If you are reading this post, you are probably interested in finding out what’s all this fuss about zero waste and minimalism, or maybe you’ve already taken some steps towards a clutter-free existence. Either way, when researching this topic it becomes clear very soon that leading a waste free life has its challenges and can be overwhelming. Everything in today’s world seems to conspire against whoever is environmentally conscious and would like to take active steps in reducing their carbon footprint. Despite governments around the world planning to ban it, single use plastic is still all around us at home, at work and in the shops; we are told that we should consume less resources, but at the same time we are bombarded with ads telling us that we need to buy more stuff. Companies are increasingly offering eco-friendly versions of their products, but they are often more expensive and not always ‘green’ as they claim to be.

So how can we embark in this journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle, without losing our sanity? In this post we will discuss a number of practical steps we can all take to reduce our waste and contribute to a healthier environment.

What’s the zero waste movement REALLY about?

This is not an easy journey, it involves some soul searching, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged, especially at the beginning; and some might feel the desire to find some shortcuts and “buy their way” into a zero waste lifestyle, thinking that it can be achieved only by replacing what you already own with the latest trendy gadgets.

The truth is, the key concept of ‘zero waste’, ‘plastic free’ and all those other fancy terms is to reduce waste, and reduce our impact on the planet. Any of us who decides to do that will need to take different actions, depending on their lifestyle and circumstances. There isn’t one right way to do this, and there are soooo many options out there.

LOVE and APPRECIATE what you own

So don’t ditch your plastic items to replace them with eco friendly alternatives, but wait until they are worn out/broken before replacing them. Otherwise you will add more waste. Plastic is usually very durable (that’s why it takes ages to decompose!), so keep it out of the landfill as long as you can, potentially forever.

When an item is broken, see if it can be repaired; learn to mend your clothes; the internet is a treasure trove when looking for DIY upcycle projects, bringing new life and purpose to items instead of sending them to the landfill.

Buy what you NEED, not what you WANT

If you really need to buy something, and repairing is not an option, you can buy second hand: that way you’ll use something somebody else has discarded, contributing to a circular economy and breaking the waste cycle.

Nowadays there are also places where you can borrow or swap what you need – just have a look in your local community (and don’t forget asking friends and family!)

Buying second hand (or borrowing/swapping) is not really your thing? Then (and only then!!) look for a brand new eco-friendly alternative; choose high quality long lasting materials; if there is a reusable alternative to a single use item, invest in it – by doing that you will not only reduce your waste considerably but you will also save money in the long term. And remember to bring your own bag(s) when shopping!

All the ‘stuff’ we own should be useful to us, either as practical tools we need in our daily life, or as things which make us feel better. By adopting a minimalist approach to your purchases, you will focus on real needs instead of fleeting wants; you will be surrounded by things which add value and joy to your life, by choosing quality over quantity – check out our step by step guide to declutter your house here

Be the change…step by step!

As human beings we all have an impact on the planet, but there are a lot of things we can do to minimise our environmental footprint…small changes in your daily life can bring a huge benefit to our planet, and once you realise that and start making informed decisions, all your subsequent actions will come naturally, and before you realise you will be living a life truer to nature and yourself.

And remember…no step is too small towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle!