The Cost Savings of Zero Waste

The idea of evolving toward a zero-waste lifestyle can sound daunting. It’s not easy to give up the comfort and convenience of single-use plastic and pre-packaged items. Especially when the alternative results in added personal responsibility. However, at U-Konserve, we believe that the decision to go zero waste is one you will be happy with in the long run. 

Reusable Food Storage

Look into swapping out paper and plastic food containers for metal or glass ones. You can use them to bring a homemade lunch with you to work, or to carry out leftovers from a restaurant.

What about tupperware containers, you might be thinking. While it is true that these plastic containers can be used more than once, they can also leach chemicals into your food, as well as contribute to the problem of plastic pollution. Meanwhile, metal and glass containers are even more durable and can last for your entire life.

Buy In Bulk

Buying in bulk can also help you reduce waste and save money. That’s because when you buy in bulk you’re only paying for the product itself, without the added cost of the packaging. Many grocery stores have bins where you can purchase items such as oats, rice, dried fruit, and even popcorn kernels in bulk. Bring your own bulk food storage containers, such as our bulk food-storage canisters  to stock up on the things you need.

Cook From Scratch, Reduce Waste

Dining out and ordering in is, for the most part, more expensive than cooking at home. By cooking from scratch, not only will you save money, but you will also eat healthier, and reduce waste from packaged food. Additionally, try getting food from farmer’s markets, where you can support local farmers and choose items from a selection of fresh produce. Furthermore, try to utilize all of the food in your fridge before adding to it again, this will help reduce food waste. 

This does not mean you should never order food, it’s okay every now and then. There are even ways to do it within a zero waste style. However, you’ll save a lot more money when you make your own meals from scratch. Not only will it be better for you and your wallet, but also the planet.

Make DIY Cleaning Products

Most store-bought cleaning supplies are pre-packaged, single-use, harmful to the environment and ourselves, and stored in non-reusable plastic. Luckily, there are a variety of homemade cleaning products that are effective, plastic-free, non-toxic, and fit into a zero waste lifestyle. Many of these homemade cleaners contain household items, such as vinegar or baking soda. It is also best to avoid wet wipes. While it may not feel like you’re spending a lot, buying wet wipes every few weeks, the cost starts to add up. It’s much better to invest in reusables, such as washable cloth rags, which you can wash and reuse.

Buy Secondhand and Swap Clothes

For many of us, new clothes often end up at the back of our closets never to be worn. Additionally, a staggering amount of clothing is disposed of within the first year of its production, making its way to landfills. To avoid this, try second-hand shopping and clothes swapping. These are both great ways to get new clothes and prevent more clothing waste from ending up in landfills. Furthermore, while sustainable clothing brands can often be expensive, it can be worth it to look into some affordable sustainable brands as well.

Repair Broken Items Instead of Buying New Replacements

When something breaks or gets a little damaged, our first instinct is often to run to the store and replace it. However, this isn’t always necessary. Repairs, especially the easier ones, can help you save money and keep things out of a landfill. While it does take more time and effort to repair things, rather than running to the store or shopping online to replace them, the impact this has on the environment and your wallet are worth it.