The Weekend Post: 15 Easy Zero Waste Tips for Beginners #AD

There’s a lot of information on how to go zero waste and plastic-free. But if you want to do it perfectly from the beginning, it can be an overwhelming change in your life. So, let’s focus on taking baby steps!

Just like learning a new language or skill, you have to start with the basics and keep practicing every day to improve your performance. And there’s no better day than today to start your zero waste journey!

Would you like to learn 15 useful and easy zero waste tips you can put into practice today? Then, let’s dive right in!

What is Zero Waste?

In simple words, zero waste means sending no waste to landfills or incinerators. Although going completely zero waste sounds impossible, the goal is to reduce as much waste as you can each day! Remember, baby steps.

If you’re wondering why zero waste is important, keep in mind that your waste will affect the environment one way or another. Your trash could end up on the streets or make its way into the ocean! Besides, landfills and incinerators have a huge impact on the environment.

15 Easy Zero Waste Tips for Beginners

The best way to make huge changes is to start with small but consistent steps on a daily basis! After a while, you will realise how much waste you’ve reduced with little effort. To make this possible, check these easy zero waste tips.

1 - Avoid Disposable Items

Avoiding items that will end up as waste is probably the best zero waste tip to bear in mind. You should keep track of the single-use things you discard frequently and find ways to avoid them. Fortunately, you will be able to replace most of them with reusable options! For example, use reusable cutlery to avoid disposable utensils and they will be some of the best eco products you'll ever buy.

2 - Compost

If you can compost at home, why don’t you give it a try? Once you start composting, you will reduce a lot of waste while creating nutrient-rich soil! And more importantly, this zero waste tip is a great way to prevent organic matter from contributing to climate change.

3 - Don’t Forget Your Reusable Grocery Bags

The main point of having reusable bags is using them to avoid plastic bags and paper bags. That said, it’s easy to forget them at home, especially when you’re in a rush. To prevent this, you could place them near your keys or wallet. If you don’t have a reusable bag yet, what are you waiting for?

4 - Buy Loose Produce

When buying veggies and fruits, avoid plastic packaging and buy them loose instead. Cut down on plastic waste with this zero waste tip and pack your veggies in small reusable bags. If the only options available come in plastic packaging, you can visit the farmer’s market to find loose produce!

5 - Ditch Plastic Toothbrushes

An easy zero waste tip to reduce your plastic waste is using a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic one. Your plastic toothbrush is an item that will stay forever in a landfill or what’s worse, it could end up polluting the ocean. On the other hand, bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable and eco-friendly.

6 - Buy in Bulk

Plastic packaging creates lots of waste, that’s why you should avoid it when possible. A fantastic zero waste tip to reduce plastic packaging is buying in bulk. The good news is that there are many bulk shops you can visit nowadays to buy nuts, cereal, spices, rice, and more!

7 - Say No to Plastic Straws

When ordering a drink, say that you don’t want a plastic straw. Plastic straws are one of the most common items found on beach clean-ups, so it’s important to avoid them. If you’d like to use a straw, bring your own reusable straw!

8 - Repair Damaged Items

Before discarding things that are broken or old, find out if you could repair them or use them for another purpose. With this zero waste tip, your old items will have a second chance and you will prevent waste. Maybe you could even save some money!

9 - Use a Reusable Water Bottle and Travel Mug

Plastic bottles and disposable cups create unnecessary waste you can avoid by using a reusable water bottle and a travel mug. Besides being eco-friendly options, they will keep your water cold and your coffee hot for longer!

10 - Make Some of Your “Convenience Foods”

If you have enough time, get creative and make some of your convenience foods. This zero-waste tip is a wonderful way to avoid packaging and prepare some healthy food options! For example, you can make your own pesto, hummus, jams, cookies, and more!

11 - Pack Your Snacks

Food wrappers are the most commonly found beach trash, so it’s important to reduce this waste. Once in a while, pack a few snacks instead of buying them on the go. Not only will you avoid plastic packaging, but you will also eat healthier!

12 - Learn How to Recycle Properly

Recycling options can vary a lot in different places, so find out what materials you can recycle in your area. This zero-waste tip is key to follow your local guidelines and make sure that your recyclables get recycled!

13 - Bring Your Own Container

If you’re getting takeaway, ask if you can use your lunch box to avoid plastic waste. If you can’t, wash the takeaway container and reuse it for freezing your foods. And don’t forget to use your reusable utensils!

14 - Reuse Glass Jars

Reusing glass jars is one of the most creative zero waste tips. They’re super useful and you will find many ways to reuse them. You can use them to buy in bulk shops, store craft supplies, and more!

15 - Donate Unused Items

If you have a few items that you no longer need or you won’t use any more, don’t send them to landfills. A better zero waste tip would be donating them to a local thrift store instead.

These zero waste tips are small steps in the right direction to reduce your daily waste, so give them a try! 

Post written by 

Zero Zen Store

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Christmas Gift Guide 2020: The Very Last Minute Digital Gift Idea from ZeroSmart #CarbonNeutral

Left it too late this year? Don't worry, ZeroSmart have just the perfect gift for anyone who wants to shop zero-waste, eco-friendly and sustainable this Christmas.

Whether you've been rushing around trying to juggle the gift shopping between life and work commitments this month, you've been caught out with the new Tier 4 rules down South or you've simply missed someone off your list, ZeroSmart are here to save the day!

Sustainability has been a big ongoing theme for the last few years and with many of us re-assessing our lifestyles, it's been encouraging to see so many more consumers actively choosing to purchase greener gifts this year. 

ZeroSmart specialises in offsetting carbon footprints for people and pets by planting trees and working with environmental charities and climate-change organisations around the world. All of the carbon offsetting projects that ZeroSmart are involved in, including all tree planting, are regularly verified by third-party organisations like the United Nations FCCC and Verra. For extra peace of mind, the trees are protected and cared for by experienced professionals and dedicated local communities who are paid a fair wage for their vital conservation work.

Gifts include personalised digital certificates for humans (example above) and the carbon offset is calculated using average carbon data stats from trustworthy organisations such as WWF, the EU and the UK Gov's own ONS (Office of National Statistics). 

Pet lovers can also purchase digital certificates to offset the carbon of their own pets or those of their family and friends (examples above), as a thoughtful gift to the environment! Together we can plant more trees for a greener environment tomorrow :)

Learn more at zerosmart.co.uk

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Eco-Style: 5 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Impact On The Planet Every Day #ZeroWaste

Reducing your personal impact on the environment can seem like an overwhelming concept at first, but with a couple of clever swaps, you can help change your daily habits into a more sustainable way of living. Plus, you'll save money in the long run!

Here are 5 easy and simple zero waste tips to get you started:-

 Tip 1: Swap Single-Use Plastic Bottles For ONE Reusable Bottle

Do you buy a bottle of water or a soft drink to have with your lunch at college/Uni/work? Why not invest in a reusable bottle instead? Not only are you cutting down on your plastic waste, but it'll work out a lot cheaper in the long term. There are lots of different brands of reusable bottles to choose from and I've been enjoying carrying around my Hydratem8 Insulated Water Bottle* (£19.99, link) which comes in a range of colours and designs, including this gorgeous floral Sweet Pea print that's perfect for Spring! It has a 500ml capacity and is made from professional grade, thermal insulated stainless steel, so it'll keep drinks hot for up to 18 hours, or cold for up to 30 hours.  

 Tip 2: Prep Your Own Lunch & Choose Plastic-Free Snacks

It can be tempting to want to purchase your lunch out every day, but not only is this expensive, there's also all of that single-use packaging waste to deal with, most of which can't or doesn't get recycled. Prep your own lunches at home and save yourself around £25-30 a week - easy! With the money that you've saved, you can buy a reusable lunchbox instead that will last you for years to come. IKEA has some very affordable glass options (from £2, here) with different lids (the bamboo ones are great) that can also be used to heat food up in the oven, as well as storing food in the fridge and freezer.

Don't forget your snacks too - ditch the plastic wrapped variety and pop an Apple or Banana into your bag instead for a healthy, zero waste option.

 Tip 3: Say No To Disposable Cutlery and Straws

Every day, millions of plastic straws and cutlery across the UK are thrown away after lunch is over and whilst the EU has recently voted to ban these items by 2021 in a bid to get rid of unnecessary single-use waste, it's unclear at this stage as to when a ban would come into force in the UK due whatever the hell happens with Brexit. Get a head start by keeping a set of cutlery and a reusable straw in your bag. Bambu do a brilliant range of cutlery that's made from sustainable bamboo (my chopsticks, for example, are £1.50, link), and reusable stainless steel straws are popping up everywhere on the high street or you can purchase some online (EcoStrawz have a large range here).

 Tip 4: Always Carry A Reusable Bag With You

Most of us already do this, but I wanted to include it as a reminder as I see so many people on social media say that they've forgotten to bring their reusable bags with them when they've popped into town. Fold one or two up and tuck them into your handbag so that you've always got one with you and stick a few in your car door too for any impromptu trips to the supermarket.

Tip 5: Use Your Local Library

I've seen a lot of zero waste posts online lately that are heavily focused on reducing plastic waste, so I've decided to round off this particular post with something different. I'm an avid reader as many of you who follow me on Goodreads will know, and I've gotten back into the habit of using my local library to borrow books instead of buying them. The main reason was to save money at first and when I actually thought about how often I re-read a book, it just makes a lot of sense to borrow them instead. This way you also help to support your local community by keeping public services open, and it's better for the environment too. 

Do you already do all of these?

What are your daily zero waste tips?

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New In Beauty: REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm review + Recycled Ocean Plastic Campaign

REN have been making waves (pun intended!) with their recent Recycled Ocean Plastic campaign, and with the addition of an exciting new product launch, I just had to dedicate a blog post to them. Here's what's been happening in the world of REN in case you've missed the latest news on social media.

New product launch: REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm* (30ml, £40, link)

Last month, I received an exciting package from REN which contained a full-size jar of their latest launch, the Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm. This newbie is part of the brand's hugely popular Evercalm range which is targeted at sensitive skin types and I've used several products from this line over the years. 

The new Overnight Recovery Balm is a powerfully rich and hydrating night balm that's packed full of ultra-nourishing plant-based oils such as Olive, Almond, Borage, Jojoba, Sunflower and Linseed. These oils are naturally rich in lipids and active enzymes which help to strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier, as well as giving it an intense shot of moisture at the same time. Beta-Glucan is also included to soothe and calm any visible signs of sensitivity as it acts as an anti-inflammatory ingredient, so this is a fantastic product to try if you're currently suffering from any irritation or redness due to sensitive skin.

I've been using the Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm after cleansing in the evenings instead of using a night moisturiser or facial oil (as this is so hydrating, you don't need anything else). A tiny amount goes a long way and it has a lovely light texture that's perfect for doing a facial massage with. It doesn't feel greasy but you do have to massage it in for it to fully absorb, as you would with any other type of balm product. I've had some patches of redness around my nose and on my cheeks in the last month, and this has instantly calmed everything down.

My skin also feels much more hydrated, softer and plumped up in the morning. It feels very luxurious and pampering to use, and it has a pleasant subtly botanical/natural scent that reminds me of a spa. Needless to say, it's a delightful luxury night treatment to add to your evening skincare routine and I can see myself using this even more as the seasons start to change in the coming weeks.

REN's Recycled Ocean Plastic Campaign

The alarming rate of plastic pollution in our oceans that's destroying delicate eco-systems and threatening the existence of thousands of species has caused a massive outcry from people all around the world, and many are now looking at ways to reduce their plastic consumption and consumer waste in a bid to stop the problem from escalating even further.

REN has been helping out in various ways, from organising beach cleanups across the UK with the charitable organisation Surfers Against Sewage (participants have been rewarded with REN products to thank them for their time), to their commitment to being a zero-waste company by 2021, changes are afoot and it's great to see a beauty brand as global as REN taking these positive steps forwards.

Their latest environmental campaign focuses on their partnership with TerraCycle, where they have created a new 100% recycled plastic bottle that contains 20% reclaimed ocean plastic. As recycled plastic isn't as clear as first use plastic, the bottle has a grey tint which you can see in their award-winning Atlantic Kelp & Magnesium Body Wash* (£22, 200ml, link) - the first product to be packaged in this new hybrid recycled plastic packaging. The bottle also features an innovative metal-free spring in the pump to make it fully recyclable and the new recycled plastic packaging will be phased in across REN's full global distribution by 2019.

Whilst I know that recycled plastic packaging isn't the saviour to the problem of plastic pollution, it is a welcome helping hand in a better direction and an admirable effort from a global beauty brand to be doing something like this, when many other larger brands are still sadly doing nothing. Hopefully, the actions of companies like REN will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

To find out more, visit renskincare.com

Do you agree that brands should be doing more to change their packaging?

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Sustainable Beauty: 4 Ways To Reduce The Amount Of Plastic In Your Makeup Bag

The world is finally waking up to the fact that its plastic consumption needs to change ASAP, and whilst there are some amazing developments underway with regards to future sustainable packaging, beauty consumers can start to take some steps forward today by making sure that as many of their next makeup purchases are as plastic-free as possible. Here are four tips to give you a head start in the right direction!

From top to bottom: NEEK Skin Organics Natural Lipstick in Come Into My World* (4.5g, £15.99, link), Aveda Feed My Lips Pure Nourish-Mint Lipstick in Acai* (4g, £17, link), Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Arabian Knights* (4g, £26, link) & NEEK Skin Organics Natural Lipstick in Mystify* (4.5g, £15.99, link). 

No. 1: Start With Lipsticks

If your makeup bag is anything like mine, you'll open it up and find a sea of lipsticks, but luckily for all of my fellow lipstick junkies, lipsticks are one of the easiest make-up products to buy plastic-free - especially if you love your higher end brands. Ilia are a firm favourite of mine and all of their Lipsticks and Tinted Lip Conditioners come packaged in recyclable aluminium tubes (be sure to check out their Illuminators and Multi Sticks which are packaged in the same way too). 

The new Aveda Feed My Lips Pure Nourish-Mint Lipsticks collection all feature tubes that are made from 40% post-consumer recycled aluminium and the cap can be easily recycled again after use. They have a wide shade range and the formulas are brilliant! 

For something completely different, why not try NEEK, an organic and natural Aussie brand whose Natural Lipsticks are not only 100% natural and vegan-friendly, but they are packaged in sustainable bamboo casing with an aluminium tube. Two of my favourite shades from them are Come Into My World and Mystify, which you can see pictured above.

From L-R: Charlotte Tilbury Bar Of Gold Skin Gilding Highlighter* (sold out) & PHB Ethical Beauty Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow in Almond* (3g, £9.95, link).

No. 2: Embrace Cardboard

Makeup packaged in cardboard nowadays is a lot sturdier than it used to be, and card-based options are fantastic for travelling with because they are so lightweight. The majority of makeup that I have which comes in cardboard casing features an aluminium metal pan to hold the product, so after you've used it up, you can dismantle it and recycle both parts. 

There are many green beauty brands which now use cardboard packaging, including PHB Ethical Beauty who sell pressed mineral Eyeshadows, Finishing Powders, Primers, Blushers, Bronzers and Foundations in this format, so that's just one brand with lots to choose from!

It's also worth checking out some of the mainstream higher end brands like Too Faced, Benefit and Charlotte Tilbury who all offer blushers, bronzers and highlighters in iconic cardboard boxes. 

From L-R: Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour Cheek Gelee (5.1g, £18, link), KIKO Cream Crush Eyeshadow in Pearly Chocolate (5g, £6.90, link) & Becca Ultimate Coverage Concealing Creme in Butterscotch (4.5g, £24, link).

No. 3: Make Friends With Glass

Glass is perhaps one of the most environmentally friendly packaging options to look out for because it can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality. This is in comparison to plastic which can only be recycled around 7-9 times before it loses its structure and, even paper can only be recycled a handful of times before its fibres get too short to be of use.

A huge number of beauty brands have regularly used glass pots for years to house all manners of formulas such as cream eyeshadows, concealers, potted eyeliners, and many multi-purpose products like cheek and lip tints also often fall into this category (the popular Josie Maran Coconut Watercolour Cheek Gelees are a good example of the latter). 

Again, higher-end brands like RMS, Tata Harper and Becca are more likely to use glass as it's a more expensive material and makes a product feel more luxurious, but some of my high-street faves are starting to repackage some of their products into glass such as KIKO, so be sure to keep an eye out on your next shopping trip.

No. 4: Refillable Makeup

Makeup that you can refill has been a popular option in the green beauty world for many years, with luxury brands like Kjaer Weis (Lip Tint in Rapture* pictured, 3.5g, £41, link) leading the way and making the most beautiful cases that you'll want to keep and refill forever. Seriously, these weighty metal beauties are like a collectable work of art! 

As is often the case with refillable makeup, the initial outlay is usually quite expensive, but when you factor in only having to pay for the refills thereafter (as well as the environmental win of using a lot less packaging in the future), they can work out more affordable in the long term. 

Other brands that offer refillable makeup include Ecco Bella, Living Nature, Pure Anada, Alima Pure and Zao Organic Makeup, and I imagine many more will be launching their own refillable options in the near future!

Are you wanting to reduce the amount of plastic that you buy?

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Beauty News: Send a Christmas Greeting with Caudalie #1wish1tree

Want to send a Christmas greeting this year and help the environment at the same time?  Join in with Caudalie's latest project and you can do just that.

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