With the ABC’s series ‘War On Waste’ having screened recently here in Australia, the zero-waste lifestyle has come to the forefront of collective awareness. Minimising the use of single-use plastics and disposable items has become a priority for a lot of people, as it should be, and I have seen numerous articles talking about items that people simply MUST HAVE to be truly zero-waste.

But I am here to tell you that you DO NOT need to go out and buy a ‘zero-waste kit’ to embark on this journey. Everything you need to start limiting your use of disposables and single-use plastics you, most likely, already have in your home.

Here are 4 ways to get started on your journey.  

1. Reusable shopping bags and produce bags – I feel like these are something that just about everyone has in the home. Whether it be a purchase at a retail store or an old tote bag that you don’t even remember buying, your reusable shopping back does not have to be fancy. Hell, you can even use old pillow cases as produce bags, or cut up an old sheet and sew up a simple tote bag. You can use ANYTHING!

2. Reusable Water Bottle – Another one of those items that floats around in your cupboards and falls out at you everytime you open the cupboard door. Just about everyone has a water bottle of some sort in their home. If not, you most likely have a vessel of some sort that can be used to carry some water around with you so you don’t have to buy a plastic disposable water bottle. A jar with a lid will do.

3. Reusable coffee cup – I am guilty of having purchased a new reusable coffee cup recently (this one – in black, of course), and I am absolutely in love with it. But, you don’t need to purchase anything new! You can use an old lidded jar and knit a cute little coffee cup cosy for it, or you could just sit in to have your coffee. Or you could support a local enterprise and check out Rubber Cuppy – locally made in Melbourne from recycled materials! #notspon

4. Cutlery – Now don’t get me wrong, I love a functional bamboo item, but you do not need to go out and buy a whole set of travel bamboo cutlery for your every-day bag when you, more than likely, have a draw full of cutlery that is totally functional in your kitchen already.

 

The notion of having to go out and purchase brand new items to start living a minimal waste lifestyle is kind of missing the point, so have a look through your cupboards, see what you have, and if you simply must buy something, get it from an op shop or thrift store, or make whatever it is you need yourself! Just remember to use what you have and do what you can, where you are.

 

 

Article by Rachel Gill

Rachel is a yoga teacher & student, mother and freelance writer based on the NSW mid-north coast, Australia. You can connect with her via her holistic lifestyle blog ‘Inspire The Wild‘, or on instagram, facebook and twitter @rachelmarieyoga.