Kick Start Minimal Waste

The zero-waste movement can be a little daunting, and the thought of fitting a year’s worth of trash in one mason jar, like may adopters of the movement, can seem somewhat impossible for some of us. However, by changing habits and small parts of your daily routine, you can start a journey to minimal waste living. And there is no better time to start. By 2050, the World Bank projects that the world is expected to generate 3.40 billion tons of waste annually. You can start minimizing your daily waste by following some of the following tips.

1. Commit to your reusable mug.

Many of our morning routines include a coffee run. Think of how many coffee cups, lids, and sleeves this amounts to! Keep a reusable cup in your car, wash it at work, and return it to your car at the end of the day. Bonus – most coffee shops will offer a small discount for bringing your own cup!

2. Ditch plastic wrap.

Plastic sandwich bags and saran wrap can be lunch box staples, but there are many zero-waste alternatives! Beeswax wraps and reusable food grade silicon sandwich and snack bags do the trick, and are much friendlier to our planet.

3. Reuse.

We’ve all heard the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra, but try to focus on only purchasing items you can reuse. For example, buy olives in a glass jar instead of a can and reuse the jar to store soups and sauces.

4. Bring your kit.

Don’t be caught out with plastic as your only option! Create a minimal waste kit with cutlery and a reusable straw and keep it in your bag or car.

5. Check your plastics.

Not all plastics are created equal, and not all plastics are recyclable! Check out your city guidelines for which plastics can be recycled in your curbside bin – if you have to buy plastic ensure it is easily recyclable by your city!

Incorporating these small tips into your daily routine can help you start your own personal zero-waste movement!