How to Transform Your Bedroom into a Zero Waste Haven

This has been a year of big changes at Zero Waste towers. Most notably my daughter flew the nest and is now living an independent life.

While I miss her terribly, there’s been one tiny upside!

I get to move in to her old bedroom!

She undoubtedly had the best room in the house. It’s at the back of the house and has beautiful views over fields and hills and it’s the warmest room in winter and coolest in summer. What’s not to love!

However, when you’re living a Zero Waste lifestyle, it involves actively reducing our environmental footprint by minimising waste and embracing sustainable practices. So while in the past I might have excitedly thrown out all the stuff she left behind and bought new, I now have a different mindset. One which involves putting sustainability at the heart of my decision making.

Here are some of the things to consider when creating a bedroom which you love *and* doesn’t cost the earth.

Assessing Your Current Setup

The first step in transforming your bedroom into a Zero Waste haven is to assess your current setup. Take inventory of the items in your bedroom, from furniture to decor, and determine what can be repurposed. If things are in good working order, it’s not worth sending them to landfill for the sake of replacing them with something ‘more sustainable’! And if you’ve got something functional which isn’t your taste, it’s time to do some upcycling!

Also assess your waste generation habits and identify areas where improvements can be made. Do you hoard clothes or have a weak spot for endless scatter cushions?! This assessment will guide the rest of your journey towards a Zero Waste bedroom.

Decluttering for a Purpose

Decluttering is an important step and minimalism can be a useful lifestyle to adopt when it comes to Zero Waste living. Remove unnecessary items that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. I’m a great fan of Marie Kondo for her tidying and decluttering advice. You don’t have to have a sparse room if you’re more comfortable with things around you, but do use this time as an opportunity to scrutinise your possessions. By knowing what you have and having a place for the things you own, you reduce the risk of unnecessary purchases because you can’t find what you’re looking for!

Consider donating or selling items that are in good condition but no longer needed. Recycle what you can, too.

Sustainable Bedding Choices

When it comes to creating a Zero Waste bedroom, making sustainable bedding choices is essential. Opt for bedding made from organic, natural fibres such as bamboo, hemp, or organic cotton. These materials are grown without harmful pesticides or chemicals, minimising the environmental impact. Look for bedding that is certified organic and uses eco-friendly dyes – and remember there is no need to compromise on style because eco-friendly options can be just as aesthetically pleasing. Think about adding other sustainable bed accessories too, like the best mattress topper made of bamboo or an upcycled bed frame!

Upcycling Furniture and Decor

This is such a fun project to embark on – upcycling existing furniture or decor to repurpose it. Depending on what you want or need, this can take many different forms. It could involve dyeing your existing curtains to change the colour to one more fitting, stripping and staining an old cabinet, or creating a new headboard piece from offcuts of wood! You’ll save money in the process, and it means having really unique pieces in your bedroom. There is tonnes of inspiration on Pinterest or you could go to a local class to learn some new skills.

Get creative with your storage solutions by incorporating them into furniture and using reclaimed wood to make wall shelving, optimising your space by working upwards instead of using the floor. Look for sustainable storage containers, like wooden apple crates from the local market that would instead be binned. You can often grab these for free, too!

Reducing Plastics

While plastics are not bad per se (after all, I wouldn’t be typing this blog post without the use of plastic in my computer), but it’s worth looking at more sustainable materials where possible. Consider alternatives to plastic storage bins – opt for wicker baskets instead, perhaps. When it comes to personal care items in the bedroom, look for alternatives there too. Choose reusable cotton pads for removing makeup, for example, and look at silicone ear cleaners instead of using multiple cotton buds. These little changes can make a huge difference in the overall waste you have to send to landfill.

Embracing Circular Economy Principles

A circular economy and a Zero Waste lifestyle go hand in hand; you can buy second-hand decor pieces for your bedroom in charity shops and at antique stores, or look at your social media feed to see what people in your local community are getting rid of. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say. If you’re buying new, it’s important to support brands who have sustainable practices, and who are transparent about this. Every time you buy something you are voting with your money. What are you saying yes to? Deforestation and wasteful practices or a well considered cradle to cradle approach?

What about you? What have you done to bring Zero Waste principles into your home and bedroom?