TOP 5 Tips for Starting Zero Waste/ Sustainable Living
Zero waste and sustainable living are becoming increasingly popular as people become more aware of the environmental impact of their lifestyle choices. Making the switch to a zero waste lifestyle can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five tips to help you get started on your zero waste journey.
1. Start Small
Making the switch to a zero waste lifestyle can seem overwhelming, so it’s important to start small. Start by focusing on one area of your life, such as your kitchen, and make small changes that will have a big impact. For example, switch to reusable containers for food storage, bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store, and buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
2. Shop Secondhand
Shopping secondhand is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Not only does it reduce the demand for new products, but it also keeps items out of landfills. Look for secondhand stores in your area or shop online for gently used items.
3. Reduce Your Meat Consumption
Meat production is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation, so reducing your meat consumption is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Start by eating one meat-free meal a week and gradually increase the number of meat-free meals you eat.
4. Compost
Composting is a great way to reduce your waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Start a compost bin in your backyard or look for a local composting program in your area.
5. Educate Yourself
The best way to make sustainable lifestyle choices is to educate yourself. Read books, watch documentaries, and follow blogs and social media accounts that focus on zero waste and sustainable living.
FAQs
What is zero waste living?
Zero waste living is a lifestyle that focuses on reducing waste and living more sustainably. It involves reducing, reusing, and recycling as much as possible in order to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills.
How do I start living a zero waste lifestyle?
Start by making small changes in your life, such as switching to reusable containers for food storage, bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store, and buying in bulk to reduce packaging waste. You can also shop secondhand, reduce your meat consumption, and start composting.
What are the benefits of zero waste living?
The benefits of zero waste living include reducing your environmental impact, saving money, and creating a healthier lifestyle. It also helps to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills, which can help to reduce pollution and conserve resources.
What's name of the toilet paper company u buy from
I'd rather drink out the metal isolated cup keeps my drinks cold all day or hot I only use plastic cups due to kids and there only like 50 centswalmart cute colored too trendy colored and if someone walks off with one not a big deal
I use Jojoba oil as a carrier for essential oils for both perfume and to help control my migraines (yes, the peer reviewed research is there that peppermint and eucalyptus help with migraines- not fix, but help).
I'm Canadian and I'm embarrassed that I just got the 'Stanley Cup'. (Maybe cause my local hockey team is the Leafs and they never win it haha.)
A quick way to fill you water jug from the water barrel is to just scoop the water from the top. Also casters can be filled quickly by dunking them into the water.
I trust your research and opinions. Thank you for all that you share with us!
I want to get Who Gives a Crap so bad but they don't deliver to Canada. 😢😢😢
I don't think I've ever bought a water bottle. Every single one has been a gift or swag from a race [i race bikes]. If you have any tips for cleaning dirt out of the tops of cycling water bottles, would love to hear it.
Recently installed a bidet, i love it!
Low key I think reusing a plastic bottle is probably more sustainable than buying a reusable one 🫣
I disagree with the food packaging aspect.
If enough consumers contact the company directly and demand packaging that has less plastic they'll slowly change their behavior.
I remember this r e d d i t topic/post where someone requested a pasta company have less plastic framing look in (to view the pasta) and the company later tweaked the packaging to aid what that consumer wanted. Now all their boxed-pasta has less plastic per unit.
Great video!! Solar panels??
Are ya’ll doin ok?
Loved this video, a great reminder of everything on why I transitioned into being more sustainable. I bought a compost tumbler last year and have been waiting to start composting until it warms up. I live in Oregon and it’s been pretty cold. I was planning on saving all of the leaves from my tiny backyard to use as brown material but the landscapers came and took them all! Is there an alternative to leaves to use as brown material? Can I use shredded paper and cardboard? I’m so bummed I don’t have any leaves.
😅better with out the interventions of the everyday life * but outside that, like the video
When it comes to using up what you already have, I wonder, do you feel the same abiut harmful chemicals/cleanera/etc? What do you suggest we do to dispose of the harsh cleaners, etc?
I’d love to see a video about making a wildlife garden! I don’t have tiktok so missed this
You are such an inspiration! I get so overwhelmed by trying to live sustainably but you always make it feel accessible and like what I’m doing is really making a difference without any guilt of falling short of perfection. Thank you so much for your content!
Thumbs up just for the clue in to the rotating/spinning compost bin. I did not know they existed. Do you have any recommendations?
I find it annoying how people go out and buy the newest cups, and throw away the old ones because their not trendy anymore.
I will stick to my yetis, their still perfectly good and we love them.
⁉ I would love to see a video about cleaning (i.e., what tools and products are least harmful to the environment) and what to absolutely avoid, like if microfiber cloths are really bad.
If people are looking for reusable water bottles I always suggest going to the thrift store first. There’s sooo many, really nice ones even.
I love this format where you go through your day and talk about these important things! Really easy and fun to watch and very informative as usual
you’re one of the only sustainable people i watch because of how anti capitalist you are i love it 🫡
I have started using a 50:50 ratio of oil and water to remove my makeup (I used only oil before) and it works so well. It is less oily on my skin and I use less oil. I just use warm water first to wash my face, which already removes some of my makeup and then shake the oil/water combo in a tiny glass to bring it together and use it with a reusable cotton pad. Works great! I just "mix" small amounts every week so it doesnt go bad. Mostly just 1 ts water and 1 ts sunflower oil (or whatever oil I have in my kitchen for cooking😅).
I really like your editing on this one!
Would you ever set up a rooftop garden? Like a roof completely covered in plants for insulation and what not.
Man I just wish whogivesacrap was softer 💀
Excellent video. Using what you have is so amazing. It's something we already do.
ha! the quiet shade to the girl with the mason jar full of 'all' her garbage! that girl is so gorgeous but I stopped following her once I saw the prices of her zero waste store ….. eye roll
Thank you for this Shelbi! I live in a household with young kids, and two adults in busy careers, so videos like this really help us to remember where to focus our sustainability efforts. As you say, "the truly sustainable option is what's sustainable for you!" The next time you're thinking of doing a refresher video like this, would you consider something like a "top 5 sustainable habits that make the biggest impact"? I always wonder whether the efforts we are making (cloth diapering our kids, composting, growing our own food) are where we should be focusing, to have the biggest reduction of our environmental footprint with the limited time & energy we have!
You're right about the rain water, I recently heard it's from nitrogen from the atmosphere that the water picks up that helps the plants have their huge flushes after raining 🙂 As always, enjoying your videos!
One of the few environmentalist YouTubers I actually trust
I'm trying to start living more sustainably and it can feel so overwhelming! I don't know where to start! PLus we have a lot of sensory and extra needs in my house, so items like shampoo bars etc just are not a viable option. Thanks for sharing these tips Shelbi, i now know to start with what i already have and start changing my mindset.
I paused the video and just bought whogivesacrap. I heard about it months ago. It took me a couple months to use up my big package of Charmin. And yeah, I did buy the posh bamboo option.
My family is very eco friendly, we were all working towards being a much more sustainable living unit, but after I left for college, a lot of those habits have faded from living with a bunch of other college students. Your videos have really helped pull me back to those habits and this video was great for someone starting or for someone who’s been at it for years! Greta video!