Waste not, want not

Living a zero waste lifestyle is not as daunting as it sounds, writes

missing out on anything. Because once you’ve gotten used to it (the zero waste lifestyle) and are able to live it efficiently, it’s actually very simple. And you’ll find yourself living a much happier life,” she confides.

In addition, Tin adds that living a zero waste life isn’t all that scary. It’s a good way to reduce materialistic headaches while at the same time saving the world we live in. “But most importantly, it isn’t a lifestyle that’s out to deprive you of what you like. It’s a lifestyle where you find alternatives to your current living that’ll help save Mother Nature but still gives you the opportunity to enjoy what you love doing.”

Essentially, zero waste living is a refreshing change that helps to de-clutter what’s not necessary and replaces what’s harmful with choices that would benefit our world and save you money along the way. Ever since adopting this concept, the 29-year-old reveals that she has more time to concentrate on what’s more important — to live a more fulfilling life with her loved ones.

FREEING FROM TRASH

Zero waste living was first introduced by Bea Johnson back in 2006 in her blog, zerowastehome.blogspot.com.

A French native living in America, she became concerned with the amount of trash produced by her household after shifting from a large bungalow to a small apartment in the city. Her fear of Mother Nature’s demise and what it would mean for her children and the future generations drove her to reinvent her world — one that’s free of waste.

Her success in reducing two years’ worth of household waste that could fit into a small glass jar spurred her to embark on a crusade to rid our world of trash. Not by force but by education. She advocated five simple principles to effectively eliminate waste from anyone’s home. “Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot”.

These five Rs are documented extensively in her blog as well as her book,

both of which have become the Holy Grail for anyone wanting to adopt this change in lifestyle.

“Bea’s book is really useful,” shares Tin, who proudly presents me with the paperback. Enthusiastically, she explains that the book has all the necessary information to help anyone interested in living a zero waste lifestyle. “It’s a great guide book. You can follow everything in its entirety or just make small changes.”