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15 Easy Steps To Save Money With Zero Waste ($5,337 A Year)

How To Save $5,337 A Year By Going Zero Waste - Almost Zero Waste

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How to save money by going zero waste, and is it even possible?

While some people think that going zero waste is expensive, you can save a lot of cash by avoiding unsustainable items and practices.

To be exact, around $5,337 for just one year! 

Below, you will find 15 easy-to-follow steps to save money with zero waste, including reusable products, cheaper & sustainable alternatives, etc.

While the initial price of some reusable options might cost a little more, you will save up in the long run.

Let’s begin!


15 Products & Steps To Save Money With Zero Waste:


1. Make DIY cleaning products 

A report showed that the average American spends between $50-$60 on cleaning products per month. That’s about $755 for household supplies yearly. 

Many of these cleaning products are:

  • For one-time use 
  • Filled with toxic & harmful ingredients
  • In a plastic packaging
  • Some of them are pretty pricey

You can save a lot of cash by ditching conventional cleaning supplies and making simple DIY cleaning products.

Zero waste steps to save money:

  • DIY multipurpose cleaner – Making a DIY multipurpose cleaner is super simple. Mix ½ cup white vinegar, 2 tbsp baking soda, a few drops of essential oil, and a cup of water. Transfer to a spray bottle. The vinegar smell evaporates quickly, but substitute vinegar with vodka if you can’t stand it. 
  • Purchase multipurpose cleaning supplies in bulk – If you have a bulk shop nearby, look for multipurpose cleaning products. Just bring your container and fill it up. They are usually much cheaper, too. (I buy my dish soap shamefully cheap)
  • Eco-friendly sponges – Instead of buying synthetic ones that get nasty very quickly, you can get a loofah sponge & a bamboo brush. 

2. Avoid wet wipes

Buying wet wipes every couple of weeks doesn’t feel like you are spending a lot. 

But let’s make a quick calculation: 

The monthly cost of buying wet wipes can range from $10 to $15 per month. 

That’s $120 or $180 per year. 

Zero waste steps to save money:

Purchase absorbent, and washable cloth rags, that you can reuse over and over again. You can get reusable cleaning cloths for $9-$19 – 

steps to save money with zero waste

3. Ditch trash bags 

You can find a pack of 100 plastic bags online for about $16, or 0.16 cents per bag. Using a new bag every second day will be $2.4 a month or $28.8 per year. 

Trash bags are not going to save you thousands of dollars. It will only save you a couple of bucks every month. 

But plastic trash bags are treated as single-use products and can be overused easily. So a bag here, a bag there… and it can quickly pile up.

Additionally, they are horrible for the environment – plastic bags cause pollution, from manufacturing to disposal. They can’t biodegrade, so plastic breaks down and photo-degrades into little pieces. 

Zero waste steps to save money:

  • Make a DIY paper liner made from a newspaper. It is super easy – find out how to do it in my article, where I share 6 alternatives to trash bags.
  • Separate your trash and have separate and reusable bags for – paper waste, plastics, glass, and aluminum. Compost your wet waste (food scraps & wet paper). You can get something like this Triple Recycling Sorter bag on Amazon to separate your trash.

4. Ditch paper towels

common estimate is that a family of 3-4 people uses around 1.5 to 2 rolls of paper towels per week.

You can find 6 paper towel rolls for about $11.42 ($1.90 per roll). If you use 2 rolls per week, that’s around 8 rolls (or $15.2) per month and $182 for a year.

 In general, if you ditch paper towels, you won’t just save money. 

You will also save other resources, such as energy, water, and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Zero waste steps to save money:

  • Cloth towels – it is a great, cheap, and reusable option. You can check reusable bamboo towels or cut up an old cotton t-shirt into squares and use them as reusable cloth towels. 

5. Ditch menstrual single-use products

Women spend A LOT of money on menstrual products. Let’s make a quick calculation. 

Tampons: 

On average, a woman has her period in 3-7 days. Changing it every 4-5 hours is recommended. Let’s say you change the tampon every 4 hours. 

1 tampon every 4 hours is ~ 6 tampons per day. 6 tampons x 5 days of a period = 30 tampons per cycle. 

2 packs with 32 tampons cost $12.49 or $0.39 per tampon. If we multiply this, it turns out that you will spend around $11.7 per month or $140.4 for one year

Menstrual pads:

StayFree menstrual pads cost $8.07 for 36 pieces ($0.22 per one). It’s good to change a liner every 3-5 hours. 

If you change it every 4 hours, that’s 6 pads a day. 6 pads x 5 days of a period = 30 menstrual pads per cycle. 

That is around $6.6 per month or $79.2 per year

Zero waste steps to save money:

  • Menstrual cups – They cost between $20 and $40, and it is seriously the best solution. My recommendation is Organicup (now called AllMatters).
  • Period underwear – period-proof undies hold up to 4 tampons’ worth. A pair costs around $30 (A pack of 3 = $92). Check Thinx or other similar brands.
  • Reusable menstrual pads – If you want to try them, look for thinner ones. I got thicker ones, which are not that comfortable and not good t for the summer. Check this set of 6 bamboo reusable pads or this one, which is a set of 10 reusable pads.
steps to save money with zero waste

6. Ditch aluminum foil and baking paper

You can find a roll of 30 square feet for $1.97 online.

 If you use 1 and a half per month, that’s $2.95 or $35.4 per year. 

Not the highest number, but when you combine it with other expenses, it piles up. 

Also, if there are better and cheaper alternatives, why keep buying aluminum foil or baking paper?

Zero waste steps to save money:

7. Ditch plastic water bottles 

Scary fact: Americans purchase approximately 42.6 billion individual 1-liter bottles of water each year. (1)

Also, the majority of Americans get their bottled water online. 

I did a quick online search and found a cheap bulk case of plastic bottled water – $2.23 for a case of 12 bottles, 16.9 oz or 500ml. 

Let’s make an approximate calculation: 

One case will last 3 days (if you drink the daily recommended dose of ~ 2 liters). Therefore, you will need approximately 10 cases per month. 

That equals $22.3 per month or $267.6 per year. 

And that’s just for one person. If we calculate for a family of four, the price jumps to $1,070 per year. 

Let’s calculate another scenario: Let’s say you buy a bottle of water four times per week for $1.5. That is 16 bottles = $24 each month. That equals $288 per year OR $1,440 for five years! 

Wow. 

Zero waste steps to save money:

steps to save money with zero waste

8. Ditch unnecessary personal products 

In 2017, The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that, on average, people spent $762 on personal care products and services.

Sounds too much? Well, that’s around $63 per month. There are many pointless beauty products, some of which can be expensive.

So $60 per month can quickly pile up.

Zero waste steps to save money:

steps to save money with zero waste

9. Less fast food & more food prep 

Eating out is generally more expensive than cooking at home. 

An estimation is that the typical American spends about $1,200 on fast food annually. That is around $100 a month and approximately $12.50 spent per meal. 

Eating fast food less frequently offers many benefits – you will money, eat much healthier, and reduce trash from packaged food.

Zero waste steps to save money:

  • Farmers’ markets – By buying your food from there, you will support your local farmers and have a great choice of fresh veggies and fruits. 
  • Bulk shops – Buying in bulk is often much cheaper. You can get grains, seeds, nuts, spices, and other staple foods there. 
  • Meal prep –  Start bringing your lunch with you instead of eating out.
  • Store food properly – In the US and Canada, around 40 percent of wasted food is thrown out by consumers. Always try to empty your fridge before filling it out, and learn how to store veggies & fruits properly to keep them fresh for longer.

10. Buy fewer packaged snacks & sweets 

The average annual amount for packed snacks is $570 per year ($47 a month) for: 

  • Sugar and sweets – $143 
  • Cookies – $49 
  • Other bakery products – $165 
  • Ice cream – $59 
  • Potato chips and other snacks – $115 
  • Crackers – $39 

First, 99% of the time, these snacks come in plastic packaging. Second, most times, these snacks are filled with sugars, fats, and palm oil. Third, they quickly pile up, and you spend a lot on unhealthy treats. 

Zero waste steps to save money:

11. Buy second-hand clothes 

A survey found that some of the most common reasons why most women shop for clothing are:

  • to cheer up or to feel they look good 
  • if they feel low or unattractive 
  • if they feel happy 
  • to impress others 

A statistic for 2017 found that, on average, all this impulsive shopping equates to about $152 per month. So for a year, that is approximately $1,833. 

The worst part is that most of these clothing pieces lay untouched in the wardrobe. 

Additionally, a massive amount of clothing is disposed of within a year of production, ending in a landfill. (1)

Zero waste steps to save money:

  • Second-hand shopping – A great affordable way to save clothing items from going to landfills. Check my article with the best online thrift stores worldwide.
  • Clothing swap – You can organize a clothing swap with friends. Ask each of them to bring clothes they don’t wear and have some fun by switching your clothing.
  • Sustainable clothing brands – Most sustainable clothing brands are expensive, but there are many affordable, sustainable brands, too. The point of slow fashion is to spend more for better quality but less frequently.  
  • Sell unwanted clothing – Another excellent way to eliminate clothes you don’t wear. In that way, you can return some of your money, too. Find the 23 best places to sell your clothes.
steps to save money with zero waste
Clothing Swap event I organized! Photo by Elif Valeriya Martinec, @leraworks

12. Ditch plastic razors 

Disposable razors are designed for one-time or short-term use. 

According to a new report by Statista, 163 million consumers in the US used disposable razors in 2018. 

Now, let’s quickly calculate. 4 Gilette disposable razor blades cost $5.97 ($1.49 each).

They can last between 3-10 shaves. Of course, it’s hard to guess or be precise, but let’s say you shave 2-3 times a week. 

Usually, the best indicator to replace a disposable razor is when the blades feel dull, but it is recommended to use one disposable razor for not more than 2 weeks. 

So, for a month, that’s around 2 or 3 disposable razor blades. For a year (if one is $1.49), that’s between $35.76 – $53.64. 

It doesn’t sound that much. But that’s an estimate, so some may use disposable razors more often.

Additionally, it doesn’t make sense to keep using single-use razors because they create a lot of waste and are challenging to recycle since they contain mixed materials (plastic, silicone, steel). 

Zero waste steps to save money:

  • Stainless steel safety razor & razor blades – The best eco-friendly option that can save you a lot of cash in the long run. They cost between $15-$40, and the replacement blades are super cheap – a pack of 100 is usually less than $10. If you feel intimidated to use it – it is not that big of a deal. If you are worried – check my guide on how to use a safety razor.

13. Get recycled toilet paper 

Saving paper is a common eco-friendly step, but have you ever considered your toilet paper usage? 

The truth is that we cut A LOT of trees to make toilet paper. 

It is estimated that Americans use around 2-3 toilet paper rolls per week. Let’s make a quick calculation with two rolls per week:

2 rolls per week = 104 rolls a year 

For a year, you will need 13 packs of 8 rolls like this one. A pack cost $16.69, so 13×16.69= $216 for 1 year. 

That number can go up since we often use toilet paper for other purposes, such as makeup removers, cleaning spills, cleaning mirrors, etc.

The low waste alternatives will save many trees, other resources, and some extra cash. 

Zero waste steps to save money:

Check my article for 18 eco-friendly & cheap toilet paper options, or read my review on Who Gives A Crap Toilet Paper.

steps to save money with zero waste

14. Ditch cigarettes 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that, on average, tobacco smokers spend around $332 on Tobacco products and smoking supplies. 

Cigarettes are expensive and dangerous for you & wildlife.

Zero waste steps to save money:

  • Electronic cigarettes ($30-$50) – Not the best solution, but they are better for the environment & your pocket. 

15. Repurpose, reuse, and repair things 

Repurposing, reusing, and repairing items instead of buying new ones can save you a lot of money. 

It is hard to calculate how much you can save, but it can be anywhere from a few bucks a month to a few hundred dollars a year. 

Find a few ideas below.

Zero waste steps to save money:

  • Single-use cotton rounds → DIY reusable cotton rounds from an old t-shirt (cut in small squares, and keep in a small jar).
  • New fancy jars → Reuse the jars from foods that you buy. 
  • Damaged clothing → Sew the holes, or fix the buttons. 
  • Broken electronics → Before throwing it away, try to fix it. Search online and try to find a solution to your problem.
  • Shoes –> You can repair them to a local shoe repairman. 

Final calculation 

It is hard to calculate how much you will save or spend on zero waste alternatives because, as I mentioned, we live in various locations, spend differently, and have different options. 

But let’s make an estimation, just for fun. 😀

steps to save money with zero waste

As you can see, by making gradual, conscious decisions, you can positively impact the environment and save a lot of money. 

I hope that this article was able to show you that – 

  • There are almost always cheaper & zero waste alternatives. 
  • Zero waste living doesn’t have to be more expensive. 
  • By going zero waste, you can save a lot of money. 

Just imagine if you save over $4,000 a year! You can invest the money in something you always wanted, go on that long-time desired vacation, open a savings account, etc.  

Remember that this is a lifestyle change and won’t happen overnight. 

Gradually start making the changes from this article, and give yourself time to get used to everything new. 

Slowly but steadily, you will be able to reduce your waste and save a lot of money each year! 🙂

8 Comments

  1. There are some great ideas here! Some we already do, like reusable water bottles. We also now use a SodaStream instead of buying canned soda water each week. Big reduction in cans, even though they are recyclable. We love cloth napkins at the table, and use rags instead of paper towel most of the time. I’ve been bringing reusable bags for shopping for years, but I recently bought mesh bags from Amazon to replace the thin plastic ones for fruits and veggies. Love them! A friend recently raved about those beeswax wraps, so that’s next on my list, to avoid single-use plastic wrap.

    1. Hey Kari! I didn’t know about SodaStream, I just checked it out. It looks pretty cool! I’m not a fan of fizzy drinks, but it is a great option for someone who drinks them often. But yes – small, gradual steps to more sustainable decisions its the way. I’m happy to hear that you enjoy the article. 🙂

  2. Wow! This seems like quite the challenge. Very impressive. We’ve tried going without tissues and paper towels but gave up after a few months. It’s not easy, much respect!

  3. Avoiding some of those products are so difficult. I hope to someday reduce my waste even further. Some things that we do right now include using a Divacup instead of pads/tampons, using reusable water bottles, and using safety razors instead of disposable razors. We’ve never used cigarettes before, so that’s not an issue.
    We’ve started a frugal challenge and once our household cleaners run out, we’ll start making our own household cleaning supplies. We do already have vinegar and baking soda, we just need to run out of our Method stuff to make it.
    Now that we think of it, we do have reusable kitchen rags that we can replace our paper towels with. I’ve added silicone mats into my Amazon wish list for future. This was a great list! I’m saving it for future reference.

    1. Hey, there. That’s already a good step further, with the Divacup, the water bottle, and the safety razor. Good job! I’m planning to make some quick & easy DIY household cleaners, so I hope they can be in good use for you, too. 🙂

  4. just wanted to come on here and say this post is super freaking helpful!! need to work on these cause ive been brainwashed to think i need to buy almost everything and its so unnecessary and wasteful.

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