When it comes to reducing waste, it’s not just buying in bulk and banning bottled (plastic) water. Cosmetics, clothing and various everyday materials can contribute to more responsible consumption. It is enough to have ideas and to reconsider certain habits. Zero waste tips straight ahead…
To be completely honest with you, when I started making my homemade cosmetics, I never thought of a zero waste strategy. At the time, I even thought that it was too much work to worry about this sort of thing…
It was when I went to sites devoted to the manufacture of these famous cosmetics to make at home that I realized that finally, with a little determination and the desire to do betterI could try…
Today, I have gradually come to adopt the“zero waste” attitude to produce as little as possible. I’m going to give you three ways to think about it yourself, if the idea has already crossed your mind to participate in the energy transition. It is promised, among these three tracks, I will not advise you to buy in bulk…
Tip N°1: eliminate the disposable
When I say “disposable”, I don’t necessarily mean plastic waste. I think that to relieve the planet, it’s important to limit ALL waste and not just plastic. Take the example of plastic straws which are now banned. They have been replaced by cardboard or bamboo straws.
So frankly, what’s the point? Resources have been mobilized to produce the straw and transport it to the place of use. Once it has been used by someone, new resources will be needed to dispose of it or recycle it. So, obviously, the gain is not huge.
So what’s the solution? Quite simply to go sustainable: the stainless steel straw, robust, elegant and durable, it will advantageously accompany your aperitifs and gala evenings. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe…
More seriously, I recommend these some simple ideas that I gathered on my site to eliminate the disposable and move on to the sustainable.
I wanted to eliminate the disposable because I find it absurd to use something for 10 minutes and then put it in the trash. We used resources to create the object and we will use more to destroy it. We are really in theenvironmental nonsense.
Zero waste tips N°2: know how to reuse
The second idea of my “zero waste tips” list is about reusing things you already have at home. For example, I switched to the gift package based on newspaper sheets. When I get announcements, promotions or advertising newspapers in my mailbox, I keep them preciously to transform them into gift wrap. At least they will help make someone happy!
Another type of smart reuse is, for example, pants. My son regularly brings in pants with holes in the knees. When I’ve darned the same pants two or three times, I move on: I cut them out and I make it into shorts ! It’s another way to reuse something for a different function.
Read also:
3 simple steps to act for the planet at its level
Acting for the environment takes time…
Zero Waste: 3 simple tips to get started
What if we stopped the clichés about ecology?
We can also reuse objects that do not belong to us. You can borrow something, that’s the basic principle, but you can also buy second-hand.
I really like this approach because when you buy something from someone who no longer needs it, you take advantage of it first then, possibly, being able to resell it to someone else (if the object in question is still in good condition).
It’s a bit of a principle ofcircular economy on an individual scale. It’s not only smart and responsible but, in addition, it’s very economical.
Tip N°3: Make “homemade” as much as possible
My third in this “zero waste tips” list is make “house” the most possible. Cooking at home saves us from buying things in small quantities or products that generate a lot of waste.
For example, if you buy yogurts, each pot of yogurt will end up in the trash, whereas if you prepare them at home in a yogurt maker, you use glasses and eliminate this type of waste.
Looking for other examples? You can prepare your own pastry Where bake your cookies yourself.
Another subject that is really close to my heart because I organize workshops on this subject is minimalist “home” cosmetics. I design cosmetics with three basic ingredients which are vegetable oil, aloe vera gel and apple cider vinegar. With that, believe me, we make whatever we want!
Otherwise, a final example of homemade things are the small gifts that are exchanged between friends: and if you thought of offering zero waste gifts ?
So here are three solutions to reduce your waste, eliminate disposables for good, reuse as much as possible and make “home” as much as possible. Do not hesitate, in the comments, to share other good ideas that allow you to consume in a more responsible way…
