What is Zero Waste?

The easy answer is - Zero waste is sending nothing to a landfill and refusing all single use items, primarily plastic. 

But it’s not always that easy...

I believe that zero waste  is an aspirational goal and something you’re always striving for. No one can become zero waste overnight. It requires planning and flexibility in the beginning and grows into a lifestyle. This isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being more conscious. I am going to try and give some insight to this lifestyle and it’s goals.

Most people know the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

With zero waste there are five Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot 

Refuse

This can be hard at first especially in college when free things are passed out left and right. The largest part of this is refusing single use products/plastics: straws, cocktail napkins, plastic cutlery, free pens, etc. start to think about where that free XL T-shirt is really going to end up and think twice about accepting it. 

Reduce

This concept helps jump us to reusing and recycling by reminding us to cut back on what we use. The best example I can share for this is when I’m in a public bathroom that doesn’t have a hand dryer. I can either shake my hands vigorously to dry them, or use a paper towel from the dispenser. Though I do usually shake my hands vigorously, I sometimes choose to use that paper towel. In the past I may have grabbed four or five towels when I really only need one. Only take what you need and cut back what you don’t.

Reuse

Become a DIY MASTER and repurpose everything! Get creative before you toss something. Maybe you can give an old pillow case a new life as a produce bag, or reuse a pasta sauce jar on your next bulk food shopping trip. This is the fun one I promise!! 

Recycle

A lot of people think zero waste means only buying things that can be recycled, but that isn’t quite it either. Since your recyclables will eventually be so.t to manufacturers, they must meet certain standards. This means that if you’re not thoroughly cleaning out your plastic food containers, greasy pizza boxes, or glass pasta sauce jars they will probably end up in a landfill. 

Pro Tip: glass and aluminum are two recyclable materials that have an infinite recycling life. This means they can be turned into new products over and over and over again, unlike recyclable plastics who’s chemical makeup make them impossible to recycle more than twice

Rot

This mostly covers food scraps. So much of what we throw out is from our kitchen. Researching your areas compost system is always a great idea. I collect my compost in a small bucket right on my counter then take it home in a large sealed bucket since Ann Arbor has a great compost system.

Zero waste is about being aware of your impact to the planet. Trying to reduce your trash and make everything you own useful with a purpose. It helps minimalize your life while providing an eco friendly alternative to living. I whole-heartedly believe one person can make a difference. Reducing waste is the quickest way to see that. People will notice and people will ask. And it’s all about awareness.