10 Tips for Creating a Zero Waste Home

I do my part to recycle and bring my own bags for purchases, but I am far from producing zero waste. While lugging multiple recycling bins to the curbside every week it has occurred me that I have a lot of recycling for only one person. I never totally connected the dots that the goal should be to have a system where all of the wrappers, junk mail, jars and cans don’t enter my home to begin with!

I was recently inspired by a television show where Bea and Scott Johnson of Mill Valley, California talked about their Zero waste lifestyle. They produce the equivalent of a quart jar of waste per month for their entire family of four. Now that is pretty close to zero waste and a goal I am going to aspire to!

In a recent article about them in Sunset magazine, I was inspired by their commitment as a family to leave a lighter footprint. Their children are just as committed to the cause, and wrap their lunches in large cloths which they roll up and carry to school and reuse the next day. They have simplified their lives so completely that they are able to pack up on a dime and spend extended periods of time traveling and doing things they love. They are able to pay for the trips because of the 40 percent less they are spending on living expenses! They also rent their home while they are gone and use it as a teaching tool with detailed instructions for the renters on how they can create a zero waste lifestyle.

I yearned for the freedom from encumbrances that they have achieved, and the good feeling that comes from knowing my lifestyle is completely in alignment with my ethics about sustainability for the planet. I am inspired by their example to do more!

In Bea’s recent article in Yes magazine, she outlines 10 tips to help the average person get on board and move closer towards zero waste. Here are some of her great suggestions:

Refuse what you do not need.
Reduce what you do need.
Reuse by using reusables.
Recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce or reuse.
Rot (compost) the rest.

Next: More about Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot

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By Erica Sofrina, Author of Small Changes Dynamic Results! Feng Shui for the Western World

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kathy P.

10:01AM PDT on May 1, 2013

we do all of this, and I craft with recyclable materials. :) making money off of junk is nice

May 1
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Tim C.

9:00AM PST on Mar 2, 2013

thanks

March 2
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Jeffrey H.

8:57AM PST on Mar 2, 2013

We were so keen on recycling in all the rooms in our house that we created our own special eco-friendly trash/recycle can. We blogged about it on Care2 here: http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/3540496

Christine J.

9:13PM PST on Feb 3, 2013

I'm really keen on the refuse, reduce, recycle, rot lifestyle. One difference though, is that I do accept freebies such as pens and notepads. When I've gathered enough, I send them to our local cat shelter. Any office supplies are gratefully accepted, and every dollar saved on administrative costs is another dollar they can spend on their primary purpose, saving cats.

February 3
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Richard E C.

3:40AM PST on Jan 24, 2013

The best tip is REFUSE stuff why bring home junk/crap that you do not need nor will ever use! Second MOVE STUFF FORWARD, why store stuff in your closets & garage that you don't use and probably will never use again. You can give to young people starting out in their first apartment or to places like the St.Vincent de Paul Society that give household items & clothes to the homeless and those starting a new home after a fire or flood. This is very good for your Karma!

January 24
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katarzyna p.

3:47AM PST on Jan 21, 2013

good tips. the 'refuse' one is something that so may people don't do, but should. you can't walk down the road without someone handing out fliers; and sorry if this offends you, but around here [in the uk] a lot of it is bible bashers or other religious groups handing out 'the word of god' all that ends up happening is you see so many people taking the leaflets and putting it in the nearest bin. i take them home and put them in the recycling bag! anything i no longer want, i give to a charity. as the saying goes, one man's rags is another man's riches!

January 21
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Lauren S.

2:49AM PST on Jan 21, 2013

The Zero Waste Home blog was such an inspiration. I have beeb wanting to reduce waste for a long time. We recycle a lot and dont buy a lot of things. However, we do get a lot of junk mail, and have trouble refysing things people give us for the baby that she doesnt need.

Kathleen C.

5:19PM PST on Jan 20, 2013