How to Start a zero waste lifestyle
Zero waste lifestyle is no joke. Specially here in the Philippines, where we are the so-called “sachet country”. Almost every commercial products are in plastic packaging and were not denying that we need these things in our everyday life. But there are ways to lessen your plastic wastes and here are some things that you can do to start.
A mess kit are silverware and cookwares that are provided to soldiers for them to use when in military camping. Now, there are so called "Eco-Warriors" that bring their own mess kits everytime they were out. This is to prevent them from using single-use plastics that most business establishments use to sell their products.
If you want to help the environment, this is one simple way but has a big impact in preventing so much trash to end up on landfills or the ocean. Imagine someone buys a coffee to go from Starbucks everyday, that’s already 365 disposable coffee cups in a year, from just 1 person. And not all of them are recycled. I actually don't know if we have recycling area for plastics here in the Philippines :(
So what are the things that you should include in your mess kit?
Primarily, I think a water bottle or a tumbler is the most necessary on a mess kit that one should always carry. Then the utensils, which includes a spoon, fork and bread knife. You can also include, chopsticks and stainless steel straws if you really want to be always ready. Napkins are not only for messy eaters but also this can serve as your mess blanket for your messed/used utensils. And of course, your emergency take-out container which can be glass, stainless steel, silicone or a regular plastic container. As long as its reusable, its perfect!
But actually, what’s to be included in your mess kit is totally depends on you! Yes! Because every person is different on the way they consume. For example, I don’t really drink caffeinated/sweet drinks and I majorly stay away from them. Do I really need an insulated double wall stainless steel bottle? How about a stainless steel straw? Nope! A simple water bottle will do. Now if you're still confused on what’s to include on your mess kit. You can check out my other post, Find your perfect mess kit that fits your lifestyle.
- Tote and Cloth Produce Bags
Most supermarkets or groceries here in the Philippines are already implementing on saying NO to plastic bags. Instead, they use brown bags to put all of your purchases. But it is still convenient if you have your own Tote bags with you, they are more sturdier and easy to carry than brown bags.
Everyone of you can agree with me that when you are in a supermarket and you want to buy fresh produce like vegetables, meat or fish, It’s either they are already individually packed or they will pack your purchased item in a transparent plastic bags. Now this is also a plastic waste and we don’t want that. You can bring cloth/produce mesh bags for the veggies and your own container for the meat/fish. In this way, they wouldn’t be using any plastic bags for your purchases. Now, not all supermarkets are aware of this kind of lifestyle. You can respectfully ask the staff with a BIG smile and if they reject you, that’s the time you should explain your reasons to their supervisor or manager. Tell them that you want to lessen your plastic consumption in your household because it doesn’t degrade fast and will only be a problem to our environment if they will not be disposed/recycled properly. Always remember to keep calm and be confident but friendly, in that way you will be granted fast and they will be happy to assist you in your needs. Some people say that there are some supermarkets that are already accepting consumer’s own containers to weigh fresh produce like Robinson’s and South Supermarket. I’m not sure though if all of their branches accepts this.
If you don’t want to go with this kind of hassle, you can always buy your produce on a market in your town. Sellers are more friendly and will be happy to put your purchases on your own container. Plus! All products are certified fresh.
Sample household things you can switch are your plastic toothbrush to a toothbrush that has a bamboo handle. Cleaning brushes in the kitchen or toilet into a wooden ones. Though these brushes has nylon bristles and that you shouldn’t put into a compost, at least you can compost the handles.
For kitchen or toilet cleaners and detergents, you can make your own and there are a lot of recipes for you to try. You just have to try one and pick with ingredients that are readily available to you.
After reading this list, some will feel overwhelm but don’t worry, one step at a time is the key so you won’t be stressed. Also, whenever you buy something, think long term. You have to repeatedly ask yourself if you really need it. In addition, you want to buy something that is sturdy and will last for years and years.
1. Reusable instead of Disposables
- Acquire a Mess Kit/Zero Waste KitA mess kit are silverware and cookwares that are provided to soldiers for them to use when in military camping. Now, there are so called "Eco-Warriors" that bring their own mess kits everytime they were out. This is to prevent them from using single-use plastics that most business establishments use to sell their products.
If you want to help the environment, this is one simple way but has a big impact in preventing so much trash to end up on landfills or the ocean. Imagine someone buys a coffee to go from Starbucks everyday, that’s already 365 disposable coffee cups in a year, from just 1 person. And not all of them are recycled. I actually don't know if we have recycling area for plastics here in the Philippines :(
So what are the things that you should include in your mess kit?
Primarily, I think a water bottle or a tumbler is the most necessary on a mess kit that one should always carry. Then the utensils, which includes a spoon, fork and bread knife. You can also include, chopsticks and stainless steel straws if you really want to be always ready. Napkins are not only for messy eaters but also this can serve as your mess blanket for your messed/used utensils. And of course, your emergency take-out container which can be glass, stainless steel, silicone or a regular plastic container. As long as its reusable, its perfect!
But actually, what’s to be included in your mess kit is totally depends on you! Yes! Because every person is different on the way they consume. For example, I don’t really drink caffeinated/sweet drinks and I majorly stay away from them. Do I really need an insulated double wall stainless steel bottle? How about a stainless steel straw? Nope! A simple water bottle will do. Now if you're still confused on what’s to include on your mess kit. You can check out my other post, Find your perfect mess kit that fits your lifestyle.
- Tote and Cloth Produce Bags
Most supermarkets or groceries here in the Philippines are already implementing on saying NO to plastic bags. Instead, they use brown bags to put all of your purchases. But it is still convenient if you have your own Tote bags with you, they are more sturdier and easy to carry than brown bags.
Everyone of you can agree with me that when you are in a supermarket and you want to buy fresh produce like vegetables, meat or fish, It’s either they are already individually packed or they will pack your purchased item in a transparent plastic bags. Now this is also a plastic waste and we don’t want that. You can bring cloth/produce mesh bags for the veggies and your own container for the meat/fish. In this way, they wouldn’t be using any plastic bags for your purchases. Now, not all supermarkets are aware of this kind of lifestyle. You can respectfully ask the staff with a BIG smile and if they reject you, that’s the time you should explain your reasons to their supervisor or manager. Tell them that you want to lessen your plastic consumption in your household because it doesn’t degrade fast and will only be a problem to our environment if they will not be disposed/recycled properly. Always remember to keep calm and be confident but friendly, in that way you will be granted fast and they will be happy to assist you in your needs. Some people say that there are some supermarkets that are already accepting consumer’s own containers to weigh fresh produce like Robinson’s and South Supermarket. I’m not sure though if all of their branches accepts this.
If you don’t want to go with this kind of hassle, you can always buy your produce on a market in your town. Sellers are more friendly and will be happy to put your purchases on your own container. Plus! All products are certified fresh.
2. Compostable rather than non-Biodegradable
What is compostable? Compostable are objects that decay or degrade easily with the help of soil and other organisms. These substances are commonly vegetable peels, fruits, papers, dead leaves, etc. These are composted in a bin together with soil and after sometime it will be ready to be a compost that you can use in your garden.Sample household things you can switch are your plastic toothbrush to a toothbrush that has a bamboo handle. Cleaning brushes in the kitchen or toilet into a wooden ones. Though these brushes has nylon bristles and that you shouldn’t put into a compost, at least you can compost the handles.
3. Switch to household products without packaging.
Household products often comes in a plastic packaging like shampoo, soap, cleansers, beauty products etc. For shampoo, you can switch to shampoo bars. There are a lot of shampoo bars already in the Philippines but they are not readily available in the supermarkets. A lot of them are homemade and are only available online. Some have pop up stores that you can go to so you won’t be bothered about the plastic packaging when the items are delivered. There are also some cosmetic shops that do refills for your facial routine.For kitchen or toilet cleaners and detergents, you can make your own and there are a lot of recipes for you to try. You just have to try one and pick with ingredients that are readily available to you.
4. Cook from scratch.
Now this is hard if you’re not good in cooking and you are on a tight budget and cannot splurge on eating out. Almost instant foods comes with a packaging and relatively has smaller price than the fresh ones. But switching in making your own meal will not only lessen your waste but also makes you healthier in the long run. Instant meals has a lot of preservatives and is not good in your body. Cooking from scratch requires fresh ingredients so that means more nutrition to your body and much tastier too!After reading this list, some will feel overwhelm but don’t worry, one step at a time is the key so you won’t be stressed. Also, whenever you buy something, think long term. You have to repeatedly ask yourself if you really need it. In addition, you want to buy something that is sturdy and will last for years and years.
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