96 pieces of plastic 3 weeks in to our journey, and the pile keeps growing in our small condo.
As a self-proclaimed neat freak, the pile itself surprisingly doesn’t bother me since it has opened our eyes to how much plastic our household subconsciously uses. For every waking hour, it shows us how reliant our society is on plastic, but also what we can tackle first to make the biggest impact.
If you’re wondering how you can get started, here are five observations to kick start your #tatseofzerowaste journey.
1. Friends and Family are Full of Ideas
When you share that you are reducing your waste, chances are that those around you have a few tricks up their sleeves! Many friends and family members likely already reduce their waste in many ways from using washable cloths as napkins, to storing veggie scraps to make vegetable stock. You’re not alone, share your progress and people will share back!
2. It’s Healthier to go Zero Waste
Think about the things you buy that are wrapped in plastic. Chips, frozen pizza, indulgent cheeses, candies – all these things come pre-packaged and many of them are considered “junky” for your body. By purchasing zero waste, you simultaneously make better choices for your health. Feels like a no brainer!
3. Remember that Progress is Important, even if You Can’t be “Perfect”
Eliminating all waste at once is hard! It will get easier as more people show interest in a low-waste lifestyle to change our society’s plastic-hungry habits. In the meantime, do your best to focus on tackling one thing at a time. Start with the pantry, move to essential on-the-go items, then tackle the bathroom. Remind yourself that whatever you can do to trim your waste is meaningful, and worth the effort.
4. Today’s Zero Waste Warriors are Inspiring
There are tons of accounts on your favourite social media channels who are sharing tips and tricks on how to go zero waste. Our best piece of advice would be to look up the hashtag “#zerowaste” to find ones that best suit you, but you can see some of our recommendations at the bottom of this article. While you’re at it, follow us at Taste of Zero Waste on Instagram, or Facebook. If we’re not your cup of tea, all zero waste accounts are a great way to stay inspired and find new ideas on how you can make an impact!
5. Challenge Yourself to Collect Your Garbage
Now it may seem a bit extreme, but it has been impactful to see our pile of waste day after day. For us, it keeps it top of mind that every piece of garbage we can eliminate directly helps our planet. It also shows you where you could cut back on plastic usage. We would encourage you to do your own #tasteofzerowaste challenge and collect your garbage, even if it’s for a day or week. We promise it will open your eyes to how you can make a difference.
Feel free to follow these tips, or toss them out the window if they don’t work for you. The reality is, wherever you want to start, is a good place to start.
Cheers!
Ivanna
Recommended Zero Waste Instagram Accounts:
@consciousfolk.co is one of my favourites! Danielle is great at educating others and also providing great tips.
@thesustainablebee shares their zero waste lifestyle, with a mix in of gardening!