The journey to produce no waste is not an easy one. We have been conditioned to think that waste is necessary and everything is disposable. It's incredibly difficult to move beyond that thought process – and even more difficult to actually integrate zero-waste practices into your day-to-day life. Many of those practices will start in the home: buying groceries that have little to no packaging, making sure to recycle instead of throw away, and building a compost bin are all great first steps. 

But once you take your zero-waste tendencies out of the home, it becomes even more difficult. I've only been at it in earnest for a few weeks, but I've already found a few tools that make the process a little easier and I wanted to share them to help others who are leaning toward a sustainable lifestyle. Together, these tools make up my zero-waste on-the-go kit that I think are basic necessities for reducing your waste while you're out and about.

Again, there is a good chance you already have one of these that you take to work or school each day. But have you ever thought about taking it everywhere you go? Probably not. But it is a fantastic way to eliminate paper and plastic cups from your life – and your car. While stainless steel is probably the way to go for this one, if you have a reusable plastic mug that you are comfortable using, use it and replace it with a stainless steel one when the time comes. I carry a smaller travel mug in my purse and use a larger one (like the blue one above!) when I am at home. Keep in mind, though, that not every establishment will be able to use your cup for health code reasons and others may charge you extra for the service.

A Lunch Box

Currently, I am using a collapsible silicone box like the one above. It isn't perfect as far as sustainability goes, but I had purchased it before I decided to begin my zero-waste journey and felt it was better to use it until it is no longer usable rather than toss it and buy a new one. Again, there are so many options out there, but one of the most popular options is the bento box (like the green one above). These are stainless steel bowls that connect together so you don't have to mix your foods. Some even help you put together a healthy meal by showing you the proper amount of protein, fruits and veggies you need. And if you don't have access to any of these, a good ol' mason jar works well also.

Other Tools You Can Use

In the two weeks since I have begun my journey, I have realized that there are some other tools that I may need to invest in down the road. A stainless steel or glass straw is great to have, as is a cloth napkin. If you have an old t-shirt that cannot be sold or donated, consider tearing it up and using it as a napkin. I'm also going to purchase some mesh bags for produce soon so that I don't feel as though I have to use the thin plastic bags they offer at the grocery store. And if you don't have travel-friendly cutlery, consider investing in some bamboo or stainless steel travel utensils.

There are other small things you can do on-the-go even if you don't have your kit with you. Air dry your hands instead of using a paper towel... Or, if you're like me, just dry your hands on your pants (that's what they're for, right?). If you forget your kit but still need that caffeine fix, try to find a place that offers compostable cups and refuse the sleeve and lid. Buy in bulk when and where you can – seriously, I would love a package-lite bulk store in my area, so take advantage of it if you have one! 

Zero-waste doesn't require to go years without any trash at all, even though that would be awesome. It does, however, require you to think about the choice you make when it comes to what you consume and purchase. Every small step forward is important.