When Bea Johnson published the book Zero Waste Home in 2013, she inspired thousands of people to think about how they could cut down on waste. The zero waste movement has gone global, and there are dozens of bloggers sharing their tips on living a waste-free lifestyle.
What is zero waste?
The zero waste movement is all about cutting down on any unnecessary waste: choosing goods that come without packaging, recycling everything that you can, and using sustainable products that aren’t disposable.Â
Why go zero waste?
There are many reasons to choose a zero waste lifestyle. Of course, reducing waste is a great way to help the environment, but the experts say it also comes with many personal benefits. Going zero waste is actually very healthy – it means only eating food that doesn’t come with wasteful packaging, most of which is fruit and vegetables. Many people are looking for a more natural lifestyle, and are trying to avoid the chemicals we encounter in everyday products. Bea Johnson says that since going zero waste, she and her family “lead more meaningful lives based on experiences instead of stuffâ€.
Is zero waste really possible?
Not completely. Even zero waste experts throw some things away – there are plenty of pictures of them with a whole year’s worth of rubbish in a mason jar – and then there are other things to consider, like waste water, energy efficiency in the home, and the size of your carbon footprint. Waste can also be generated in the production process of many products, even if the products themselves are eco-friendly or reusable.
How can you achieve zero waste?
According to Bea Johnson, leading a zero waste lifestyle is all about the 5 R’s:
- Refuse – Don’t use products unless they are made and packaged sustainably.
- Reduce – Cut down on everything you don’t need.
- Reuse – Use a few products time and time again, instead of using lots of disposable things.
- Recycle – Recycle all paper, cardboard, plastic and cans.
- Rot – Have a compost bin for your food waste.
Preserving food in glass jars is one way to reduce disposable packaging.
How can I find out more?
There are a number of great and informative blogs about the zero waste movement. Here are just a few of the best:
Going zero waste isn’t easy, and it’s not for everyone, but you can pick up some great tips on leading a more sustainable lifestyle. One important choice is the company you use when you are disposing of waste. At WT Skip Hire, we recycle around 90% of the waste we collect in our skips. When you choose us, you know you’ll be doing your bit for the environment.
To hire a skip, call us on  01493 668118 or book your skip online.
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