The Ins and Outs of Zero Waste

Looking at the Financial Side of Living Zero Waste Apart of zero waste that I was truly interested in researching was looking to see if it was more or less expensive to live a zero waste lifestyle. Disclaimer, this is not a full research report on whether its is economically beneficial to live zero waste or not. This post compares everyday box store items to biodegradable or zero waste options. The grocery store used to find the prices of the box store items was a Super Savers. This grocery store was chosen because of the bulk food section. This purpose of this post is to inform on the alternative zero waste options for everyday items. Quaker Instant Oatmeal vs. Bulk Organic Quick Oats The Quaker Instant Oatmeal sold in individual 1/2 cup servings (serving per container is 10) is $2.98. 1 pound (10 servings of 1/2 cup) of Organic Quick Oats from the bulk section at Super Savers is $1.68. To make purchasing the bulk quick oats zero waste...

Items to Kickstart Your Zero Waste Lifestyle I have complied a list of items that are helpful live a zero waste life. Some are necessary to living a zero waste lifestyle while others are not.  1. Reusable water bottle- We all own one, you actually probably own more than one. If you are not already using it this is an easy way to kickstart a zero waste lifestyle. The number of disposable water bottles used every year is astounding. Ban the Bottle stated that for 2017 "The average American used 167 disposable water bottles, but only recycled 38". In total "Americans used about 50 billion plastic water bottles last year". Check out this video to look out what happens to three different plastic water bottles that are disposed of in three different ways. 2. If you are a coffee drinker purchase or continuing using a coffee cup or travel mug. To eliminate the waste that disposable coffee cups create, bring your own cup or travel mug to the coffee shop and ...

Tips for Starting a Zero Waste Lifestyle Making the switch to living a zero waste lifestyle is a daunting thought. In this blog post I will detail three steps that I recommend for those you are just starting or looking to begin. Going zero waste is a process and it is better to start by incorporating small changes here and there and then work up to bigger more drastic changes.  Disclaimer: I have not gone completely zero waste, but these are the steps that I created for myself. I started by following these steps and now continue to follow as I slowly become more and more zero waste. Conduct a waste audit - Yes this is gross, but its your trash so its really not that bad. A waste audit is when you go through your trash and take an inventory of all that you threw away in a certain period of time. Look to see what you threw away and what could have been recycled or composted. Knowing what you are throwing away can help you to evaluate what areas of your life you can start to...

The History of Zero Waste Policy The term "zero waste" was first used by Palmer (2004) while receiving resources from chemicals.  Canberra, Australia Places that have adopted zero waste policies. The idea for having a zero waste community originated in Canberra, Australia. ACT (Australian Capital Territory) No Waste by 2010 bill in 1995. The passing of this bill marked the first time ever a city created a zero waste goal.  In there first year of launching the ACT No Waste Campaign, Canberra was able to divert 42% of waste from the landfill. During the year between the beginning of the campaign and the end of the goal year of 2010 there was leveling off and only slight increases. With the being said by 2009 the city was diverting 73% of its waste away from landfills.  The most recent changes that have been made in an effort for Canberra to become zero waste, they have made an adjustment to the 2010 goal, with a new goal of 90% diversion by 2025. This is ...

Introduction Into Zero Waste The main objective of this blog post is to define and introduce zero waste and give the reader a better understanding of what exactly this crazy moment is.  Zero Waste Definition Zero waste can simply be defined as a "whole-system approach that aims to eliminate rather than 'manage' waste" ( Curran, T., and I.D. Williams ). The focus of living a zero waste lifestyle is eliminate or lessen the amount of waste that is ultimately sent to the landfill. Why the Need for Zero Waste? Due to the cause of items, such as electronic,s that used to be seen as luxuries which have now become everyday items, production of these goods has resulted in the need for constant expansion in order to meet the needs of a culture that is consumed with this consumption. The materials used in the production processes involve a composite and hazardous materials. The consequence of using these mixed sources in the production of waste that is damag...