10 actions to get started with a zero waste lifestyle

Evelina Lundqvist, The Good Tribe and Malin Leth, Circulous, co-creators and co-hosts of the Love Zero Waste podcast explain “10 actions to get started with zero waste lifestyle” over at Love Zero Waste’s Instagram.

Sometimes people ask us how to best get started with zero waste lifestyle, focusing on eliminating waste from their homes and various activities. We don't talk so much about all the stuff you can do for yourself since quite a few people cover this topic already.

Moreover, we are perhaps even more passionate about large-scale change, e.g. what can be accomplished through entrepreneurship, policies and activism. (Of course, zero waste lifestyle ventures of all kinds, can incorporate those three as well!).

But the other week, when we did a Love Zero Waste Live on Instagram, we decided to make an exception and talk about the actions you can do to kickstart a zero waste approach in your life.

Before you do anything else, though, revisit REFUSE of the 12 R of Zero Waste.

Simply refuse to purchase stuff you don't need. Perhaps not as instantly gratifying as buying stuff. But nevertheless, an essential act in our consumption hungry, take-make-waste society. Refusing to purchase things is critical to breaking up old patterns on an individual as well as societal level. Not to mention the game-changer it is for businesses when consumers refuse to buy their products, and companies need to adjust their business models and start contributing to sustainable development.

Below is our list of actions. We've updated it slightly since our conversation.

Finish what's on your plate!
Make sure to eat the stuff in your plate and in the fridge, rather than throwing it away. Bring a container to the restaurant, so you can take a doggy bag. Saving food saves money, so make sure you make good use of all them delicious calories you've purchased.
Bring your own water bottle!
No need to buy a new one, just use one you or a friend might already have.
Bring your own bag!
Single-use plastic bags are super easy to replace with the plastic or paper bags or a tote bag you most likely already have at home.
Bring your own cup!
Any reusable container will do for your takeaway coffee, tea or hot cocoa, it doesn't need to be a fancy thermos. (Check with your local barista, what COVID-19 guidelines they need to abide by!)
Take care of your clothes!
Wash them right, close zippers and unbutton buttons, avoid putting them in the dryer and learn to mend holes. (Yes, do take good care of the other stuff you own as well!)
Swap to soap, shampoo and conditioner bars!
If you want to get started with a few zero waste products: soap, shampoo and conditioner bars are easy to purchase and use.
Go for dry lentils and beans!
Next time you're buying lentils or beans, check if you can get the dry rather than the tinned ones. That saves a ton of water and eases the transportation footprint. Cook according to the instructions on the package.
Switch to a menstrual cup!
It might take some practice to get used to, but it's totally worth it. Also, it saves you money!
Buy second hand!
If you need to make a purchase, go for second hand. There are plenty of apps and websites, where you can find anything from books to bikes, to clothes and laptops. Of course, there's always also the option of swapping stuff with others.
Get an ear spoon!
Ehem... yes, it's a thing. Google it. If you really want to clean your ears… some people might say that you shouldn't! Get an ear spoon to replace the cotton buds. (If you're wondering how this ended up on the list, listen to this episode of Love Zero Waste.)