Starting Your Zero Waste Journey

Understanding Waste and Where to Begin

People often start a new journey, like going zero waste, only when the reasons for change outweigh the reasons for staying the same—and not a moment sooner. This idea underlies my journey, my website, and soon, you’ll understand the reasons behind it. This concept will reappear throughout my content, as it truly captures the essence of any sustainable change.

To fully experience the benefits of a zero-waste lifestyle, it’s essential to first understand two things: what we mean by “waste” and how much waste we’re creating. This includes looking at resources used, environmental impact, and the personal energy invested in everything we own.

Next, we need to ask ourselves: How much waste are we creating, and what are the reasons behind it? What are the implications for our planet, our wallets, our health, and our personal growth? For now, let’s start by examining what waste actually is and learning how to measure our waste production. This first step is essential to understanding ourselves and where we’re coming from. Without it, we can’t make any meaningful progress.

What is Waste?

When we hear the word “waste,” most of us think of things that are no longer useful or needed. By the dictionary definition, waste is “a material, substance, or by-product eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or required after the completion of a process.”

In simple terms, waste is anything we no longer need.In general, waste is classified into categories like wet waste, dry waste, hazardous waste, e-waste, and sanitary waste. These official terms help in understanding how waste can be quantified in specific areas.

However, this definition changes when we consider that some things might be waste for one person but useful for another. For example, think of a dress lying in your wardrobe for years.

You might not like the color anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s worthless. Or, consider paper waste generated in the office, or electronic items sitting unused for months. Are these things waste—or just unused resources?

Then, look at waste from a different perspective. How many times have you purchased items you didn’t truly need? Think of times you bought duplicates: maybe you couldn’t find your USB drive and ended up buying a second or third one. Or perhaps you have more shoes, bags, or clothes than you really use. Are these items truly useful, or have they become extra clutter?

Here, we’re not just talking about waste as discarded items; we’re also talking about the resources used to make these products and the life energy you spent to buy them. Is this waste, or is it something more? This is the starting point for our zero-waste journey: understanding what waste is and identifying the true costs behind our possessions.

How to Measure Your Waste

Now that we know what waste is, let’s move on to how much waste you’re creating in your home or office. You might ask, “Why should I bother with this?” Once you see the reasons, the benefits will outweigh any hesitation.

Here are the reasons for and against

Reasons for Knowing How Much Waste is Created Through Decluttering	Reasons Against Knowing Waste Created
Easier Access to Items:	Time Investment:
Learn New Organizing Skills	Emotional Difficulty:
Identify Purchase Habits:	Decision Fatigue:
Save Money:	Overwhelm:
Reduce Environmental Impact	Fear of Scarcity:
Model Positive Habits	Perfectionism:
Free Up Space:	Initial Messiness:
Gain Clarity on Needs	Comfort with the Status Quo

I found the reasons to find out how much waste I’m creating. What’s your say.?

There are many suggestions for tracking waste, like using a separate bin for a month or even keeping all your trash in a jar for a year. These methods work for some, but they can be challenging to start. For me, it took about a month to truly understand the waste I was generating, and I want to simplify this process for you.

Understanding your waste production is a reflection of your inner commitment to change—for yourself and the planet. Are you ready to start? Great! Let’s move on.

My Experience: Measuring Waste in a Zero Waste Lifestyle

One of the most powerful methods I found for measuring waste was through decluttering, inspired by the KonMari method. I strongly recommend Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. When I first read it, I thought it might take a month to fully implement. In the end, I decluttered my home in three days and my office in five. Your timeline may vary, but the results will be eye-opening.

Read my exciting decluttering story

After decluttering, you’ll see how much you’ve been wasting on unnecessary items, from paper and pens to food and gadgets. This step will help you recognize where your wasteful habits come from—whether it’s over-purchasing, convenience, or simply a lack of awareness.

Without this step, don’t rush to follow “top 10 ways” or “25 steps” to reduce waste. This is about more than just decluttering; it’s about uncovering where your resources and life energy are going.

Practical Steps for Decluttering

If you don’t have time to read the book, here’s a simplified approach. Instead of decluttering by room (bathroom, bedroom, kitchen), go by category. Start with clothes: gather every piece of clothing from around your home, organize them by type, and find a specific place for each item. Then, move on to the next category.

This method might sound easy, but it requires commitment. The benefits of decluttering aren’t just about having a tidier space; they’ll help you uncover hidden habits and motivations. To truly grasp these benefits, reading the KonMari book will give you the full picture.

If you’re feeling unsure about decluttering or finding it difficult to organize, you might be facing deeper challenges like hoarding tendencies. In such cases, revisiting your mindset and perspective can be incredibly helpful.

A highly recommended resource for this is Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding (Treatments That Work) by David Tolin, Randy O. Frost, and Gail Steketee. This book provides valuable insights and practical strategies to address compulsive behaviors and can guide you toward a healthier relationship with your belongings.

Take a Moment and Reflect

Now, give yourself a break.

• Have you read the book? Great!
• Decluttered your home or office? Well done!
• Have you begun to understand where your waste is coming from and why?

Share your progress and thoughts with others. Reflect on how your perception of waste has changed. Starting a zero-waste journey begins with understanding our relationship with waste, and this first step sets the foundation for the meaningful changes to come.

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