up to big differences for the better. Like adding more exercise or getting a dehumidifier to improve the air quality in your home.
Determine What You Use the Most
Digging through your trash (yes, digging) will help you realize what you’re throwing away most often. Once you assess what you’re using and throwing away the most, the easier it will be to reinvent ways to help limit either consumption or limiting packaging. A lot of what we throw away is packaging, so buying items that can be stored in reusable containers or bins will make major headway when it comes to adopting a minimal-to-no-waste lifestyle.
The Steps
Meal Prepping
We throw away so much when it comes to food. That quick trip through the drive-thru of your favorite fast food chain creates a lot of waste. Just one meal is a lot of trash, much less five meals a week? It’s staggering how much trash you can generate! If you prep your meals and start taking your own lunch to work, you can save so much on trash and money! Better yet, meal prepping itself can be minimal-to-no-waste. Use grocery bags to fill up instead of using the generic plastic bags they give you at the store. Load up on produce that can be sustainable. Any portions of the produce that you would essentially toss, such as banana peels or the ends of zucchinis can easily be tossed into your own composting heap. Yes, making your own compost is possible and is so easy. Which leads us to the next tip…
Composting
Yes, it is possible and yes, it is easy! Just like purchasing those grocery bags to use in the store to fill up with produce, this is a habit that will definitely become sustainable. You can’t use an entire piece of fruit or vegetable, but that doesn’t mean that you must throw everything away. Discard bits of veggies or fruits, such as the ends of squash or the tops of strawberries into your own compost. There are so many different ways to start a compost and there are even sufficient bins available for purchase to help start the whole process. With your own compost, you can start your own vegetable garden, saving even more money and preventing more trash. Don’t get overwhelmed, though. Not everyone has a lifestyle that can easily incorporate such a huge responsibility as composting or gardening, but, by taking things one step at a time, you might just find out that this is the type of lifestyle for you.
Buy Products that Have Less Packaging
Just like taking those grocery bags to the grocery store, there are so many products out there that come without packaging. You can find all sorts of organic soaps and hair products that come in a raw, package-free form that is even better for you and your health. For example, shampoo bars are becoming increasingly popular and they arrive with no packaging. To store a shampoo bar and to prevent it from breaking apart, there are even sustainable containers that you can use to keep it dry and amplify the usage.
If it’s not possible to reduce packaging, go for sustainable containers made up of 100% recycled paper. Paper mailers are great for lightweight and soft products because they are eco-friendly and provide ample protection to prevent items from damage. Additionally, these sustainable packaging materials are 100% recyclable, too.
Conclusion
There you have it. These are just some of the very basic steps you can adapt and that doesn’t mean you have to throw your old life away. These are just some easier steps to take into consideration when it comes to starting a minimal-to-no-waste life. Being more conscious of some of these things that we discussed will help you on your way to living a minimal-to-no-waste life.