In Honor of Earth Month: How to Live Zero Waste All Year Round

Earth Month has officially concluded, but that doesn’t mean the change stops there. We all must do our part every day of the year to minimize waste, reduce our carbon footprint, and create habits that will save the planet.

Here are some tips I live by daily to lead a more sustainable life:

1. Say no to single use bags by bringing your own canvas totes to the grocery store and local farmers market. Also, take advantage of the multiple companies that offer eco-friendly cotton mesh bags in different sizes for each of your produce and dry good items. This allows for easy sorting and scanning at the checkout line and, with how light the material is, you won’t be tacking on additional costs for per weight items.
2. Opt out of boxed and bagged foods when getting groceries. Go to markets that have bulk bins for grains, beans, flours, pastas, nuts, and more. Not only will those reusable bags I mentioned above eliminate product packaging, but you’ll save money and eat less processed, more wholesome meals.
3. Start your own garden and compost or take part in community gardening and composting initiatives. This means fewer pollution-inducing trips to the store for produce and herbs, as well as less scraps in a landfill.
4. Replace your hygiene and makeup items with brands that are more eco-conscious. Companies that utilize paper, cardboard, wood, bamboo, glass, and aluminum to package and contain their products. These materials are either biodegradable or can be recycled and/or reused. Go for items like: Bars of handmade soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Toothpaste tablets. Vials, bottles, jars, and tins for lotion, cleanser, foundation, mascara, eyeshadow, and dry shampoo. Tubes for concealer and deodorant. And, because many of the best brands are smaller businesses and only available via delivery, many offset your carbon impact and have discount programs for customers who mail back emptied materials for proper recycling and reuse. Also, for the sensitive skin girlies out there, like myself, I highly recommend using EWG to research and find products that not only have thoughtful packaging, but also clean ingredients that work best for your own skin and hair health.
5. Purchase less disposable, more natural goods for the kitchen and bathroom. Hairbrushes and toothbrushes made with wood and natural fibers. Sea sponges instead of plastic scrubbers. Beeswax wrap rather than plastic. Reusable paper towels that are compostable and good for hundreds of uses. A safety razor with replaceable and refillable blades for shaving. Permanent soap dispensers with refillable paper soap cartons. Laundry detergent sheets that melt in the wash and come in paper boxes.
6. Don’t shop fast fashion and furniture. Enjoy vintage, thrift, and flea finds, which are not only better for Mother Earth, but also more unique and affordable. If you’re looking for “new” options, there are multiple reputable clothing makers and home goods artists that I’ve found who are specifically known for being carbon neutral, using only wood/cork/organic cotton, and saving water, as well as donating proceeds to impactful causes and committing to fair trade and labor practices. Good for the planet and for people! Research and support these eco-loving small businesses.
7. Don’t use plastic plates, cups, straws, and utensils. Carry a reusable water canteen as much as you can. Purchase a set of long-lasting glass Tupperware and nice stainless steel mugs for meals and drinks on the go. These are also excellent for the local coffee shops and little eateries that allow you to bring your own containers for carryout.
8. Walk and bicycle places as much as you can and take advantage of carpools and public transport. For my fellow U.S. peeps, our infrastructure is, unfortunately, not always facilitative of bicycling and public transport in certain areas or circumstances due to lack of safety, accessibility, and/or availability. So, in situations where your car is a must, plan out your errands or adventuring ahead of time. Consolidate trips to different areas into one day. Chart the best route out and back, so you don’t end up burning fuel by meandering aimlessly, sitting in traffic, or backpedaling to the same areas. Save the environment and decrease fuel and repair costs by performing regular maintenance on your vehicle, not accelerating rapidly, cleaning out unnecessary items to reduce weight, and never idling.
9. Take short, cool showers. Fully fill your dishwasher and washing machine before running a load. Wash clothes in cold water and air dry as much of your wardrobe as you can, which is not only beneficial to the environment, but also prevents wear and tear to help your clothes last longer.
10. Limit battery item purchases and only use rechargeable batteries. Replace your lightbulbs with LEDs. Once fully charged, unplug your computers and phones, preventing energy waste and extending the battery life of your devices.