Low Waste Tips for Beginners
Where are you on your low waste journey?
If you’re just getting started, it may feel overwhelming. However, there are plenty of easy things you can implement in your daily life that will bring you one step closer to sustainable living. It’s not only possible to get started on a low waste lifestyle; it can also be enjoyable! You have a community of environmentalists here to support you on your journey. Let’s dive into some awesome low waste tips for beginners!
1. Create a Trash Audit
When you want to create a budget, what do you do first? You write out all of your expenses in order to get a clear view of what’s going on in your finances. The same principle applies to sustainability. Write out a list of things you consume and purchase daily. What items from the grocery store are your go-to? Do you often online shop? What do all of your items come packaged in? Did you really need that item? Or did you buy it because you saw it on social media or because it was aesthetically pleasing? Take note of what you throw away for an entire week or even a month! This will help make you aware of what your consumption habits are and how you can improve them. It’s a simple, yet effective first step to reduce your waste and it’s a great low waste tip for beginners.
2. Decide Your Non-Negotiables
Sustainability does not equal perfection. These low waste tips for beginners aren’t set in stone. We’re only human after all. If you put too much pressure on yourself to be “perfect”, you might accidentally set yourself up to fail. Think about items that you may not be able to compromise on at this time. It could be makeup, condoms, or anything else! Not every environmentalist does low waste the same, and you need to make living low waste not just a lifestyle, but your specific low waste journey. It needs to work for you because, if you aren’t happy, you won’t stick with it long-term.
3. Ask Yourself “What Can I Do Right Now?”
On Instagram, you’ll likely see low waste influencers with beautiful aesthetics and expensive products. While you can take inspiration, don’t make comparisons. You don’t need to look Pinterest-perfect or buy fancy tools to start this journey. One of the best low waste tips I have is to ask yourself “What can I do right now?” Look around you. What’s in your house that you can use up? What items can you DIY and turn into something new? Are there items you can swap with your friends and family? The opportunities are limitless! This is your journey and you need to do it your way. As you learn more and grow into the process, you can always buy low waste tools later on. What’s most important is that you start where you are with what you have.
You’ve got this! Challenge Yourself!
I hope you learned something new with these low waste tips.
The Girl Gone Green Summer Challenge is coming up, and it’s the perfect opportunity to learn and grow your sustainability efforts. Each week, I’ll give you a new topic to dive into. It’s going to be a lot of fun! These challenges will be available by signing up above. I can’t wait to help you on your low waste journey.
