Whether you're whizzing to work or planning a fun day out, your sustainable lifestyle doesn't have to stay at home. In collaboration with Mepal, we are sharing six musthaves for a zero waste lifestyle to make your daily outings and commutes as waste-free as possible. The legislation, which now requires you to pay for packaging and disposable plastic, is an extra motivation to get serious about this!
Zero waste lifestyle is necessary and will cost you money
In collaboration with Mepal
Since 1 July 2023, you will have to pay for disposable plastic cups and containers, a move by the government to curb litter and plastic use. This is good news, but also might take some getting used to. The use of disposable plastic is so ingrained in our lives. We use it lollygaggingly. In the Netherlands alone, we throw away every day 19 million cups and food packaging containing plastic away after single use. Not to mention the part that ends up in nature as litter. These regulations should encourage us to use more reusable containers, cups and drinking bottles. That way we need fewer raw materials, less ends up in nature and less energy is needed for incineration or recycling. Forgot your coffee mug? Then you will have to pay for a disposable one and pay a small walk of shame have to walk. Because honestly, a disposable cup like that doesn't really look good on anyone.
What are the rules
You now pay for disposable plastic tableware. This applies to the cup of coffee at the station, but also to the chip tray at the snack bar, the meal salad at the supermarket and the pre-packed sandwich at the station. Even if you have food delivered, you will see a surcharge on the receipt. How much? That is up to the entrepreneurs to decide. The government recommends an amount between 5 and 25 cents depending on the type of packaging. And so you can save money by bringing your own stuff!
My favourite zero waste items that I can recommend to everyone
The situations where you make the most waste? That's definitely on the go. Just a coffee-to-go, a snack or a salad. But also in the supermarket, for example in the fruit and vegetable department, it happens that you use unnecessary packaging. How can you reduce that? By getting the right zero waste items into your home and learning new habits. And no, you really don't have to buy a whole arsenal of items. To be precise, we have six musthaves which are bang on. You really don't need much more ‘to go’. These items are also a nice gift idea for the greener wish list.
- Extra-large drinking cup: a drinking cup most people have these days. Extra handy is the Ellipse water bottle that holds not 500 but 700 ml of water or soft drinks (including carbonated ones). And with the handy loop, you can easily take it with you. If you think 700 ml is a bit big for travelling, Mepal also has smaller sizes of this model. Also very handy!
- Bread bin: a bread bin is not only a zero waste tip, it is also a very nice budget tip. But what you like at home and take with you in a handy lunch box. This will save you waste and money, because a sandwich or salad on the go can end up being quite expensive. Mepal also has these in all shapes, sizes and colours. I am happy with my Take a Break midi. This size is fine for any average lunch. With handy dividers so things don't get messy and sticky.
- Coffee mug: A coffee-to-go can be delicious on its own time, but a price of a cup of coffee or tea on the go can also add up considerably if you do it regularly. Moreover, even then you have to pay extra for your disposable cup. Invest in a good coffee mug and always put it in your bag, is what we want to say. And then this Ellipse vacuum flask 350 ml our tip for on-the-go. These too come in different sizes and colours, but that 350 is a perfect size in a backpack!
- Take home kit: always handy to have with you is your own set of cutlery.
- Preserve jars: not all storage containers have to cost money. Glass preserving jars - you know the ones that hold beans or applesauce - are incredibly handy if you want to do packaging-free shopping, for example at the market or deli. Bring your own jars and have them filled with goodies like tapping and olives. Prefer to stay in the Mepal style? Then the Mepal Modula or Cirqula multi bowls very handy for this.
- Fabric pockets: handy for putting bread, fruit and vegetables in. Fabric bags are a permanent fixture in my household. Besides, vegetables often stay good longer in a cloth bag (try it). You can buy fabric bags or make your own, for example from old pillowcases.
Some must-haves for a zero waste lifestyle from Mepal.
About Mepal
In the world of kitchen utensils, Mepal is a well-known star. This Dutch brand is known for its no-nonsense approach to sustainable plastic crockery and kitchen products. Mepal makes everyday life in the kitchen and on the go just that little bit easier. From sleekly designed lunch boxes to handy drinking cups, Mepal's focus on sustainability and practicality has earned them a place in many kitchens. With their simple yet effective designs, Mepal offers an alternative to disposable plastic, making them a favourite among those who strive for an environmentally conscious lifestyle. So, if you are looking for kitchen accessories that just do what they are supposed to do, but with a sustainable touch, Mepal is definitely worth considering. All Mepal products are conceived and made in the Netherlands and are safe and free of hormone-disrupting substances such as Bisphenol A (BPA) AND they can go in the dishwasher, a real must as far as we are concerned.
Must-haves for a zero waste lifestyle
Armed with these handy items, you are ready to significantly reduce your own waste mountain. Do you have another great tip that helps you produce less waste? Be sure to let us know! You can find our contact and follow buttons at the bottom of this page. We would love to hear from you and pass on your tip. Only together can we become more sustainable and smarter!
More sustainable tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Also see: meal prepping is how you do it!
- Also see: Eco-friendly oral care: it's different than you think
- Also see: Overripe bananas in the fruit bowl: here's what you can do with them!
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
