How Zero Waste Lifestyle Made My Family More Sustainable

I’ve always cared about the environment. We didn’t have the term “zero waste lifestyle” yet, but I was aware of the principles. As a kid, I remember picking up trash alongside the road on my walk home from school, and joining the Environmental Club in college. Back then, I believed in small changes and thought that every action mattered.

But as I got older, those ideals began to fade. I got married, started a family, and life just got busier. With six people in the house, things seemed chaotic all the time. Then, something happened that made me realize how important it is to reconnect with those values and, most importantly, pass them on to my children.

The Moment I Realized Our Family’s Waste Problem

It all started with a simple observation—our family of six produced a SCARY amount of trash. Every week, we’d have overflowing garbage bins, plastic packaging from snacks and groceries, paper towels, and disposable wipes everywhere. I began to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of waste we were creating. Much of it felt unnecessary. Did we really need all these disposable items? And more alarmingly, were we teaching our kids to throw things away without a second thought?

That realization hit me hard. I started feeling guilty about the impact we were having on the planet, and it wasn’t just about our waste. More than that, it was about the world my kids would inherit. I knew I had to make changes and instill the values of sustainability in my children before it was too late.

An Epiphany: Instilling Sustainability in My Kids

One day, after taking out yet another overflowing bag of trash, I had an epiphany. If I wanted to raise my children with strong values, sustainability had to be one of them. I realized that I hadn’t just fallen out of touch with my own values; I was missing an opportunity to teach my kids about the importance of protecting the environment. I wanted them to understand that waste has consequences, and that we can’t simply throw things away and forget about them. Garbage doesn’t just “disappear” when the truck drives away with it. 

I also realized that changing our habits wouldn’t happen overnight. My kids were used to convenience, and so was I. But I knew that small, consistent changes could make a big difference over time. I decided to start with something manageable: reducing waste.

Embracing Zero Waste Practices

I started learning about the zero waste lifestyle by watching YouTube videos and reading blogs from people who had already made the transition. At first, it seemed overwhelming. How could I make my busy household of six even remotely zero waste? But as I dove deeper, I realized that I didn’t have to be perfect. I just had to try. I began by focusing on a few key areas where I knew we could reduce waste.

Switching to Reusables

One of the first changes I made was switching from disposable items to reusable alternatives. I swapped out paper towels for washable cloth towels, replaced single-use plastic sandwich bags with silicone ones, and started using beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap. It was a simple change that reduced a lot of unnecessary waste in our home. I even bought stainless steel water bottles for the kids so we could ditch the plastic ones.

Composting Food Waste

Food waste was another big problem in our household. With four kids, there was always leftover food, but much of it was being thrown away. I decided to start composting. We set up a small compost pile in the backyard and started collecting fruit peels, veggie scraps, and other compostable items. Teaching the kids what could go into the compost bin was surprisingly fun! 

Reducing Plastic Packaging

I also made an effort to reduce the amount of plastic packaging we brought into the house. I started shopping at bulk stores, bringing my own containers to fill with pasta, grains, and snacks. This cut down on the plastic packaging from pre-packaged foods. We also began buying more fresh produce at the local farmers’ market, where everything came without plastic.

Get the full scoop on zero waste. Check out: What is Zero Waste? Transform Your World with Sustainable Living.

Still Learning How to Live a Zero Waste Lifestyle

I’d love to say that our family is now completely zero waste, but the truth is, we’re still learning how to live a zero waste lifestyle. We’ve made a lot of progress, but we’re not perfect, and that’s okay. Some weeks, we’re great at avoiding waste, and other weeks, life gets busy, and we slip back into old habits. The important thing is that we’re trying, and we’re aware of the impact we’re having on the environment. That’s one thing I’m grateful for—that my kids are learning about conscious consumption at an early age.

Living sustainably is a journey, and I’ve learned that perfection isn’t the goal. Instead, it’s about making consistent improvements and doing what we can. It’s a process! One small step at a time.

My Advice to Moms Who Want to Try Zero Waste

If you’re a busy mom and you want to live more sustainably, my advice is to start small. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Begin by focusing on one area where you can reduce waste, whether it’s switching to reusable items, composting food scraps, or finding alternatives to plastic packaging. Once you’ve mastered one area, move on to the next.

Also, involve your kids in the process. Teach them why sustainability matters, and make it fun. They’ll be more likely to embrace the changes if they understand the reasons behind them. And don’t worry about being perfect—none of us are. What matters is that you’re trying, and every small change adds up over time.

Living a more sustainable life isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. Not only are you reducing your environmental impact, but you’re also teaching your children valuable lessons that they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives. So, take it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You’ve got this!

Submitted by Megan H., Santa Clara, CA

This story was submitted by an Eco for Humans reader and is published with their permission. It has been formatted and edited for clarity.