What a Zero-Waste Life Actually Looks Like: 70 Essential Tips

Reduce your environmental impact with these zero-waste tips to try at home.

The idea behind zero waste is simple: to reduce the amount of waste we produce as a society to as close to zero as possible. The movement emphasizes the importance of being mindful of our consumption and the impact it has on the environment.

There are many reasons why zero waste matters. One of the biggest is that our current linear model of consumption, where we extract resources, use them to make products, and then dispose of them in landfills or incinerators, is unsustainable. On average, we produce more than 1.6 lbs of trash per person per day, globally. But in North America, that number is significantly higher — nearly five pounds per person per day.

As consumption increases, natural resources are being depleted; the excessive amount of products leads to pollution and contributes to climate change. By reducing waste and adopting a circular model, where resources are reused and repurposed, consumers can reduce their impact on the environment and build a more sustainable future.

Reducing waste can also have a positive impact on our personal lives. By consuming less, we can save money, declutter our homes, and reduce our stress levels. By adopting a zero-waste lifestyle, we can also support local businesses, farmers, and artisans, who often prioritize sustainable practices. According to Alexandra Lim-Chua Wee and Alexandra Kelley, recycling certain materials like paper and empty jars “is certainly one way to be a bit more eco-friendly,” they wrote on MarthaStewart.com. “But finding a way to reuse these items by giving them a second (or even third) life takes your sustainability to the next level.”

While Lim-Chua Wee and Kelley advocate for the importance of reusing, the single biggest step you can take toward a zero-waste lifestyle is to reduce what you use — whether that’s food, fashion, or personal care items. The fewer products produced, the better that is for the planet. “Every action we take matters, and the more we bring our friends and family along, the more positive change we can make,” says the Nature Conservancy. “So let’s not waste any more time.”

Zero-waste tips

If you are interested in reducing your waste and adopting a more sustainable lifestyle, there are many things you can do. These zero-waste tips can get you started:

1. Bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store or farmers market — this includes bags for produce.
2. Use a reusable water bottle instead of disposable plastic bottles.
3. Carry a reusable coffee cup instead of using disposable cups.
4. Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
5. Use a reusable lunch box instead of plastic bags or single-use containers.
6. Make your own cleaning products using natural ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. This reduces plastic but also cuts down on the number of chemicals you introduce into the environment, too.
7. Use bar soap instead of liquid soap (they come in plastic bottles).
8. Use a safety razor instead of disposable razors.
9. Switch to bamboo or wooden toothbrushes.
10. Make your own baking soda toothpaste.
11. Use cloth towels instead of paper towels.
12. Use reusable silicone food storage bags instead of plastic bags.
13. Use a metal straw instead of disposable plastic or paper straws.
14. Use a bidet or a washable cloth instead of toilet paper.
15. Repair clothes instead of throwing them away.
16. Donate clothes you no longer need to charity.
17. Buy secondhand clothes instead of new ones.
18. Use a clothesline or drying rack instead of a dryer.
19. Compost food scraps instead of throwing them in the trash. This helps reduce methane emissions produced in landfills. And in some places, it’s the law.
20. Use a refillable pen instead of disposable pens.
21. Use a refillable lighter instead of disposable lighters.
22. Use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers.
23. Use a handkerchief instead of tissues.
24. Use reusable cotton swabs instead of Qtips.
25. Use laundry sheets instead of liquid.
26. Use a refillable bottle for your hand sanitizer instead of disposable plastic bottles.
27. Bring your own containers for takeaway food.
28. Use a bamboo or wooden dish brush instead of a plastic one.
29. Shop at refill bulk stores where you bring your own jars and bags.
30. Use a reusable makeup remover pad instead of disposable ones.
31. Use a reusable face mask instead of disposable ones.
32. Use recycling services like Ridwell or TerraCycle for hard-to-recycle items.
33. Make your own snacks instead of buying packaged ones. (They’re healthier, too!)
34. Use a reusable coffee filter instead of disposable ones.
35. Make your own bread instead of buying bread packed in plastic.
36. Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones. And recycle any dead batteries.
37. Switch to a sustainable phone case instead of a plastic one.
38. Use a reusable cloth mop instead of disposable ones.
39. Use a natural loofah instead of a plastic shower sponge.
40. Use LED light bulbs, which last much longer than traditional light bulbs and use less energy.
41. Use natural pest control. Instead of using harsh chemicals to control pests in your home, opt for natural solutions like essential oils, diatomaceous earth, or sticky traps.
42. Use natural personal care products. Many personal care products contain harsh chemicals and come in single-use plastic packaging. Switch to natural products made from simple, plant-based ingredients that biodegrade. Many come in zero-waste refill options, too.
43. Repair instead of replace: When something breaks, try to repair it instead of immediately replacing it. This can save you money and reduce waste.
44. Choose clothing made from natural fibers like cotton, hemp, or bamboo instead of synthetic materials. They’re more eco-friendly and can be recycled or composted at the end of their life.
45. Instead of driving everywhere, try to use a bike or walk when possible. It’s better for your health and the environment.
46. Be mindful of the energy you use at home by turning off lights, unplugging electronics, and using energy-efficient appliances.
47. Grow your own food. This cuts down on transport, packaging waste, saves you money, and tastes incredible. Plus, the fresher the food, the more nutrient-dense.
48. Catch and reuse your gray water runoff from the shower, dishwasher, or washer to water your gardens.
49. Likewise, catch rainwater and use it for your garden.
50. Save your wine corks and turn them into cork boards, trivets, or other useful items around the house.
51. Wash and reuse aluminum foil.
52. Use a reusable silicone baking mat instead of disposable parchment paper.
53. Wear clothes such as jeans, sweaters, suits, and some formal wear multiple times before washing to cut down on water waste and detergent use.
54. Meal plan.
55. Freeze your leftovers if you’re no longer in the mood for them. The craving will come back around!
56. Shop for groceries more frequently to cut down on food waste.
57. Use onion skins, carrot tops, celery roots, and other veggie scraps to make broth.
58. Purée up your leftover greens like spinach and kale with a little water, pour them into ice cube trays, and freeze to pop them into smoothies, soups, and sauces.
59. Donate your leftovers to a local community refrigerator.
60. Convert your grass into a garden for local pollinators. It also cuts down on water usage and can grow some yummy food and gorgeous wildflowers.
61. Host a community clothing swap.
62. Trade in your used electronics. Apple, Amazon, Walmart, and Target all have buy-back programs that keep these items out of landfills and give you credit toward new items.
63. Switch from tea bags to loose tea.
64. Switch to paperless billing for all of your monthly bills.
65. Turn old towels and sheets into cleaning rags.
66. Wrap gifts in fabric or reusable materials.
67. Save wrapping paper, boxes, gift bags, bows, and ribbons for reusing.
68. Unplug devices not in use, especially phone or computer chargers.
69. Run the dishwasher or washing machine only when full.
70. Recycle all cardboard, aluminum, and plastic taken by your municipality.

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