In spite of the fact that many people associate Zero waste and conscious consumption with people who eat clean food and do not use disposable cups, that philosophy actually encompasses a much broader, minimalist approach to living, which encompasses much more than those who eat clean food and do not use disposable cups or plates. In this blog entry, we will be taking a closer look at the Zero waste ideology that is becoming more prominent, as well as exploring the basic principles that should guide us in our pursuit of living a “zero waste” life and taking care of the environment around us.

What is Zero waste? 

Zero-waste means producing no waste being sent to landfills. The fundamental goal of such a lifestyle is to live and shape our environment to avoid waste and live cyclically, as in nature. Yet, even proponents of this philosophy agree that it is impossible to live in a way that allows us to dispose of ALL the trash at home. Still, we can certainly try to keep it to a minimum.

In an abstract sense, people who promote a zero-waste lifestyle try to avoid disposable plastic and instead choose sustainable, reusable alternatives. Zero-waste ideas can be applied broadly, from clothing to cleaning or hygiene products. Instead of wasting resources, we can ensure zero-waste products return to the system. One will inspire others to do the same by starting with ourselves. The zero-waste movement tips below will help you understand better how each of us can reduce consumerism.

The key benefits of Zero waste philosophy

Suppose you are still trying to determine whether this no-waste philosophy is not only fashionable but also useful. In that case, we can single out key advantages worth knowing.

Impact on climate 

Reducing consumption, reusing, and recycling can be vital to a climate change strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, making an aluminum can from recycled materials requires 20 times less energy than raw materials.

It is estimated that about 42 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions come from producing and using goods, including food, various products, and packaging. This means that a zero-waste lifestyle can help save energy and thus reduce carbon emissions. 

Fewer resources and less pollution

The current consumption culture is not sustainable. The raw material extraction process from natural sources requires a lot of energy. It causes pollution, whether it is deforestation, mining, or oil wells. The processing of such materials is resource-intensive and pollutes the environment. Used goods are simply disposed of in landfills or otherwise. 

Meanwhile, smart consumption can reduce both resources and pollution. The fundamental goal of this philosophy is to encourage less consumption. Lower consumption leads to fewer products being produced, as people will buy less and choose long-living, sustainable products. Recycling prevents waste from ending up in landfills, and producers can use recyclable materials to make new goods instead of obtaining new raw materials.

Benefits for the community

Low consumption promotes social equality and nurtures a sense of community. Intending to avoid waste, we are more likely to think about what we could do with things we no longer need that still work well or clothes that look good enough to wear. You might decide to donate them to the needy or, for example, swap them with others – all of which will encourage you to take care of the environment and think more often about others. 

Benefits for the economy

The Zero waste philosophy supports the local circular economy and creates new jobs. Reducing, reusing, and recycling creates about ten times more jobs than simply throwing them away. While this is not yet widely visible in our country, we are gradually seeing the emergence of various sharing platforms, which certainly need workers. So there is a double benefit: instead of buying all the items or vehicles, for example, people can simply borrow them, thus stimulating local businesses and supporting job creation. 

Benefits for our health 

The less plastic packaging you use, the less likely it is to come into contact with your food or skin. That means you’ll be much less exposed to BPA, which can interfere with our endocrine system – and symptoms can manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Moreover, products (especially those for personal hygiene and body care) that come in plastic-free packaging are, in many cases, far more natural. And this means that your body will also be less affected by chemicals.

5 Key principles of Zero waste

In general, there are 5 core principles that guide those close to the Zero waste philosophy – it is worth discussing each in more detail.

Give up what you don’t need

Before you take or buy a new item, think about whether you really need it – if not, just give it up. It’s a very simple philosophy based on the fact that when there is no more demand, there is no more supply – so, by starting with ourselves, we can make a significant contribution to the environment. 

It is easier than you might think to learn to say “no”: for example, if you make sure you have a reusable bag beforehand, you can avoid the plastic ones available in the shops, and if you take your own utensils to the picnic, you can avoid disposable ones. The philosophy is also critical of fast fashion, suggesting that people should trade clothes more often and renew them themselves. If they really need new clothes, they should prefer creators who use natural, sustainable fabrics more often. Unnecessary correspondence should also be avoided, as many printed newsletters end up in the trash anyway. 

Minimize your needs

Zero waste supporters value quality over quantity, which can be seen in any area of life. Rather than fast fashion, you can opt for quality clothes made from durable fabrics and prefer to easy-to-style, multi-season clothing. Instead of relying on the advertisements that keep popping up, you can discover eco-friendly cleaners or make your own. Those are just a few examples, but the principle is obvious: choose and buy consciously, focusing on personal needs and high quality that guarantees durability.

Reuse

If an item has worn out, there’s no need to throw it away – by finding another use for it, and you can successfully continue using it. For instance, worn clothes will make great cloths, and you can reuse nicely unwrapped gift paper for other gifts. All you need is a bit of creative thinking – you’d be surprised how many things really deserve a second life!  

It is also worth choosing reusable products over disposable ones – that is what zero-waste products are all about. Reusable shopping bags, in particular, are rapidly gaining popularity. The design of these products is developed, making them part of your image while at the same time reflecting a confident attitude. It would be best to avoid disposable tableware: alternatives can be found even when preparing for a picnic or a longer hike.

Reduce the amount of waste

The easiest way to do this is to compost your waste. To do so, it’s easiest for those of us who live in our own homes or have a small garden or kitchen garden. Natural fertilizers are greener and, in many cases, far more advantageous for a wide range of plants, so you’ll get a double benefit by composting your organic waste. Even coffee grounds can be used as a garden plant treatment – and with a bit of research, you can come up with many more similar options. 

Apartment residents can also reduce their household waste wisely. Don’t be in a hurry to throw away toilet paper, paper towel rolls, or egg trays – you can use them for Christmas decorations or other crafts. By adapting these and similar ideas, you will reduce the need for plastic bags in your rubbish bins and help reduce the amount of  waste in landfills. 

Recycle the stuff you can’t give up, reduce or reuse

There are some cases where none of the above advice can be applied to items. Thus, it is advisable to make sure that these items are recycled successfully. Sort your rubbish, and dispose of non-rechargeable batteries or appliances in an appropriate place. You will be doing your part in saving the environment in small steps.  

More tips for a Zero waste lifestyle 

Still struggling to figure out how to apply the Zero waste philosophy in your home and environment? Give these practical tips tailored to different spaces and situations a try.

Kitchen

• Avoid single-use products. Besides the tableware, as mentioned earlier, avoiding disposable baking paper or paper towels in your home environment is a good idea. High-quality towels, such as linen towels, will do the job perfectly – not to mention the remarkable durability.
• Shop responsibly. Bring a reusable bag, take your own fabric bags for dry products, and buy more products stored in jars or glass bottles. It’s also worth passing by the farmers’ market to support local businesses and discover a wide range of tasty and organic products.
• Try not to throw away leftover food. Keep an eye on their expiry date – when it’s about to expire, use your cooking skills to surprise your family with delicious meals. 
• Discover tap water. In Lithuania, we have the luxury of tap water for drinking and other uses – if your home has tap water that meets all the requirements, make sure you use it.
• Be creative. Mix up your own cleaning products – for instance, use baking soda as a cleaning agent or try other similar ‘recipes.’

Bathroom

• Choose products in large quantities more often. You probably can’t do without shampoo or conditioner in your daily routine, but if you buy a larger bottle, you’ll avoid extra waste. It is even better if the packaging is recyclable.
• Try natural alternatives to cosmetics. Minimizing cosmetics would be best, but if you want to pamper your body or hair, it’s worth trying natural products. Using what you have in your kitchen will create products that are just as effective – you’ll soon see how. 
• Save water. By using water only when you need it, you will not only help save resources but also reduce your monthly bills. 

Wardrobe

• Prefer versatile shoe and clothing styles more often. Those who live by the Zero waste philosophy tend to have a limited amount of clothes and shoes in their wardrobes. The advice is to limit yourself to only those wardrobe items that you really need and shop more rarely. And when you do, shop at second-hand clothing stores. Versatile design should be your priority so that you can create many different combinations from even a few garments.
• Don’t rush to throw clothes away. What no longer fits or suits you may still be useful to others, so it’s a good idea to sell, donate or trade in your clothes. If you think they have outlived their usefulness, turn them into floor cloths or repurpose the materials. 
• Revamp your wardrobe yourself. Yes, not all of us can be seamstresses, but if you can get creative and hide stains, tears or patch up ripped seams, you’ll need to update your wardrobe much less often.

The Office

• Avoid printed material. You’ve probably noticed that brochures and printed newsletters are less effective nowadays. If you are still using such advertising campaigns, try to move more often to the virtual space – the possibilities are endless and are much more eco-friendly and sustainable.
• Save paper. This is probably the most basic and vital tip to apply in an office environment. Sometimes we don’t even think about how many sheets of paper we waste on notes and various printed documents. Of course, some of these will not be eliminated, but if you remind yourself more often that a sheet of paper has two sides, it is a big enough step.
• Encourage sorting waste. If you sort your waste at home, you can do the same at the office. Make sure you have several bins in the office instead of just one – and it’s likely that once employees get used to it in the office, they’ll adopt the habit in their homes. 

Leisure and entertainment

• Eliminate disposable wipes. Instead, it is much more worthwhile to try reusable ones, such as linen cloths, which can simply be washed after use. This will save you extra costs and significantly reduce the amount of waste you throw away – especially if you entertain many guests in your home.
• Try to keep the serving plates to a minimum. Besides overloading the table, excess dishes waste extra water and detergent resources, so you should consider reducing the number of dishes. For example, main courses can be served in a pot or pan, while starters can be grouped on the same plate.
• Swap your car for a walk more often. By walking more often, you will contribute to less pollution. Although it seems like we can’t do much on our own, the changes can be tangible if more people join in.

More useful tips

• Choose straw-free drinks in cafes and, if this is not possible, use a paper straw instead of a plastic one.
• Make sure to leave home with a filled reusable water bottle.
• Launder your clothes when they’re really dirty, not after every wear.
• Fight the urge to buy on impulse and always ask yourself whether you really need the item
• Unplug electronic devices when not in use.
• Before throwing things away, always consider whether there are ways to repair them or make them useful in everyday life – many of them can certainly be given the chance for a new life.
• Consider borrowing an item you might not use very often before buying a new one (for example, camping gear or a table for a big party).
• Always prioritize durability and high quality – any investment will pay off quickly.
• Store food properly so that it can stay fresh for as long as possible.
• Use the dishwasher, tumble dryer, and washing machine when fully loaded.
• If you know you will be drinking coffee in a café, ask for a regular cup instead of a disposable one.
• Choose rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones and replace standard bulbs with LEDs.
• Wrap gifts in newsprint or find other ways to present them in an original way – it’s up to your creativity.

Applying Zero waste and moderate consumption principles to your everyday life is really easy – even though you may feel a bit constrained at first, it will become an enjoyable and, most importantly, fulfilling habit later!