10 Disadvantages Of Zero Waste
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Going zero waste is empowering, fulfilling, and planet-friendly – but like any lifestyle change, it comes with a few challenges.
In this post, I’m sharing 10 disadvantages of zero waste and practical tips to help you navigate them.
I’ll also include some bonus advice and answer common FAQs about the zero waste lifestyle.
Let’s dive in.
Zero waste disadvantages:
The 9 cons of zero waste are –
- Zero waste products can be hard to find
- Zero waste can be more expensive
- Zero waste can be difficult for a large household
- Zero waste is time-consuming
- Shopping online can be tricky
- Not all products have a zero waste alternative
- Zero waste can be misleading
- Zero waste can cause anxiety
- Zero waste requires discipline
Let’s look at each of the cons and see how to tackle them.
1. Zero waste products can be hard to find
It’s not always easy to find zero waste shops nearby. In many places, you have to visit multiple stores or resort to online orders just to find basic essentials like shampoo bars or compostable sponges.
Solution:
Do a quick online search with your item + “near me” (e.g., “bulk oats near me”) and check Google Maps. You’ll often discover local gems you didn’t know existed.
2. It can be more expensive
Let’s be real – sometimes, the sustainable option costs more. Peanut butter in a plastic jug can be less expensive than one in a glass jar. Or a kilo of potatoes in a plastic bag compared to loose potatoes. Or toothpaste in plastic vs. with zero-waste tooth tablets.
Solution:
Try making gradual swaps that fit your budget. Start with affordable zero waste basics like:
- Bar soap instead of bottled body wash
- Reusable cloths instead of paper towels
- Bulk dry goods like rice, beans, or pasta (often cheaper than packaged)
Also, reuse what you already have – old jars, containers, and bags work just fine. Zero waste isn’t about buying new eco-products; it’s about using what’s available and accessible to you.
3. Harder for large households or budget-conscious folks
If you’re part of a big household, live in a city without bulk stores, or are on a tight budget, zero waste can feel especially tough.
Solution:
Start small. Swap one or two items (like plastic bags for reusable ones), and focus on what’s realistic. Focus on simpler and doable things. In the long run, you will make steady progress.
4. Zero waste is time-consuming
Finding the right items, prepping meals from scratch, and DIYing cleaning or skincare products? Yep, it all adds up.
Solution:
- Find 2–3 core shops that stock most of what you need.
- Meal prep 1–2 times per week.
- DIY only what’s easy — like a 2-ingredient face mask or vinegar cleaner.
5. Shopping online can be tricky
Sometimes, if you decide to buy something online, chances are, it will come wrapped up in plastic, on top of plastic. Unfortunately, if it’s not an eco-friendly online store, many retailers still use plastic-heavy packaging.
Solution:
Look for eco-conscious online shops that ship with compostable or recyclable materials. Bonus points if they’re local to reduce emissions and costs.
6. Not all products have a zero waste alternative
Some items just don’t come plastic-free. It can be simple stuff, like some of my favorite snacks, or other things like tech, medication, or emergency items.
For example, do you know the rice crackers covered in chocolate? Well, I can’t find them plastic-free. I even tried to make a similar version at home, but it just wasn’t as good. Rice cakes got soggy. 😀 So, I can either stop buying these, or keep buying them with plastic.
Now, I can live without rice crackers. But there are certain things that I cannot live without, like my laptop, or other items that contain plastic.
Solution:
Choose your ‘battles’. Do your best where you can. Focus on switching what is replaceable — like shampoo, detergent, or produce bags. For the rest, just accept you will create some waste, and that’s okay.
7. Zero waste can be misleading
The term “zero waste” can be a bit misleading because, honestly, we can’t completely eliminate waste.
Even when shopping in bulk with our own containers, those products usually arrive at the store wrapped in big plastic bags. I once asked a zero waste shop owner if they had alternatives to plastic packaging, and they said paper bags just don’t hold up and hygiene rules often prevent reusing plastic bags.
Plus, even products in paper or glass packaging eventually end up in containers that need to be recycled. So really, we can only get close to zero waste with the way things are now — but doing our best in the current system is what counts.
Solution:
Reframe the goal. Aim for low waste or less waste, not zero. Don’t compare your journey with others – zero waste will look different to every person. Everyone has an individual approach and different options than yours. Just focus on doing your best!
8. Zero waste can cause anxiety
Thinking about the impacts of plastic waste, climate change, or other ecological disasters can lead to worrying, fear, and helplessness.
This is called eco-anxiety (yep – it’s a real term) and it is described as a chronic fear of environmental doom.
Solution:
Significant changes don’t happen overnight. You need to work hard towards reducing your waste, and it will take time.
Take action in small steps. Focus on what you can do. Support local initiatives, and celebrate your progress — even if it’s just bringing your own cup.
9. Zero waste requires discipline
Living a sustainable life requires discipline.
It is about learning how to resist things, like fast fashion, and how to mindfully shop – from food, to clothing, and electronics.
It also requires you to remember to bring your reusable bag with you. Probably you will forget them some days, even after years of trying to live sustainably, I still have moments where I forget my reusables. But that’s okay.
Solution:
Create a zero waste kit with essentials like a foldable tote, cutlery & water bottle, and try to bring it with you.
10. It can turn into consumerism in disguise
Ironically, zero waste can lead to buying more stuff: fancy jars, new containers, and eco-products that aren’t actually necessary. Reuse, upcycle, and buy secondhand. This is always the best option.
Solution:
Mindfully purchase things that you truly need & you know you will use them. Try not to fall for the new and shiny zero waste items that you think you need. Most time, you can live without these trendy items. Remember: the greenest item is the one you didn’t buy.
FAQ:
What are the zero waste benefits?
- Conserves water, energy, and raw materials
- Reduces pollution and landfill waste
- Promotes a circular economy (reuse, repair, upcycle)
- Saves money in the long run
- Encourages mindful, minimalist living
Read further about the zero waste pros here.
Why is zero waste impossible?
We need a circular service-oriented economy – a system in which we would buy nothing that can’t be either reused, composted, or recycled.
Zero waste is hardly possible because we live in a linear, consumption-driven economy. However, producing close to zero waste is possible when we focus our efforts at the 5R’s zero waste: refuse, reduce, reuse, rot (compost) & recycle.
Does zero waste make a difference?
Zero waste can make a difference, and it offers many benefits to communities and the Earth.
We may not get rid of all mines and landfills, but zero waste can reduce pollution, preserve resources and energy, and lead to a mindful and happier life.
There are hundreds of things we can do as individuals, that will make a difference in the long run.
Sum up
Zero waste can be inconvenient or more expensive. It requires time, planning, and effort.
However, it is undeniable that it is also a fantastic movement that promotes wasting less and living in harmony with our planet.
It has some cons, but the pros are outstanding and worth all the hustle! What do you think?
