5 Steps to Zero-waste for absolute beginners

1. Use what you have. 

The best way to reduce your waste is to not buy more, and recycle the used products. There is no reason to throw out those other 2 tubes of the three pack of regular toothpastes with the intention of creating less waste by using a coconut oil based toothpaste. Remember to use logic here! 

There are a few exceptions to this- for example, if a product has negative consequences on your health such as an aluminum containing standard deodorant. For any items such as this, it is best to dispose of them. When items can be donated to a homeless shelter or other charity, I recommend going this route first. While a product may not be good for you, it could be good for someone else. 

2. Reusable Grocery bags. 

I bet you have no less than 10 in your house. I also bet they are hiding in your car, with coffee spilled on them or in the bottom of your closet holding that change of clothes you brought to a cook out last summer. Collect those babies and put the bag of bags into your car for easy access. If you are fortunate enough to be a walking commuter, fold one up in your purse and stash one in your desk at work for those times you decide to pick something up on your way home. 

Additionally, don't be afraid to bring your reusable bags to places other than the grocery store or farmer's market! Going to the mall? Bring one. 

3. Find a reusable water bottle and coffee cup you really like.

I just counteracted my first bullet didn't I? 

While I generally say do not go out and buy something new, if you do not really like your water bottle or travel mug you won't use it. I even extend this one to a mug for tea at my desk. If you really like your coffee mug/water bottle/cup you'll be more aware of it. You'll remember 'oh I have to wash that..' instead of just waking up in the morning and saying 'too much work!' and going on with your day without it. 

For a coffee mug, consider the amount of coffee you drink a morning and the size of your cup holder. I was pleasantly surprised that my husbands new (to him) truck has a cup holder my old school Nalgene can fit in- but for a water bottle, it's really not a deal breaker to have it next to you. If your coffee spills because it doesn't fit, not only are you going to be cranky because you have to clean and you have no coffee- but you'll be less likely to use it again. The trick of creating as few barriers as possible to change will help you out here! I've decided I like to drink more coffee than fits in my preferred coffee mug. I also like to drink ice coffee I make ahead of time in a pitcher and cool in the fridge. Combine these two together and I bring a cup to drink and a back up cup to refill every day. Voila! Zero starbucks cups in my trash (and we won't even mention how much more mullah in my pocket!) 

I really like my Contigo Autoseal West Loop Stainless Steel Travel mug. Although I am now even more jealous of the green one as I only have boring black... 




I am obsessed with my Nalgene Tritan OTG water bottle, and at 24 oz I easily know that if I haven't refilled twice by the end of the day I am behind on my water consumption! 

4. Eat real food, and buy in your own packaging. 

I used to be a terrible cook. I never cooked. I hated cooking. 
Recently, I've taken up cooking thanks to the joy of the crock pot! 


Real food that is not packaged will by definition have less packaging. When you do go to buy new items, you can bring your own produce bags, containers for dry goods or bring your own packaging (glass or plastic, if you have it on hand) for meat. It sounds difficult- but trust me, it isn't. 

Here I made chicken noodle soup. Not only was it healthier and more environmentally friendly than canned, but tasted better too! (Just ask my husband!)

5. Find multi-use products. 

I recently ran out of my last bit of shaving cream in the house. I even used up the travel sized containers. I had already decided that I wasn't going to buy more because shaving cream in the non-environmentally friendly packaging. No problem though, I looked about and found other items I had in excess that I could use. Fact: Body lotion, coconut oil and just plain old soap all work. 

Another example I found was cleaning products. I now use the same (refillable in bulk) cleaner that is concentrated in a spray or can be used to mop my floors. I only need to have one product instead of two in my house. 

On the Journey to Reducing my Waste

One of my focuses this year is on waste reduction.

I've taken several steps in the past week in order to get this moving:

1. I located and used my reusable shopping bags. Previously, I had only 3-4... now I have enough to fill an entire grocery bag. I am using these for groceries and in replace of plastic bags whenever possible. I went to the grocery store 3 times this week (once was whole foods, which I do not do all my shopping at, and the other time I forgot something) and used them all three times.

2. Used Dr Bronner Soap & Bought Biokleen All purpose Cleaner: I ran out of floor cleaner, and instead of going out and buying new floor cleaner I utilized the Dr Bronner soap we had. I decided I did like the Dr Bronner soap, however, in order to take an additional step I went to M&C where I know they will re-fill your soap in your own containers. I did not bring my own container, because I didn't really know what I was getting into. I bought a 32 oz super concentrated spray bottle of Biokleen All purpose cleaner for $6.00 (I actually got $0.10 off and used $5.90 of my store credit.. so didn't spend anything). It is a super concentrated spray and floor cleaner. I am planning on going back with my refillable container next time.

Fun fact: While I was there they recommended I cash out my handmade account, and I walked out with a $142 check!

3. Plastic Film Recycling: I set up a plastic film recycling station in my home. I am sure I am the only one who will be using this, but one person is better than none. I read about it at http://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/ and put the puppy's dog food container, 2 clean plastic film from a multipack and sandwich baggies inside the puppy container and under the sink. My plan is to bring it with me when I go grocery shopping.

4. Dinner Prep baby steps: 
One of my other initiatives for the new year is to eat real food, not crap. A few baby steps to reducing waste were made in this en devour:
Yesterday at whole foods, I picked up a broccoli head without the plastic covering, and bought dry beans in bulk. They wouldn't let me use my tared containers, but I have their paper bags in my purse for the next time I go.

When I got home and was using only half of a family pack of chicken breasts, instead of putting into a one time use disposable bag, I put into a washable container. Then I transferred that this morning into my crock pot with the beans from yesterday for Chicken Tortilla soup. (I also made my own enchilada sauce instead of using a can- we'll see how that works out!!)


5. Attempted to use up vs. toss Cheap Razors & use alternative shaving cream method. (Note: Attempt = epic fail).

Once upon a time, when I was young and dumb I bought (or likely got free with coupon) very very cheap razors- like the cheapest possible. I've carried them from place to place and have decided enough is enough. It was either use that razor or go into the basement and see if I have any stock piled. So I decided to use it. Epic fail.

I am also out of shaving cream. I have been using lotion in the shower instead, but heard that you can use an oil based scrub. I love using my oil based sugar scrubs, so figured I'd try it out in a use it up vs just disposing manner.

Let's just say I got through one leg and needed 3 band aids after. Not only did I need 3 bandaids- I had to change the bandaids because they were bleeding through AND put gauze under the second sets.

Insert joke from husband about how I was so out of practice of shaving that I forgot hoe to do it. (stink eye to the 'Woolly Mammoth')