Our everyday actions at home are having a huge, negative impact on the environment. The average person produces about 4.5 pounds of waste per day, which has been on the rise for years, this is crazy! It’s time to do our civic duty and take steps to create a zero waste home and becoming more sustainable.
The waste we generate affects the environment by contributing to the worsening climate change, negative impact on wildlife and the natural environment and its detrimental to our very own public health. For example, our trash is dumped in landfills, contributing to excessive methane gas emissions, releasing dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide which is heating up our planet.
Wildlife, especially those in our waterways, can’t differentiate between trash and food, harming the animal itself and use if we later consume them. And these emissions harm us too, contributing to asthma, birth defects, cancer, cardiovascular disease, childhood cancer, COPD, infectious diseases, low birth weight, and preterm delivery.
I’ll be the first to admit, my home is not zero waste. But I focus on buying items that reduce my overall waste contribution, every little bit makes a difference. With that being said, here’s 5 ways to limit your emissions and waste to create a more sustainable household:
1. Swap single use ziplock plastic bags for washable alternatives
I can’t even count how many boxes of plastic bags I used to go through a year. I’d pack my snack and/or part of my lunch in one every day, put my salad dressing container in one just in case it leaks and more. But now I’ve changed to these reusable options, getting me one step closer to a zero waste home.
When I first started searching for reusable plastic bags, I kept finding options that were so expensive like Stasher bags. I went with these ones from Amazon because there was a variety of sizes and it was only $12 for 11 bags.
After using the reusable bags for some time, I noticed how much better they work than traditional plastic bags, too, specifically when throwing food in the freezer. I actually ended up loving these so much, I bought a second page so now I have 21 bags, 1 less because I lost it while camping in Colorado this summer 😂 Oops…
Another option is to throw all of your items you normally throw in a bag into a plastic or glass tupperware. Even if you are going to freeze food, these containers work great.
Making this swap could even save you money over time since you’ll never have to buy plastic bags again!
2. Opt for produce without single use wrap for zero waste
When shopping at the grocery store, the produce section is the perfect spot to diminish waste. I try as much as possible to choose items that are covered in recyclable or biodegradable materials, rather than excessively buying convenient packaged foods and single use plastic wrapped foods. For example, the three pack of bell peppers are truly unnecessary. Instead, grab the unpackaged versions right off the shelves.
3. And use reusable produce bags instead of the plastic rolls of bags
When you are grabbing those bell peppers individually, throw them in your reusable and washable product bags instead of ripping one off the rolls in the aisles. I bought mine from Crate & Barrel but these from Amazon are similar and an affordable option.
Every few grocery trips, I throw these in with my laundry to make sure they are clean for the next use. I recommend storing them inside your reusable grocery bags so you never misplace them, which segways into the next zero waste hack…
4. Cloth or Thermal Grocery Bags Are A Must for Zero waste
Not only are reusable bags great for limiting our single use waste, but they also hold more items which means less trips back to the car to get all of your bags. You can buy any of these bags from grocery or retail stores for as little as $1. If you buy a grocery bag that’s thermal on the inside, it will keep your frozen foods from melting on your way home. Keeping my Halo Top safe during my commute home is my #1 priority, obviously 😂
If you already have reusable bags or buy one without a hard bottom, I recommend cutting a piece of cardboard to fit in the bottom. I’ve done this with so many of my bags and it helps keep them sturdy and from items mashing into one another on your way to the car or your walk home.
5. Bye bye plastic water bottles and straws for good
Okay if you are still buying cases of plastic water bottles on the reg, what are you doing?! Swapping for a reusable water bottle is the easiest way to reduce your plastic use and get closer to a zero waste home. Lately, I’ve been loving my Healthy Human 32 oz Stein Bottle, with a Flip N Sip Lid so I don’t spill on myself. I use a Brita in the fridge to filter my water so I’m not drinking tap water directly. If you decide to purchase any of the Healthy Human water bottles or accessories, use code BreatheSweatEat15 for 15% off your purchase! They typically do sales around the holidays so keep your eyes peeled for that.
If you tend to purchase water bottles with flavor, you can achieve the same thing in your reusable bottle by adding fresh squeezed lemon, Mio or individual flavor packets, like Crystal Light. Lately, I’ve been loving Liquid IV, especially during/after hard workouts or on days I donate blood.
6. Makeup remover pads without the waste
If you wear makeup every day of the year, that means you use at least 365 cotton remover pads a year, which really adds up! I decided to try reusable wipes that are machine washable to eliminate waste and reduce the amount of space cotton swabs and squares take up in my bathroom.
These organic reusable wipes are perfect for washing your face, applying toner or removing makeup with your favorite removal cream or micellar water. I also love that they came with a cloth bag to store the dirty ones in until they are ready to be washed. You can throw the bag right in the washer so they stay together.
Now that you have a few simple swaps, you can get one step closer to being a zero waste home! ☺️