As a teenager, how can you make an impact on the environment? What can you do to help reduce your carbon footprint and go zero waste as a teen? It’s not easy to live fully green if it means sacrificing convenience. Luckily, there are many ways that teens and young adults can take steps towards living more sustainably!
As a teenager, you might sometimes feel like your voice is lost in the crowd or that you’re not taken seriously. Luckily, there’s one thing that teenagers still have control over their lifestyle and what they buy! If your lifestyle is wasteful, it makes sense to reduce the volume of trash you produce before looking at other ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Here we have compiled 27 of our favorite tips for How To Go Zero Waste As A Teenager: be the change!
Start early. If you wait until next week, it will be too late.
Table of Contents
1 – Stay away from bottled water
It might seem like bottled water is more convenient than tap water, but it’s not. Bottled water is terrible for the environment, and it costs a lot of money, too. If you’re looking for a convenient way to drink water, invest in a reusable water bottle instead. You’ll save money and reduce your environmental impact.
2 – Reduce food packaging waste
When buying groceries, try to avoid items that come in excessive packaging or are packaged in wasteful materials like plastic. If you buy food from a bulk bin, make your container with you, so you don’t have to use wasteful disposable bags.
3 – Buy second-hand clothes and accessories
Clothing is one of the most common things that people throw away, and it’s also one of the easiest to recycle (or reuse!). Try shopping for your outfits at a thrift store or wearing hand-me-downs from friends and family members. You can even sell clothing that you never wear!
4 – Use alternatives to single-use products
Your mother might have told you this one time and time again, but it’s still worth sharing: products that are used only once (like plastic water bottles) really should be avoided whenever possible. Try finding reusable alternatives or using stainless steel tumblers instead of disposable cups.
5 – Bring your cutlery and dishware to school or work
If you’re frequently on the go, it can be difficult to remember to bring your utensils with you. But it’s worth it! Not only will you save money by not having to buy disposable dishware, but you’ll also be reducing waste by using reusable instead of disposable products.
6 – Don’t use a dishwasher if you don’t have to
If your school or workplace provides dishware, then you might think it’s not worth your time to scrape your dishes off before putting them into the dishwasher. However, as counterintuitive as it might seem, dishwashers use more water and energy than if you wash your dishes by hand. If you’re short on time (or just really lazy), try using a bowl of water to rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
7 – Avoid individually wrapped snacks
Individually wrapped snacks are a prime example of wasteful single-use products. Instead, try to buy snacks that come in bulk bins so you can get exactly the amount that you need. Or, even better, bring a reusable container with you and scoop your snacks yourself!
8 – Avoid disposable razors whenever possible
Razors are another item that is often used only once and then thrown away. If you can’t avoid using disposable razors, try to reuse them as many times as possible before throwing them away. You could also try a safety razor, which can be reused for many years.
9 – Avoid pre-packaged food
Pre-packaged food is often unhealthy, and it’s almost always more expensive than food that you prepare yourself. Not to mention, it creates a lot of waste! Try cooking your meals as often as possible, and you’ll save money and reduce your environmental impact.
10 – Compost your food scraps
Food scraps can be composted to create nutrient-rich soil amendment. If you don’t have a compost bin, ask your parents or teachers if your school or workplace has one. You can also start your compost pile in your backyard!
11 – Bring your bags to the grocery store
Grocery stores provide reusable bags for customers, but most people opt for disposable plastic bags. Bring your bags with you to the store, so you don’t have to use any disposable bags. If you forget your bags, try to buy products that don’t come in packaging.
12 – Use a menstrual cup instead of tampons or pads
Menstrual cups are a great way to reduce waste during your period. Unlike pads and tampons, they can be reused for up to 10 years. If you’re not ready to try a menstrual cup, try using reusable cloth pads instead of disposable pads or tampons.
13 – Make your beauty products
Instead of buying expensive beauty products at the store, make your own out of ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils. This way, you can create better products for yourself and the environment without spending too much money in the process.
14 – Get your haircut by a friend or family member
When it comes to spending money on haircuts, most people don’t think about their hairstyle’s impact on the environment. Getting your haircut by a family member or friend can be a great way to reduce waste and save money at the same time! Not only that, but you’ll likely get a better quality haircut as well.
15 – Don’t throw away old clothes
One way to reduce waste is by opting for secondhand clothing instead of buying new clothes. If you have no longer in style or don’t fit, don’t throw them away! Donate them to a local charity or consignment shop instead.
16 – Use bar soap instead of liquid soap
Bar soap is often made with natural ingredients and can be reused multiple times before it needs to be replaced. Plus, it will last longer than liquid soap, which means it has a smaller environmental impact.
17 – Make your snacks
Homemade junk food is much healthier and lower in cost than the pre-packaged stuff you’ll find at the store. Try making your trail mix from ingredients you like or making some homemade fruit snacks. Your friends will be so impressed with your culinary skills!
18 – Use a refillable water bottle
Bottled water is a waste of resources, and it’s often not any healthier than tap water. You can fill it up at any drinking fountain or water cooler if you have a reusable water bottle. This will help you save money and reduce waste in the process.
19 – Take public transportation when you can
Public transportation is one of the easiest ways to reduce your impact on the environment, especially when it comes to driving. Try carpooling or taking public transportation when you can instead of getting behind the wheel yourself.
You could also try walking or biking instead of taking public transportation. Not only is this better for the environment, but it’s also a great way to get some exercise!
20 – Recycle everything you can
Recycling is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce waste. If there’s something that can be recycled, chances are your community has a recycling program. Make it a point to recycle everything you can and help spread the word about the importance of recycling.
21 – Educate your friends and family about going to zero waste
One of the best ways to reduce waste is by educating others about the issue. If you have friends and family interested in going zero waste, help them out by sharing some of the tips you’ve learned in this article. You never know; they may even start to adopt some of your habits!
22 – Use a straw made from bamboo or stainless steel
Plastic straws are one of the biggest contributors to waste in the world. If you need a straw for your drink, try using a bamboo or stainless steel straw instead. You can find these straws online or at your local grocery store.
23 – Bring your food to restaurants
When you eat, bring along some of your food in reusable containers. This way, you’ll be able to avoid getting wasteful takeout containers. Plus, you’ll save money and get to enjoy your favorite foods!
24 – Don’t use paper towels when you can use a cloth
Paper towels are one of the biggest contributors to waste in the world. If you’re looking for an alternative to paper towels, try using washable cloths instead. These clothes can be used over and over again, so there’s no need to keep tossing them in the trash.
25 – Cook your meals instead of relying on takeout or fast food
One of the best ways to reduce your impact on the environment is cooking your meals as often as possible. Not only will this save you money, but it will also cut down on the number of trash bags you use.
26 – Plant your garden.
If you have enough space in your yard or apartment, consider planting a small vegetable garden that you can tend to yourself. Community gardens are another alternative if you’re interested in growing some of your food. Not only will this help reduce your environmental impact, but you’ll also get to enjoy some delicious fresh produce!
27 – Advocate for zero waste policies in your community
If you’re passionate about going zero waste, consider advocating for zero waste policies in your community. This could mean lobbying your local government or organizing a petition drive. Whatever approach you take, make sure to communicate the importance of zero waste policies and how they can benefit your community.
Conclusion
How To Go Zero Waste As A Teenager? You’ve done it! Congratulations, you are now a Zero Waste Teenager. Just kidding (sort of). There is no specific age to become environmentally conscious and try to live in harmony with nature. Still, there are some ways that teenagers can make the world more sustainable for themselves and future generations. Below, we have compiled 27 tips from around the web on how “today’s youth” can go zero waste while still being able to enjoy their teenage years without worrying about what they will leave behind when they grow up. Keep these ideas handy as a guidebook or checklist so that you don’t forget anything important along the way. So get cracking, be resourceful, and remember not everything has to be perfect from the get-go; start small and work your way up gradually. And most importantly: have fun!
