Living more sustainably doesn't always have to mean creating more work for yourself! In recognition of March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste, this blog offers some low-lift ways to reduce your waste. We hope you'll find one or two to be an easy and inspiring way to live a greener life.
Do a No-Buy Challenge
A no-buy challenge is a good way to cut back on what you consume, which will ultimately cut back on what gets thrown away. To do a no-buy challenge, simply create a list of items that you consider unnecessary to buy. It could be clothing, home decor, mugs, etc. Then, specify a period of time where you will not buy these items, maybe a month or a year, and stick to it.
While this may seem like effort (it does have challenge in the name, after all), making the decision about what you will or will not buy one time actually makes it much easier down the road. When you see something you're tempted to buy, you don't need to spend time waffling over it, because you've already made the decision not to buy it. Plus, this will save you from future decluttering initiatives when you get rid of the things you bought but didn't actually need.
Swap in Dryer Balls for Dryer Sheets
Expected to last through 1,000 loads of laundry (if you do one load a week, that's almost 20 years!), dryer balls are an easy way to cut back on thousands of dryer sheets AND on your drying time. Made of wool, the dryer balls absorb water during the drying cycle and then release it as steam, getting the wrinkles out of your clothes. Plus, by bouncing around during the drying cycle, they'll shorten your drying time by 10-25%, saving electricity.
Dryer balls are a truly no-brainer swap that will make your life easier. If you want your dried clothes to have a fresh scent, you can mist some locally-made linen & dryer ball spray on the dryer balls before they go in the dryer or directly onto your freshly dried clothes.
Switch to a Menstrual Cup or Disc
Instead of spending hundreds of dollars every year on tampons and pads, switching to a menstrual cup or menstrual disc will save you lots of money, time, and waste. Reusable menstrual products are lower-effort because they can be left in for 12 hours–simply empty at the start of the day and at the end, and don't worry about needing to replace every few hours. A cup or disc can last up to 10 years—think about all the trips to the store for period products that will save you. Reusable pads and pantyliners are also a sustainable alternative to disposable pads.
Spend Time with Friends, Family, and Neighbors
Is spending time with friends and family a zero-waste action? Maybe not officially, but I consider quality time with loved ones to be an important part of living an eco-friendly lifestyle. Consumer culture relies on individuals buying convenient, disposable solutions to their problems, when often you can find help from another person just as easily. Next time, before you donate old clothes, see if a friend or family member wants them first, and before buying something you may only use for one occasion, see if you can borrow it.
Take it One Day at a Time
Phasing out less sustainable practices for more sustainable ones takes time—trying to do everything at once is often not feasible. What's important is striving to be a little better each day, month, or year, and focusing on the personal benefits of sustainable living rather than just the elimination of waste. If you have other easy tips for living more sustainably, share them in a comment below!
