What is Zero Waste Exactly?

What I thought it was.

When I decided to get on board the zero waste movement I thought it was all about getting rid of ANYTHING PLASTIC. 

I WAS WRONG.

I thought it was to refuse anything plastic and to get rid of anything plastic at home. I, at least, got the first part right.

We bought metal straws so we can refuse plastic straws. We started using our eco bags so we can refuse plastic bags at the grocery store.



I felt that wasn’t enough so I looked at other ways to replace anything made of plastic at home. That’s when I found more articles about zero waste.

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Recommended Search Terms: zero waste, zero waste movement, zero waste diy, new to zero waste, get started zero waste, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and rot

Almost there.

I found articles to help me get rid of some of the items at home and replace it with ones that don’t come in a plastic container. This is how I found the recipe for one of the zero waste products I make and promote (more on that on another post). 

I switched to shampoo bars, lotion bars and even made my own all purpose cleaner. 



Click here for ideas. Also, Pinterest if your friend!

While I was off to a good start my research led me to what zero waste movement was all about. 

What it is. 

 Zero Waste, according to Wikipedia, is a philosophy that encourages the redesign of resource life cycle so that all products are reused. The goal is not to send anything to land fills, incinerators or ocean. OCEAN!!! (Inhale... Exhale...)

Two terms we need to know to make better choices - cradle-to-cradle and cradle-to-grave. 

Cradle-to-cradle describes a material or product that is recycled into a new product at the end of its life. No waste! :) 

Example would be your refuse at home. Instead of dumping them you can choose to compost (will put up a post on bokashi later). 

Cradle-to-Grave is a direct contrast where a product ends with a grave, where it is disposed of in a landfill.



Simply put...

If you want to go Zero waste you must find ways to avoid sending anything to a landfill, incinerator or our beautiful ocean. 

Whew! Hope that helps. :) 

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