$0 Tips for a Zero Waste Home
The best zero-waste tips are the ones money can’t buy. Here’s 10 simple tips for how to reduce your footprint at home, without buying a thing. Well, for the most part. Check it out and see…
Buy Amazon products on your weekly Amazon delivery day.
None of us can live without Amazon these days. So reduce the extra packaging and needless carbon emissions by downsizing to one box every week. Much more manageable to unpack, as well.
2. Bring plastic bags to your local supermarket to recycle.
Plastic bags/wraps typically do not get recycled in municipal recycling. They must be returned to participating drop-off locations (such as local supermarkets, Target, Walmart). A few rules apply:
Generally, the following are recyclable at plastic bag store drop-offs:
Retail, carryout, produce, newspaper, bread, and dry cleaning bags (clean, dry and free of receipts and clothes hangers)
Ziploc bags
Plastic shipping envelopes (remove paper labels by peeling off, cutting off, or soak in water then scrape them off. Make sure you dry off the plastic bag before recycling, though!)
Bubble wrap and air pillows (deflate)
Product wrap on cases of water/soda bottles, paper towels, napkins, disposable cups, bathroom tissue, diapers, and female sanitary products
Furniture and electronic wrap
Plastic cereal box liners (but if it tears like paper, do not include)
Any film packaging or bag that has the How2Recycle Label shown above
Make sure all plastic bags/wraps are clean and dry, and free of any papers, food, or other materials.
If you’re not sure if a plastic bag/wrap is recyclable or not, do the Stretch or Crunch test: If the plastic stretches, it’s good to go. If it has no stretch and crunches when you bunch it up, then it’s a no go.
Not all items are accepted at all drop-off locations. Check with your local drop-off to see what is accepted.
This can be a little tricky to get the hang of at first, but soon it becomes second nature. I collect all my plastic bags/wraps in a box under my kitchen counter and drop them off at the supermarket once a week. I honestly love doing this small act, because it makes me feel like I’m doing a little good for the earth. It feels good to do good!
3. Use reusable or paper shopping bags
Please stop using plastic grocery store bags. Bring your own. Or go for the paper. If you buy groceries via an app, message your shopper to please use paper shopping bags.
4. Buy loose produce
Stop, Stop, STOP using those useless plastic produce bags at the supermarket. So NOT eco chic! If you shop via an app, message your shopper to just place loose produce in paper shopping bags.
5. Buy whole fruit (not pre-cut)
Skip the pre-cut fruit in plastic containers and buy the whole fruit and cut it up at home. I’m talking about mangoes, pineapples, papaya, cantaloupe… you get the idea. The fruit will look so pretty on your kitchen counter until you’re ready to eat it. And it will stay fresher longer than the pre-cut stuff.
6. Buy sauces, condiments, dressings, spices, etc., in glass jars
Opt for glass over plastic jars whenever possible. You’ll be amazed how many packaged items can be swapped out with glass jar alternatives: mustard, pasta sauce, salad dressing, pickles, BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, nut butters, jams, honey, chocolate sauce, spices, etc. Reuse the jars when you’re done for drinking glasses, vases and storing objects.
7. Buy cream cheese + butter in paper packages (not plastic tubs)
Such an easy switch! Those plastic tubs aren’t recyclable in many local recycling facilities. Your best bet is to opt for the paper packages. And always look for grass-fed, organic butter when possible, too!
8. Recycle printer ink
HP has a free program. Click here to get a free pouch to send back HP ink cartridges. Also, look for recycled ink cartridges made from old ones when buying refills. With so many of us WFH these days, let’s do our best to make conscious choices when it comes to our home office setup. Click here to checkout my pervious post on eco home products where I link to recycled printer paper to totally eco-fy your home office situation.
9. Drop off difficult-to-recycle snack wrappers at your local Subaru dealership.
Subaru has partnered with TerraCycle to recycle disposable cups, lids, and straws; candy and snack wrappers; and coffee and creamer capsules. I mainly drop off granola bar and chip wrappers of the foil/plastic variety. This material is basically impossible to recycle otherwise so this is really an invaluable resource. Click here to find a nearby participating Subaru location.
10. Compost
Compost your fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, loose tea, and paper. Google around to find local drop-off or pickup options in your area. Click here to see my previous post on eco home products where I linked my fav compostable trash bags.
Good luck on your zero waste journey! Please keep me posted which tips you found most helpful in the comments!