10 STEPS TO START YOUR ZERO WASTE JOURNEY (without overwhelming yourself)

One of the most commonly asked questions I get is "i want to go zero waste, but i dont know where to start." & i get it! It can feel overwhelming hearing about zero waste living for the first time, so i am here to help! Rule of thumb: less, is more. Don't be in a rush to get it all locked in at once. The entire transition into zero waste/plastic free living took me 4 years. 

After reading this guide i want you to feel more confident in what the overall journey will & should look like in the beginning. So lets get started. 

1. Use what you already have first.
Don’t throw everything away just to replace it with the “sustainable” version. The most sustainable product is often the one you already own.

2. Start with your trash can.
I call this the "trash audit". Look at what you throw away the most. That’s where your swaps will make the biggest difference. If you notice every trash bag is filled with paper towels, look into getting dish rags (like this) or Swedish dish towels 

3. Replace things only as you NEED them.
You don’t need to buy your entire zero-waste setup at once. When something actually wears out or breaks, replace it with a reusable or lower-waste alternative. & do your research on which option would do best for you. Theres multiple options for each product. For example: toothpaste tablets or toothpaste that comes in a recyclable tube

4. Learn how to spot greenwashing.
Words like eco-friendly, natural, & green don’t automatically mean sustainable. Research materials, ingredients, packaging, & the company before buying. I have done many videos on this in the past but if you dont wanna scroll my socials to find them, check out this BLOG

5. Ditch the easiest single use items first.
Think paper towels, plastic water bottles, disposable razors, plastic bags, sponges, plastic wrap, & disposable utensils. All of these options have reusable alternatives that often result in you saving more money in the long run 

6. Choose reusable before recyclable.
Recycling still requires resources & energy & depending on where you live, your recyclables might not actually be getting recycled. Whenever practical & possible, choose something you can wash, refill, repair, or reuse again & again. & to make sure the things you actually NEED to have recycled that you're doing so properly. for example; breaking down cardboard boxed, emptying out bottles & cleaning them, keeping lids on bottles etc.

7. Buy secondhand before buying new.
This one is huge! I was just at the kids second hand store today & the amount of baby gear, clothes, toys, etc that are available second hand is disturbing. Clothes, furniture, kids’ items, kitchenware, décor you’d be SICK at how much you can find already in circulation. Plus its fun searching at the thrift store for stuff you need & the peace of mind knowing you grabbed something pre loved is amazing. 

8. Shop with less packaging.
Choose bulk, refillable, concentrated, package-free, or paper/glass/metal packaging when you have the option. A quick google search will tell you if you have a refill or zero waste store near you. Also check out www.littlerless.com for an easy search engine

9. Reduce food waste + compost what’s left.
Plan meals around what you already have, freeze food before it goes bad, use scraps creatively, & compost unavoidable food waste. Don't leave your leftovers sitting to rot in the back of your fridge. Move them to the front of your fridge so you can see them front & center & they dont spoil.

10. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for less waste.
This one really trips people up. The idea of not being able to do everything perfectly discourages people from starting before they've even tried. So I want to make this clear; YOU WILL NOT BE PERFECT. Make swaps that actually work for your budget, home, & lifestyle so you can stick with them long-term. Small habit swaps in your everyday life = a solid zero waste journey without the anxiety.