Zero Waste on a Budget
*This post contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on my site at no additional cost to you.
Living a zero-waste lifestyle has become increasingly popular as people recognize the need to reduce their impact on the environment. However, one common challenge that arises is the idea that going zero waste requires a lot of money upfront.
There is a big difference between the represented cost of zero waste on social media and the actual minimum cost required. We’ll get into that in a moment.
You may have already read my post on zero waste and depression but if you haven't, it also has some good tips on how to realistically merge a zero-waste lifestyle with your own.
I firmly believe that by redefining what it means to go zero waste we can make sustainable choices without breaking the bank.
And as always, if you'd like more content like this, let me know the best place to reach you below! I won't spam you but I WILL make sure you get updates on awesome content like this once a week.
First, let's start with common myths about going zero waste. These aren’t totally untrue but they do only apply to ONE way of living a zero-waste lifestyle.
Zero Waste is Expensive
👎🏻 Myth: One of the most common misconceptions about zero waste is that it requires a significant financial investment.
This is due to most of the zero waste social media accounts showing off brand new, usually high-end, “zero waste” products. This usually includes things like these 2-gallon glass liquid dispensers, or these glass or stainless steel lunch boxes.
While these products can certainly be great, they are only one option for going zero waste.
👍🏻 Alternative: There are so many alternatives to this, I hardly know where to start. I guess I'll start with the most similar option to the one above and that is more budget-friendly options for the same things.
If you do really want to use these newer products or if your current products really do need replacing you can check out some budget-friendly versions of the typical zero-waste starter kit supplies at lower-price stores like Walmart, Meijer, Tuesday Morning, Marshall’s, etc.
An even friendlier option to your budget would be to buy these items secondhand. Of course, there are some things you won’t be able to get secondhand (beeswax wraps for example)
But even for these items, you can find cotton fabric secondhand and learn how to DIY beeswax wraps and other items. (posts on these coming soon)
And lastly, the cheapest (FREE) way: use what you already have! Maybe what you have isn’t pretty. Maybe it isn't new. Maybe it's stained. But does it still serve its purpose?
The cheapest option will always be free and why would you throw away something that is already working perfectly well?
Use what you have until you can't, then replace with budget-friendly or secondhand items as these items wear out. This combines all 3 steps and makes sure you're not only saving money but getting the most use out of your products as possible!
Zero Waste is Just an Aesthetic
👎🏻 Myth: Another misconception you might see on social media is that zero waste is about new, clean, expensive products.
Often it feels like having the newest hot product is more important than considering how much waste you’re producing by getting rid of the once new, hot product you already have.
Similarly, I see a lot of influencers promoting throwing out old plastic containers in favor of new glass or metal containers.
👍🏻 Alternative: While glass and other natural materials meet the typical zero-waste aesthetic better than plastic, if you’ve already bought the plastic you may as well use it until it has no life left.
This leads to my next point.
Is Zero Waste Sustainable?
👎🏻 Myth: I phrased this myth as a question because it can go either way. I personally do not believe that the current zero-waste movement is sustainable.
However, I do believe that there is a way to make zero waste (or at least extremely low waste) sustainable.
Currently, the stereotype of the zero waste movement produces a fair amount of waste. Usually recyclable waste but still more waste than is necessary.
This way is not sustainable environmentally or personally.
👍🏻 Alternative: There is so much more to zero waste than just the reduction or elimination of plastic. The number one issue I see here is the pressure to buy into fads which is neither zero waste nor sustainable.
Rather, regardless of whether your current supplies fit the trends of today or 5 years ago, if they still work, keep using them!
This is a much more practical method and is financially and environmentally sustainable!
You Must Be All or Nothing To Be Helpful
👎🏻 Myth: This is perhaps my least favorite myth and honestly it's just plain silly.
A lot of influencers will tell you it's ok to start gradually (because their way is so expensive) but still imply that if you use any plastic or single-use items, you are part of the problem.
This sort of all-or-nothing mindset is incredibly unhealthy and makes the zero-waste lifestyle inaccessible to many people.
I touch on this a little more in my post about going zero waste while managing depression.
👍🏻 Alternative: In reality, every small step you make matters. I assume since you're reading this that this is a new lifestyle for you. This means you’re bound to make mistakes, slip up, and revert to what is familiar on occasion.
That's totally normal! It would honestly be kinda weird if you did it all perfectly the first time around without any mistakes. (Are you even human?)
There is absolutely room in a sustainable zero-waste lifestyle for grace. Allow yourself those passes. Look back later and figure out if there’s anything you could’ve prepared ahead of time to avoid it and try again.
Your Own Waste Production is 100% In Your Control.
👎🏻 Myth: Despite some beliefs that going zero waste is 100% up to the consumer, waste production is not always completely in our control.
If you live in a rural town, you will have much less accessibility to low-waste options in grocery stores than if you live in a large city.
Additionally, you can't control what companies package their goods in. Sure you can opt for companies with more sustainable packaging, but you can’t control if these options are available to you or not.
👍🏻 Alternative: Change the things you can change and accept the things you can’t. If there is an alternative, lower-waste, or bulk option available to you, go for it! If there is no alternative, or if the alternative just isn't the same, think of another area where you CAN control your waste production to balance it out.
SO…
Now we’ve touched on the myths and perceived challenges of zero waste, and several alternative solutions.
Trying new things (successfully) is all about allowing yourself the grace to mess up. Focus on the things you ARE doing rather than the things you are not.
Zero and extremely low-waste lifestyles are beneficial to our environment and can be very rewarding when they become second nature.
But you don't have to be perfect all the time, and you certainly don’t have to look like an influencer while doing it.
So if you’ve always liked the idea of zero waste but thought it was too expensive, too restrictive, too perfectionist, too whatever for you, know that there are SO many ways to go about it.
Take a walk down to the thrift store. Shop at places like Aldi.
If you liked this post and want similar content directly to your inbox every week, let me know your best email and I’ll be sure to keep you in the loop!
