© 2025 COPYRIGHT © 2021 THE ZERO WASTE FAMILY™ - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | DESIGNED BY REDEEFINED CREATIVE
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Welcome to
The Zero Waste Family

Hi, I’m Fredrika Syren, a single mom raising three amazing teenagers—Isabella, Noah, and Liam—in the heart of Stockholm, Sweden. Together, we’re on a mission to live a zero waste lifestyle, grow our own food, and show that sustainable living can also lead to financial freedom and a simpler, more intentional life.

Our journey hasn’t been perfect—we’ve stumbled, learned, and adjusted along the way. But fueled by that deep maternal instinct to leave my children with a healthy planet to call home long after I’m gone, we’ve committed to making small, practical changes that add up to a big impact.

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How Our Zero Waste Journey Began

Back in 2015, while living in Sweden, we made a life-changing commitment: if we couldn’t compost or recycle it, we wouldn’t buy it. That decision set us on the path toward a zero waste lifestyle.

It wasn’t easy at first. We had to get creative, rethink everyday habits, and learn new skills. Many times, I wished for a clear roadmap—which eventually inspired me to write one for others on the same path.

Our journey hasn’t been perfect—we’ve stumbled, learned, and adjusted along the way. But fueled by that deep maternal instinct to leave my children with a healthy planet to call home long after I’m gone, we’ve committed to making small, practical changes that add up to a big impact.

Our Life Today in Stockholm

Now, as a family of four, we live a simple yet rich life right in the middle of Stockholm. We:

🌱 Grow vegetables, herbs, and berries on our patio garden

🚲 Get around by bike or on foot

🍄 Forage for seasonal foods like berries and mushrooms

🌍 Travel as sustainably as possible

What You’ll Find Here

At The Zero Waste Family, we share:

•    Practical zero waste tips for families big and small
•    Sustainable living guides for food, travel, and daily life
•    Urban gardening advice from our own patio garden
•    Foraging inspiration from the Swedish forests
•    Budget-friendly solutions for living with less and saving more

We want to make this lifestyle transparent, approachable, and even fun—because the truth is, there’s zero time to waste.

5 Ways Living Minimally and Sustainably Can Actually Save You Money

Join Us

Whether you’re just curious about zero waste living or ready to dive all in, you’ll find resources, inspiration, and real-life stories here. We’re not perfect, but we’re proof that even in the middle of a busy city, with teenagers and a full life, it’s possible to live more sustainably while saving money and gaining freedom.

Welcome to our journey—I hope you’ll join this ever-growing Zero Waste Family.
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Eco Savings: How to Save Money and the Planet

new eBook!

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Live lighter. Spend smarter. Make a difference.

In Eco Savings, discover how one family of five saves over $18,000 a year by embracing a zero-waste lifestyle. Far from being a sacrifice, sustainable living has brought this family financial freedom, less clutter, and a deeper connection to the world around them.

Get the ebook!
Zero Waste For Families Cover 3rd Ed. Front Cover

3rd Edition Available Today!

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The First And Only Guide For Families Who Want To Reduce Waste.

This book is a compilation of 14 years of learning how to go zero waste. Fredrika shows how easy it is to reduce your waste with lots of doable steps and tips for sustainable living that every person can integrate; from packing a zero waste school lunch to hosting a zero waste birthday party, and how all this can save not only the planet but also lots of money.

Get the books!


Turning Your Backyard Into A Pantry

Can you imagine walking out your back door to and harvest your dinner right there?

This summer, James & Fredrika bring you a brand new practical guide for cultivating fresh produce from seed to harvest. This hands-on lessons are full of tips and tricks for novice gardeners and green thumbs alike. Sign up below to be among the first to receive information regarding the upcoming course, as well as VIP discounts and more!

CREATE YOUR OWN HOMESTEADING REALITY TODAY!

This course will teach you how to garden and grow food NO MATTER what size space you live in!
Learn More

Featured on

Get Started going zero waste

Going Zero-Waste

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Our family’s zero waste journey began in 2016 and today we produce almost no waste and live a more...

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Plant-Based Vegan Blog

Plant-Based, Vegan

We eat mostly plant-based and vegan; because it’s better for our health (and we love animals).

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Zero Waste Gardening

Gardening

Anyone who has a garden or space is sure to know about the positive benefits of spending time outdoors.

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Minimalism

Minimalism

The philosophy of minimalism is to own less and live intentionally—it’s a simple concept that begins with...

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Compost 101 Class

Did you know that when you throw your food scraps in the trashcan, the food never composts at the city dump?  Instead it creates methane gas which is a huge contributor to our climate crisis.  What this online class and schedule a call with James to get all your questions answered!

Date: On Demand

Learn More
Bokashi Composting—From Scraps to Fertilizer
Film - Zero Time To Waste

Zero Time to Waste – The Film

We created this film and handbook in hopes of making the shift to zero waste feel less overwhelming. We’ve collected tips, recipes, life hacks, and brands that have helped us along the way— and are excited to now share them with you. We hope you’ll join this ever-growing Zero-Waste Family that’s building a conscious shift towards sustainability—because the truth is there’s no time to waste.

Watch The Trailer >>

Brands We Love

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#imperfection #imperfectzerowaste #sustainableliving #thezerowastefamily #momslife❤️

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Nov 12

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I’m talking to Anahi from @worthypicks_lifestyle about finding balance as an eco friendly mom. She is also hosting a giveaway of a cutlery set and a tote bag. Check out my post about the giveaway. She is also offering 20% off in her online store using the code ZWFamily

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Nov 12

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🎉 GIVEAWAY TIME! 🌿 @worthypicks_lifestyle x @zero.waste.family ✨ Prize: 👜 1 Tote Bag ($24) with inside pockets 🥢 1 Utensil Set ($30)🎁 Plus, enjoy 20% OFF your Worthy Picks purchase with code ZWFamily 🎁 Perfect for gifting yourself or loved ones sustainable essentials this holiday season.💫 To enter: 1️⃣ Follow @Zero.Waste.Family AND  @worthypicks_lifestyle 2️⃣ Like this post 3️⃣ Tag a friend who loves sustainable living (each tag = 1 entry!)Winner Announced Friday 11/14Giveaway SustainableLiving EcoFriendlyLifestyle ZeroWaste WorthyPicks ZWFamily HolidayGifting LiveEvent

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Nov 11

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Check my friend Susan Frazee's @susanfrazeewrites new book: Martin Snell and his Worm Hotel! In this rhyming adventure, Martin learns how worms turn scraps into garden gold! Perfect for young readers and families who love fun, sustainability, and science in action.children’s book, worms, composting, sustainability, environmental awareness, gardening, STEM learning, eco-friendly, family reading, preschool, elementary classroom

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Nov 11

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Nothing — and I mean nothing, beats a kale salad made from kale personally grown by me… ✔ in the middle of a city ✔ on a patio ✔ in freezing November ✔ in SwedenPhotosynthesis fears me 😂Poll time: Kale salad… passé or still going strong?✅ Still thriving ❌ It had its era • • • #kalesalad #homegrownfood #urbangargardening #thezerowastefamily #growingfoodinthecity

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Nov 9

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Today I harvested the last veggies from our little patio garden. Only a few brave kale plants are still standing strong in the colder temps.I’m feeling so proud and grateful for how much food this small space provided for our little family this season 💚 From seed to plate, every bite felt like a tiny celebration.Now it’s time to roll up my sleeves and take care of the haul: Potatoes • Bok Choi • Kale • Winter Salad • Spinach • CarrotsGarden season may be slowing down, but the joy (and the work ) continues. Here’s to growing, harvesting, and nourishing our home, one little garden at a time#PatioGarden #HarvestDay #HomeGrownFood #GardenToTable #GratefulGrower #UrbanGardening #thezerowastefamily #patiogarden #growingfoodinthecity

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Nov 7

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🎁 Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to access our Holiday No Waste Resource List for eco-friendly ideas that make an impact!#SustainableLiving #EcoFriendlyGifts #ZeroWasteHolidays #ConsciousGifting #SustainableGifting #EcoLiving #HolidayInspiration #ZeroWasteFamily

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Nov 6

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Join us LIVE with Anahi from @worthypicks_lifestyle on Wednesday, November 12 at 10:00 a.m. PST! 💚Anahi will share her journey toward sustainable living while juggling motherhood and everyday life.✨ Exclusive Offer: Enjoy 20% OFF your Worthy Picks purchase with code ZWFamily — the perfect way to gift yourself or loved ones sustainable essentials this holiday season! 🎁🎉 Giveaway Alert: After our live, Anahi will be giving away a Tote Bag ($24) with inside pockets and a Utensil Set ($30)! Don’t miss your chance to win these eco-friendly favorites. ♻️EcoFriendlyLiving, SustainableParenting , ZeroWasteLifestyle , HolidayGifting , LiveEvent WorthyPicks , ZWFamily

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Find out what to do with plastic rubbish in our Youtube video: What To Do With Plastic You Already Have at Home#sustainableliving #ecofriendly #zerowaste #plasticfree #reducereuserecycle #sustainability #environmentallyfriendly #greenliving #consciousliving #ecolife #planetfriendly

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Nov 6

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They say money doesn’t grow on trees, but clearly, they’ve never planted kale. 🌱 Feeling green-rich and slightly smug. 😎#thezerowastefamily #kalelover #selfreliance #growingfoodathome #urbangardener #sustainability

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Nov 5

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Why buy when you can borrow? - and for FREE!🌱🔧 At the National City Library, you can check out power tools and home improvement kits just like books. Every tool borrowed means fewer things produced, less waste, and a stronger community. 📸 @kpbs ✍️ @korsuzukiphoto#NationalCityLibrary #UToolIze #LibraryOfThings #EcoFriendlyLiving #ShareDontBuy #SustainableCommunity #ZeroWaste

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Nov 5

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DIY Citrus Cleaning Vinegar Don’t toss those citrus peels! 🍋 Save them to make your own all-natural, citrus-scented cleaning vinegar. Just fill a jar with orange, lemon, or lime peels, cover them with white vinegar, and let it infuse for about 2 weeks. Strain, dilute with water (1:1), and pour into a spray bottle. You’ll have a powerful, eco-friendly cleaner that leaves your home sparkling and smelling fresh!#DIYCleaning #NaturalLiving #EcoFriendlyHome #CitrusVinegar #SustainableLiving #ZeroWaste #thezerowastefamily

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Check us Out on Youtube

Zero Waste Family

Zero Waste Family
Fall looks a little different when you’re gardening in the city. In this video, I’m sharing what my urban garden looks like right now — what I’m still growing, what I’m harvesting, and how I’m prepping my garden beds for winter.One of my favorite (and free) ways to protect and improve my soil is by mulching with fall leaves. It insulates plants through the cold months and breaks down into nutrient-rich organic matter for spring.In this video: • What’s still growing in my urban garden • Current fall harvests • How I prep small garden beds for winter • My simple leaf mulching method • Turning fall leaves into garden compost and soil protectionHere is my video about my favorite fall habitshttps://youtu.be/9nq31a9pXg0?si=QwQplhe_4WZ07nz8And here is my green tomato chutney videohttps://youtu.be/5QY0Azq8jNs?si=ON1NrpSkUkcGGVCeWhether you grow in raised beds, containers, or a small city space like me, this winter prep routine is easy, sustainable, and makes a big difference for the next growing season.If you enjoy urban gardening, seasonal garden tips, or low-waste growing methods, like, subscribe, and follow along for more. Check out my website zerowastefamily.com#UrbanGarden #FallGarden #LeafMulch #WinterGardenPrep #FallHarvest #UrbanGardening #ContainerGarden #SustainableGarden #GardeningTips #Mulching #GrowYourOwn #smallspacegardening
Find out what to do with plastic rubbish in our Youtube video: What To Do With Plastic You Already Have at Home#sustainableliving #ecofriendly #zerowaste #plasticfree #reducereuserecycle #sustainability #environmentallyfriendly #greenliving #consciousliving #ecolife #planetfriendly
Spend the day with me and my friend Kim as we go secondhand shopping in Stockholm, Sweden! 🇸🇪 We explore some of the city’s best thrift stores and vintage boutiques — from high-end gems to cozy charity shops.We visited Humana, Stockholm Stadsmissionen, Myrorna, Röda Korset, and Judith Secondhand, finding unique clothes, home items, and even a few birthday and Christmas gifts along the way. 🎁I really wish we could normalize secondhand gift giving — it’s sustainable, thoughtful, and so much more personal than buying new.If you love thrift hauls, vintage shopping vlogs, or sustainable fashion, come along for a cozy day of thrifting in Stockholm and see what treasures we found!✨ In this video you’ll see: • A full day of thrifting in Stockholm with Kim • Inside looks at Humana, Myrorna, Röda Korset, Stadsmissionen & Judith Secondhand • Secondhand gift ideas for birthdays & Christmas • Why I love shopping sustainably in Sweden💬 Do you give or receive secondhand gifts? Let’s make it the new normal!#ThriftShopping #StockholmVlog #SecondhandSweden #VintageStockholm #SustainableFashion #ThriftWithMe #StockholmShopping #EcoFriendlyGifts #SlowFashion #ThriftHaul #Humana #Myrorna #RödaKorset #JudithSecondhand #Stadsmissionen
Going zero waste doesn’t mean throwing everything out and starting over — especially when it comes to plastic! In this video, I share practical and guilt-free tips for how to deal with the plastic items you already have at home.Here’s what you’ll learn: • Why you shouldn’t toss out all your plastic right away • How to replace plastic items slowly, as they wear out • Ways to repurpose, recycle, donate, or sell what you don’t need • How to make smarter choices to stop new plastic from coming into your home • Why it’s important not to get “green guilted” — this is a journey, not a competition!Reducing plastic use can feel overwhelming because it’s everywhere — but small, mindful changes make a big difference over time.Check ou my new Ebook Eco Savings-How to save money and the planet now available on Zerowastefamily.comSubscribe for more zero-waste living, sustainable family tips, and eco-friendly inspiration!#ZeroWaste #PlasticFreeLiving #SustainableLiving #EcoTips #Minimalism #WasteFree #GreenLiving #PlasticFree #SustainableFamily
Join Fredrika as she shares the story behind her new book and her family’s journey toward a zero-waste lifestyle. 🌎From starting sustainable practices over fifteen years ago to single motherhood and her journey of creating her own income in a sustainable way, Fredrika opens up about the challenges, victories, and what inspired her to write this book—for her kids, for the planet, and for anyone looking to live more consciously. This book is created to help you save money in creative ways, while keeping the planet in mind!
Fall is my favorite time of year — when nature slows down and invites us to do the same. In this video, I’m sharing my favorite sustainable fall habits that help our family live closer to nature and more in tune with the seasons.Join me as I: 🌱 Prepare our garden for winter and harvest the last of our homegrown vegetables 🍄 Forage for mushrooms, nuts, rosehips, and elderberries in the forest 🥾 Hike, picnic, and enjoy golden autumn days outdoors 🌶 Make a fresh batch of Fire Cider (watch the full DIY tutorial here 👉 DIY Fire Cider Recipe) https://youtu.be/3jgZlKVFYec?si=e8GjgPP3RnQWtle3 homegrown and foraged herbs (learn how here 👉 DIY Herbal Tea Tutorial) https://youtu.be/c-dZVrT6s88?si=oQVkbtetHQb96MUMRosehip oil https://youtu.be/rzuBCD__riw?si=um6usSqDuA6Kjp4w 🍵 Blend our own Herbal Tea with 🍞 Cozy up indoors with the kids — baking, cooking, warming meals, sipping tea, and watching movies togetherThese small, mindful rituals remind us that sustainability isn’t just about what we buy — it’s about how we live, eat, and connect with nature.✨ Want to start living more sustainably without spending more? Check out my brand new eBook, Sustainable Living on a Budget — a practical guide to simple, affordable eco-friendly living for every household. 🌎💚If you love slow living, foraging, gardening, or zero waste inspiration, this video is for you.🌿 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to join us on our journey toward sustainable, seasonal living.#zerowaste #sustainableliving #foraging #fallharvest #slowliving #homesteading #firecider #herbaltea #ecofriendly #cozyliving #gardening #zerowastefamily #sustainablelivingonabudget⸻
From Struggle to Strength After a significant life transition — moving to a new country, navigating divorce, and caring for my three teenagers — I lost touch with the strong, energized version of myself I once knew. But through mindfulness, meditation, strength training, and running with my kids, I’ve been slowly rebuilding both my body and my resilience.In this video, I share: ✨ My personal fitness journey and how I’m healing from setbacks ✨ The importance of balancing physical and mental health ✨ How running with my kids has become a fun, family bonding activity ✨ My recipe for a homemade plant-based protein powder (zero-waste, simple, and delicious) ✨ A bonus recipe: protein pancakes that fuel your body naturally 🥞If you’re looking for inspiration to restart your fitness journey, add more mindfulness into your routine, or find clean, DIY alternatives to store-bought protein powders, this video is for you!🌟 MY HOMEMADE PROTEIN POWDER RECIPE • 2 cups plain pea protein powder • 1 cup pumpkin seeds • ½ cup chia seeds • 2–3 tbsp cocoa powder (optional) • 1 tsp cinnamonBlend, mix, and store in an airtight jar. Add to smoothies, oatmeal, or baking for a clean protein boost.🥞 Protein Pancakes with Homemade Protein Powder Ingredients • 1 ½ cup almond milk • 1 large ripe banana • 2 oz (½ cup) homemade protein powder • 1 ¼ cup rolled oats • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 tbsp coconut sugar • 1 tsp baking powderInstructions 1. Blend oats, almond milk, banana, and protein powder until smooth (thick batter). • Too runny? Add 1–2 tbsp oats. • Too dry? Add 1–2 tbsp almond milk. 2. Stir in vanilla, coconut sugar, and baking powder. 3. Heat a greased griddle over medium-high. Scoop ~3 tbsp batter per pancake. 4. Cook 2–3 minutes on each side until golden and fluffy.💡 Pro tip: Top with fresh fruit, nut butter, or maple syrup for an extra treat!✅ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on zero-waste living, plant-based nutrition, and family wellness.#FitnessJourney #HomemadeProteinPowder #PlantBasedProtein #StrengthTraining #MindfulLiving #ZeroWasteLiving #ProteinPancakes Protein Pancakes with My Homemade Protein Powder | Healthy Plant-Based Recipe 🌱
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