10 declutter tips from 'Zero waste home'

9 July 2013

Our enthusiasm to reuse and recycle can sometimes add to a sense of clutter - with overflowing recycling bins, or hanging on to things in the hope that one day we'll have a new use for them.

If you recognise either scenario, Zero Waste Home is a timely read. Bea Johnson has made it her mission to simplify all of our lives by showing us how we can waste less. Her book is packed with countless practical ideas, tips and recipes. She's convinced these can help change focus, towards a more meaningful life where we enjoy experiences rather than stuff.

Here are my favourite tips from her book:

1. The 5 Rs

On your zero waste journey, Bea suggests applying the 5Rs in descending order - refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and finally rot (or compost). I love the idea of leaving a place cleaner than when you found it. You could extend it beyond your home too - picking up litter when you go for a walk, camping, to the beach etc.

2. Refuse (what you don't need)

Learn to say no to stuff coming into your home, such as dry cleaning and pizza delivery flyers, business cards, goody bags or (for the kids) anything non edible in a party bag. Tell yourself you have enough pens.

3. Reduce (what you do need and cannot refuse)

Try sharing purchases with others, for instance by selling via eBay and Gumtree. Or pass on magazines to places people wait, eg, launderettes, surgeries, vets, dentists etc.

4. Reuse (what you consume and cannot refuse or reduce)

Reusing is using a product in its original manufactured form several times over. For example, when your child has outgrown their bike, pass it on. When you go shopping, remember to take some cloth bags. Reusing also prioritises repairing items - do you know where your local cobbler or shoe-repair service is?  

5. Recycle (what you cannot refuse, reduce or reuse)

Find out exactly what you can recycle locally - or aim to simply avoid the need to recycle in the first pace (this is the toughest of the steps to a zero waste home). At least there's the option for most of us to recycle on our doorstep thanks to a successful recycling campaign by Friends of the Earth.

6. Rot (compost)

The author of Zero Waste Home used to be a super wasteful American soccer mom living in a massive house with a serious aversion to compost. She thought it was "icky, smelly, messy, complicated and scientific". Then she had a go and found it was a doddle. I'm a big composter already but Bea's book has information on going one step further, and tells you how to make a separate composter to deal with dog poo. I'm looking forward to giving this a try.

7. Benefits of a zero waste home

You'll have more time for activities rather than acquiring and looking after stuff. For example if you've got a lawn, how much time do you spend cutting it when you could transform it into a bee-friendly meadow instead. 

8. Create your own A-Z lists - even for clothes

Shopping for vintage clothes is a great idea, but how about only doing this on just two days a year (when the seasons are changing). How about making an A-Z list as a memory jogger that will help you extend your wardrobe's life. For example...

A - accessorise with a broach or flower to hide a hole.

B - borrow your partner's hat or mum's jewellery to spruce up an outfit.

C - colour with dyes to hide stains, bleach splashes or simply to create a new look.

D - darn socks and jumpers.

See more ideas at Bea Johnson's blog - http://zerowastehome.blogspot.co.uk

9. Experiment

If you love your beauty products, try out some less wasteful alternatives or homemade potions. Burn 10 almonds then crush with a dash of oil to make kohl eyeliner. Make your own face powder with cornstarch. You could even give the Mooncup a go.

10. Celebrate

Develop your own edible celebrations. How about making heart-shaped biscuits for Valentine's day, or pumpkin soup topped with roasted pumpkin seeds for Halloween? Stuck for a gift for your child's class teacher or your friends at book group? Just make a big batch of biscuits to share.

Read a free extract. 

Please buy the book from The Book Depository. Friends of the Earth receives a 5% donation from your order, at no extra cost to you.

Nicola Baird is an environmental blogger and author. Find out more at www.nicolabaird.com