What is Zero Waste?

Zero Waste is a philosophy of actively aiming to conserve resources and reduce waste in general. The philosophy includes choosing to consume less, actively recycling when possible, and reusing items in creative ways maximizing their use. Any easy place to start is to stop buying single use products especially things made from plastic. Plastic contains toxic materials and often does not get reused even if it gets sent to the recycling plant. Buying items in compostable or glass containers is a better and healthier option. Looking for items at the thrift store can be another way to reduce waste. There are all kinds of items that can be good zero waste swaps found at the thrift store. 

Tips & Ideas for Where to Start

1. Start small. Pick one or two things to change at a time. Once you have adjusted to those things, then change out something else. Pick something you use often or will remember easily. 
2. Switch what you can afford. Start small with your swaps and do a few things at a time. Don’t donate everything all at once and change it out, unless you can afford it. Even if you can afford it, make sure you will be able to maintain all your switches at once. 
3. Look at the thrift stores to reduce the costs of buying new when you can. I love looking for glass kitchen items at the thrift stores! But anything at thrift stores that can be used again supports the philosophy of zero waste. It’s a great place to find lightly used adult or kids clothes, bakeware, books, gardening supplies, furniture, etc. 
4. Get creative. Save glass jars and reusable lids, reuse a box to wrap a gift, etc. Repurpose items to maximize their use. 
5. Purchase 1-2 reusable cloth/grocery bags and take them when you go to the store. This is an easy and inexpensive long term investment that will help reduce the consumption of single use grocery bags whether plastic or paper. 
6. Start a compost. Composting can be worth its weight in gold! Saving food scraps to place in a compost and later use on a garden is wonderful for the environment and the soil. This is one of my personal favorites because the cycle of giving and receiving is a complete circle. I received the food and am giving back to nature. 
7. Buy a reusable water bottle and metal straws. Personally, I despise single use plastic water bottles. The concept of taking mineral rich water and sticking it in a toxic bottle to sell just makes me crazy. There are usually tons of water bottles available at local thrift stores for very little cost. I obviously don’t recommend plastic reusable bottles but start there to get away from single use bottles and when you can afford it, purchase a metal reusable bottle. 
8. Buy in bulk and buy unpackaged foods. This one also makes me crazy… bananas come with a wonderful packaging of their own: the peel. Why in the world do we wrap it in plastic as packaging for the stores? Just say no to prepackaged foods. Buying foods and other items in bulk can also reduce the amount of packaging needed. 

Conclusion & Other Resources

In the long run, going to zero waste is better for you and for the planet. Going zero waste can also inspire others to do so. We all are to be good stewards of the creation God made. Let’s do our best together. As always I encourage you to continue researching this topic and come up with more ways to reduce your waste!

Check out our zero waste shop page for many recommendations!

Written by: Jessica Call