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My journey toward living a zero waste life started in 2019. It’s been a ride, full of learning and growth. Initially, I made small changes, like using reusable grocery bags and buying in bulk.
But over time, these little habits turned into a whole new lifestyle, which now even urban farming and getting involved with my community.
I’ve even thrown some fun workshops about apartment composting and balcony gardening. Not only did they help others learn, but they also made me more committed to going green.
What is the 30-Day Zero Waste Challenge?
The 30 Day Zero Waste Challenge is super cool! You get to pick one new sustainable habit each day for a month.
This way, it’s easy to fit these ideas into your day-to-day life without feeling swamped. By the end, you’ll be cutting down on waste & living more mindfully.
You could think of it as a short course on living sustainably. Every day will have something new for you to tackle – from your kitchen to your closet!
It’s all about making your space eco-friendly and finding fresh ways to be kind to our planet.
The 30 Day Breakdown:
Wanna see what daily challenges are coming up? Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:
# Week 1: Assess & Reduce
Day 1-2: Waste Audit:
Kick things off by figuring out where you are with your waste. It might sound tough, but doing a waste audit is super important.
My first waste audit really opened my eyes; I didn’t realize how much single-use plastic I was tossing each week! Just be honest and keep track of everything you throw away – that’ll show you where you can do better.
Day 3-4: Decluttering:
Now it’s time to clean up your space! A messy area can make it harder to cut down on waste.
When I cleaned out my kitchen, I found stuff I hadn’t touched in ages! Instead of just throwing things away, I donated or repurposed them; it felt so good & helped reduce waste too!
Read more about Reducing Waste in the Kitchen
Day 5-7: Reducing Single-Use Plastics:
By the end of the week, focus on cutting out single-use plastics because they’re a big part of our trash problem.
Switching from plastic grocery bags to reusable ones became really easy for me!
And can you believe that Americans use 100 billion plastic bags each year? They’re usually just used for about 12 minutes! So making the switch matters a lot!
You can read more about Reducing plastic use in daily life here.
# Week 2: Reuse & Replace
Day 8-9: Sustainable Swaps:
Now that you’ve spotted your waste habits, let’s switch some stuff up! Think about daily items like coffee cups, water bottles, or shopping bags.
Changing these to reusable types can make a big difference. Like me – I carry around a reusable water bottle all the time now!
You can read more about 10 Easy Zero-Waste Swaps for Everyday Items here.
Day 10-11: DIY Household Products:
Have you thought about making some household products yourself? For example, I create an all-purpose cleaner using vinegar, water & essential oils.
It works well and cuts down on the plastic waste from store-bought cleaners!
You can read more about making Homemade natural household products here.
Day 12-14: Eco-Friendly Shopping:
When you shop with a zero-waste mindset, every choice matters! Go for bulk buying or second-hand items with less packaging.
I’ve scored some pretty awesome finds at thrift stores showing that being green doesn’t mean emptying your wallet!
Read more about Zero Waste Grocery Shopping here.
# Week 3: Recycle & Compost
Day 15-16: Recycling 101:
Recycling is super important in the zero-waste lifestyle but not always easy-peasy! Not everything can be recycled and local rules differ a lot.
For example, in New Jersey, curbside recycling doesn’t take plastic bags but they can go in special drop-off spots instead. Knowing this makes recycling way more effective.
Day 17-18: Starting a Compost Bin:
Composting is now one of my favorite things to do! It naturally turns food scraps into great soil.
Even though I live in the city, composting has worked wonders for me – it cuts down food waste & makes my garden thrive.
Read more about Apartment Composting and Backyard Composting here.
Day 19-21: Zero Waste Kitchen:
The kitchen is where tons of waste happens but it doesn’t have to be that way! Meal planning helps so much with minimizing food waste.
Plus, using glass containers for storage means no more plastic and my food stays fresh longer.
You can read more about Zero-Waste Kitchen here.
# Week 4: Embracing a Zero Waste Lifestyle
Day 22-23: Zero Waste on the Go:
Keeping up with zero-waste habits while out can be tricky but totally doable if you’re ready!
I always pack a little zero-waste kit in my bag with reusable utensils, a straw, napkin & container for leftovers. It helps me skip all those disposables!
You can read more about Zero-Waste on a Budget here.
Day 24-26: Community & Advocacy:
Living zero waste isn’t just about what you do alone; it’s also about community vibes! Join local groups or start advocating for greener choices where you live.
Since 2020, I’ve been setting up eco-friendly events – it’s awesome to see how excited people are to make changes!
Day 27-28: Mindful Consumption:
One big change you’ll notice is being more thoughtful about what you buy. Before getting something new, ask yourself if you really need it or if there’s a better option out there?
This mindset has helped me steer clear of unnecessary shopping and focus on what truly matters.
You can read more about Minimalism and Zero Waste here.
Day 29-30: Reflect & Plan Ahead:
As the challenge wraps up, take some time to think back on what you’ve learned! What changes stuck? What challenges popped up?
Maybe even jot down ideas for continuing your zero waste journey ahead because remember – it’s all about making progress and not aiming for perfection.
As we finish this fun month-long challenge together, I truly hope you’re feeling pumped and inspired just like I was when starting my own zero-waste path!
The little habits you’ve built over these past days could lead to real change – not only in your life but also for your community and beyond.
Keep pushing yourself & share the love for our planet every time you skip single-use plastics or say “yes” to second-hand treasures — you’re shaping the kind of world we all want to live in!
