10 Tips to Live Zero Waste on a Budget

Are you looking to go Zero Waste, but worry it will be expensive? Zero Waste is really about living simply and within our means. It creates a great mindset to reduce expenses and waste. Here are 10 tips to live a Zero Waste lifestyle and save money from my friend April Hepokoski!

April Hepokoski lives a Zero Waste lifestyle and also runs her nature-based preschool Zero Waste. She inspires others to live a more sustainable and intentional life through her blogs and speaking events. Through her journey to more sustainable living, she has developed many thrifty and sustainable habits that help her live Zero Waste and on a budget.

Learn more about April's work:

Robin Greenfield is a truth-seeker, activist, social reformer and servant to Earth, humanity and our plant and animal relatives. He lives simply and sustainably to be the change he wishes to see in the world. Through living closely connected to Earth, he rejects the status quo of consumerism and demonstrates a way of being in gratitude, mindfulness and presence. His life is an experiment with truth and integrity.

Robin’s public activism involves dramatic actions designed to provoke critical thought, self-reflection and positive change. His activism creates nuanced conversations on the critical issues of our time, with a focus on solutions for living in harmony.
His life’s work has been covered by media worldwide and he has been named “The Robin Hood of Modern Times” by France 2 TV and “The Forrest Gump of Ecology”.

Robin has committed to earning below the federal poverty threshold for life and donates 100% of his media earnings to grassroots nonprofits, with a focus on supporting Black and Indigenous women-led organizations.

This channel is a resource for all who seek to liberate themselves, to live in truth and integrity, and to live in harmony with Earth, humanity and the plants and animals we share this home with.

Robin Greenfield and Dear Friends share means of achieving liberation and harmony through sustainable living, simple living, tiny house living, foraging, growing food and medicine, minimalism, zero waste, earth-skills, food sovereignty, community resilience, compassionate communication, activism, Black Liberation, Indigenous Sovereignty and living in service.

Find Robin Greenfield on:

Help us caption & translate this video!

[antoniescargo]

When I lived in the Netherlands I did not have a refrigerator. The refrigerator did not fit in the apartment and it made a lot of noise. So I learned to live without one. I ate seafood nearly every day when I was away from home. In the afternoon I bought some food and ate it at home. I also shared and exchanged food. In winter I used the balcony as a refrigerator. I also ate low budget and for free in a church. I also did jobs for the church. I own almost nothing except for clothing, a tent, books.

[dastamericus]

I prefer buying glass and metal lid containers, when buying sauces or vegetables. These I save for canning and preserving.
I try to only buy stuff second hand.
And I make use of a community sharing page through Facebook.

[bellen]

Nothing new if you've been around as long as I have - 73 years. All part of the 60s, 70s, 80s. I live in an HOA community and cannot have a compost pile so I do the next best thing - run the day's veggie compostables thru the blender, and either add to one of my container gardens covering with mulch or dig a shallow hole in the border garden, empty and cover that with mulch. Here in FL any compost added to the sand makes a big difference. We also have weekly recycle pickup along with regular garbage and yard waste . The recycle is single stream so it takes all paper, cardboard, glass and marked plastic except plastic bags which go back to WM or Publix and styrofoam so egg cartons and meat trays go back to Publix, Unfortunately I've not found anywhere to recycle molded styrofoam packaging. I have an extensive wardrobe of name brand clothes, shoes and bras (I buy new undies and socks) all from the thrift store at $1-3 a piece. Shoes are usually $4. All items are name brand and in excellent condition and the bras have all been with tags still attached. Having lived on very little thru out my 52 year marriage, but having a lot, this current situation has not been any different than normal - except of course wearing a mask. Everyone stay safe, follow the social distancing and this too shall pass - on to something else!!

[savedbygrace]

When preparing for a shower, I put a bucket under the facet to catch the water that would otherwise go down the drain while waiting for the hot water to appear. It surprisingly saves almost a gallon of water for each shower.

[ecocentrichomestead]

I often decide which brand to buy depending on the reusability of the packaging/container.

[theclumsyprepper]

Really good video.
Have to say I was expecting one of those preachy people so it was a pleasant surprise to listen to her, especially the tip about shopping your home for reusable items.
So many times I've heard and read tips about getting rid of things and buying a brand new plastic free replacements which for me is the total opposite of the zero waste ethos.
And I really need a sliding shelf in my storage cupboard. Have to get my partner to make one. Such a clever solution 😊

[bestfriends]

crazyyy! today, as I sorted out my bin, I understood I produce way to much trash. I thought about where I can get information about zero waste and - boom your video comes online. thank you so much April and Rob! 🌱

[PetalsonthePavingSlabs]

I like the 5 Rs, Ive only ever known it as 3 Rs so thank you!

[enosyodermattieyoder]

I really loved this! It is often when we get to the end of life as we've known it to be, that we find a better way and healthier lifestyle. As in live kinda too stressed out or eating unhealthy And the list goes on.

[woodlymarcello]

Joined a local Farm CSA. I get bulk fruits and vegetables grown and shipped locally. They come in a large wax covered box which we reuse every week throughout the growing season. Meal my third week of fresh strawberries, so decided to freeze this quart and wait for the rhubarb to come later this summer....will make a straw/rhubarb pie. Good Video and thanks for the tips.

[nealeburgess]

I like to apply repair rather than replace to vehicles. I am about to go and exercise on my 65 year old bicycle. For longer distances I use my 32 year old motorbike. For shopping trips I use my 84 year old car. The reliability justification for new cars is a myth. Much less to go wrong on older cars, and when they do break they are cheaper to repair!

[MaryAmesMitchell]

Nicely done. Thank you from a 69-year-old woman in California.

[marsabar]

Bunz is a good app to use if you don't want to spend money on items. You should check it out to see if anyone in your area is using it. Always a good idea to do so if you are considering trying out Bunz.

[StanMovies]

Rob, I was wondering what happened to you video where you drink a cup of pee. Did you have to delete it or did you choose to?

[ajmksmsc]

You are such an inspiration! Every tip you gave is so applicable. Thank you.

[CompostWatcher]

Yay. I do some of those things. You encourage me to do more.

[justlittleolme]

Am I correct in thinking that coloured / dyed hair should not be composted or put in a worm farm? Thanks

[KAKALaundryKh]

Hey Rob!
I really enjoyed your videos 👍
It's good for my job, thanks for sharing 😍🙏🙏🙏

[lynnescaddan]

Where I live in UK a lot of the charity shops are more expensive than new.

[spiritflower]

Excellent and clear information, inspiration and motivation... thank you!