Zero Waste Tips – 124 Simple Ideas To Avoid Waste In Your Everyday Life

Looking for the best zero waste tips for less waste in your everyday life? Then you are absolutely right here! In our Throwaway Society produzieren wir durchschnittlich jedes Jahr etwa 483 Kilogramm Müll pro Kopf. Das Potenzial, Abfälle zu vermeiden, ist deshalb heutzutage so groß wie noch nie! Glücklicherweise ist die Zero Waste Bewegung keine neuartige Erscheinung mehr und hält bereits unzählige Tipps und Tricks für dich bereit, die wirklich leicht umzusetzen sind.

In diesem Artikel möchte ich dir jetzt die besten und wertvollsten Maßnahmen zum Müll vermeiden in allen Alltagsbereichen an die Hand geben. Ob du Zero Waste Anfänger:in oder Fortgeschrittene:r bist, spielt dabei absolut keine Rolle – implementiere sie einfach nach und nach in dein Leben. Auf geht's!

Here you can find a short overview in advance:

1. Definition
2. Advantages
3. Tips
   • Basic rules
   • Purchasing and consumption
   • Kitchen and household
   • Food and drink
   • Bathroom and body care
   • Furnishings and living
   • Garden
   • Office and work
   • On the road and traveling
4. Closing words

Definition: What is Zero Waste?

Zero Waste is a waste-avoiding lifestyle and literally means "Zero garbage". In the long term, the aim is to, to produce as little waste as possible in one's own life.

Unter anderem, um die natural resources of the earth and preserve a clean planet for future generations.

Benefits: Why Zero Waste?

The most significant Zero Waste tip is definitely to know at all times why you should actually consciously avoid trash. Here are some Advantages and reasonswhich should serve your lasting motivation:

124 Tips to Avoid Waste in Your Everyday Life

Now you know, why Zero Waste is so important is. So we can now well prepared and highly motivated move on to the practical tips for waste prevention in everyday life.

Zur besseren Übersicht habe ich sie dir in klassische Kategorien eingeteilt. Allerdings kann dir der ein oder andere Tipp natürlich durchaus auch in anderen Alltagsbereichen weiterhelfen. 🙂

And one more thing: no one manages to make absolutely no garbage these days. Just be aware, that every waste prevention measure, no matter how small but implemented, makes sense.

Zero Waste Basics for Beginners

1. Buy things only once if possible.
2. Use what you have.
3. Bevorzuge Mehrweg statt Einweg. (z. B. these glass straws* statt Plastikstrohhalme)
4. Kaufe gebraucht, anstatt neu. (z. B. günstige Second Hand Bücher bei medimops*)
5. Share, give away or trade things you don't need.
6. Own things with long, rather than short, useful lives.
7. Borrow and lend items you don't need as often or for long.
8. Prefer quality over quantity.
9. Kaufe nur Dinge, die du wirklich brauchst. (Book Tip: The minimalism project*)
10. Repair items when they no longer work.
11. Stelle die Dinge selbst her, die du haben willst. (siehe DIY Blog)
12. Talk to manufacturers to redesign products to be as waste-free as possible.

Continuing contributions: Für mehr Informationen und weitere hilfreiche Tools kannst du dir gern die Blogartikel Zero Waste Beginner and Zero Waste Basic Equipment to get to know each other.

Zero Waste Shopping and Conscious Consumption

13. Habe beim Einkaufen immer Korb, Beutel oder Backpack with it. (Tip: GotBag bei Avocadostore*)
14. Buy products loose without packaging (at the unpackaged store).
15. Replace plastic bags with Fruit and vegetable nets. (is available here*)
16. Plan your meals ahead so you don't buy more than you need.
17. Stick to your shopping list to avoid impulse buys.
18. Buy at the regional weekly market or directly from farmers.
19. Prefer crooked fruits and vegetables and lonely bananas.
20. Buy food in bulk if it will last long enough.
21. Frage dich vor jedem Kauf, ob du diese Sache wirklich brauchst. (siehe nachhaltiger Konsum)
22. Tell the cashier you don't need the receipt before it prints.
23. Leihe dir Literatur in der Bücherei aus oder kaufe sie gebraucht. (z. B. here at medimops*)
24. Do something with your friends instead of shopping when you are bored or having a bad day.
25. Before you buy something in emotional exuberance that you do not need, then sleep another night over it and then decide prudently.
26. Donate unused or intact used items to thrift stores.
27. Pack gifts as plastic-free as possible in newspaper or simply not at all.
28. Ziehe Erlebnisse den materiellen Dingen vor. (z. B. Survival Training über Jochen Schweitzer*)
29. Buy children's toys used and sell them when you no longer need them.
30. Verkaufe und verschenke nicht mehr benötigte Dinge. (z. B. über Kleinanzeigen)
31. Consciously avoid returns for online orders.

Continuing contributionsIf you want to delve deeper into the subject, I can recommend the articles Second hand advantages, Buy used goods, Live minimalist, Plastic free shopping and Sustainable online stores recommend

Reducing Waste in the Kitchen and at Home

32. Make your own Washing up liquid from ivy her.
33. Replace cling film with Stainless steel lunch boxes and Oilcloths. (is available here* and here*)
34. Organize your food supplies into Preserving jars, so as never to buy too much.
35. Use dish towels and rags instead of paper towels.
36. Use pasta water to thicken sauces or water plants.
37. Get Glass drinking straws oder Edelstahl anstatt aus Plastik und Papier. (is available here*)
38. Air clothes instead of washing them once they have been worn and are still clean.
39. Nutze Kaffeesatz als Peeling, Geruchsentferner oder natürlichen Dünger. (siehe Coffee grounds applications)
40. Always fill the washing machine and dishwasher properly before you turn them on.
41. Dry your clothes outside on the line instead of in the dryer.
42. Forgo the air conditioner and the permanently open tilt window and instead shock ventilate early in the morning.
43. Plaster with reusable cloth rags.
44. Stelle deine Putzmittel selbst her. (z. B. DIY oven cleaner or DIY glass cleaner)
45. Prefer reusable batteries instead of disposable batteries.
46. Bringe den „Keine Werbung!“-Aufkleber am Briefkasten an. (is available here*)
47. End unnecessary subscriptions to newspapers, magazines and brochures.
48. Fold your Garbage bags for organic waste from old newspaper.
49. Raise your child with reusable cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers.
50. Use compostable Dog waste bags. (is available here*)

Continuing contributions: If you want to know even more about these Zero Waste tips, feel free to also take a look at the articles Saving energy in the home, Zero Waste Cleaning, Coffee grounds applications as well as Unsubscribe from advertising by mail.

Zero Waste Food and Eating Habits

51. Ernähre dich pflanzlich, regional und saisonal und verzichte auf Fleisch & Co. (Cookbook tip: Vegan diet for beginners* with basic knowledge and simple recipes)
52. Save food with food sharing or apps like ToGoodToGo.
53. Learn to use food completely. (see Utilize leftovers)
54. Preserve food in jars to make it last longer.
55. Make your own Bread chips from stale bread her.
56. Sort your food into the correct refrigerator compartments.
57. Freeze food plastic free in glass, cloth, paper or cans.
58. Cook fresh and avoid waste-producing to-go and convenience meals.
59. Stock up so you can avoid rushing orders to delivery services when things might get stressful.
60. Cook more of your dinner as lunch for the next day.
61. Ask for plastic-free or reusable packaging materials when you do order food from a delivery service.
62. Prefer natural home remedies instead of pills when a cold is on the horizon.
63. Trinke Leitungswasser anstelle von Wasser aus Plastikflaschen. (siehe Tap water advantages)
64. Process leftover vegetables into smoothies or vegetable soup.
65. Don't take the best-before date too seriously, and instead trust your senses when it comes to expired food.
66. Buy tea in bulk and use a Stainless steel tea strainer to boil. (is available here*)

Continuing contributions: Wenn du mehr noch mehr über die genannten Zero Waste Tipps erfahren willst, kannst du dich u. a. in den Blogbeiträgen Making food last longer, Reduce food waste, Buy regionally, Seasonal shopping, Add flavor to tap water and Reasons for vegan lifestyle read in.

Low-Waste Bathroom and Personal Care

67. Verwende Stückseife beim Duschen und als Ersatz für flüssige Handseife. (z. B. these*)
68. Make your own toothpaste or use toothbrush tablets. (is available here*)
69. Use reusable metal ear swabs. (is available here*)
70. Swap your plastic toothbrush for one that is Bamboo toothbrush on. (is available here*)
71. Replace disposable pads and tampons with cloth pads and a Menstrual cup. (is available here*)
72. Learn your Making sunscreen yourself.
73. Turn off the faucet when you shower or brush your teeth.
74. Replace the disposable razor with a Stainless steel razor plane. (is available here*)
75. Prefer plastic free Lip balm instead of plastic chapstick. (is available here*)
76. Produce your own deodorant from natural ingredients.
77. Go for washable cotton pads. (is available here*)

Continuing contributions: Suitable for this you get in the articles Bathroom without plastic, Save water in the home and Sustainable body care more valuable info.

Zero Waste Living and Home Setup

78. Baue deine eigenen Möbel aus alten Materialien. (z. B. einen DIY dining table)
79. Switch to LEDs for your light bulbs.
80. Turn off your technology completely instead of going into standby mode.
81. Process old bedding and towels into handkerchiefs and cloth bags.
82. Use linen napkins instead of disposable alternatives for dining. (there's here*)
83. Only buy the technical devices that you really need in everyday life.
84. Just dress a little thicker instead of turning up the heat.
85. Donate old furniture and other items to social service organizations.

Continuing contributions: If you want to know even more, you will find in the DIY Furniture Blog and in the blog articles Sustainable living and Environmentally friendly home found.

Zero Waste in Your Garden

86. Lege einen Komposthaufen an und produziere Erde aus Bioabfällen.
87. Fange Regenwasser mit Zisterne oder Tonne zur Bewässerung auf. (Tip: Dieses alte Whiskeyfass*)
88. Check with family, friends and neighbors first before buying a new garden tool.
89. Baue deine eigenen Lebensmittel an. (My raised bed recommendation*)
90. Use old egg cartons and yogurt cups to grow seedlings.
91. Obtain and exchange seeds at public swap meets.
92. Water your garden when the sun has set.
93. Bekämpfe Schädlinge auf natürliche Weise. (z. B. Marienkäfer gegen Blattläuse)

Continuing contributions: If you want to know more about Zero Waste tips and a more eco-friendly garden, be sure to check out these articles Sustainable gardening, Bird friendly garden and Proper composting inside.

Zero Waste Clothing and Wardrobe Tips

94. Bevorzuge langlebige Kleidung, die zeitlos ist uns sich gut kombinieren lässt. (siehe Capsule Wardrobe)
95. Only buy clothes that you will definitely wear.
96. Consciously reduce the number of wash cycles.
97. Go for a natural moth repellent, like cedar. (is available here*)
98. Lass beschädigte Schuhe vom Schuster oder von der Schusterin reparieren.
99. Keep all spare parts in a designated place.
100. Make a tote bag out of an old t-shirt.
101. Swap clothes at a clothing swap party instead of buying them new.
102. Have garments that are too big or too small fitted by tailors:inside.

Continuing contributionsFor more in-depth knowledge on these ideas, check out the following articles Slow Fashion, Sustainable fashion, Sustainable fashion brands and Tips for more durable clothing.

Reducing Waste at Work and in the Office

103. Print documents on both sides if printing cannot be avoided.
104. Use public transportation or carpool to work.
105. Always have a reusable CoffeeToGo mug with it. (is available here*)
106. Take food from home to avoid to-go garbage at lunchtime.
107. Digitize your office and reduce paper consumption.
108. Use shredded paper as sustainable filling material for packages.
109. Use recycled paper if paper consumption cannot be avoided.

Continuing contributions: Weiteres Wissen zu diesen Tipp für weniger Müll erhältst du u. a. in den Blogartikeln Sustainable commute, Sustainable printing, Save paper, Paperless office, Sustainable office.

Waste-Free Tips for Travel and Life on the Go

110. Don't leave home without a filled water bottle. (Here are the best drinking bottles in comparison)
111. Use your bike, public transportation, or even car sharing instead of your car.
112. Reject free promotional items and brochures in the pedestrian zone.
113. When ordering at the café, ask to do without the straw.
114. Drink your coffee at the table in the café instead of taking it in a disposable cup.
115. Replace paper tissues with a Cloth handkerchief. (is available here*)
116. Refill your water bottle with tap water on the way.
117. Collect trash from the environment and dispose of it properly.
118. Forgo the bakery bag if you consume baked goods directly anyway.
119. Learn, to specifically avoid waste at festivals.
120. Sorge dafür, dass du die Handtücher im Hotel mehrmals verwendest.
121. Always have a Zero Waste on vacation Travel bestcorner set with it. (is available here*)
122. Prefer travel accommodations with a green, waste-avoiding philosophy.
123. Organize a CleanUp and free a vacation beach from garbage.
124. Verzichte auf Souvenirs, die meist eh in Krams-Schubladen verschwinden.

Continuing contributions: If you want to produce even less waste, you should also take a look at the articles Zero Waste Travel, Sustainable souvenirs and Plastic free camping throw

Know the Tips – and Start Reducing Waste in Daily Life

Wie kann man Müll im Alltag vermeiden? Wie du siehst, ist die Antwort gar nicht kompliziert! Nun hast du jedenfalls ein ganzes Füllhorn an praktischen Tipps für weniger Müll im Alltag zur Hand. Versuche sie nach und nach umzusetzen, damit du deinen persönlichen Abfall immer weiter reduzierst. Sei dir aber auch bewusst, dass Zero Waste ein Marathon und kein Sprint ist, bei dem alles perfekt laufen muss. 🙂

Wenn mal wieder etwas Müll anfällt, solltest du ihn jedoch immer richtig entsorgen, to natural Continue to conserve resources in your everyday life.

"We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly."

Anne Marie Bonneau (mehr unter Zero Waste Quotes)

Ich hoffe sehr, dass dir meine Zero Waste Tipps weiterhelfen und dass du einer müllfreien Lebensweise jeden Tag ein Stückchen näher kommst. Hast du Fragen, Anregungen oder weitere Tipps, um Müll zu vermeiden? Dann freue ich mich auf deinen Kommentar.

Stay clean,

PS: I have also given you a detailed blog article with the Tips for plastic free living verfasst. Und wenn du magst, kannst du dir auch mein Buch Plastikfrei leben für Einsteiger besorgen*, damit deine Lernkurve richtig steil ist. Viel Spaß beim Lesen! 🙂