Are you looking for ways to be more climate-friendly? Want to know what changes you could make to your day-to-day life to help the planet? We’ve put together some easy zero waste lifestyle hacks that you can start today – no expensive purchases, no disruptive changes. Just simple ways to work towards significantly reducing the waste you create.
The good news is that, in the UK, the amount we waste per household is generally decreasing. According to government statistics, waste generated by homeowners in the UK was 22.7 million tonnes in 2022. This is a decrease of more than 7% from 2021, so things are going in the right direction. But there’s still a long way to go, so any little thing you can do will make a difference.
Here are ISB Global’s top zero-waste lifestyle hacks:
Embrace reusable
Plastic is one of the planet’s biggest pollutants. Just walk around your house and count all the plastic bottles you have for toiletries, cleaning products, food and drink, garden and car care. That’s a lot of plastic in one house. And while much of it can be recycled, the way to a zero-waste lifestyle is to stop buying new plastic containers. So switch to refillable and reusable containers, or to glass options that can be fully recycled.
Actively shop waste-free
It’s possible to do this if you think ahead. Your fruit and veg doesn’t have to go in the supermarket’s plastic bags. You can bring your own bags for weighing loose items, or just put them loose in the trolley. Avoid pre-wrapped items where you can, and look for packaging – such as cardboard and biodegradable or compostable packaging – that can be reused or recycled.
Get a ‘keep’ water bottle and hot drinks mug
It’s pretty common now to see people with their own drinks bottles and cups. A refillable water bottle means you never have to buy bottled water again, and an insulated cup removes the need for café-style disposable cups – which can’t be recycled, even if you think they can. Most cafes will put your takeaway drink in your own cup – and some even give you a discount!
Plan better to avoid food waste
A shocking amount of food is wasted in the UK every day. But it’s easy to avoid. With a bit of forward planning, you can make sure you only buy the produce you need. And there are loads of ways to use up leftovers so that they don’t have to go in the bin. If you have a garden, get a compost caddy, and put fruit and veg peelings into it – buy a compost bin for your garden and you’ll have ready-made garden goodness as well!
Donate, don’t dump
It’s easy to lift the bin lid and throw away old clothes, toys and other items when you’re having a clearout. But most things aren’t really the junk you think they are. Donate your old clothes to a charity shop, or a fabric bank where they can be sold or reused. Or turn them into cleaning cloths so you don’t have to buy new ones. Repair cafes can often fix the things you think are unfixable, giving them a new lease of life. And ‘buy nothing’ online groups and sites can often be the perfect place to find something a new home.
Just say no
Once you get into this habit, it’s a revelation. Take a reusable bag wherever you go, and you can refuse a plastic bag. Shop for your lunch in places where the disposable cutlery is recyclable. Go paper-free with your utilities and your bank. Decline ultra-processed foods. Say no to meat – especially red meat – two or three times a week. We’ve got into the habit of blindly accepting everything. Saying no to things we don’t need makes a big difference.
Buy pre-loved
One person’s trash is another person’s joy. We’ve already talked about donating your unwanted goods, but how about buying second-hand as well? The huge success of pre-loved sites such as Vinted just shows that, with a little thought, we can get fantastic deals on clothing and goods without having to buy new. Shopping this way extends the life of products and helps to reduce the demand for brand new ‘stuff’.
None of these life hacks cost you much money – and some of them could even make your bank balance healthier! You can start today. Building new habits takes time, but just doing even one of these things can help you to reduce your personal waste – which in turn will have a wider impact. Perhaps you’ll even influence those around you to make the move too.
