The best way to deal with waste is not to create it!

A zero waste lifestyle is possible! We suggest beginning your journey towards a zero waste lifestyle by focusing on two things:
1. Composting your food scraps.
2. Ditching single-use & hard to recycle plastic. Why?

• Food is the single largest occupant in TN landfills accounting for 24% of what is currently landfilled.
• 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics have been created since production began in the early 1950s. 
• 91% of plastic ever made has not been recycled. Only 9% of it has been recycled, 12% has been incinerated and 79% resides in landfills according to a University of Georgia study.
• Even when plastic is recycled it is usually downgraded into a different product or virgin plastic needs to be added to strengthen the material during the recycling process. 
• Global plastic production is projected to double in the next 20 years.​ ​
• ​Many types of plastic simply aren't accepted for recycling.  Make sure to check what's accepted for recycling where you live. 
• Our landfills are filling up and no one wants a new landfill in their community.
• Burning plastic in your backyard is not a good option. When plastic burns, dioxin is formed. That is a toxic chemical that no one should be breathing in. 
• Traditional plastic is made from fossil fuels and its production contributes to climate change.

​Below are our suggestions for going zero waste. This is not a complete list but there are many options for getting started. So that you don’t get overwhelmed, just make one change at a time and then move on to the next one. ​ 

On The Go:

• Get a reusable water bottle. Bottled water is mostly just filtered tap-water anyway so get a reusable metal or glass bottle and bottle your own tap-water!
• Get a reusable shopping bag and ditch single-use plastic shopping bags. Store it by your front door and in the front seat of your car so that you see it and remember to take it into a store with you. Put it back by your front door once you have unloaded your purchases. Grab it on your way out to the store! Make one from an old t-shirt using just scissors or purchase this organic cotton one. 
• Refuse plastic straws. Opt for no straw or carry a reusable straw with you. 
• Bring your own reusable coffee mug.  Standard paper coffee cups are not recyclable. They are lined with plastic. You can get an all glass or stainless steel coffee mug here.
• Refuse plastic utensils. Plastic utensils are not recyclable. Bring a set of metal or bamboo flatware with you. You can put it in the same pouch as your straw.

At The Grocery Store:

• Get reusable grocery bags and ditch single-use plastic grocery bags. Store them by your front door and in the front seat of your car so that you see them and remember to use them. Put them back by your front door once you have unloaded your groceries. Grab them on your way out to the store! Make one from an old t-shirt using just scissors or purchase  this organic cotton one. 

• Avoid fruits & veggies wrapped in plastic. Buy loose fruits & veggies, not those wrapped in plastic.
• Get reusable produce bags. Store them inside your reusable grocery bags and you will never forget them! We have some available for a small donation. Check them out​. 
• Buy ugly fruit & veggies. Ugly fruit gets chosen less and tends to get tossed. 
• Shop in bulk whenever possible. 

In The Kitchen:

• Avoid plastic wrap & single-use storage baggies. Use reusable containers (preferably glass or metal) or a reusable wrap.
• Use a dish soap bar or refillable liquid soap. 
• Opt for bamboo, metal or wood kitchen tools and scrub brushes instead of plastic. Check out some examples here. 
• Use plant-based sponges that can be composted instead of plastic sponges.
• Choose paperless towels or post-consumer recycled paper towels. 
• If you use K-cups, switch to compostable cups. There are many options available online.
• Get a plastic-free charcoal water filter. Check these out.
• Start composting! Join, Come Post Your Compost and divert food waste from our landfills.​
• If you're in the Nashville area, you can sign up for glass recycling pick-up through Just Glass. Just Glass employees people with traditional barriers to employment and will also donate $3 of your service fee every month to TEC!
• See more options at Green Llama Cleaners, The Good Fill, Sage Refill Market & KnoxFill -- All Tennessee-based zero-waste businesses.

In The Bathroom:

• Use bars of soap (without palm oil) for hand soap instead of liquid soap.
• Try a shampoo bar & conditioner. It looks like soap, but it’s for your head!
• Don't like shampoo bars? Try a plastic-free liquid refill by mail system with Plaine Products. 
• Switch to a bamboo toothbrush. The bamboo handle is compostable. Plastic toothbrushes are not accepted for residential curbside recycling. We have some available for a small donation. Check them out. 
• Get a metal or bamboo razor with a changeable head and make your disposable razor a thing of the past! See a selection of metal razors & plastic free shave soap here.
• Make sure to use cotton swabs with paper sticks, not plastic.
• Ladies, make sure your menstruation products are 100% cotton and contain no plastic. Or try a reusable cup.
• Make your own toothpaste or use refillable chewable tablets. You can find toothpaste in a glass jar or chewable tablets here. 
• Look for other personal care products like dental floss, make-up, deodorant & lip balm that can be refilled or that comes in bamboo or compostable paper packaging.​
• See more options at Green Llama Cleaners, The Good Fill, Sage Refill Market & KnoxFill -- All Tennessee-based zero-waste businesses.

Clothing:

• Scrap fast fashion! Don’t buy it just because it’s cheap. Choose quality over quantity. Buy vintage, second hand, or from a sustainable clothing brand.
• Organize a clothing swap among friends, a community group or in your neighborhood at least twice/year.
• Avoid new clothing containi​ng plastic fibers (polyester, rayon, acrylic, fleece, etc.). Make sure to read the label and look for 100% cotton, hemp, silk, wool, linen, bamboo or any combination of natural fibers.
• Recycle worn out textiles and clothing from anywhere through Retold Recycling. Use code "TEC15" for 15% off any service! Remember that clothing/textiles do not belong in your recycling cart. Retold guarantees that none of your items will go to landfill. Most other donation centers/thrift stores do not guarantee this. 

Parties, Meetings & Special Events:

• Require RSVPs so that you don't end up with an excessive amount of food (or too little).
• Use reusable or compostable items for guests. Many commercial compost companies will do  a one time pick-up for special events. Check this page for where this may be available in Tennessee.
• If you want to provide straws, choose 100% natural Hay Straws. They are made from wheat and they don't get soggy like paper straws! If you are buying in bulk use the code HAYTEC  for free shipping when checking out. 
• Refuse extras from catering or take-out that you don't need.  Does your office or home already have flatware? Well then, you don't need the disposable non-recyclable plastic ones that may be automatically given when ordering catering or take-out. Make sure you specify no plastic forks for example when placing your order. When you receive your order, check to make sure they didn't accidentally put them in there. If they did, give them back!
• Donate any unwanted single-use plastic food service items to a food pantry or homeless shelter.

Energy:

• Switch to LED lightbulbs if you have not already.
• Unplug it. If it's not in use, unplug it from the wall. Leaving electronics plugged in uses electricity even if an item is not switched on.
• Keep your thermostat set at 78 degrees in the summer and 68 in the winter. 
• Schedule a home energy audit to see where your home is unnecessarily leaking energy. 
• Hang dry your clothes whenever possible. 
• Consider going solar. It's cheaper than ever!
  

​The Rest:

• Ask your favorite brands or businesses to stop offering single-use plastics.
• Refuse samples and freebies. If you wouldn’t pay for it, or you don’t really need it, don’t take it.
• Avoid chewing gum that contains plastic. Yes, most chewing gum contains plastic. Gross, right? Look for Chicza, Simply or Glee brand gum instead. 

• Walk, bike or use public transportation whenever possible.​
• Use matches in paper books instead of a disposable plastic lighter.
• Delete emails, apps and digital content you don't need. Storing it takes energy which generates climate emissions!