Every year, the average American throws away over 1,700 pounds of trash. Most of it ends up in landfills, oceans, or incinerators, and much of it could be avoided.
You don’t have to go to extremes to make a difference. Zero waste works best when it’s about small, mindful changes that build over time.
In this guide, you’ll find 101 practical, doable ways to be zero waste. From quick kitchen swaps to creative reuse ideas, these tips will help you start reducing waste today, whether you are a total beginner or ready to take your sustainable lifestyle to the next level.
What Does “Zero Waste” Mean?
Zero waste is a lifestyle and design approach that aims to keep as much as possible out of landfills, incinerators, and the environment. The goal is to design systems where resources are reused, repaired, recycled, or composted instead of thrown away.
The concept grew from the environmental movement of the 1970s and gained momentum in the 2000s as people began to realize that recycling alone wasn’t enough. The modern zero waste movement is based on five key principles: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot (compost).
In practice, this might look like:
- Choosing loose produce instead of pre-packaged.
- Repairing clothing instead of buying new.
- Composting food scraps at home or through a community program.
- Buying in bulk with your own containers.
It’s important to note that zero waste isn’t about producing zero trash. Instead, it’s about making smarter choices so that what we buy and use can keep circulating, rather than ending up as waste.
Learn more: The Zero Waste International Alliance defines zero waste as “the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery.”
Why Go Zero Waste?
The average American throws away about 4.9 pounds of trash every single day. Over a year, that’s nearly 1,800 pounds per person, and most of it ends up in landfills or incinerators, releasing harmful greenhouse gases and leaching toxins into soil and water.
Choosing a zero waste lifestyle can help change that. Here’s how it makes a difference:
- Protect the environment by keeping plastics and chemicals out of oceans, rivers, and wildlife habitats. Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic enters the ocean. By cutting your waste, you help stop that flow.
- Save money by reusing, repairing, and buying less. For example, a $20 reusable water bottle can replace hundreds of single-use bottles each year.
- Improve your health by avoiding single-use plastics, which can leach chemicals and shed microplastics into food and drink.
- Support ethical businesses that design long-lasting products, use sustainable materials, and pay fair wages.
- Fight climate change — the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that reducing waste also lowers greenhouse gas emissions by cutting demand for resource extraction, manufacturing, and transportation.
Zero waste is about more than just trash. It’s a way to align daily choices with your values, protect the planet, and build a healthier future for yourself and generations to come.
101 Great Ways to Be Zero Waste
Below, we’ve broken the tips into categories so you can start where it makes sense for your life.
Zero Waste in the Kitchen
- Use glass or stainless steel food containers instead of plastic.
- Switch to beeswax wraps for covering food.
- Compost food scraps at home or through a local program.
- Buy dry goods in bulk with your own jars or cloth bags.
- Freeze leftovers in reusable silicone bags.
- Choose loose produce over packaged.
- Make broth from veggie scraps.
- Replace paper towels with washable cloths.
- Use cloth napkins daily.
- Bake bread to avoid plastic bags.
- Store herbs in jars of water to keep them fresh.
- Use a French press or pour-over coffee maker instead of pods.
- Refill spices from bulk bins.
- Use bar dish soap and a compostable brush.
- Freeze fruit before it spoils for smoothies.
Zero Waste Cleaning & Laundry
- Make all-purpose cleaner with vinegar, water, and citrus peels.
- Use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.
- Switch to concentrated laundry detergent strips.
- Wash clothes in cold water.
- Skip fabric softener and use vinegar instead.
- Mend clothes rather than tossing them.
- Use a reusable lint remover.
- Switch to compostable sponges or natural scrubbers.
Zero Waste Shopping Habits
- Bring your own shopping bags.
- Use mesh produce bags.
- Shop secondhand first.
- Support farmers markets.
- Buy in bulk to cut packaging.
- Choose natural fibers over synthetics.
- Avoid impulse buys with a 24-hour rule.
Zero Waste Bathroom
- Switch to a bamboo toothbrush.
- Try toothpaste tablets in a glass jar.
- Use bar soap instead of liquid in plastic bottles.
- Try a safety razor with replaceable blades.
- Use washable cotton rounds for skincare.
- Choose plastic-free deodorant in paper tubes.
- Switch to shampoo and conditioner bars.
- Choose menstrual cups or reusable pads.
- Buy toilet paper wrapped in paper.
- Install a bidet to reduce toilet paper use.
Zero Waste at Work & On the Go
- Bring your own coffee cup.
- Pack snacks in reusable containers.
- Carry a stainless steel water bottle.
- Bring your own utensils in a pouch.
- Keep a tote in your bag or car.
- Use bento boxes for lunches.
- Keep a cloth napkin in your bag.
Zero Waste Gifting
- Gift experiences instead of stuff.
- Wrap gifts in fabric (furoshiki).
- Make homemade candles or jam.
- Reuse glass jars for baked goods.
- Gift plants in terracotta pots.
Zero Waste Creativity & DIY
- Upcycle glass jars into storage.
- Repurpose old t-shirts into totes.
- Turn wine corks into coasters.
- Make rags from old linens.
- Refill pens instead of replacing.
- Make DIY scrubs from sugar or coffee grounds.
Zero Waste Travel
- Bring travel cutlery and a straw.
- Stay at places with refill stations.
- Pack solid toiletries.
- Refill your water bottle at airports.
- Choose public transport when possible.
Zero Waste Food Choices
- Eat more plant-based meals.
- Buy “imperfect” produce.
- Support a local CSA.
- Freeze or can seasonal produce.
- Grow your own herbs.
Zero Waste Home & Lifestyle
- Switch to LED bulbs.
- Line dry clothes.
- Collect rainwater for plants.
- Compost yard waste.
- Repair rather than replace.
- Use simmer pots for air freshening.
- Buy reclaimed wood furniture.
Zero Waste for Pets
- Make homemade dog treats.
- Use compostable waste bags.
- Buy bulk pet food in reusable containers.
- Repurpose blankets for bedding.
Zero Waste Education & Community
- Host a clothing swap.
- Join a Buy Nothing group.
- Share tools with neighbors.
- Volunteer for clean-ups.
- Teach kids to compost.
Advanced Zero Waste Habits
- Repair electronics.
- Install a water filter to skip bottled water.
- Choose renewable energy.
- Invest in long-lasting goods.
- Refuse freebies you don’t need.
Everyday Mindset Shifts
- Think before you buy.
- Ask for digital receipts.
- Cancel junk mail.
- Borrow books from the library.
- Plan meals to reduce waste.
- Keep a reuse bin for crafts.
- Batch errands to save fuel.
- Support sustainable businesses.
- Say no to single-use plastics.
- Choose quality over quantity.
- Celebrate small wins.
- Share your progress to inspire others.
💡Tips for Success
Before You Start
- Audit your trash — find your biggest waste sources.
- Use what you already own before buying new “eco” items.
- Know your why — it keeps you motivated.
- Join a community — local or online zero waste groups.
- Celebrate milestones — every change counts.
Is Zero Waste Expensive?
Not necessarily. While some zero-waste swaps (like stainless steel containers or safety razors) may cost more upfront, they often last for years and save you money in the long run. For example, a $20 reusable water bottle can replace hundreds of single-use bottles each year, and a $30 safety razor can last a lifetime with inexpensive blade replacements.
Many zero-waste habits cost nothing or even save money because they focus on reusing what you already have, repairing instead of replacing, cooking at home instead of ordering takeout, and buying in bulk to reduce packaging waste. Over time, these small changes add up to significant savings.
This Has Been About 101 Easy Ways to Be Zero Waste
Living a zero-waste lifestyle isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making better choices, one step at a time. Whether you start with just one habit, like carrying a reusable water bottle, or take on bigger changes like composting and bulk shopping, every action counts.
The most important thing is to keep going. Celebrate your progress, share what you learn, and inspire others along the way. Together, our small, consistent efforts can create a significant, lasting impact for our communities, our planet, and future generations.
Found these tips helpful? Share this guide with a friend or pin it to your zero-waste board for later!
