30 Days to Zero Waste
There has been a lot of awareness about climate change and waste production over the years but it wasn’t until recently that I really started paying attention. A lot of people have switched to the zero waste lifestyle and I’ve considered it as well for the past few years. It seems to be a hard thing to do but everything is hard the first time you try it.
For quite some time now, people have been encouraged to use ecobags when shopping. Some cities have prohibited the use of plastic and instead opted for paper products. It isn’t that good either because it would increase deforestation, but I guess paper is still much better than plastic.
This year I have been more aware of my surroundings and the amount of waste I produce. I have made some small efforts into trying to reduce my waste. Making changes in the way I live has been easier since I’ve been living by myself for about 8 months. To help me further this goal, I sought after tips on how I can achieve living waste-free. I know there are some aspects where I can’t help it, but the main objective is reduce the amount of waste I produce. And it doesn’t hurt to try.
30 Days to Zero Waste
I have done little research, mostly Pinterest searches for some quick tips, but I found Zero Waste Nerd on Facebook. I don’t know how or when I liked that page but it just kept popping on my news feed. One day I decided to visit the website, and voila! I found out that Megean has a beginner’s guide which I could get on. Reading through it, I’m thinking I might not be able to do it in 30 days but it sure is something I can use as a guide for this lifestyle change.
Every time I tick something off from the list, I will write about it and add the link here.
- Reusable bags
- Reusable water bottle
- Reduce fast food
- Ditch the paper towels
- Coffee routine
- Cloth produce bags
- Bulk bins
- Reusable utensils
- Reduce your food waste
- Say “no” to freebies
- Compostable toothbrush
- Homemade toiletries
- Reusable menstrual products
- Compost
- Farmer’s market
- Junk mail
- Soap
- Straws
- Opt for secondhand
- Gifts
- Grow your own food
- Safety razor
- Cleaning
- Eat more plants
- Reusable tissues and hankies
- Home efficiency
- Ditch plastic wrap
- Repair and mend
- Buy less
- Recycle
It’s not just a fad
Some people may think that I’m just jumping on the bandwagon, but I’m not. It’s not like that for me. I have been super conscious about the amount of plastic I use in and out of the house. Every time I use a toilet paper, I feel sad. When I throw the garbage out, I feel guilty. So this is a real deal for me.
Someone once asked me, “isn’t it a hassle to bring all those stuff with you?”, referring to my lunch box, tumbler, and utensils. At that moment, all I could think about was…
[bctt tweet=”A little inconvenience is a small price to pay for helping make the world a better place to live in.” username=”nicklelove”]
While going zero waste may not be the lifestyle for you, in what ways can/do you help reduce your waste? Remember, a little goes a long way.
This is a very difficult goal. Way to go Nix!
Thanks! Just taking it one step at time.
I love this post! I’m big on taking out things with me like straws, cutlery, bags & cups etc. It’s great that other people are trying to do their bit. Being vegan helps me make a big impact too in such an easy way.
Siobhan | http://www.veganbabelife.co.uk
Thank you! I can’t go vegan coz I love my meat but I’m trying alternatives.
I did as well. Now I just enjoy the alternatives of everything I used to eat. 😊
Good to know. I’ll find out soon enough I guess. 🙂
hello kabayan! i love the list! my husband and I are also in the process of changing our lifestyle.
Hello! Haha. That’s good to know. What kind of change are you doing?
Such a great post! We do a couple of these things as well! I’ve gotten in the habit of buying recycled plates, bowls, and cutlery for my children and we shop with reusable bags. We also don’t eat out a lot. I’ve been trying to incorporate more of this into our daily lives and your post will definitely help get me started!
I love how this lifestyle just connects with everything else. Seeing the bigger picture it would help with minimalism, saving money, digitizing, eating healthier, and helping the environment!
Good post! I’ve been living off grid for decades now and I do a lot of these. But there are some I haven’t done yet or even looked into. I will look around today and re-evaluate. Now that I live alone I think the reusable menstrual supplies would be doable.
Sounds great! Wish I could do the gardening. I don’t have a green thumb and seem to kill any plants we used to have. I also don’t have the space but will try planting herbs first. Hehehe
Great post! I’ve been thinking about reducing my use of plastic and paper towels, I just didn’t know where to start. Especially here in Saudi, the amount of plastic and pollution there is here made me realize that I need to do something. Like you said, I just don’t feel happy every time they pack my groceries in a plastic bag or when I throw away the garbage. Thanks for such an insightful post!!
Start small! That’s all I can say. I’m still barely starting. I’ve only got a few parts covered, that’s why this guide is very helpful. And there’s no pressure really, do what you can. 🙂
Oh finally a fellow Pinay blogger 😊 Been trying to do reduce waste too. I just started and sana mas madami pang maencourage satin. But knowing pinoys, we really need to promote and educate them.
True! Although I know a few people who are into it too and it seems to be catching up in the country. There’s so much work to do kasi parang di enough yung awareness. Medyo nauuso na sya and I hope it’s the kind of trend na seseryosohin ng mga pinoy.
Finally a fellow pinay blogger. Im trying to reduce waste too. I just started though but I hope we get to promote Zero waste more here in the PH.
Maybe we can do that in our own little way. Promote lang ng promote. 🙂
Well done! I think I might join in 🙂 the hardest would be the paper towels 😛 any ideas, please?
The alternative I’ve found for paper towels are cloth wipes. I’m still thinking about how to approach and utilize it but from what I’ve read, most people use cotton cloths, or cut up old clothes they don’t wear anymore. I’ll write about it when I reach that point in my transition.
Wow that looks like a challenging list. I always feel bad throwing things away, packaging the biggest one for me. I like to recycle and reuse when I can but I need to work on doing better.
I kinda feel the same way. I like keeping things I could recycle and reuse even when I don’t have any use for them at the moment. My mom hates it. LOL
Thank you so much for sharing this list! We have been trying to do this lately too! We have implemented some of these tips in our home but there are definitely others we need to work on!
you’re welcome. I didn’t realize I was already doing some of these things so it’s great!
Great post! You must have a lot of descipline to do this. I’m thinking of changing our lifestyle but we don’t know how to start.
Actually, I don’t. LOL. But I’ve already started some of these and it does stick with you. The good thing is you don’t have to do it within 30 days, it’s just a guide. 🙂
This is great! Baby steps – a step a day, a habit at a time, and eventually, our life will change. Thanks for setting the example and being an inspiration, Nickle. You are The Light!
Thanks Evelyn! 🙂
I love your list! We are also taking steps to reduce our waste too! It has been easier than I thought so far, but we have a lot of work to do!
It seems like a difficult task, it would be for me 😀 ,but you are right and it’s insane how the amount of disposable products are increasing, for example with the fast food, we didn’t have such things in the past but now everything we eat outside comes with a large amount of waste. We should be more respectful with our enviroment and nature. The only thing I feel I could not try are the reusable menstrual products, I have read about the menstrual cup and… I’m sorry but I can’t :/
I think the menstrual cup is okay for me since I work at home? I haven’t tried it yet but I’ll find out soon enough.
Super inspiring! I look forward to checking back and reading about your progress over the coming days!
You make it sound so simple! We try to remember our reusable shopping totes when we go to the grocery store. We definitely need to get better at it.
It’s not! It’s hard. So far I’m stuck with day 1. LOL
I cut up old t-shirts to use as rags for cleaning, and don’t need paper towels anymore. I even saw an add for cloth (washable) toilet paper the other day! No thanks! That’s one thing that I don’t feel guilty about.
That’s great that you are making a commitment to do your part for producing less waste. Let us know how your transition goes 🙂
I’m about to do the same. I have a bunch of shirts I’ve been meaning to use as rags.
I agree, even just doing one thing make a difference. Buying reusable items is so easy now thanks to Amazon. Yes it takes up space to store and bring with you to work everyday but its doable! Thank you for writing about such a relevant topic!