Zero-Waste Tips: Taking Your Sustainable Lifestyle to the Next Level

Living a zero-waste lifestyle isn’t just about eliminating plastic bags or using bamboo toothbrushes—it’s an ongoing journey toward minimizing your impact on the environment. If you’re already on the path, congratulations! You’re actions are making a difference every day and inspiring more people to choose products and habits that are good for both you and the planet. But as with any learning journey, there’s always room for growth. For all those eco-warriors already on zero-waste path, it’s time to dive deeper into eco-tips which further reduce your waste footprint and promote sustainability.

In this blog, we’ll explore eco-tips for seasoned zero-wasters who are looking to take their green game to the next level. From greywater recycling to creative composting, these tips will help you live even more sustainably.

1. Use Greywater for Your Garden

Greywater is the wastewater from everyday activities like doing laundry, washing dishes, or showering. It’s not contaminated with harmful chemicals or pathogens, making it safe to reuse for non-potable purposes, such as watering your plants.

If you’re using eco-friendly laundry products, like the Tangie Laundry Concentrate Bar, you can repurpose your laundry greywater to keep your garden hydrated. Greywater recycling systems can be as simple or as complex as you want, from collecting water in buckets to installing a more advanced filtering system

The environmental benefits are substantial:

• You reduce the amount of freshwater you use.
• You minimize water wastage by repurposing water that would otherwise go down the drain.

This is a fantastic way to save resources and maximize the use of water in your household.

2. DIY Natural Cleaners

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to live sustainably is by making your own natural cleaners. While the cleaning aisles in supermarkets are full of chemical-laden products that often come in single-use plastic containers, DIY natural cleaners can be made with simple household ingredients like vinegar, lemon, and baking soda.

Another really great way to make your own DIY natural cleaners is to make Bio enzymes. They are made from orange and lemon peels are a powerful, eco-friendly solution for both cleaning and gardening. These natural enzymes are produced by fermenting citrus peels with sugar and water, creating a versatile liquid that can be used as a non-toxic, DIY cleaner. It’s perfect for disinfecting surfaces, cutting through grease, and eliminating odors. Beyond household cleaning, bioenzymes also serve as a fantastic soil enhancer and natural pesticide. When diluted and added to your garden, they improve soil health, promote plant growth, and help keep pests at bay—all while being gentle on the environment.

This all-purpose cleaner works great on most surfaces, leaving them clean and fresh without any harmful chemicals. Pair it with an eco-friendly product like the Tangie Dish Wash Bar to tackle more specific cleaning tasks and keep your home spotless the sustainable way.

3. Swap Paper Towels for Reusable Cloths

Paper towels are a staple in many households, but they generate a lot of waste. Even if they’re biodegradable, the energy and resources used to produce and transport them add to your carbon footprint. A simple but effective zero-waste swap is to replace paper towels with reusable cloths.

Old towels, T-shirts, or other scrap fabrics make excellent cleaning rags that can be washed and reused indefinitely. If you prefer something more structured, invest in cloth napkins or Swedish dishcloths, which are compostable and durable.

Why make the switch?

• You reduce single-use waste which end up clogging up the landfills.
• You save money over time since you won’t need to keep buying paper towels.
• You can reuse them for multiple purposes, from cleaning to drying.

If you haven’t already made this swap, now’s the time to do so!

4. Compost Your Food Scraps

If you’ve already reduced your food waste by meal planning and shopping smart, why not take it a step further by composting any remaining scraps? Composting is an eco-friendly way to dispose of organic waste while creating nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

Many people shy away from composting, thinking it’s messy or difficult, but in reality, it’s easier than you might think. Even if you live in an apartment, you can start a small composting bin using kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and more. As the materials break down, they produce a rich compost that can be used to fertilize plants or donated to a community garden.

The benefits of composting are numerous:

• It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, where it would produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• It provides valuable nutrients for your garden, encouraging healthy plant growth.
• It closes the loop on food waste, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Composting is a rewarding practice that aligns perfectly with the zero-waste philosophy. You can also make use of Bioenyzmes as discussed earlier in this blog to help enhance soil health by improving the pH value of the soil which is essential for optimal plant health.

5. Ditch Plastic Wrap – Use Soy wax Wraps Instead

Soy wax wraps offer a much better alternative to plastic wrap, especially for those seeking vegan, eco-friendly, reusable solutions. While plastic wrap is a single-use product that contributes to landfill waste and environmental pollution, soy wax wraps are biodegradable and reusable for up to a year. Made from organic cotton and soy wax, they create a breathable seal that keeps food fresh without the need for harmful plastics.

Here’s why soy wax wraps are a superior choice:

1. Reduces plastic waste: Unlike plastic wrap, which is discarded after one use, soy wax wraps can be used repeatedly, cutting down significantly on plastic pollution.
2. Eco-friendly and non-toxic: Soy wax wraps are plant-based, vegan, and compostable, making them an environmentally responsible option compared to plastic, which takes hundreds of years to decompose.
3. Cost-effective: Though plastic wrap may seem cheaper upfront, soy wax wraps are durable and reusable, saving money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent replacements.

By switching to soy wax wraps, you not only keep your food fresh but also make a positive impact on the animals, environment, offering a sustainable and healthy alternative to single-use plastics.

6. Shop Secondhand and Repair What You Own

One of the key principles of zero-waste living is to reuse as much as possible. That means shopping secondhand and repairing items you already own, instead of replacing them with something new.

Whether it’s clothes, furniture, or electronics, secondhand shopping is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and avoid the demand for new products. Many thrift stores and online marketplaces offer gently used items that are still in great condition. Not only does this save resources, but it also saves you money.

In addition to shopping secondhand, learning to repair what you already own can significantly extend the life of your items. Basic sewing skills, for example, can help you patch up clothes, while online tutorials make it easier than ever to fix appliances and gadgets yourself. We have an excellent article on how to remove smell from clothes from a thrift store which you’d definitely find useful while incorporating this principle in your daily life.

Repairing and reusing are fundamental to zero-waste living, reducing both waste and consumer demand. And you’d be able to use your creativity to give a second life to items you already own. Win-Win for the environment and your wallet.

7. Invest in Long-Lasting Products

Finally, a key aspect of zero-waste living is investing in high-quality, long-lasting products. Instead of opting for cheaper, disposable alternatives, look for items that are designed to last. These might be more expensive upfront, but they pay off in the long run by reducing waste and saving you money over time.

For example, eco-friendly products like Tangie’s Laundry Concentrate Bars or Shampoo and Conditioner Bars are designed to last longer than traditional alternatives, using less packaging and fewer harmful ingredients.

By investing in durable, sustainable products, you can reduce your overall consumption and environmental impact.

Conclusion: The Next Level of Zero-Waste Living

Living a zero-waste lifestyle is an ongoing process. For those already on the journey, these advanced tips can help you evolve further reduce your environmental impact and live more sustainably. From greywater recycling to DIY cleaners and investing in long-lasting products, these small changes can make a big difference in the fight against waste.

At Tangie, we’re proud to offer eco-friendly products that support your zero-waste goals. Together, we can continue making a positive impact on the environment, one sustainable choice at a time. Keep going, eco-warrior—you’re doing great!

We’d love to hear back from you on what tips you followed or are following in your zero waste journey as you move along.