A Beginner’s Guide for a Zero-Waste Home

To have a zero-waste home is to move towards a more eco-friendly way of life. For the longest time, we have taken resources from Earth, sometimes too much, only to dump them on the ground later. But this doesn’t have to go on forever.

If you live in an idyllic community like Bloomfield Heights in Antipolo, you’d be inspired by the beauty of nature and encouraged to take care of it better by living waste-free. 

Here’s how you can get started: 

Know the Principles of Zero Waste

There are 5Rs you can follow to effectively reduce waste, or ideally, end up sending nothing to landfills: 

• Refuse: Say no to items you don’t need. This applies to disposable products like extra paper napkins and plastic utensils. If you can’t reuse them, refuse them.
• Reduce: Limit the number of goods you consume and avoid buying non-essential items.
• Reuse: This involves switching to reusables and extending the lifespan of appliances by repairing or handing them down.
• Recycle: Creative examples are upcycling flower bouquets and creating a mosaic mural from old tile pieces.
• Rot: This applies to organic matter such as leaves and food scraps. You can turn them into nutrients for your garden through composting.

Make Your Kitchen Waste-Free 

The kitchen is one area of your home that generates the most waste. To avoid this, get started by replacing non-compostable but frequently used items. For example, switch from disposable napkins to cloth napkins or replace plastic storage with glass jars. 

Additionally, make it a habit to buy in bulk and do it using reusable bags or containers. In grocery stores, avoid products stored or wrapped in some form of plastic. Or better yet, support the markets near you and shop local. 

Rethink Your Clothing Preferences 

Consider longevity when buying new items for your wardrobe. While shopping fast fashion seems to be the norm, you can gradually make changes by starting with the basics, literally.

Look for sustainable clothing companies and invest in basics that you often use, such as plain tees, undergarments, and jeans. For other clothing types, remember the rule: buy less and use more. After all, it has been claimed that most people do not wear at least 50% of their clothes. 

Switch to Package-Free Items

These include not just food items but also personal care and beauty products. Consider using solid shampoo and conditioning bars, some of which are sold package-free. Use cosmetics with compostable packaging and swap cotton balls for reusable cotton rounds. Other hygiene products like deodorant and sanitary napkins also have zero-waste alternatives. 

If you want to include your kids in the zero-waste movement, you can do so by teaching them about the environment. Let them roam around the pockets of greens within Bloomfield Heights. Walk, cycle, and spend time in nature as much as possible. Consider giving them zero-waste gifts, too, during special occasions. 

When planning for a zero-waste home, take it one step at a time. Your mindful steps can lead to profound changes that will benefit you, your family, and the environment.