**Zero Waste.** Like I've said before it sounds really intimidating I know...but *zero waste* can make an impact not just on the environment, but on your health, and your bank account. First start by realizing zero doesn’t mean zero. No one can go without creating any type of waste. Understand that even choosing only certain aspects of your life to be zero waste can benefit you and the environment. I've found the easiest place to start is **the grocery store**. You can find tips for trips to the store in my first article of the series Zero Waste | Grocery Edition. > Kathryn Kellogg, blogger at Going Zero Waste, fit all of her garbage into a mason jar last year. And no, she doesn’t *forage all her own berries, live off-grid, or spend hours making coconut oil from scratch* . She has an office job and a car, and she eats out all the time. She lives the normal life of a modern 20-something—just a little differently. That's what the zero waste movement is all about, living a normal life, just a *little differently*. *In the beginning* it takes a decent amount of time to plan and execute, but eventually it living zero waste becomes **habit.** ## Small Steps to Zero Waste * **Bring Your Own.** Make a to-go set for work or school including a reusable lunch box, glass/metal containers for loose items and beeswax wraps. https://cdn1.upcyclestudio.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/p/apiwrap-beeswax-wrap-the-apiwrap-set-1.jpg * **Ditch the plastic wrap** You can easily store leftovers in glass containers in the fridge instead of leaving it on a plate/bowl and covering it with plastic wrap. If you want to leave something in it's dish, you can diy beeswax wraps! https://cdn.mommypotamus.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/beeswax-food-wrap.jpg * **Compost!** Once you set up a place to compost this is a fairly easy step to accomplish. There are several different kinds of compost, it may take a little while to find out what is best for you and your family, but it is definitely worth the time! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/cimg/www.doityourself.com/660x300_100-1/120/Composting-30120.jpg * **Make Un-Paper Alternatives.** This cuts down a lot of waste. Paper towels and napkins are something we always need to have on hand because we use them all the time. However they're not good for the environment. You can simply buy more dish towels or diy some un-paper towels to keep in the kitchen. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0a/90/4b/0a904b71f79f595d2bf969cba1edc5e0--idea-diy-green-cleaning.jpg * **Stop Using Store Bought Cleaners**. In all honesty most people don't think about what is in their cleaning products, and in addition they can be kind of expensive. There is an easy fix, make your own cleaning products. * **Turn Mason Jars Into Almost Anything.** I have a ton of mason jars just sitting around. I use a few for decoration, but since realizing we literally have 8 cases I thought I would wash some up and find some other uses for them. Storing food, drink cups, just about anything. https://i.pinimg.com/564x/cc/07/e6/cc07e6eb3b8cc4e9c5d7cdb66b03f97a.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3f/4e/a9/3f4ea9c45751ef9ffd09e4d2cac99a9d.jpg * **Get a Cloth Coffee Filter**. I love making coffee at home, but throwing out a coffee filter every day adds up. This is one of the first zero waste items I purchased and I love it! And they even make reusable K-Cups! You can also make the switch to loose leaf tea and find a reusable tea infuser. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/15/c5/10/15c51007bb223b262cd9448319fa9463.jpg http://coffeemakersparadise.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/1rkc-263x300.png http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0888/0266/products/Baby-Nessie-in-Cup_grande.jpeg?v=1485448188 * **Buy some sturdy reusable straws**. *Americans use 500 million drinking straws every day.* That's insane. You can do your part by picking up some metal straws to reuse, even bring them when you go out to eat! https://i.pinimg.com/564x/6d/0e/f1/6d0ef15c803868c0316b09ef3f3e100e.jpg ## Links For More Information * **DIY Un-Paper Towels** * **Composting** * **DIY Beeswax Wraps** * **DIY Natural Cleaners** Remember just a few steps can make a huge difference! Thanks for stopping by! https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://s26.postimg.org/wwcei4kd5/nortjenn_Footer.png