21 Super Easy & Cheap Zero Waste DIY Projects
Zero Waste
Living a minimalist zero waste lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular for a number of reasons. From the frugal living perspective zero waste is a great money saver and it is based on simplicity DIY projects. Discover 21 super easy, cheap zero waste DIY projects you can start today.
What Is Zero Waste?
Zero waste is a set of principles based on sending less waste to the landfill and waste prevention. Zero waste is about creating a more sustainable lifestyle where you reuse goods instead of adding to the landfill.
Zero Waste Lifestyle
Those who participate in a zero waste lifestyle or green living actively look for ways to avoid waste. Like using cloth reusable shopping bags, zero waste DIY, avoiding unnecessary packaging, gardening and composting.
How Can Zero Waste Save You Money?
Zero waste is about living a more frugal simplistic lifestyle where you opt to reuse items instead of using and tossing single use disposable products. Since you are reusing more sustainable products like cloth napkins, jars, stainless steel food storage and shampoo bars you are spending less money.
Saving Money Zero Waste Lifestyle
When you spend less money and reuse what you have you are saving money. A simple example of a zero waste way of saving money is bringing your coffee from home in a stainless steel reusable coffee mug or using a portable oven lunch box to transport and cook your food on the road. Another great way to save money and waste less is to bring your own cloth produce bags and shopping bags with you to the market.
Zero Waste Goals
When starting out with zero waste living or a minimalist lifestyle start small and add in items or goals step by step. Going zero waste is super easy for beginners.
For example this week brown bag your lunch in reusable containers and bring your own coffee in a stainless steel mug. Next week start using your compost more or wash all your laundry on the cold cycle and start using dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.
Zero Waste Movement
As cities get more populated and urban areas get more busy more and more people are searching out ways to go zero waste or a low waste lifestyle.
People living on tighter budgets and harder economic times will also opt for more zero waste ideas as it saves money in the long run.
The zero waste movement centers around doing more DIY and being more active in your usage choices to decrease your waste. For example you may do more home baking to cut down on the plastic and food wrap containers entering your home.
Why Is Zero Waste Important?
Zero waste is so important because it means less stuff is going to the landfill and less is affecting the earth. It also means less chemicals are entering your home. Your family is creating a more greener, healthier home environment.
Zero Waste Ideas
Zero waste can be as simple as swapping plastic bags for paper bags or cloth bags. Opting to bring your own coffee instead buy coffee in a single use cup.
Using cloth produce bags and jars and purchasing bulk are great zero waste grocery money savers. DIY projects are amazing zero waste ideas and great gift ideas.
Zero Waste DIY
Doing it yourself to save money and to waste less. Here are some great zero waste DIY projects:
Waste Free Bread Bags – Gippsland Unwrapped
Reusable Beeswax Food Wrap – Closet Core Patterns
Paperless Paper Towel – Darling Magazine
Zero Waste Crafts
Zero waste crafts or sustainable DIY projects are great to assist you with your zero waste living.
Reusable Snack Bags – Closet Core Patterns
Zero Waste Kitchen Sponge – Happiest Camper
Homemade Dish Soap – Country Cottage Hill
Homemade Peppermint Toothpaste – The Pistachio Project
DIY Zero Waste Produce Bags
Zero waste produce bags are a simple beginner sewing DIY projects you can do in an afternoon to help reduce your carbon footprint, save money and create less waste.
DIY Produce Bags – The Yellow Bird House
Zero Waste Produce Bags – The Happiest Camper
Mesh Produce Bags – Lia Griffith
How To Make DIY Zero Waste Unpaper Towels
Paper towel is expensive and wasteful you can avoid this by using cloth napkins, rags or unpaper towels. Unpaper towels are super simple DIY projects to help you decrease your daily household waste.
No More Paper Towels – Thread Party
Unpaper Towels – 104 Homestead
Easy Unpaper Towels – Life After Laundry
DIY Unpaper Towels Tutorial – This Lovely Little Farmhouse
How To Make Zero Waste Sponges
If you have some time you can make homemade make up sponges and homemade dish washing sponges both will save you tons of money.
Zero Waste Sponges – eHow
Unsponge DIY – A Rose Tinted World
Reusable Make-up Cloths – One Good Thing By Jillee
Crochet Cotton Pads – What You Sow
Zero Waste Sewing Projects
Beginner sewing projects are the perfect zero waste DIY to start. They are simple, cheap and useful.
Reusable Swiffer Refills – A Few Shortcuts
Reusable Cotton Rounds – Hello Sewing
Reusable Dryer Sheets – Beginner Sewing Projects
Zero Waste DIY Beauty Products
Natural beauty products are super easy to make and better for your body.
Zero Waste Deodorant – A Little Rose Dust
Zero Waste Eyeliner & Mascara – Going Zero Waste
Moisturizing Zero Waste Shaving Cream – Zero Waste Nerd
Zero Waste Food
Waste not want not. Zero waste food the act of using everything down to the last drop and shopping for it with cloth produce bags, jars and other non-plastic items.
Beginner’s Guide To Zero Waste Grocery Shopping – No Trace
Kitchen Scraps You Should Reuse – Housewife How To’s
Zero Waste Meal Plan – Polly Bark’s
The Best Zero Waste Products
The following are all products that can help support and sustain a zero waste lifestyle:
- Mesh Produce Bags
- Reusable Storage Bags
- Wool Dryer Balls
- Stainless Steel Straws
- Silicone Baking Sheet
- Compost Bin
- Bento Lunch Box
Zero Waste DIY Gifts
Giving do it yourself gifts has just gotten easier and less wasteful:
Something Crocheted – Saving & Simplicity
Homemade Body Butter – She Wears Many Hats
DIY Bath Bombs – Something Turquoise
Zero Waste DIY Money Makers
Turn your passion for DIY and zero waste into a side hustle money maker. Or swap your 9-5 for a more zero waste lifestyle business. If you are great with DIY and have a passion for zero waste creating less wasteful products could earn you some great money.
Zero Waste DIY
People enjoy handmade homemade products and support ventures that are less wasteful, more sustainable and personal. Zero waste DIY projects and sustainable products like homemade beauty supplies, sewing projects, crochet projects and more do well when sold online, at farmers markets and sold via word of mouth. Zero waste products can also include homemade baking and household products.
Related DIY Projects:
- 7 Amazing Crochet Patterns For Beginners
- Cricut Projects For Beginners
- DIY Farmhouse Decor On A Budget
- Secret Must Haves Of A Frugal Home
Updated June 8, 2021
