It is not easy to be in a relationship and not be on the same page when it comes to important things. The zero-waste lifestyle can put a bit of pressure on any couple, especially when the decisions to change happen once you are already together.

When I decided to start living a zero-waste, minimalist lifestyle, we were not 100% on the same page. We talked many times about how easy life would be if we didn’t have to worry about so many things around us. I would make a point that would be easier to clean if we had fewer pots and dishes. It didn’t work. Changing a routine is tough on your own let alone changing the fundamental habits of a household.

Mark is a man that has a really good head on his shoulders and he will only change something after he researches it extensively. So he read articles about zero waste lifestyle and sustainability when Google would suggest in his news feed. Google helped me out by regularly suggesting articles from our home’s IP address because I am always researching new zero-waste and sustainable topics.

So now, Mark is on board and is avoiding buying things and plastic and buying in general. I mean, after learning about the true impact of our everyday habits, I am sure a lot more people would be open to change their willingness to act. If you have someone in your life who is hesitant about your green lifestyle choice or desire to go low waste, try to provide them with information that is both relevant to them and digestible. Education is such a big part of the zero waste movement; you can’t expect someone to change without them really, personally, understanding why.

So, I came up with a few helpful ideas for

Things to do as a couple who are living a zero-waste lifestyle:

1. Thrift together

2. Choose products that are zero waste

3. Learn new things together

4. Keep lists

5. Have a designated shopper

6. Chat before making any big purchases

7. Start a budget

Now, let’s get into each of these ideas in a bit more detail:

Thrift together

This is a fun date idea that doubles as just a practical activity. Instead of a Saturday trip to the mall, research local garage sales or thrift stores in your area. I would suggest making a list beforehand of the things you are in need of as a reminder to keep an eye out. Depending on where you live and the variety of your options, it might take a few trips to be met with the things you may need — but that’s half the fun! Consider taking bikes or walking between multiple stops to reduce your emission consumption; you can usually put things on hold and make a trip back later if you need to pick up a large item. I’m not a big consumer of ‘stuff’ but it is also fun to keep an eye out on books, clothing, and planters that you can give a long-lasting second life or give as gifts to someone who will!

We don’t go thrifting very often but when we do, we have a list. A few things we found at the thrift store: our loved waffle maker, jeans, beautiful planters, dog food dishes, picture frames, etc.

Choose products that are zero waste

This one is a no-brainer. If you want to lead a low-waste lifestyle, you need to choose products that reflect that. Vote green with your dollar by supporting sustainable brands that care about the planet just as much as you do. I think one of the greatest parts about this is you don’t need to compromise on style or quality. There are some amazing personal care products out there that can fit the needs of any couple. If you find the same brands you love, it makes it super easy to ensure you have what you need and buy in bulk to save.

Metal Safety Razor

Mark and I both are using metal safety razors, a razor I tested and I added to my store as soon as it passed my time and use test. Mark had had his razor for 10+ years and I got mine three years ago. Metal safety razors have been an amazing swap that saves us money. This one, in particular, comes in so many cute colours so you can easily keep it separate from your partner’s. On top of making your shower look that much better, you can share a box of replacement blades between you. That way, you can order a large quality (they are super cheap) and never have to worry about buying another plastic razor again! An absolute must for the sustainable couple that likes to keep things smooth.

So Hot Right Now Deodorant 

I recently connected with Salvos — a sustainable marketplace with over 100 certified sustainable products. They only source from brands that have legitimate scientific certifications or have proven eco-friendly use cases. This 100% biodegradable deodorant by Paper Cosmetics is vegan, cruelty-free, and smells amazing. Its mix of musk and freshness can work well for both Mark and me. Salvos’ shipping is carbon-neutral and they also plant a tree for every order made. Definitely check them out if you want to connect with some great sustainable brands all in one place.

Everist Haircare

I have preached before my love for shampoo bars and how long they last. I am still working through the one I have now but I found a new brand I am so excited to try out. Everist is an award-winning haircare concentrate brand that is WATERLESS! It’s also cruelty-free, vegan, safe for colored hair, and comes in a recyclable aluminum tube with a tube key to push every drop of the product out easily. They also offer a plastic take-back program for their product’s caps and ship right to your door in a 100% recyclable mailer. FYI, the link above is an affiliate link so if you choose to buy the product, I am getting a small percentage of the sale.

Learn new things together

A great way to connect and spend some quality time together is to learn something new!

Every couple is unique — the key to this is making it work is finding activities that coincide with your current interests. Do you regularly have movie nights? Consider choosing an eco-documentary for your next flick. Do you prefer date night outings? Make a trip to your local wildlife center to learn about the local fauna and how you can protect your local environment and species.

Mark and I took on learning about gardening and composting together. We spent this past weekend outside enjoying the lovely weather and getting things set up for the summer season around our home. Last weekend we learned about running and pruned all our trees together.

(Let me know in the comments if you would be interested in a post about our experience with this)

Make Lists

Keep track of the food/ things you need in a visible place or an app you both have access to. That way, there is no accidental double buying of products with an expiry or last a long time. Keeping track of the things we need is one of the best ideas we have had as a couple in a shared household.

We use To doist to keep different lists. We have a “Groceries” list, a “Thrifting” list, a “Bulk” list that we keep adding to it when we realize we need something. This also helps us organize our shopping trips and preparing the containers for those trips.

It’s also great to have a ‘wants’ list. Remember that Iiving low waste doesn’t have to feel limiting. You should be able to enjoy things that you love and look forward to new items that will last. Planning ahead with your ‘wants’ will prevent impulsive spending and give you the time to find the best, most sustainable version of whatever you are looking for.

Have a designated shopper

I decided that I am the one who goes shopping for many reasons ( I work fewer hours, I am a better judge on what foods I need to cook with, I resist the temptation to buy sweets…etc) Again, this helps prevent any double buying or extra product waste in our home.

Consider discussing each of your work and personal commitments in relation to distance when dividing lists. For example, if your partner works next to a grocery store, it makes more sense for them to be responsible for making the trip and saving on emissions than you traveling the distance from home.

Chat before making any big purchases

A while ago, when Mark joined the fire department as a volunteer firefighter, he wanted a truck. It was just when I was starting to learn about slow living, zero-waste, zero-debt. Let’s say that it took a few hours of chatting. We considered buying second-hand. We considered how much we needed. We needed two cars at one point in time, but it was not for a long period of time so I decided that I wanted to take the bus (before the pandemic).

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. Is this a need?

2. What is the impact on the environment?

3. Can we buy it second-hand

4. Can we live without it?

5. What are the alternatives?

Like in any relationship discussion, communication is key.

Set a Budget

Regardless of your financial situation, setting a budget can be a huge benefit to any couple who shares a home and expenses. Setting clear expectations surrounding spending can help you make better purchasing decisions, prepare yourself for inevitable surprise expenses, and plan for long-term goals.

As an eco-conscious couple, your spending likely looks a bit different than the majority of consumerism-centred households. Instead of spending money on comfort items that will only last a short time, there is a high chance you want to prioritize non-material spending. You might be considering longer-term investments that will lessen your environmental impacts like solar panels or a greywater system.

A big benefit of being low waste is the long-term savings. So it’s extra important to be transparent with one another about your long-term financial goals and set out how you plan on achieving them.

For keeping track of our expenses we are using You Need A Budget.

I hope you enjoyed this article.

Let me what tips you have as a zero-waste couple!

Cheers,

Claudia

*The article contains links to my store and affiliate links that allow me to receive a small percentage of the sales made from the links above.