Have you ever wondered where your garbage ends up? Most of us don't. So when somebody talks about living a zero waste life, it seems impossible. But living a zero waste life is possible, you just need a little forethought and inspiration. Here are some steps to get you started on zero waste living!
How to start a zero waste kitchen
- Recycling bins: A good place to start is by recycling as much as possible. Learning more about what you can and can’t recycle will influence your purchasing decisions. For example, if plastics are difficult to recycle in your area, instead buy products packaged in cardboard or glass.
- Down with Disposables — The kitchen is filled with disposable items that are responsible for a lot of waste. Try these alternatives instead:
- Replace paper towels with reusable rags
- Pack meals with reusable sandwich bags
- Non-Disposable or biodegradable dinnerware
- Always bring your own shopping bags
- Earth friendly sponges
- Compost: Not only can you compost most food waste, but also plain paper, compostable containers and packaging, and more. In general, a good approach is to keep an indoor compost bin, then transfer compost to an outdoor compost heap or to a municipal composting program, if available.
- Multipurpose Cleaner: Here’s an easy, homemade multipurpose cleaner: In a spray bottle, combine 1⁄2 cup white distilled vinegar with 1 cup water, and add 10 to 20 drops of tea tree, lavender, lemon or eucalyptus essential oil. Shake well before using.
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- Buy in Bulk — Taking a few minutes of planning before you head to the grocery store can help eliminate that waste. Bring mason jars to the grocery store to hold bulk items or foods from the deli counter.
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Just remember that zero waste isn’t about creating any trash, don’t feel guilty if you have trash. Just know that you’re making a difference by slowly changing your habits and being aware of your impact on our landfills. - Audrey Holmes