Going zero waste is daunting and totally overwhelming, here my 5 things you need to know before you start.
I changed my entire lifestyle to adopt a greener footprint now 2 years ago. I started on a lark as I signed up for a project with the Brussels environmental department and had NO IDEA what to expect. I read, researched, asked many stupid questions and pretty much learned as I went. I ve tried and continue to inspire others to make simple, easy changes which will ve an impact. Once a mindset has shifted, and accountability is demanded, the industries will have to follow.
I wish I had like a checklist of 5 things to tackle from the start. Hence my tops tips for you, the beginner.
![tea strainers](https://leeksandhighheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tea-strainers-683x1024.jpg)
![zero waste brushes](https://leeksandhighheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/zero-waste-brushes-683x1024.jpg)
![zero waste jars](https://leeksandhighheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/zero-waste-jars-683x1024.jpg)
![scale mandarine](https://leeksandhighheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/scale-mandarine-683x1024.jpg)
5 things I wish I knew before going zero waste:
- Your trash does NOT need to fit into a mason jar. The goal is to analyse what you throw away and if you can reduce it or recycle it.
- You won’t go zero waste overnight and that is okay. I read a lot online and few good books to show me easy swaps for reducing my waste.
- You do not need to throw away anything. Thats actually totally contradictory to the effort of reducing your waste.
- You don’t need to be an eco-warrior to do your part. Start with 1 change and keep going.
- Plastic is not the enemy; single use plastics is where the opportunity lies to reduce your waste.
Check out some of my articles to inspire you:
25 food scraps you should not throw away, click HERE
15 simple swaps for a more eco-friendly kitchen right now, click HERE
my 10 tips for living with less plastic, click HERE
30 easy changes I made for a greener home, click HERE
My top 12 easy zero waste swaps, click HERE.
Many more can be found on the “Green Lifestyle” page.
![sustainable alternatives](https://leeksandhighheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/sustainable-alternatives.jpg)
Written and photographed by Sandra Slawinski without commercial deals. I used my own jars some recycled some bought at Dille & Kamille as well as the brushes and dish cloths.