Zero waste living means exactly what it sounds like - generating zero waste, minimizing the impact the way you live your life has on the environment.

Modern day living has been built upon increased convenience and disposability. Look around your home, and you will likely see plastics of all shapes, sizes, and uses. Whether your reason for getting started is about caring for the environment, or caring for your own health, beginning your zero waste journey can feel pretty overwhelming.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Start saying no to single use items that aren’t necessary. Does your drink at the restaurant really need straws to make it drinkable? Do you need to grab plastic cutlery when picking up your takeout? Does your fresh produce really need a plastic bag to keep it all together? Single use items usually have a fairly easy alternative - carry your own cutlery when planning to get takeout, and always have a reusable bag when visiting the grocery store. Even reusable straws can be taken to a restaurant if needed.

2. Think about what you can reduce. Bulk buy where you can, and don’t be afraid to take your own containers rather than relying on more plastic packaging you don’t need. Don’t buy unnecessary items, and make sure you are actually using what you already have instead of buying more before you need to.

3. Reuse. Reuse. Reuse. There is an abundance of reusable items available that will become second nature to use once you commit to doing so. Reusable bags, glass jars, stainless steel drink bottles and straws… notice where you are using things that you then throw out, and begin to replace them with reusable options where you can.

4. Don’t be afraid to repair, repurpose, or rehome. Outgrown something? Broken a piece of furniture? Moved house and the decor doesn’t quite suit your old lamp? Sending something to the landfill simply because it no longer serves its purpose can be a thing of the past if you are open to other options. If you’re feeling brave, fix something yourself, or join the increasingly popular upcycle movement. Not so creative? There are thrift stores and individuals out there looking for opportunities to repair or reinvent almost anything!

5. If you haven’t already, switch to online delivery for all of your household bills and important correspondence. You can even set up a specific email address just for that purpose if you want to avoid missing something important, but avoiding receiving envelopes of statements, invoices, and letters you don’t need to keep means you also avoid having to get rid of them.

6. Look for household items that are good for the environment because they don’t have packaging. Bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner are much easier to find these days, and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Household cleaning products that are good for your home and good for the environment can be found for just about every room of the house, from the kitchen to the laundry, even the bathroom. 

Moving to a zero waste lifestyle can actually be fairly simple to get started with, because there are so many different ways to make a meaningful difference in the way you live and in your home. 

Here at Precycle, we stock a range of products to help you get started, but the first and most important thing is just to make the choice to become a zero waste household!