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Article created by: Austėja Akavickaitė

I know that most of you Pandas care about the environment and Planet Earth very deeply. After all, it’s not only our home but also where all those desperately cute animals we love to feature on Bored Panda live. From cats and dogs to every single wild floof that we’d adopt at the drop of a hat if only we could.

However, the climate crisis continues to ravage the planet. As politicians are calling for a global green deal, Europeans are reeling from the floods that devastated Germany, Belgium, and are now shifting to Austria. While we know that laws, international agreements, and changes to how major businesses operate are the main driving force in the fight against climate change, each of us also has a personal responsibility to move away from a wasteful life to one that has less of an impact on the environment.

That’s where the r/ZeroWaste subreddit comes in. The online community is dedicated to sharing everyday tips and tricks that help protect the environment and raise awareness about how we can all do our bit. Inch by inch. Step by small step. The end goal is to make sure that all discarded materials are reused. Ideally, absolutely nothing would be sent to landfills.

As you scroll down, remember to upvote the lifehacks that you found to be the most useful. We’d also love it if you share any of your own environmentally-friendly tips and tricks with all the other Pandas in the comments. Intrigued by a low-impact lifestyle? Thinking of joining the r/ZeroWaste community? Good on you! But first, you might want to check out their in-depth wiki. It’s incredibly informative.

I had a friendly chat about the subreddit's history, community, and how to convince people who are on the fence about doing more to protect the environment with moderator Inasaba. "/r/ZeroWaste was created in 2013, and I have personally been a part of the community since 2016, back when we only had around 5,000 subscribers. The sub really started growing in 2018, hitting 100k subscribers by the end of that year. The growth recently has been amazing!" they told Bored Panda about the subreddit's growth towards the 577k members it has now.

You can find the full interview below. I also reached out to the Greenpeace team for a few insights into how to tackle plastic pollution and move toward a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. You'll find their insights below, too.

#1

This Awesome Moroccan School Security Guard Wasted No Quarantine Time And Restored, Free Of Charge, These Benches That Were Supposed To End Up In The Trash So That They Can Be Reused This School Year

Man in front of a large pile of old desks and newly painted colorful benches showing zero waste tips for the environment.

thecureisthecause Report

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    #2

    Today I Collected 8 Bags Of Garbage From Nature... We Try To Justify Our Ignorance In Front Of Ourselves And We Will Say "It's Not Mine", But We Are No Longer Entitled To That Nowadays. Nature Is Our Collective Responsibility, And This Sense Of Responsibility Motivates Me To Clean Up The Forest

    Man wearing gloves cleaning forest area, surrounded by blue trash bags, with a small white dog nearby, practicing zero waste.

    luboslavonody Report

    #3

    Christmas Tree Rental

    Potted Christmas tree indoors as a zero waste tip for sustainable living and environmental care.

    riceblush Report

    #4

    Instead Of Polluting The Planet With Confetti, Hole Punch Leaves! Fully Biodegradable

    Close-up of eco-friendly leaf cutouts and natural leaves with heart-shaped holes illustrating zero waste and environmental care tips.

    thecureisthecause Report

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    #5

    My Christmas Present To My Mother In Law. (It Looks Like Her Dog.) I Used All Donated Scrap Fabric. I Throw Away Nothing When Trimming - I Keep Even The Tiniest, Weirdest Pieces When I’m Quilting My Big Quilts, Because You Never Know When Something Is Going To Need A Shadow, A Collar, Or A Nose

    Patchwork quilt featuring a detailed dog portrait made from various fabric scraps promoting zero waste crafting.

    exhaustedoctopus Report

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    #6

    Libraries Are So Vastly Underappreciated

    Tweet about libraries as free public spaces promoting zero waste and environmental care, shared in an online group.

    Random_420-69 Report

    #7

    Recycling Old Picnic Coolers For Stray Cat Shelters

    Man standing next to reused coolers with holes cut for zero waste DIY project promoting environmental care.

    charliesheenpart Report

    #8

    Turkish Garbage Collectors Open A Library For All Of The Books Citizens Discard In Their Trash

    Workers in safety uniforms read books in a tunnel library, illustrating zero waste tips for environmentally conscious readers.

    br_shadow Report

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    #9

    Italian Brand Barilla Removed The Plastic Window From Their Boxes (UK)

    Box of Barilla penne rigate pasta with no plastic window packaging, promoting zero waste and eco-friendly cooking.

    Clari24 Report

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    #10

    Toothbrush With Replaceable Bristles So You Don’t Have To Keep Buying A New Handle

    Replaceable toothbrush head held in hand next to white and blue reusable toothbrush promoting zero waste tips.

    simple_gay Report

    #11

    This Was Enough For Me To Finally Kick Starbucks For Good

    Discarded broken equipment in a dumpster highlighting corporate waste concerns and zero waste tips for environmental care.

    nanniemal Report

    #12

    I Just Finished My Latest Art Made Solely Put Of Recycled Wine Foils

    Artwork replicating a large wave inspired by The Great Wave, made from recycled bubble wrap and textured materials promoting zero waste.

    Snicklefritz25 Report

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    #13

    Sunnybee, A Farmer's Market And Store In Chennai, India, Has Begun Wrapping Their Produce In Banana Leaves. Makes Me Glad That My Country Is Thinking Forward Like First World Countries

    Bundles of green beans wrapped in banana leaves as a zero waste tip for eco-friendly packaging and sustainability.

    is62fpx3on Report

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    #14

    My Shopping Bag Has A Printed Holiday Pattern So It Can Be Reused As Wrapping Paper

    Reused striped paper bag creatively wrapped into gifts, demonstrating zero waste tips for environmentally conscious individuals.

    zuckerbooger Report

    #15

    This Week I Will Hit My 8000th Bag Of Trash Cleaned Up. I Love My Life, And I Encourage Others To Try This

    Two individuals collecting trash outdoors, demonstrating zero waste tips for caring about the environment.

    Daniel_Toben Report

    #16

    This Is Completely Out Of Season And I Did It Four Years Ago, But I Work In A Bakery In A Health Food Store And This Is How I Evaded Throwing Away Broken But Otherwise Perfectly Fine Cookies That Didn't Make The Cut For Platters. Injure Bread Men!

    Gingerbread cookies shaped like people and broken pieces on a white cutting board, zero waste tips concept.

    iris513 Report

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    #17

    A Few Weeks Back I Put A Box Of Empty Candle Jars Out On My Verge For Giveaway - I Didn't Want To Throw Them Away - And Today I Found A Lil Box Of Candles In My Doorstep With Some Of The Jars Refilled With Lovely Scented Candles

    Four scented candles in reusable glass jars on a kitchen counter with a handwritten note saying please enjoy.

    escabeloved Report

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    #18

    A Library That Rents Cake Pans!

    Shelves filled with specialty baking pans in a community kitchen promoting zero waste tips and environmental care.

    zerowastecalifornia Report

    #19

    Picked Up A Used Cardigan That Turned Out To Look Much Better In The Picture Than In Person, So I Turned It Back To Yarn And Crocheted The Yarn Into A Cat Bed

    Green knitted cardigan repurposed into yarn balls and a crocheted basket demonstrating zero waste sustainable crafts ideas.

    couchpotatolady Report

    #20

    We Need More Coffee Shops To Do This

    Handwritten sign at a café promoting zero waste by refusing takeaway coffee cups and encouraging reusable cups.

    GeekBite Report

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    #21

    You Can Grow Loofahs (They Are In The Cucumber Family), Dry Them And Use Them To Wash Dishes. 5 Plants Make Enough For About 2 Years In Our House. Fully Biodegradable When They're Worn Out

    Hand holding a zero waste loofah sponge over a bowl filled with natural fiber sponges for eco-friendly use.

    scavenger_hobo Report

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    #22

    For Anyone Out There Who Has An Old Trampoline And Isn't Sure What To Do With It

    Garden setup with hanging plants, birdbath, and greenery, illustrating zero waste tips for caring about the environment.

    hyrule-hysteria Report

    #23

    My Dad Built A Green House Out Of Piles Of Random Stuff He’s Been Saving In The “You Never Know When It Will Come In Useful” Pile. Old Windows, Bits Of Flooring, Recycled Straightened Nails, And Off Cuts Of Steel Roofing. Only Had To Spend $40 On 8 Large Bolts. So Proud Of Him!

    Small greenhouse made from repurposed windows standing in a field at sunset demonstrating zero waste tips.

    rnords Report

    #24

    Old Spice Has Plastic-Free Deodorant

    Old Spice Clean Ocean natural deodorant in biodegradable packaging highlighting zero waste and eco-friendly living.

    Reallysmallcavebears Report

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    #25

    Bulk Frozen Vegetables In Romania! First Time I've Seen Somethibg Like This

    Bulk frozen vegetables displayed in clear bins at a grocery store, promoting zero waste tips for the environment.

    caballorider Report

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    #26

    Sometimes Junk Store Frames Don’t Come With Hanging Hardware. Tin Can Lids Get The Job Done. Learned This Trick From My High School Art Teacher

    Three empty wooden picture frames with metal hooks, laid on a wooden floor, representing zero waste reuse ideas.

    blabbitygabbity Report

    #27

    My Boyfriend Wrote A Paper On How Superworms And Mealworms Can Digest Styrofoam Into Biodegradable Waste At A Fast Rate. We Expanded It Into A Project At School This Year. This Is A Farm That I Started A Week Ago. It's Simple And Low Maintenance. Please Try It Out!

    Plastic container with mealworms breaking down foam as a zero waste environment tip to reduce styrofoam waste.

    k0ella Report

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    #28

    Our Local Supermarket Makes Juice Out Of Unsold Fruits. Literally Zero Waste

    Hand holding a reusable glass bottle with apple juice, promoting zero waste and environmentally friendly packaging.

    EduKehakettu Report

    #29

    As A Truck Driver I Am So Tired Of Seeing Garbage Everywhere Left By Other Drivers. So I Decided To Be The Change That I Wanted To See In The World

    Before and after images of a cleanup effort along a roadside showing zero waste tips for the environment.

    -life_starts_now- Report

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    #30

    My Drugstore Just Got A Refill Station For Laundry And Dishwashing Detergent!

    Refill station for eco-friendly cleaning products promoting zero waste and sustainable living in a retail environment.

    mushabooms Report

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    #31

    Decorating My New Apartment My Updating The Furniture Left Behind

    Before and after images of wooden furniture painted with Fusion Mineral Paint as a zero waste DIY upcycling project.

    HereForCuteDogs Report

    #32

    I Built This House Almost Entirely Out Of Dirt And Reclaimed Materials!

    Eco-friendly home with clay walls and shaded porch seating, illustrating sustainable zero waste living ideas outdoors.

    earth_block_horno Report

    #33

    Can't Believe A Zero Waste Shop Opened Up Only 15 Minutes From My Rural Village In Scotland!

    A sustainable zero waste store displaying fresh fruits, vegetables, and bulk food bins promoting eco-friendly shopping.

    Shanibandangle Report

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    #34

    Somebody Made Homes For Street Cats To Take Shelter In Out Of Water Jugs

    Two cats sleeping inside upcycled clear plastic containers lined with colorful blankets, showcasing zero waste tips.

    thecureisthecause Report

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    #35

    My Eldest Daughter, 13, Started Doing Embroidery After She Saw Some Videos On Instagram. Yesterday She Surprised Me With This Beautiful Flower That She Stitched Over A Hole In My Favorite Jeans!

    Blue flower embroidered patch on denim fabric, illustrating zero waste tips and tricks for environmental care.

    reddit.com Report

    #36

    The Paper Didn't Reach

    Christmas wrapping repurposed with patched homemade wrapping paper showing a zero waste tip for the environment.

    Stonkerer Report

    #37

    A Friend And I Have Started Doing Weekly Trash Walks Around Our Neighborhood In La. This Week We Filled Two Whole Trash Bags Going Less Than Two Blocks. We’re Hoping To Keep Growing Our Little “Club” And Maybe Inspire Some Others To Start One Too!

    Two people wearing masks holding bags of recycled waste outdoors, promoting zero waste tips and tricks.

    amoebaboiz Report

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    #38

    I Sell Clothing Online And Finally Mastered Zero Waste Mailers! Made 100% Of Discarded Plastic And Sealed Shut With My Sewing Machine

    Reusable package made from recycled materials held by a hand, illustrating zero waste tips for eco-conscious living.

    rhinocerousfeet Report

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    #39

    A Local Soapmaker Sells Miscellaneous / Broken Pieces Of Soap Without Packaging At A Discount. Perfect For Trying Out New Scents!

    Display of various eco-friendly soap bars and natural products on wooden shelves against a brick wall, promoting zero waste.

    CharmingtheCobra Report

    #40

    George Kent Using His Own 64oz Nalgene Bottle Instead Of The Single Use Plastic Bottles Provided At The Impeachment Hearing Today

    Man in a suit drinking from a reusable water bottle during a meeting focused on zero waste tips and environmental care.

    sherrihartsell Report

    #41

    With An Axe And Two Knives, I Carve Spoons From Freshly Fallen Wood Picked In My Forest. Spoons Are Everyday Tools That Have Been Used Since The Beginning Of Humanity

    Wooden kitchen utensils hanging on wooden racks, illustrating zero waste tips for sustainable and eco-friendly living.

    urubu_artisan Report

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    #42

    Office Goes Zero Waste And Gave Everyone One Of These

    Reusable stainless steel lunch container and utensils on a fabric surface illustrating zero waste tips and tricks.

    samonaidobroto Report

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    #43

    Diyed A Soap Dish Out Of Unused Takeout Chopsticks, Glue, And Thread

    Bamboo soap holder on bathroom windowsill promoting zero waste tips and eco-friendly lifestyle ideas.

    kaitlin941 Report

    #44

    I Used Bird Seed For My Graduation Pictures Instead Of Glitter/Confetti!

    Young woman in graduation gown blowing confetti outdoors surrounded by green leaves, symbolizing zero waste lifestyle celebration

    clairemt11 Report

    #45

    A Knit A Sweater Made Entirely Of Old /Scrap Yarns I Had Lying Around

    Young woman smiling outdoors wearing a colorful knit sweater, enjoying nature with zero waste lifestyle tips in mind.

    JadedYarn Report

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