We’re getting in the seasonal spirit by sharing some inspiring home and interiors gift ideas that encourage and inspire a zero waste lifestyle!

Achieving zero waste (or close to!) may seem like an unreachable goal but small, simple steps can be taken gradually in every day life to start making big changes. The essentials of a zero waste thought process are; Rethink, Regulate, Redesign, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot. Once all these elements are understood it is essentially all about making better choices for yourself, your family, your community and ultimately the planet.

When it comes to designing your home around zero waste principals there are lots of ways you can set up your living areas to make the process easier. Here are our home gift recommendations for you or your favourite Zero Waster!

Here’s our take on how some of these items can help minimize waste in the home:

Composting

Composting is one of the most impactful things you can do to contribute to your zero waste journey. Food doesn’t breakdown well in landfills because of the lack of air circulation. A compost bin or indoor composter will reduce your waste enormously and the bonus is that you can then feed your compost to your plants!

Stylish Brass Counter Top Compost Bin / Indoor Composter

Cloth Napkins & Dishcloths

Single use, disposable items like kitchen roll are another wasteful product that can easily be replaced by using cloth napkins and dishtowels for all sorts of practical jobs in the kitchen and throughout the home. They are reusable, long lasting and functional. This principal also, of course, applies to reusable fabric shopping bags.

Organic Linen Napkins 

Recycling Station

Having an attractive and practical recycling station in your home is something that can really encourage you to separate out all your items and take pride in the process. We always design practical and attractive recycling areas for our interiors projects.

Minimalist Recycling Bin / Recycling Bins You Don’t Want To Hide

Refillable Dispensers

Buying eco products in bulk and re-filling dispensers is a good way of reducing packaging waste, this can be done with all kinds of household products.

Eco Chic Refillable Soap Dispenser

Food Storage 

Replacing plastic food storage with glass, stainless steel or wood products is not only more sustainable because of their longevity and recyclability but also because there is no risk of contaminating your food as there can be with plastic. This principal goes for wooden and metal cooking utensils too as well as reusable wax food covering options that are a good alterative to film or foil.

Glass Jars for Food Storage

Water Quality & Drinking Bottles

An under counter water ionizer and purification system with dispenser will purify your tap water so you always have a clean and healthy supply of drinking water. This can be poured into reusable water pitchers in the home or reusable water bottles that can be taken anywhere, negating the need for bottled water.

Under Counter Water Purifier & Ionizer With Dispenser / Water Pitcher

Bidet Toilets

The process of making toilet paper uses up a large amount of water and the paper is also bleached in the production, installing a bidet or a bidet seat cover for an existing toilet is a great way to eliminate the use of toilet paper in your home.

Save Toilet Paper with a bidet or bidet seat cover

Zero waste is a topic that is very close to the heart of Liquid Interiors as we endeavour to minimise waste in our studio, not only in our designs but also right through the construction and fit-out phases of our projects. Check out this blog post to find out more.

If you feel drawn to begin your zero waste journey starting out by simplifying your possessions is a good exercise. Keep things that you love then only buy items that are essential and make sure you purchase for quality and longevity in everything you buy. The Kon Mari Method is a great place to start to par down your lifestyle to essentials and to start to live a life that doesn’t require you to buy too much ‘stuff’.

To start learning about the more specific methods and tips towards a zero waste lifestyle there are some great resources out there.

Loop Unite are a Hong Kong based organisation that provide zero waste advice and coaching. You can find them here.

For a top 10 to get started on going zero waste and for lots of other resources click here.

Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson includes a blog, a book, shop and loads of tips and advice, find her website here.

For more information, feel free to contact Liquid Interiors, your healthy and eco-conscious interior design consultants.