30 Zero Waste Tips for Your Home
Updated: Oct. 19, 2023
Looking to create a more sustainable home for you and your family? Check out these zero waste tips that are simple and so effective.
Start a Backyard Compost
Zero waste gardeners will love having their own compost on hand. There are so many benefits to home composting. It diverts organic material from landfills, saves money, improves soil and plant health, conserves water and reduces the use of garden chemicals. You can build a compost bin or a compost barrel tumbler, or you can purchase this small compost bucket for food scraps.
Use Zero Waste Grocery Bags
A great starting point for achieving zero waste in your home is to stop bringing home paper and plastic bags. They take up space and negatively impact the environment. Take reusable cloth bags to the store instead. Make your reusable grocery bags stronger with plywood and be sure to clean your grocery bags after each use..
Buy Food Without Packaging
Buy food without packaging, or as little packaging as possible. Sure, you can buy red bell peppers packed in styrofoam and plastic wrap, but why? Choose loose fruit and vegetables whenever you can. And take advantage of bulk food sections, where grains, seeds, nuts and more are free of excessive packaging. Learn how to create less trash.
Switch to Stainless Steel Straws
There’s no need to stock up on plastic straws, which take up space and aren’t sustainable. Save money and the environment by purchasing waste-free products like these reusable stainless steel straws.
Change Your Light Bulbs to LEDs
Switching from incandescent to LED light bulbs saves a significant amount of energy. LEDs consume an average of 80 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs, helping you to achieve your zero waste goals.
Reuse Old Sheets and Towels
Don’t throw away things like sheets, towels and other fabric items, consider transforming them into rags for cleaning, applying wood stain in the workshop and wiping up outdoor messes. Keep that fabric out of a landfill as long as possible!
Layer with Wool Before Turning Up the Heat
Whether on sheep or a human, wool regulates body temperature. You may be surprised how much warmer you feel after putting on a pair of wool socks and wrapping yourself in a wool blanket. You can even repurpose an old wool blanket into mittens.
Turn the Water Off While Brushing Your Teeth
Of course you should wet your brush and rinse it off when you’re done brushing. But what’s the point of running the water while the brush is in your mouth? Turn off the tap to save water and add to your zero waste efforts.
Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
While you won’t dramatically slash your energy bill by unplugging appliances that use little electricity, in some cases you’ll waste less electricity by turning things off or unplugging them.
“For example, you should probably keep your computer equipment on a power and surge protector bar, and turn the bar off when the computer is not in use,” explains Green Energy Efficient Homes. “Even with the PC itself turned off, the combined power draw of a cable or DSL modem, a wireless router, and a computer printer sitting idle and waiting for work to do, can exceed 50 watts (about the same draw as one moderately bright incandescent bulb or four compact fluorescent bulbs).”
Choose Quality Items Meant to Last a Lifetime
Quality over quantity can hurt your wallet at first. But if you find yourself replacing the same item over and over because you went the cheap route, you’re throwing money away and creating waste. Be sure to choose products meant to last a lifetime, especially tools like these Craftsman screwdrivers.
Switch from Plastic Water Bottles to a Filtration System
Plastic water bottles are a big no-no for your zero waste goals. Opt for a filtered pitcher, an attachment for your faucet, charcoal sticks, etc. You can also install a refrigerator water filter to purify the water supply to your ice maker and water dispenser. Another viable option is a reusable water bottle, which is easy to use and clean.
Choose Rechargeable Batteries
Avoid throwing away batteries when you can reuse the same ones! Rechargeable batteries will save your wallet and the environment.
Make an All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
From the ingredients used to the packaging it comes in, generic store-bought cleaning supplies are wasteful. Opt instead for a reusable spray bottle and make an all-purpose cleaning spray.
Avoid Junk Mail
Is your mailbox loaded with coupons, pamphlets and more every single day? Enhance your zero waste goals by saying no to such wasteful tactics by businesses. Go to dmachoice.org to make the switch to a junk mail-free life.
Go Thrifting
From clothing to furniture, you can find so many beautiful items for little money. Some have never been used! Donate and sell unwanted items from your home and closet, then scan thrift stores for items you actually need.
Switch to Digital Downloads
Keep plastic and paper at bay by swapping to digital downloads of your favorite DVDs, CDs, books and more. You’ll lessen the clutter in your home while contributing to a more sustainable future.
Switch to Silicone Baking Mats
Forget the aluminum foil that can only be used once. Say no to the parchment paper. It’s time to choose a more environmentally friendly option, like silicone baking mats. They protect your baking sheets from stains and your food from sticking while saving you a trip to the store. If you have old beat-up cookie sheets that aren’t good for baking anymore, recycle them for use in your shop.
Shop Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s Markets are great for finding the freshest and most local food. They also offer little to no packaging, which is ideal if you’re trying to move toward a zero waste lifestyle. Just be sure to bring your reusable grocery bags!
Use Microfiber Cloths
Paper towels and disposable dusting cloths are wasteful. For your cleaning needs, opt for microfiber cloths instead. They’re ideal since they’re made of tiny strands that reach into crevices, and provide millions of little pockets within the fabric to hold dirt particles. New technology makes it a breeze to clean with microfiber cloth.
Turn Down Freebies
Look around your home and take note of all the “freebies.” From company logo pens to real estate notepads, these marketing tactics have worked on you! The more you say no, the less you add to the demand to make more.
Reuse Gift Boxes and Accessories
A lot of waste goes into wrapping a gift. There’s the box, the wrapping paper, the tissue, the ribbon and so much more. The next time you receive a beautifully wrapped gift, save these accessories and reuse them to wrap someone else’s!
Go Paperless for All Your Bills
Bills are another contributor to a stacked mailbox of wasteful paper. Opt for paperless billing for everything from your credit card to your cell phone bill.
Ditch Sponges
Even if you clean your sponge, it only lasts so long before it’s time to open up a fresh one. Avoid the waste by ditching it altogether and opting for compostable scrubs or brushes instead.
Swap Tea Bags for Loose Leaf Tea, and Try a French Press
Avoid purchasing tea bags; use loose-leaf tea in a reusable strainer instead. For coffee, you can eliminate need for filters by using a French press. Compost your coffee grounds when you’re done.
Try a Bidet Attachment
The thought of giving up toilet paper to achieve a zero waste lifestyle may sound scary, but it’s actually practical when you think of its replacement! Consider cutting way back on your toilet paper usage by installing a bidet attachment. Bidets aren’t as popular in America yet, but they’re starting to gain traction.
Use Purifying Plants as Décor
Going green is so in! Plants never go out of style. Plus, plants purify the air and add a touch of style and warmth to your home without spending dollars on disposable décor.
Give Up Plastic Wrap
Plastic wrap may be a staple in your household for covering foods, but it’s totally wasteful! Make the switch to reusables, such as beeswax wraps. They use the heat of your hand to mold and stick in place to protect your food.
Use Mason Jars
Say no to plastic storage containers to organize your pantry and opt instead for glass jars to keep your spices and dry goods fresh. They’ll also create a beautiful display!
Use the Power of the Sun
When the sun’s shining bright, give your dryer a break and hang-dry your clothes. Your electric bill will thank you. Increase laundry room efficiency with these simple storage and organization projects.
Switch from Plastic Bottles to Bar Soaps
Plastic bottles of soap are wasteful. Make the switch to bar soap to cut back on unnecessary packaging in your home and increase your zero waste efforts.
