Living Zero Waste: the Basics
Zero waste explained for beginners, by a beginner.
What is zero waste?
Simply put, zero waste means eliminating waste at every phase of a product’s production, distribution, and consumption. Ultimately, this means creating an economy and culture that takes a circular, rather than linear, approach to the use of resources and production of goods.
The difference between our current system of consumption and a system built on zero waste principles can be understood through the cradle-to-cradle vs. cradle-to-grave metaphors. Cradle-to-cradle thinking is a closed-loop circular model that prioritizes keeping resources in use for as long as possible; outputs are turned back into inputs. Cradle-to-grave thinking is an open-loop linear model that begins with the extraction of resources, which are then used to manufacture products that are designed to eventually end up in a landfill.
To bring a healthy dose of realism, it can be very difficult to go zero waste with today’s economy being centered around plastic usage. However, any reduction in personal waste is beneficial. Thinking in terms of becoming “waste conscious” rather than zero waste is helpful for me, someone who may never actually eliminate all their waste. Ultimately, the movement’s goals are focused on broad societal changes, rather than individual ones, so no one should feel alienated from supporting or joining just because they aren’t able to fit a year’s worth of trash in a mason jar. I personally am not zero waste because it's a very rigorous commitment for me as a person, so I look for low waste lifestyle swaps and do my part in other ways. If you are braver than I am, here's how you can start your zero waste journey:
How to lead a zero waste life:
1. Buy secondhand
Whoever said secondhand can’t be glamorous?
Vintage and secondhand shopping are financially and stylistically superior, but if you still need convincing, consider the following factoids: the average cotton t-shirt has a carbon footprint of 7 kilograms and uses 2,700 liters of water to produce while over 17 million tons of clothing ends up in landfills each year. In addition to shopping secondhand, you can also take advantage of take-back programs to give your clothes another life (examples: MUD jeans, Girlfriend activewear, and Patagonia). If you still have the shopping itch, use this guide to find a secondhand website. Mercari can also be a great secondhand marketplace for specific goods (e.g., tennis rackets, oil diffusers) and if you use my link you get $30!
2. Stay prepared
Being caught on a hot day without a water bottle or on a quick errand run without a tote bag are the easiest ways to fall back into wasteful habits. Get in the practice of carrying your water bottle and a foldable tote bag in your car or on your person to keep your waste minimal and save yourself some cash. If you're a step ahead, bring a container with you to restaurants for leftovers. Yeah, it might feel weird the first time but if you’re a leftover lover like me, it’ll save around 30 plastic containers a year!
3. Sharing is caring
Catch me only in UberX Shares
Support the sharing economy! Instead of buying new books, get a library card, and for that wedding next fall, try out Rent the Runway for all your fashion needs. The sharing economy platform I use the most is Uber for its Uber X Share (known in pre-pandemic times as Uber Pool). I consistently save 20% on rides and can reduce my emissions at the same time. You should also share items with friends! Instead of buying new clothes for a certain occasion, see if a friend has something you can wear. Stay tuned for more info about how to put on a clothing exchange of your own.
4. Perform a trash audit
It’s hard to live a zero waste life if you aren’t aware of what items you are throwing away most. Auditing your trash for a few days will familiarize you with the areas of your life that will most benefit from sustainable swaps. Check out our guide to trash auditing for step-by-step instructions.
5. Reuse and repurpose
The pile of gift bags I continuously reuse
Save gift bags you receive throughout the year and reuse them during the holidays. Reusing items is better than recycling them—recycling takes up more space and resources while repurposing that old Easter basket into your perfect bathroom storage hack requires little to no resources at all.
6. Buy reusable (when possible)
My first rechargeable lighter and I love it!
Buying reusable items will be more expensive up front, but they eventually pay for themselves. Replacing disposable items with reusable items one by one is a less daunting task than a complete overhaul—for instance, invest in a rechargeable lighter rather than cheap disposable ones. Perhaps, your strategy can start with trying out silicone bags to replace ZipLocs, Swedish dishcloths to swap out paper towels, and then tackling bathroom waste by phasing in shampoo and conditioner bars. Taking things slowly has helped me avoid feeling overwhelmed.
7. Buy in bulk
Bulk stores are great ways to purchase items with less disposable packaging. If all Americans bought coffee in bulk for a year, 240 million pounds of packaging could be eliminated. Of course, a low waste store or refillery is ideal, but even options like Costco can, at times, offer lower waste options – just be sure you can finish the food you buy!
Final thoughts
Involvement in the zero waste movement begins with rethinking your relationship to consumption and disposable items—consider the products you use and think about how you can reuse, recycle, or make a more sustainable swap. As you move forward in your zero waste journey, remember that it is a sluggishly slow march, rather than a sprint. Give yourself copious amounts of breathing room and remember that the bare minimum is more than enough.
