How To Start Shopping And Living A Zero-Waste Lifestyle | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Environment

5 Ways For A Budding Environmentalist To Start A Zero-Waste Lifestyle

One thing I've been SUPER diligent about not buying anything from fast-fashion stores. That includes Zaful, Shein, Zara, Fashion Nova, Forever 21, and so many more.

189
5 Ways For A Budding Environmentalist To Start A Zero-Waste Lifestyle

This is going to be a continuation of my last article about using a menstrual cup for the first time, but I'll be speaking broadly about the things I've been changing with my own lifestyle choices that are better for the environment. Of course, some of these don't apply to EVERYONE, but I think this is a good starting point for beginners who are trying to make the transition.

1. Plastic bags

Three words: CANVAS SHOPPING BAGS!!!

Honestly, why are we even WASTING so many plastic bags when we go shopping, just to hoard them in our pantries after we take the groceries out??? Plus, they're super weak and rip super easily when you have a bunch of groceries so you have to DOUBLE and TRIPLE up. Just save yourself the time and energy and invest in some cute canvas tote bags with a nice design. They're sturdy, they're cute, and they're eco-conscious for the environment!

2. Plastic utensils (forks, spoons, and straws)

Going along with the plastic bags, one SUPER important things that we shouldn't be buying anymore is plastic utensils. At Rutgers, we usually get plastic forks, knives, and spoons whenever we get takeout, but recently I've been passing on these. I recently went to Walmart and found some QUALITY utensils for SUPER CHEAP, so I got two sets for me (and for Kory whenever he comes over).

And all I have to do is wash them whenever I'm finished and just keep using them again! I've also started transitioning to using reusable straws instead of disposable ones, which has been GREAT because the other day I got a drink at Starbucks and they ran out of straws but guess who had her reusable one!!!

3. Disposable water bottles

Long gone are the days of Poland Spring and Fiji water. I bought a Contigo water bottle about a year ago, and it's been my SAVING GRACE and BEST FRIEND ever since. I take it literally with me wherever I go, and just find a water fountain to fill it up whenever I feel thirsty. It's honestly so much better than buying packs of water every couple of weeks and it makes me more inclined to drink more water throughout the day! You can also get really cute ones from Target or Marshalls with designs and different types of materials, and I'm sure there are filtered water bottles for those of you concerned about the water quality.

4. Reusable tea strainers and loose leaf tea

This one is probably my FAVORITE because I love tea! This past Christmas, I bought my dad a tea strainer from David's Tea and a various assortment of loose teas. It's super easy because you don't have to deal with the tea bags and you can actually make the tea as strong or weak as you'd like AND you can mix different tea flavors to your liking! It's a small adjustment to save the environment, but think about all of the waste you're saving!! Plus, it's so much easier to buy the loose leaf teas in bulk at your local supermarket than small tea bags!!

5. Cheap, fast-fashion

One thing I've been SUPER diligent about not buying anything from fast-fashion stores. That includes Zaful, Shein, Zara, Fashion Nova, Forever 21, and so many more. What I like though is that some of these brands are trying to make a conscious effort to make sustainable clothing in better conditions for their workers (i.e. H&M's Conscious Collection). With the exception of this brand, sustainable clothing brands can be VERY expensive (cough cough, Reformation), and so I've been thrifting a lot more of my clothes now! Depending on what day and time you go, you can probably get some AMAZING finds for less than half the price that these bigger brands are selling their clothes for. Reusing of clothes helps the environment and helps workers in harsh conditions.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

14025
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

40313
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

20449
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

320846
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments