Most people never consider the staggering amount of plastic waste they produce on a daily, yearly, or lifelong basis. It’s not only packaging or tossed-out food but thrown-away clothes, household items, paper goods, and much more. All of that stuff had to be produced somewhere and needs to be disposed of somewhere else when you’re finished, creating a growing environmental crisis on both ends. So, how can the average person move toward a more sustainable way of living? Let’s break down a few of the best zero-waste lifestyle tips and other ways to make an impact.
Plastic-Free Living Ideas: Low-Waste Shopping Habits
A relatively low-hanging fruit when it comes to eco-friendly habits is considered waste at the point of purchase. This can include using reusable bags, buying non-perishables in larger quantities to reduce packaging, or simply selecting brands that don’t overdo it. Some stores may even allow you to bring your own reusable containers for bulk items like rice, grains, or nuts. For things like clothing, it can be worthwhile to spend a bit more, to begin with for a longer-lasting, better-made item that won’t need to be tossed after a year or two. Conscious consumption practices can also include opting for metal or glass versions of objects rather than plastic when available.
Minimize Plastic in Daily Routines: Recycling Tips and Tricks
A critical factor among society’s many waste reduction strategies is large-scale programs to repurpose and recycle common materials to give them a second (or third) life. Recycling allows companies to process used materials to avoid the need to harvest new raw materials, a frequently environmentally damaging process that draws down limited resources. Many cities and towns will pick up recycling directly from your home for no additional fee, while residents of some places may need to pay a small extra cost or drop their recycling off directly at a waste center. However, don’t just toss everything plastic, glass, or metal into the recycling bin. Everything should be cleaned out and dry, and small items or bags of any sort should be avoided. It’s also vital to study local recycling programs to keep from putting unwanted items in the mix, which creates more work on the back end and could risk your entire batch being trashed.
Environmentally Friendly Plastic Alternatives: Embracing a Zero-Waste Lifestyle
There’s no denying that taking responsibility for minimizing your environmental footprint is a critical part of helping bring our waste crisis and climate change under control. Keep these zero-waste lifestyle tips in mind as you begin your journey toward a more sustainable way of living.
