Zero Waste and Sustainable Ideas for Retirement
Future retirement plans for millennials might seem too far off or out of reach right now, but it is an important thing to think about; especially if you plan to live in a sustainable way. Similarly to how I am focused on eliminating debt in my life today, my long-term goal is to reach a point of passive income where I can live out a peaceful, slow life. As I grow older, I plan to follow a variety of sustainable living practices in order to maximize my time, money, and energy. My zero waste lifestyle will continue to be a priority as I plan for my future.
In today's post, I am going to share my top ideas for living a zero waste life in retirement. I hope it inspires you to take your future plans into consideration, as well as give you something to look forward to. If you are close to the end of your career days or are interested in learning about ways to carry out a more simple life, this post is for you too!
6 ideas for carrying out a sustainable retirement:
Have a plan in place
Consider other sustainable home options
Choose a location that best suits your needs
Consider investing in long term sustainable solutions (ie solar)
Take up new green living hobbies
Develop a greater appreciation for our earth
Have a plan in place
Similar to the majority of other areas throughout a sustainable lifestyle, I strongly recommend having a plan in place. Ideally, in advance so you are able to properly prepare and compile resources in advance. This will help you better predict your needs and put systems in place to have the transition go smoothly. Think about how you plan to use the majority of your time. Will you require a means of transportation? How about specific equipment? Where will you live? Factoring in expenses and resources needed in advance will help you plan for costs and material needs effectively without encouraging extra expenses or waste.
Planning for the future can be overwhelming. Start with a budget, then take it from there.
Consider different sustainable home options
If you are looking to save energy and resources, it might be worth considering a sustainable home option. These days, you don’t need to sacrifice comfort by choosing to live in a sustainable home. From shipping containers and tiny homes to Earthships and zero-carbon houses, there are so many more options out there than you might initially think.
Choosing a sustainable home has the potential to save you a ton of money long term. It may also inspire you to think about the overall impact of your current lifestyle choices and adjustments you can make in preparation for your sustainable home.
I wrote an entire blog post about different sustainable home options you can check out here to learn more.
Choose a location that best suits your needs
Once the need for a working commute is off the table, there is a good chance you will be able to have open opportunity to choose a location that best suits the needs of your new lifestyle. Perhaps you live in a big city and would like to finally have some space for a garden, or perhaps there is a climate that would make your access to nature more enjoyable year round.
Take into consideration the emissions needed to get around or participate in activities. Now that you don’t need to rush around, perhaps somewhere within walking or biking distance could be appealing to help you keep moving.
Factors that might be worth considering:
proximity to family and friends
greenspace requirements for activities
climate to maximize enjoyment
cost of living
access to natural resources
bulk stores, refill centers, or markets close by
Consider investing in long term sustainable solutions
Depending on your home type and location, there are new sustainable technologies and solutions to consider that have the potential to enrich your life in retirement by saving you money long term. Solar panels, for example, can eliminate your hydro bill entirely as well as provide extra (guilt-free) power for new hobbies and comfortable living. If this is something you would be interested in considering, check out my article: What you Need to Know Before Considering Solar Panels for your Home.
Other ideas include a solar hot water heater, rain barrels, a geothermal heat pump, a backyard wind turbine, smart power strips, energy-efficient appliances, an electric car, or home energy management technologies.
Take up new green living hobbies
More time means more ways to have fun with nature and sustainable activities! You could spend your time on DIY Projects, learn a new skill, give back to nature, become an activist, or jumpstart community events. Whatever way you choose to spend your time, retirement is a lovely opportunity to make the most of it. Consider choosing an eco friendly hobby to make the world a better place for future generations. Here’s a list of green hobbies that you could think about taking on when you are retired:
Photography
Pottery
Protesting
Rescue animals
Soap making
Spend time repairing what you have
Start a blog
Start biking
Volunteering
Woodworking
Working with natural dyes
Write a book
Beekeeping
Birding
Camping
Care for chickens
Cleaning up beaches
Clean up while backpacking
Foraging
Gardening
Initiate garbage cleanups
Jewellery making from Used or discarded materials (Upcycling)
Learn vegan cooking
Painting
Develop a greater appreciation for our earth
One of the greatest aspects of a slower or retired lifestyle is the enriched relationship you can have with nature. One of my favourite benefits from green living and the zero waste lifestyle is that you change your perspective on the world. Your perception of your environment, your relationships, and the world outside will change when you live more consciously.
Realizing how many societal systems damage, corrupt, and harm our beautiful world can be overwhelming at first. Over time, you will become more aware of what is within your control, and what is not. You will be able to stand up for what you can and oppose what you want, realizing what is and isn't really important.
Do you have any dream green plans for your retirement? Share them in the comments below!
Hey, Claudia here
I am a senior graphic designer, a dog mom, an advocate for a zero-waste lifestyle, climate change, and sustainability. My articles are based on personal experience and well researched to give you the best source of information for all things zero-waste.
