10 Ways To Adopt A Zero Waste Lifestyle In 2025

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Getting into sustainable living can be quite exciting, but also somewhat intimidating. It requires lots of changes and the creation of new habits.

It’s all about building new habits and making small changes that add up over time. To make it easier, I’ve put together 10 impactful ways to start your zero waste lifestyle.

My advice is to start with the ones that are easiest to implement for you in your current life, and slowly work your way through the rest.

Alrighty, let’s dive in!

1. Get reusables

Switching to long-lasting, reusable products is one of the simplest ways to cut down on waste. Plus, they save you money in the long run.

Start by using what you already have – like Tupperware, a reusable bottle, or cloth bags. Then, when you need to replace the worst & most polluting single-use items, opt for durable, eco-friendly alternatives like:

• Cotton rounds – Reusable & washable cotton rounds
• Paper towels – DIY cotton cloths (cut an old t-shirt into squares)
• Tissues – Handkerchiefs
• Baking paper – Reusable silicon mat
• Menstrual pads/tampons – Menstrual cup or reusable pads
• Plastic bag – Reusable bag
• Plastic straws – Stainless steel or bamboo straws
• Single-use cotton earbuds – Reusable ear cleaner
• Food wraps – Prepare food in reusable containers

2. Start composting

Food scraps don’t break down properly in landfills. Instead, they release methane, a greenhouse gas that’s 84 times more potent than CO₂ in the short term.

But here’s the good news – composting is easy, even in small apartments. First, you can choose between Countertop composting, worm bins (vermicomposting), or Bokashi composting.

Then, gather supplies:

• A compost bin or bucket
• Charcoal filters (to reduce smell)
• Compostable bags (optional)
• Bokashi bran (if using the Bokashi method)

Once you’re set up, composting becomes second nature – and you’ll feel great knowing your food waste is going back to the earth instead of a landfill.

Read my full guide on composting here.

3. Minimize food packaging

Grocery shopping can be a waste nightmare, but small changes make a big difference:

• Bring reusable produce bags for fruits and veggies.
• Visit farmers’ markets or bulk stores for package-free goods.
• Choose glass or metal packaging over plastic (they’re infinitely recyclable).

Even if bulk stores aren’t an option, simply being more mindful about packaging is a step in the right direction.

4. Use what you already have

Going zero waste doesn’t mean throwing out everything you own and replacing it with new fancy eco-friendly alternatives.

Use up what you have first, even if it’s plastic. When you’re done, switch to sustainable, long-lasting options.

If you have items you no longer need, donate or repurpose them instead of tossing them out. Need ideas? Check out my zero waste swaps list for inspiration.

5. Cut your paper usage

The U.S. alone wastes 1 billion trees’ worth of paper every year. Ughhhhhh. Here’s how to cut back:

• Stop junk mail (unsubscribe from mailing list!)
• Swap paper towels for washable cloths
• Use recycled or tree-free toilet paper

6. Observe your trash

This might sound odd, but watching your waste is quite eye-opening. I once collected my trash for a whole month to see where most of my waste came from – It was really insightful!

Try tracking your trash for a week or two and notice what you throw away the most. Then, find simple swaps to cut down on that waste.

7. Buy second-hand

The truth is that the fashion industry is a huge waste generator. In 2013, 13 MILLION tonnes of textiles ended up in landfills. Many of these items are made of cheap synthetic polyester.

Instead of buying new clothes & other products, and contributing to the waste stream by the fashion industry, start shopping second-hand.

To be honest, I used to hate thrift shopping as a kid. My mom loved it, but the idea of digging through racks of secondhand clothes just didn’t appeal to me.

But over time, I started noticing the cool stuff she was finding – unique pieces, high-quality fabrics, and even designer brands for a fraction of the price. Eventually, I gave it a try, and now? Some of my favorite jeans, shirts, and coats are thrifted.

Shopping secondhand isn’t just great for your wallet – it also keeps clothes out of landfills and reduces demand for new production. Plus, you never know what hidden gems you’ll find!

Whenever you need something new, visit a few local second-hand stores first, or check out second-hand online stores, if you cannot find what you need locally.

8. DIY products

A lot of zero waste products are expensive, but DIYing them is a budget-friendly solution!

I started with simple things like homemade deodorant, tooth powder, and dry shampoo, and now I love experimenting with new recipes. Some easy swaps to try:

• DIY tooth powder (cheap, easy, effective – a staple DIY)
• DIY deodorant (4 different recipes – for sensitive skin included)
• DIY dry shampoo (so much better than the store-bought ones)
• DIY lotion bar (I LOVE it!)
• DIY coffee scrub (ideal way to reuse used coffee grains)

Making your own products saves money, reduces packaging waste, and avoids harsh chemicals.

9. Eat more plants

Animal agriculture has one of the largest carbon footprints. Did you know going meat-free for just one day can save 20 pounds of CO₂ emissions? That’s 7,300 pounds per year!

Even cutting back on meat and dairy just a few days a week has many benefits. It is one of the most powerful things you can do to reduce your individual carbon emissions.

You don’t have to go vegan overnight, but you can slowly start incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet. Other things you can try:

• Meatless Mondays
• Weekday vegan
• Eat more eco-friendly foods

10. Take it slow

Making a change in your lifestyle means you will have to change some old habits with new ones, and this isn’t always an easy thing to do.

Having a 100% trash-free life can be quite difficult and almost impossible. That’s why you don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t ‘perfect’ (no one is).

Try to avoid comparing your journey with others. We all have different resources and specific living situations.

Whenever you can avoid plastic and waste – great! But if there is a situation where you can’t – it’s okay, too. What matters is that you’re trying your best.

Final thoughts

Living (almost) zero waste is a process. One of the key aspects of avoiding unnecessary waste is to try to plan and be prepared.

Even after years of trying to live sustainably, I still create trash and buy things in plastic, but I no longer feel bad about it (like I used to).

In the beginning, it will be challenging to remember all the new habits and things you need to do. But with time, things will get easier. Remember, the goal is not to be ”perfect” but to try your best.

Okay, now I want to hear from you – which is the easiest/hardest change for you? Let’s chat in the comments!