When you look for zero waste online there are a lot of videos and articles regarding the people who have been living this lifestyle as well as people from low waste households to a totally zero waste house. It can be overwhelming to a person who has never thought about the waste that they are generating and some might feel that it’s not worth it, but after watching several documentaries including Plastic Ocean and reading books like the Mad Cowboy, any small move towards sustainability, minimalism, and zero waste would only help the planet and ourselves. On the other hand you don’t have to renounce the 21st century lifestyle and become a nomad or a hermit I hope the following steps help clarify what the zero waste path it about.
Step 0: Think about the reasons you want to go zero waste and minimalist.
This is even more important than the next step because it serves as your guiding principle when it comes to the amount of decision making you will be making later on. Did you choose to go on this journey because you saw a whale whose stomach was filled with so much plastic at the time of it’s death? Or do you feel overwhelmed with all the stuff you have surrounding you and feel that they are holding you back from living a more meaningful life? Write them down if you must so you could refer to it when you get to Step 2.
Step 1: Take inventory of your items and your habits
The next step in starting your zero waste life is not to go out and buy zero waste products. Resist the urge to look like the Instagram Zero Waster as I would suggest going the way of Mari Kondo and just get out all the items you have per category. It can be overwhelming but it’s the only way to fully know what you have on hand right now and put them all in one place you will be surprised to find expired items (toss them out), unused items (donate), items that you need (for proper storage with similar items). Consider your morning routine, do you really have to go through all 10 steps of your beauty regimen or could you consider taking a more natural minimal approach?
Step 2: Sort items into the Use, Donate, or Dispose pile
After taking inventory, you now have to decide what to keep and what to donate or throw out. This step is not as overwhelming as the previous one but this is where the work begins. I had sorted the items into different piles and because of the huge amount of stuff I had to go through it was really easy for me to apply 2 rules. The first rule was if it fits and is still relevant to my lifestyle today, then I go through the “spark joy” filter and see if this item still sparks joy if not it goes into the donate or dispose pile, however if an item doesn’t fit or doesn’t serve me anymore, eg: any item that has to do with my University and studying then they automatically go to my donate or dispose pile. Of course there are items that comes accross as a sentimental item then I put them in the for review pile but I was very strict about this pile as I did my best in not putting anything it in as much as possible.
Step 3: Put everything in their place (together as much as possible)
Now that you know exactly what you need and what you have on hand decide where things should go. Put them together in the same place as much as possible, because this way you won’t be buying the same things that you already have whether it is food or grocery items, toiletries, make up etc.
Step 4: Do your research
Now that you know what you have on hand and figured out exactly what is essential to you and your routine it’s time to do the research on what swaps you could make for the current ones that you are using and going to consume. Let’s say you use a lot of cotton rounds, so now look for different brands or stores that sell reusable cotton rounds or what’s even better is to make your own using old clothes (I find that some fabric works better than others so look for ones that can absorb better). Look for zero waste shops or bulk stores, there are also several online shops that deliver items to your door. Ritual.ph , ecoshop.ph , and echostore.ph are all good sources for zero waste products and they’re all local!
Step 5: Shop with the zero waste and minimalist mindset
The last step is to refill your items with zero waste or the most sustainable thing you can find! Once your current supply runs out then start to replace them with the things you have read about. Read up on anything and everything from the product itself to the company that makes it. Some products look good but are they being made sustainably? Do they pay for each step of the process accordingly? Focus on natural and local made products as these items would have less carbon emissions in their production as well as its delivery to you. Remember that an item that is as close to it’s natural state as possible would need less resources to make, that’s why making use of what you already have is the most sustainable and zero waste option. Buying second hand is also an option.
Finally realize that there are a lot of companies that are green washing their products to make them seem zero waste but if you check the actual process and resources used to make them they aren’t zero waste or sustainable at all! Some would try to monetize the zero waste and the minimalism movement but don’t buy into that. Know that zero waste and minimalism in its core is about using less things and using what you have completely. Not buying one thing means less resources used and less waste created. With this in mind I wish you the best on this exiting journey!
The Naturale Yogi 