Zero Waste Tips Guide for All Occasions
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Today, we can replace most of the products we normally buy with alternatives that last longer, are reusable, and are made from more sustainable materials.
Below you’ll find many examples of this. Shall we begin?
Essential Zero Waste Tips
The most important thing to stop generating waste is to change your mindset 🧠. Therefore, before starting with an extensive list of alternative products, we present the true Zero Waste Bible :
Reduce : Ask yourself if you need it. 📉
Reuse : Use what you have at home, trade, or buy secondhand. 🔄
Reuse it : If it is going to be used occasionally, borrow it or rent it. 🤝
Replace : Gradually replace things as they run out. ♻️
Repair : If it’s broken, fix it. 🔧
Reject : Lose your fear of saying “no” – it’s very powerful! ✋
Reaffirm yourself : Don’t blame yourself for being imperfect. It all adds up! 👍
Recreate : If you can, make your own and learn new skills. 🛠️
Resist the need to immediately satisfy your material needs. 🧘
Share your learnings and small gestures to inspire others. ✨
This doesn’t happen overnight, but little by little, you’ll see that this message adds a new filter to how you see the world. From here, there are many small changes you can make in your daily life.
Reusable tableware
Zero Waste Shopping Tips
Organize and focus your shopping : 🗓️ once a week, with a list, with a menu…
Buy products in bulk : bulk. Whenever possible, buy in bulk, in season, and locally. 🥕
Find stores near you 📍 by downloading our app! 🙂
Bring your own Tupperware for items like meat, fish, cheese, or sausages. 🥩🧀
Use reusable bags 🛍️ for general shopping.
Get into the habit of always carrying an extra bag in your purse or backpack. If you can’t avoid taking a plastic bag with you when shopping, reuse it as often as possible. 🎒
Use reusable mesh (or cloth) bags for fruits, vegetables, or nuts. 🍎🥜
Avoid buying drinks and other products in Tetra Pak . Instead, use glass or PET, or make your own! 🥛
Avoid single-dose meals : try to buy in bulk and in family-sized portions. 📦
Prioritize the concentrated product : 🧴 It takes up less space and takes longer to use up.
Refuse to take receipts 🧾 whenever possible: some contain BPA and aren’t recyclable. You can also ask your local store to include the option to email you the receipt or save it in your loyalty app.
Buy in bulk
Zero Waste Tips in the Kitchen
Drink tap water 💧 or install a water filter on your tap instead of buying bottled water, or use an activated carbon filter.
Swap out synthetic scrubbers 🧽 for loofah scrubbers or coconut fiber scrubbers.
Change the brush 🧹 for a wooden one, or one with a reusable handle.
Replace synthetic cloths with reusable/cleanable cotton and/or cellulose cloths that do not release microplastics.
Avoid film or aluminum foil 🥑, use tupperware or beeswax paper as an alternative.
Learn recipes to make the most of your food 🍲 and avoid food waste.
Make your own homemade plant-based drink 🥛 instead of buying packaged ones—it’s easier than it looks!
Zero Waste in the kitchen
Zero Waste Bathroom Tips
Use a non-plastic toothbrush 🪥 for single use: you can use a bamboo one, and it’s better if you only change the head.
Switch to body wash and shampoo in solid, bar, or bulk forms. 🧼
Hair removal and shaving : switch to a reusable razor, it’ll last a lifetime! 💈
Use natural toothpaste without microplastics or plastic packaging (or make your own at home!). 🦷
Say goodbye to disposable wipes and switch to washable and reusable cotton wipes. 🧻
Switch to solid deodorant . 🧴
Swap regular toilet paper for recycled paper 📜 or install a shower next to the toilet.
Switch to reusable makeup remover pads 🧖♀️ or use pure coconut oil.
Use reusable cotton swabs , made of bamboo, wood, cotton, or oliculi. 👂
Feminine hygiene : Switch from pads and tampons to a menstrual cup, cloth pads, or absorbent panties. 🩸
Try making your own homemade cosmetics : attend a workshop and learn something new. 🧪
In the shower, use a loofah sponge 🚿 or wash with your hands only.
Use silk floss . ✨
Zero waste in the bathroom
Zero Waste Tips at Work or in the Office
Always use your own glass or bottle 🥤 to drink water (and encourage others to do the same).
Use your own coffee cup ☕️ and spoon for the coffee machine or for the cafeteria.
Promotes the installation of a water fountain or filter 💧 and the discontinuation of bottled water purchases.
Eliminate the common waste bins at each table and create a single recycling point where recycling can be easily done. 🗑️
Suggest switching from paper towels to a warm-air dryer to save paper. 🌬️
Propose switching to a power company that provides energy from renewable sources. ⚡️
Zero Waste at Work
Suggest that the cleaning products 🧼 used to clean the office be eco-friendly or more sustainable.
Suggest installing light sensors in spaces where there aren’t always people to save energy.💡
Swap out post-its 🗒️ for recycled paper (post-its aren’t recycled!) or get into the habit of writing things down digitally.
Bring your own snacks 🍎 to avoid buying things from the vending machine (try nuts, fruit, or homemade cookies).
Bring your homemade food 🍱 in a Tupperware.
Digitize all the stationery 💻 you use for clients and suppliers.
Avoid long email chains : they take more energy. If they’re short, use internal chats or calls. 📧
Organize awareness-raising activities with your team : like our talks and workshops or outdoor activities like beach cleanups. 🤝
Work on your computer with a dual screen , so you’ll have less need to print things out so you can read them while you type. 🖥️
Empty your email trash and delete any emails you don’t need to save. 🗑️
If you must print, print double-sided , use recycled paper, and use eco-friendly, refillable ink cartridges whenever possible. 🖨️
Turn down business cards , take a picture of them, and then transfer the information to your digital planner. 📸
Prioritize pencils over pens ✏️, there are even highlighters!
Zero Waste Tips for Leisure, Travel, and Shopping
Always carry a reusable water bottle 💧 and refill it whenever possible at airports, stations, or public fountains. You’ll save a lot of money and avoid a ton of plastic bottles.
Take books with you in digital format . 📱
Before buying something 🛍️ for a very specific need, ask yourself if someone can lend it to you.
Remember to add “no straw” 🥤 to your order when ordering a drink. If they serve it to you anyway, just refuse it for next time.
If you’re going to a show, don’t print your ticket 🎫, show it on your phone to save paper.
If you’re going to the movies, bring your own homemade popcorn 🍿, bought in bulk. It’s much healthier and cheaper.
If you’re going to music festivals , 🎶 find out what organizers are doing to reduce waste.
Avoid using glitter ✨ that contains microplastics.
In bars and restaurants, refuse anything superfluous : sugar packets, straws, umbrellas, etc. 🚫
If you’re traveling, even for the weekend, pack a mini travel kit : a bottle, a handkerchief or napkin, cutlery, a Tupperware… 🗺️
Share a car 🚗 with a carsharing platform and prioritize public transportation.
Share or swap homes 🏡 when traveling. You’ll avoid having to buy new things that you’ll only use occasionally, and you’ll have a much more local experience.
Don’t take the hotel’s individual soap dispensers 🏨 and ask for them to be replaced with dispensers.
Take a Tupperware with you when you go to the restaurant 🍽️ in case there are leftovers and avoid throwing them away.
If you buy online , try to choose a local business 📦 with collection points in your neighborhood or city.
Buy secondhand 🛍️ whenever possible: you’ll save money and waste.
Give plants 🪴 instead of flowers.
Zero waste in travel
Zero Waste Tips at Home
Use a homemade , non-toxic all-purpose cleaner made with white vinegar and baking soda.
Put a “no ads” message in your inbox. 📮
Swap out Kleenex for cloth tissues . 🤧
Use old clothes to make rags . 👕
Gifts : Offer experiences 🎁 instead of material things.
Avoid wrapping paper : reuse ♻️ or use fabrics with the Furoshiki technique.
Replace plastic clothespins with wooden ones (always use what you have first). 🧺
Digitize all your postal mail : 💻 Ask companies to email you invoices and receipts.
Reading : Read books and magazines digitally 📚 instead of buying them in paper format.
Before buying something you need right away, ask a neighbor . 🏘️
Zero Waste at home
Zero Waste Family Tips
If you have a baby, try using reusable cloth diapers 👶 whenever possible.
If you’re preparing snacks , wrap them in reusable wrappers 🥪 or put them in a Tupperware container.
If you’re hosting a party at home, use reusable tableware 🎉 or ask guests to each bring their own plates and cutlery.
Instead of buying toys for your children , you can try a toy subscription service 🧸 that provides you with new toys from time to time, always adapted to your little ones’ ages.
Create games for the little ones 🧩 using recycled materials.
Swap secondhand clothes 👕 with family and friends who have children of other ages.
For Carnival, make your own costumes at home 🎭 using recycled materials or rent them instead of buying new ones.
Buy pet food in bulk . 🐾
Instead of covering school books with plastic wrap , wrap them in reusable sleeves. 📚
Zero waste as a family
Summary and conclusions
We hope you found some useful tips and can apply them little by little.
And you, what tricks do you have for reducing waste in your daily life? Tell us and we’ll expand the list!
Have you heard of our app? Go Zero Waste is an app that accompanies you on your Zero Waste journey. Click on the image to learn more and download it.
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