Zero waste is a responsibility of how we manage resources from production through to end of life, encouraging a circle economy, rather than a linear one. This doesn't just mean that ensuring our products don't end up in the ocean, it means advocating for and supporting companies that create products sustainably and provide an end of life system that increases our environment stability rather than decrease it.

Reusable supermarket items

Not all reusable bags are made equal. Jute, non-woven polypropylene and polyester will still end up in landfill (if they can't be repurposed) and even the cotton bags may not be able to be put into compost. Paper bags, while lasting significantly less than the other types above, have the benefit of being recycled or composted, but this isn't always a viable alternative, particularly if they become dirty with food.

Making your own bags and/or re-purposing your jute or cotton bags is the best way to go. Once you have got the hang of re-purposing old t-shirts into bags, doing the same at the end of the life cycle of your reusable bags will be much simpler.

You can find YouTube clips about how to make your own bags. We especially love the easy no-sew one made out of an old t-shirt. Watch how to do it here.

As well as reusable bags for taking your items home, also consider using reusable bags for your vegetables and fruit, rather than the single use plastic. Some people prefer to use the mushroom bags for this purpose as they can be composted. For the deli section, some supermarkets will allow customers to bring in their clean reusable tubs, so check in with your local supermarket if this is something they could do for you.

Reusable lunch items

Whether it's lunches for school children or lunches for the busy adult on the go, there are a lot of ways to have zero waste as a part of your day without too much effort. While sometimes there can be that initial cost to purchasing some of these items, making the switch will save you more money long-term, so when you can, always try for the ones that will last longer.

Bamboo lunch boxes, metal straws (with cleaners), glass water bottles and "take me with you" cutlery, are all great examples of how zero waste starts with the basics. Once you've got these with you, being able to bring more to it is easy. A favourite of ours is using a square scarf to keep all of the above (and usually the odd apple or banana that struggles to fit in the lunch box) to wrap it all up and keep it safe.

Lunch time can also be a great way to get back to the basics - use linen napkins rather than paper. They can just be put back in your lunch box and washed when you get home. Wrap up your food in beeswax or (vegan) silicone wraps. They can be used again and again, and can be wiped down after use.

If you're super enthusiastic, the zero waste industry has items like bottle that come with tea infusers inside them and even ones that self clean! Check out self cleaning water bottles in NZ here.

Reusable coffee cups

As long as they're clean, there aren't many cafes that aren't willing to take your reusable coffee cups. Some cafes even offer a discount if you bring your own cup so it's definitely a win/win situation. As they've grown more popular, the designs have also gotten better and for some people, they are another way to showcase your personality. At the end of the day, whatever type of reusable coffee cup you use, it's infinitely better than the single use cups!

For those that are allergic to latex, however, it can be a lot harder to find ones that are suitable, particularly as these are typically the type that have grown in popularity. However, there are coffee cups that are made of ceramic, glass, silicone and there are some cups that can even come double walled to keep them warm. We highly recommend having at least two on hand - one being cleaned at home and one in use - but that also depends on how much coffee you drink!

Sustainable pantry items

From glass storage containers through to beeswax wraps, there are multiple ways to keep your pantry fresh and looking great. The key to doing this is keep on using the items you do have until they are unusable, and then investing in sustainable products. Too often people invest in products before the end of life of their original products and these too often end up in our landfill. If at all possible, keep using them, or donate them to a second hand store.

Easy wins for sustainability are reusable napkins, food cover wraps (beeswax and silicone are very popular) as well as reusable food storage bags (that can often go in lunchboxes too). Bread can be stored in linen bags, onions can be stored in pantyhose and we really love the silicone containers that can be put in the freezer for storing food scraps. The possibilities are endless. The best way to start is by taking stock of your own grocery needs and figuring out what is most important and go from there.