Let’s be honest, being zero-waste can be expensive. There are so many products I felt I needed to buy to achieve this lifestyle when I first started on this path. After all, how can I be zero-waste without buying tons of reusable containers, stainless steel water bottles, or zero-waste cleaning supplies? As helpful as those products may be, we shouldn’t have to spend more money or use more resources to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. So, what can you do if you don’t want to overspend but still want to make more zero-waste choices? Read on to learn 5 low-maintenance and super-simple ways to be zero-waste on a budget!
1. Use what you have.
The simplest way to be zero-waste is to use what you already have! This way, you’re refraining from consuming more resources by keeping and extending the life of the things you own. After all, buying less new stuff will always be the most sustainable option. So, reuse food jars instead of buying containers or coffee cups. Or, upcycle old pillowcases to make your own reusable bags! The list goes on, there are tons of ways to extend the life of things you already have while forming new zero-waste habits.
2. Refuse things.
Making the effort to refuse things can go a long way, we have an overconsumption problem after all. An amazing no-cost zero-waste habit is to decline single-use or wasteful products because honestly, in most cases, we don’t need them! Whether that means turning down a plastic bag at the grocery store, unsubscribing to physical magazines and leaflets, or refraining from impulse buying. Refusing things from the start stops the cycle of wasteful consumerism. So, try to say no to disposable products when you have the option!
3. Get thrifty.
If you really want something, then look for that item at secondhand stores first. Finding things secondhand instead of buying brand new significantly eases environmental burdens caused by our overconsumption habits. Buying something secondhand not only lowers the cost of that item (which saves you money!) but also reduces resource use because fewer new materials are being consumed! By extending the lifespan of something you find secondhand you’ll also help divert things from the landfill, which would go a long way towards easing our waste problem.
4. Cook more at home.
Most, if not all, pre-made things come in single-use packaging. If you tend to buy a lot of pre-made food then, I’m sorry to say, you’re adding to our packaging waste problem. Plus, when you buy pre-made food you’re paying extra for the convenience. For instance, a single-serve frozen meal of penne pasta with tomato sauce costs about $8.00, but if you made that penne at home one serving is about $3.00! Let’s be real, pre-made food and snacks aren’t cost-effective and create a ton of packaging waste. So, get creative in the kitchen more often and you’ll substantially reduce packaging waste and trim down your grocery bill.
5. Take things slowly.
When trying to transition to a lower-impact lifestyle, don’t try to completely change your habits in one go. I know it’s hard to not just go all in when you get interested in something but this can cause climate anxiety and burnout! So, take things slowly. Doing so will reduce the initial cost of buying reusable products and make the change way more manageable. If you make intentional and practical changes one by one, you’ll make your zero-waste habits sustainable, keep your sanity, and won’t break the bank.
Budget friendly zero-waste habits:
- Use what you have.
- Refuse things.
- Get thrifty.
- Cook more at home.
- Take things slowly.
Trying to align your actions with your values can be intimidating, so don’t add to that pressure by spending money needlessly. To make this lifestyle more accessible, just focus on what you can actually do. Whether that means walking or taking public transit more instead of driving. Or, learning how to repair clothes so you don’t toss them and get replacements. Get creative and you’ll be surprised by how far a little ingenuity can get you.
After all, you don’t need to be perfect or consume more to be zero-waste! Being aware, committing to learning more, and doing what you can is the best way we can bolster positivity and sustainability. Living sustainably has quite the learning curve, so try to apply these easy habits and incrementally cultivate zero-waste habits.