Zero Waste

Easy, effective strategies to jumpstart a sustainable, waste-Free lifestyle

We have a worldwide trash epidemic. The average American disposes of 4.4 pounds of garbage per day, and our landfills hold 254 million tons of waste. What if there were a simple—and fun—way for you to make a difference? What if you could take charge of your own waste, reduce your carbon footprint, and make an individual impact on an already fragile environment?

A zero waste lifestyle is the answer—and Shia Su is living it. Every single piece of unrecyclable garbage Shia has produced in one year fits into a mason jar—and if it seems overwhelming, it isn’t! In Zero Waste, Shia demystifies and simplifies the zero waste lifestyle for the beginner, sharing practical advice, quick solutions, and tips and tricks that will make trash-free living fun and meaningful. Learn how to build your own zero waste kit, prepare real food—the lazy way, make your own DIY household cleaners and toiletries, be zero waste even in the bathroom, and more. The table of contents includes:

• How to Get Started
• Where and How to Shop
• Food Prep and Storage
• Housekeeping
• Bathroom Talk
• Wardrobe and Fashion
• Paper Waste
• And much more!

Be part of the solution! Implement these small changes at your own pace, and restructure your life to one of sustainable living for your community, your health, and the earth that sustains you.

Shia Su, as a first grader, was already of the opinion that pastries were packed in too many bags. Along with her husband, she began her zero waste journey in 2014. She documents her lifestyle on the blog Wasteland Rebel, providing readers with advice on trash reduction and living a sustainable life. She lives in Vancouver, Canada.

"Zero Waste is the best way to kick-start your journey towards zero waste living. Shia has added a ton of simple ideas to make waste reduction convenient. Informative, fun, easy to read and implement."
—Inge Echterhölter, founder of the Zero Waste Bloggers Network and Gruenish.com

"Reading Zero Waste is like having a cool zero waste friend hold your hand and guide you every step of the way. Shia's friendly, approachable how-to guide makes zero waste accessible and inviting. Thoroughly researched and full of Shia’s trademark humor and charm, this book takes the guesswork out of zero waste. From greening your home to avoiding trash on the go, Shia covers it all, with sections on where to shop (even without bulk stores), meal planning, eating out, and personal care. Zero Waste shows that taking control of your own consumption and being part of the solution, not the problem, can be easy and fun!"
—Ariana Schwarz, founder of Paris-to-Go.com

"Shia's book is both thoughtful and practical. She explains the premise behind the zero waste movement and touches on some of the bigger issues at the core of the waste "problem," while focusing on solutions. She talks about her own choices she has made as well as offering alternatives and encouraging readers to find their own way. A great resource for anyone wanting to live a little lighter on the planet."
—Lindsay Miles, founder of TreadingMyOwnPath.com

"Shia does an excellent job making zero waste living attractive, practical, and fun. Everything in the book is not only easy to read, but also easy to implement right away. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to just start their waste reduction journey—you'll find plenty of inspiration and ideas to get you started."
—Christine Liu, founder of Snapshots of Simplicity

"Shia really interrogates the ideas behind the zero waste lifestyle and offers not only practical but also tangible solutions for the everyday person. Zero Waste is a wonderfully packed guide for not only beginners but also the most seasoned zero waster, I look forward to integrating more of these ideas into my everyday life. A truly spectacular book!"
—Immy Lucas, founder of Sustainably Vegan

"Shia's book is a practical guide on living a zero waste life. She embodies her values and is a great reminder for us that living a zero waste life is simple and achievable! Thank you for sharing your wisdom!"
—Anita Vandyke, zero waste instagrammer @rocket_science