Use what you have

The simplest way to be more zero waste is to simply find more ways to use what you have instead of buying new.

Fix broken appliances, clothing, and toys. Sew up buttons on old jackets.
Borrow from friends.
Participate in swaps and exchanges.
Thrift for secondhand clothes.

Make it at home

Who says we need to buy the latest plastic-filled goop and do-dads? Surprisingly enough, we can get by with a lot less when it comes to beauty products, cleaning supplies, and other daily essentials. Reusing your containers and bottles means less packaging, money, and decision making wasted in the long run.

Create laundry detergent, dry shampoo, and floor cleaner with simple, natural ingredients such as vinegar and essential oils. Some other ingredients in common cleaning supplies are harmful to the environment and human health.
Replace floor cleaner cloths with old socks and shirts.
Collect bits of packing here and there for gift wrapping including tissue paper, ribbons, dust bags, boxes, twine, or jars. Tonnes of gift wrapping goes to waste every year, shiny foil packaging, old artificial garland, and glitter are all considered garbage. Make your wrapping out of the shiny silver insides of potato chip bags. Recycle old newspapers. Collect fallen pine branches for ornaments.

Ditch the disposables

Throwaway items are convenient, but they pile up fast. Maybe it’s not realistic to cut out disposables totally, but reducing the amount you collect is.

Buy cloth nappies instead of disposables.
Carry a reusable coffee cup and water bottle.
Purchase takeout from restaurants that exclusively use compostable containers.
Use beeswax wraps instead of single use plastic such as cling film.
Use silicone freezer bags.

Switch to a paperless kitchen

Wiping up messes with paper towels turns wasteful and costly quick. Reusable cloths and rags stored in drawers and cabinets have a longer shelf life.

Have a bin for wet and used rags, then throw these into a clothes washer once full.
Pre-soak and trouble clean-ups in hot water and vinegar.

Choose biodegradable or zero waste products

Sometimes we have no choice but to purchase new items, especially when the things we own fall apart, become ineffective or inefficient. In these moments, swap non-eco-friendly items for zero-waste products.

Kitchen supplies: silicone cupcake liners and baking mats, french presses, cloth napkins, beeswax wraps, compostable dish scrubbers or wooden scrub brushes.
Washroom supplies: bars of soap wrapped in recyclable packaging, compostable earbuds, recycled content toilet paper, plastic-free and refillable dental floss, organic loofahs or bath brushes, makeup with recyclable packaging, reusable feminine hygiene products, razors with replaceable blades, and bamboo toothbrushes
Laundry supplies: dryer balls and cloth hankies.
Paper Supplies: recycled paper or seed paper for crafts, notetaking, wedding invitations, wedding favors or printed memorial service programs. After use, seed paper is 100% plantable and biodegradable, turning into wildflowers, herbs or vegetables.

Reduce your food waste

A little preparation goes a long way to prevent throwing away food.

Move close-to-expiring items to the front of your fridge at the start of every week.
Make soup stock out of leftover meat products and veggies
Offer to take unfinished food home from group business lunches.
Have a composting system in your kitchen.
Set up a meal prepping day to plan what ingredients you'll use and for what.
Freeze your leftovers before they go bad.