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Get jars - There are so many uses and kinds, and upcycled mason jars are great for storing dry bulk foods, homemade goodies, leftovers, lunches, or composting on the go.

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Go paperless for all your bills - It's a simple switch that is easier now than ever. 

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Change your pick-me-up - No more retail therapy! Instead of buying something when you're having a bad day, do something else that makes you happy like doing some outdoor activity or meeting up with a friend.

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Store your food properly to make it last longer - And learn to let your fridge go empty so that you're avoiding food waste, and so that you don't lose track of produce until the rotten smell finds you.

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It's time to get a reusable water bottle - Don't leave your house without it filled up, and you'll save on plastic and money, while also remembering to stay hydrated.

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Say "no" more often - Say no to free (and usually cheap quality) promotional items, free gifts with purchase that you don’t actually want, and those plastic-wrapped goodies at work.

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Ask for a real mug at the coffee shop when staying in - You'll have the benefit of sitting down and enjoying your slow, guilt-free coffee. If you're on the go, bring your own thermos and ask them to fill it up.

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Focus on experiences rather than things - For those special gift-giving days, specifically request either zero-waste items or fun non-material experiences like concert tickets, gift certificates, art classes, etc. 

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Ask for no straw - Most times a straw is completely unnecessary, but if you can't give it up, invest in one that is stainless steel or bamboo.

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Think second-hand first - When you need to purchase something, opt for second-hand stores, as they're cheaper, there’s cool vintage finds, and you won't be participating in the wasteful fast-fashion industry.

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Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo kind - And if you want to go even more green, make your own toothpaste using coconut oil, baking soda, and mint extract. You won't go back!

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Buy food without packaging - Bulk stores are a great way to avoid extra waste. Come with containers or cloth bags to avoid using plastic. 

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Use bar soap instead of liquid soap - Bar soap tends to come with less packaging, plus there are usually less chemicals and you can often buy them from local soap makers at community markets.

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Make your own face mask from stuff in your pantry - For a DIY face mask that will tone and moisturize your skin, mix honey, aloe vera, cucumber, and rose water together, and let the facial mask act for about 20 minutes. Then try making your own deodorant!

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Pack your lunch - Instead of eating out every day (and spending too much money), invest in some cool stainless steel containers and we promise you won't feel like a schoolkid.

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Repair something when it breaks - From clothing to appliances and furniture, if it's broke, fix it! 

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Whip up an easy all-purpose cleaning spray - The cheapest homemade cleaning solution is also the most environmentally friendly. With baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water you have yourself a green cleaner for any type of surface. Essential oils or fruit peels add extra fragrance.

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Repurpose hopeless clothing - If you can't donate old clothing, cut and sew them into a bag for produce, or make them into cleaning rags.

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Reduce your meat consumption - If you're not ready to go vegetarian, try doing Meatless Monday, or only eating meat on the weekends, or even mixing in some vegan recipes throughout the week. 

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Ditch paper towels - Make your kitchen greener by simply using tea towels and rags instead.

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Bring your own container - If you're getting takeout, or if you know you won't be able to finish a meal at a restaurant, bring your own container instead of falling prey to single-use Styrofoam and plastic. 

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Walk more - If it's a 30-minute or less walk, challenge yourself to go outside instead of driving.

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No more plastic bags - Put reusable bags by the door, in your car, in your work bag, and anywhere else that will make it impossible for you to forget when you go to the store.

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Serve dinner with cloth napkins - They give an elevated air to your dinner table, plus you'll reduce your waste output by a lot. 

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Wrap presents in newsprint - Or not at all! There are tons of way to make gifts eco-friendly.

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Donate unused items - Whatever things you don't need that are still in good condition can live another, more useful life at a second-hand store.

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Avoid junk mail - Put a sign or sticker on your mail box to avoid the unnecessary flyers and promotions.

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Get educated on disposal - Learn where to properly dispose of items like old cell phones, batteries, and unusable cords. Many tech stores offer disposal services! 

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Separate need from want - When you see an item you want, step away from it and wait at least a week (preferably a month) to see if you really need it. In the meantime, see if you can borrow it from someone else.

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No single serve coffee makers - Ditch the disposable cups and treat yourself to a french press or pour over (with a reusable filter) in the mornings. 

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Take a "no new clothes" pledge - Billions of pounds of waste produced each year is comprised of clothing, so take care to go through your wardrobe, donate or sell items you don’t wear or need anymore (Marie Kondo style), and play with new outfit combinations with what you already have.

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Eat less takeout - Sure, it’s easy to press a few buttons and have a ready-made meal appear at your door, but most takeout comes with plastic containers and cutlery, unnecessary single-use napkins, little packets of sauce, and more. Stock your pantry with backup ingredients so you’re ready for a busy night.

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Get a safety razor - Non-recyclable razors are also a huge problem in landfills, but an easy solution to this is switching to an all-metal safety razor with recyclable blades. You'll still get a clean shave, and you'll save a lot of money.

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Get the rest of the house onboard - Try watching a documentary together, like 'The True Cost' or 'The Clean Bin Project,' to get the conversation started. You can all go on outings to the farmer's market, and the joint effort will make zero-waste feel much more attainable.

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Vote with your dollars -

By moving money away from wasteful products and towards sustainable industries, you're voting for a healthier future.

See also: How to join the fight against plastic pollution

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