Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste

Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste 
By Bea Johnson
Scribner, 2013. 292 pages. Nonfiction


Bea Johnson is the queen of living Zero Waste. But what is zero waste, and why is it important? It is nothing new to hear that our garbage has a detrimental effect on the environment (Great Pacific Garbage Patch, anyone?), and it can be overwhelming to think about how one person can make a difference. Johnson chronicles her journey to transform her household into one that produces just one quart of garbage a year. According to Johnson, going zero waste not only helps the environment, but decreases annual spending, and increasing overall physical and mental health.

While this book can be overwhelming, I like to think of it as a guide for taking things one step at a time. The first section is dedicated to the Five R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. In my opinion, learning and living the Five R’s is the first and most effective step that anyone can take in order to reduce their waste output. Johnson also dedicates a section to each of the largest waste-producing areas of our home: the kitchen, the bathroom, wardrobe, workspace, and more. Having incorporated many aspects of Zero Waste into my own life, I believe that anyone and everyone can find a few tips and tricks in this book to work into their lifestyle.

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