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8 Ways You Can Start Reducing Your Waste

We talk to Daisy who’s taking part in the 365 days of zero waste challenge in Bristol to get her top tips on how to cut down on what we’re throwing away. TLDR; You’ve got to get organised.

By now we feel it’s fair to say that we’re all painfully aware of the terrible effect our waste is having on the planet and it’s time to take action, but just how can be a bit of a conundrum. That’s why we’ve sat down with Daisy to decide what things we can all start doing today to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

1. Get in the zone

It may sound strange, but if you don’t think about the conscious decision you’ve made to cut down on your waste then it’ll be all too easy to throw things away or buy things with unnecessary packaging without even meaning to through force of habit. Set yourself up for success and do what you need to do to get in the right frame of mind, whether that’s putting up reminders on your fridge, signing up for a local challenge - or even setting up your own - you’ll find it so much easier to stay on track.

2. Meal plan your week ahead

Deciding what you’re going to eat in advance saves time, money, food and packaging waste. You can buy exactly what you need and use it all up too. Plus, it’s a great way to try new recipes as you can plan them in rather than getting to the middle of the week and trying to wrack you brain for inspiration. Got some extra time? Batch cooking a few different meals and popping them in the freezer is perfect for when you know you’ll be strapped for time later in the week and need to fix up something fast, just remember they’re in there!

3. Know what you’ve already got and use it

Everyone at one point or another has been guilty of buying food with great intentions only to pull it’s sad remains out of the cupboard or fridge weeks later to put straight in the bin because you forgot it was there or never got around to using it. If you keep on top of what you have in the kitchen then you’ll be able to make sure you use things up before they go off, plus it’ll mean you won’t waste money buy more of something you already have.

4. Get creative in the kitchen

It’s time to get your recipe books out. If you do have any bits ad bobs that need using up, see if you can find a recipe to include them in, or if you’re feeling adventurous, whip up your own concoction with what you have. You never know it could be you next favourite meal.

5. Can you make yourself?

Cereal snackers, we’re looking at you. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a granola bar, fruit pot or other tasty snack when you need a pick me up but these often come with extra packaging that’s only adding to your waste pile. Include snacks in your weekly meal plan, make them at home and bring them with you in a reusable container. Tasty snacks that let you say “oh this? I just whipped it up at home”, and less waste for the planet? It’s a win-win all round.

6. BYOB (bring your own box/bag) and other shopping tips

More and more zero waste, bring your own container shops are popping up around Bristol, London and other towns and cities that are encouraging people to ditch the packaging entirely on fresh produce and cupboard staples like pasta, nuts and rice. They are great for being more environmentally conscious and supporting your local businesses. If you aren’t near a zero waste shop, or for anything else you can’t get in them, make sure to pick products with reduced, reusable or compostable packaging where possible. Our no pointless plastic fruit and veg and glass milk bottles are a great switch!

7. Rinse, reuse, repeat

Reusable is the way forward. Whether it’s a water bottle, keep cup, beeswax wrap or straw, take a leaf out of our book and invest in items that you can use time and time again without creating extra waste. This mantra can also be applied to some packaging too, there are plenty of ways to repurpose, bottles, jars tins and boxes that will keep them from your bin.

8. Keep going

There's a world of ideas out there to try and even more possibilities for you to get creative and experiment with your own, but the main this is that we all keep trying wherever we can to reduce our waste and encourage other people to do so too.