Last Updated on January 23, 2024

I went zero waste after I left home. I was in charge of my own space, and I was the main purchaser. 

If you’re living at home, you probably don’t have that option. You’re probably not the main purchaser for your household. You aren’t going to have control over what is bought and especially how it’s bought. 

Zero waste is very much a consumer lifestyle choice. I get asked all the time by teens and pre-teens what they can do since they don’t have the power. I’ve thought about it for a while, and here are my top 10 tips for what you can do! 

1. reusable water bottle

Do you have any extracurricular activities? Do you go places on the weekends with your friends? Instead of buying a bottle of water from a snack stand, why not bring a reusable water bottle with you when you leave?

Growing up my extracurricular activities were golf and theatre. I’d always have a reusable bottle at the theatre that I filled up at the water fountain. On the golf course, there’s a cooler every three holes where you can fill your bottle up. 

This is a place where you don’t have to purchase anything, and you can easily prevent waste. In fact, you’d be saving your parents money.

2. leftovers

Do you go out to eat with family or with your friends? Try bringing your own containers. I have tips for eating out and for getting food to-go without creating any trash. 

If you have leftover food, pop it into your own container to avoid the styrofoam clamshell. And, don’t forget to ask for no straw in your drink! 

3. lunch

Do you pack your lunch? I am not embarrassed to say that my mom packed my lunch every day for school from kindergarten to my senior year of high school. 

I wasn’t a picky kid. In fact, I had a pb&j every day. Every. Single. Day. And, I loved every moment of it. My mom would always pack my lunch in reusables, until I told her I didn’t think it was “cool.” All the other kids had disposables, and I wanted to fit in. 

She switched to a brown bag, which I, unfortunately, threw away every day. If I could go back in time, I’d tell myself – reusables are bad ass. 

So, if you’re packing your lunch or your parent, opt for a reusable instead of disposables. I have 10 tips for packing a zero waste lunch here. 

4. experiences

My mom still makes me write out a wish list. My Christmas list must be turned in by June first. My Christmas list is typically a combination of things I really, really need (typically zero waste items) and experiences. 

I would recommend that you write out a wish list and give it to your family. You can get really specific in what you want and how you want it. It is your wishlist after all. 

You can write out all sorts of experiences you’d like and focus on items to help you on your zero waste journey. Maybe one of your wishes is to get your family composting, or a zero waste meal, a new stainless lunch box or water bottle.

Ask for tickets to the movies, a gift certificate, maybe an art class or museum passes. Get some zero waste gift ideas here and a zero waste guide to receiving gifts here.

related post: Back to School Snacks

5. thrift shop

Instead of heading to the mall with your friends, why not head down to the thrift shop? My friends and I were always down to dig through Goodwill or the local antique shop for vintage clothing. 

My favorite piece of clothing I’ve ever had was an $8 dress from the 60’s found at an antique store. It fit like a glove. It was a long sleeve, black lace pencil dress, with a high neck and a low cut back. 

It was perfect in every way. If only hips didn’t develop, I’d still have that little baby. This was long before you took pictures for every event, so I don’t think I have a single photo of it, but believe me… it was perfect. 

Also, keep an eye out for school supplies like binders at the thrift store too. 

6. beauty products

I don’t remember ever requesting food growing up, but I was always able to request my beauty products. I could choose my shampoo, make-up, soap etc. 

Try to go for package free or green products if possible. My number one swap would be for a bamboo toothbrush, but check out my post on 15 zero waste bathroom swaps here. 

Lush also has a number of awesome beauty products you can buy plastic-free. I remember having a lot of bath bombs in high school. As a bonus, those products are also perfect gifts for friends. 

7. rent formal wear

Let me tell you something. From experience, you will not wear your prom dress again. You won’t do it. It will sit in your childhood closet until you donate it.

You will grow hips… probably boobs too. You will become a woman and that dress won’t fit. Most of the guys I know rented their tuxes. Take a cue from the gentlemen and give renting a try.

Nowadays there are TONS of websites like Rent the Runway that will let you rent gorgeous designer dresses for a fraction of the price of owning a dress, and you’ll save valuable closet space.

8. get involved

See if there’s a local organization you can get plugged into around your town or school. Volunteer for a beach clean up or pick up trash around town. Get involved! 

Make the environment, picking up trash, fighting climate change as one of your extracurricular activities. Not only will it look good on that college resume, but your parents are more likely to get involved too just by association. 

related post: Zero Waste School Supplies

9. take responsibility

Take the initiative. Ask if you can cook dinner one night. Ask if you can go and buy the groceries. Ask if you go to the farmers market. Ask if you can handle the cleaning for the week. I’m going to guess your parents would probably be more than happy to let you try your hand at a new task, if they can remove it from their to-do list. 

If you’re allowed to take control of an aspect, then you can try it out zero waste. If it goes successfully, maybe your parents will give it a try! But, be warned you might also wind up with a new weekly chore. 

10. talk to your parents

The most important thing you can do is educate your family. Be careful that you don’t preach to your parents. Nagging won’t get you anywhere. But, when you’re truly interested and excited about something, you want to share it. 

Maybe pick a documentary on trash like “The True Cost” or “The Minimalists” or “The Clean Bin Project,” when it’s your turn to pick the movie on movie night. Always be kind, but make sure that you tell your parents how you feel and why you feel that way. 

They may or may not accept it, but it is important to try and talk to them. 

Your parents, also want to spend time with you. They want to be a part of your life. As you get older, your relationship tends to grow apart. Maybe even try to suggest some family outings like a family trip to the farmers market, to the local co-op or bulk store.

Try a mother-daughter date where you try and make your own cosmetics like mascara, a face mask, lotion, or mouthwash. Get your dad into composting, talk about how zero waste can save your money, or teach him how easy it is to make household cleaners. The average American family spends $42 a month on cleaners! Eek! 

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Those are some of the tips I have on how you can go zero waste if you still live at home. I hope you have found them helpful.

Do you have any other tips? Do you live with your parents and there’s something else you do to reduce your waste? 

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