Besides being beneficial to the environment, a zero-waste lifestyle is good for one’s body, mind and spirit as it increases awareness on how humans and nature are inextricably linked.

That said, adopting this way of life can be overwhelming as it would require time, dedication and guidance to create new habits.

Fortunately, there are baby steps that can be taken to ease into this lifestyle. Since most people already have reusable grocery bags, coffee cups and metal straws, here are some other things you could get as you usher in the new year.

1. ‘Zero Waste Home’ by Bea Johnson

Bea Johnson is the guru of the zero-waste movement and her book, “Zero Waste Home”, is the ultimate guide to simplified, sustainable living.

Ideally you should get an e-book, but if you opt to get a physical copy, you could always pass it on to someone else when you’re done reading.

This book is truly a gift that keeps giving as it is full of ideas, tips and recipes that will not only help the environment, but will also allow one to lead an uncomplicated, stress-free life.

2. Bamboo toothbrush

Besides being aesthetically pleasing, bamboo toothbrushes are a great way to do your bit for the planet.

A plastic toothbrush can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, compared with their bamboo counterparts, which require only three to four months to fully biodegrade.

A note of caution, though – make sure you dry the bamboo handle after using or it will get mouldy.

While some stores might charge a premium for them, you can get affordable bamboo toothbrushes via online shopping platforms. Just remember to buy in bulk to reduce your carbon footprint.

3. Zero-waste toothpaste

What better way to use a bamboo toothbrush than to pair it with zero-waste toothpaste? These come in various forms such as tablets, paste and powder, and are refillable.

There are different varieties and flavours in the market, so you might have to try a few before you find one to your liking.

Regular toothpaste tubes can take up to 500 years to disintegrate. Besides saving the environment, zero-waste toothpaste is also free from potentially harmful chemicals found in commercial varieties.

Some of the common ingredients used in zero-waste toothpastes include activated charcoal, bentonite clay, baking soda, coconut oil and essential oils.

4. Safety razor

Unlike disposable razors, these gender-neutral safety razors are designed to last a lifetime – you just need to change the blades after a certain period.

Although these razors might be more expensive than their disposable counterparts, the blades themselves are affordable. So, in the long run, you save not just the planet but your hard-earned cash.

While there might be a small learning curve when it comes to installing the blades and shaving, you will get used to it.

Besides looking really sleek, safety razors are also less likely to cause skin irritation, shave bumps, and ingrown hair.

5. Menstrual cup

Here’s one for women. The menstrual cup has been steadily gaining popularity over the last few years, and for good reason.

While it does take time to get used to it, there are many tips and tricks on the internet that could guide users.

Commonly made of medical-grade silicon, a menstrual cup can last up to 10 years. Imagine all the sanitary pads and tampons that could be prevented from ending up in landfills, not to mention the money saved.

A menstrual cup can hold more flow, and it takes about eight to 12 hours before it needs to be emptied and washed. Gone are the days when women have to worry about period stains on their clothes.

Alternatively, if you’re not into menstrual cups, consider getting reusable sanitary pads or period underwear.