Going More Zero Waste

We are all aware of the trash island and overrun recycling issue. Sometimes it feels so overwhelming we don't even want to think about how many times a week we take the trash out. I'm here to start the ball rolling and to help you think of simple swaps for your everyday items that you might rotate through often. The up front cost is most likely more expensive, however, these are items you'll either have forever  or you have a clear conscience knowing its end of life story. 

Using less plastic, and throwing less away is a mindset. It's thinking about what can be reused instead of tossed in the trash. It's acknowledging that things don't give ultimate happiness and putting that in action. It's being mindful about what you already have at home and not being sucked into the whirlwind of marketing. It's going the extra mile in intentionality instead of hoarding on convenience. Once you implement products you really don't have to think about it much. Saying no to straws from waitresses will become second nature. 

The best advice I've heard for clearing out your life of trash, is to go through your trash. Section it out and see where the main problem is. There is no need to go out and buy a new aesthetic, glass life. If your trash is to go boxes, just eat out less. Once you've sorted your trash start to think through what you could replace those single use items with. This is a list of my 7 things I switched out. There are many things that I think are constantly talked about and a given, reusable straw, no plastic grocery bags, and cloth napkins. Instead of belaboring that, I took it a bit further to the health and beauty products I found harder to swap out. 

Second peice of advice is to use what you have until it is dead and gone. Make a rule that you won't buy new shampoo until the bottle is completely empty. Right now there are zero waste cleaning supplies I really want to invest in, however, I know there are plenty of cleaning supplies still at my home that I need to use up first. Instead of throwing out plastic food containers and buying new glass containers, use those plastic containers until you can't anymore. Basically go back to our great grandparents roots of living in the depression. I don't mean this as a joke! They reused, reduced, and recycled like nobodies business. 

So why do I care? Well for me it's about taking care of creation that God made. It's about being mindful and slowing down. It makes me a more caring person to humans by thinking more about the planet. Using less plastic will make your life healthier, more simple, and save you money. I think it trickles into so many areas of life and will ultimately change you. 

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING UNTIL YOU'VE USED UP WHAT YOU HAVE.

1. First is a bamboo toothbrush. These are widely found in drugstores and grocery stores. Basically this toothbrush can be composted at the end of its life. The more often we use and throw away something, the more necessary it is to be not plastic, or something we can keep longer. This toothbrush is $5.

2. I found a refillable lotion at the "zero waste shop". The tin can either be recycled or sent back in. You can also opt out of a pup which means you can use one you might have. I don't use much lotion so this will last years, but it's nice to have and to know the end of life will be sustainable. I don't like chemical scents and unnatural lotions so this formal is perfect.  This lotion is $30.

3. This is a compostable packaging natural deodorant. Most deodorants have lots of chemicals in them that aren't great for the skin, and they come in lots of plastic waste. For Christmas, my mom bought me a paste deodorant in a glass jar, need to finish that up. I bought (going against my rule) a compostable packaging deodorant form the zero waste shop. It goes on much easier than the paste and worked really well. It's out now, but I know the end of life is as easy as throwing it in the compost bucket! This deodorant is $14 and lasted me 4 months. 

4. I am the biggest fan of the menstrual cup train! The summer before college I was going to Africa and didn't want to pack tons of tampons. I started looking into something I thought was absolutely disgusting. After tons of research I realized it was the way to go. It took me probably 4 months to get the hang of it. But it was worth every second. I have saved hundreds of dollars and have never bought another tampon or pad since. I bought a vegan, organic one which was $40. However Target sells them for $15.

5. Toothpaste tablets. These are tablets you dissolve in your mouth that create a paste. Honestly I need to just make my own toothpaste. I bought these on Amazon because I knew there was something better than continually throwing away my tooth paste tubes. These tablets work great and the packaging is compostable! These tablets are $10 and it comes with 250.

6. I'm probably as stoked about this safety razor as I am for the diva cup. Game changer. Throwing away razors always made me die a little inside. Some summers I opted out of shaving completely and that works too. I finally invested in the surprisingly affordable razor and will never look back. I will literally never have to buy another razor, how crazy. Basically you can change out the metal blades and recycle them when they are done. It comes with 10 blades. I've used it the past 4 months and haven't changed a blade yet. The replacement 10 blades are $3, I mean come on! This razor is $25

7. These shampoo and conditioner bars come in a smaller kit from Amazon. I must be honest and say that with my curly hair I have been unable to find shampoo and conditioner bars that work. However, my friend with straight hair absolutley loves them! If you have a lush near you or Whole Foods you could get bars without having to get them shipped. I've also got some on Etsy to support small business! The kit cost $15

If you're like me then you spend lots of time in the car and aren't always sure about your plans. I'm in college and so my plans are constantly changing, especially about food. I like to have a zero waste kit in my bag, just in case. I don't want to say no to getting smoothies with a friend or to leftovers just so I don't have to use plastic. In my kit I have a small container for leftovers, cutlery (useably plastic that I've been given and use until it breaks), a napkin ( you never know) and a straw, also I typically have a to go cup with me as well. 

Even though we are in a global pandemic, that does't mean our plastic waste can get out of hand. We are all getting way more takeout these days, which is fine, but when you can control your plastic intake, why not do it! 

Resources:

Videos:

Lauren is the founder of the Zero Waste Shop in New York. She's done tons of interviews about her zero waste life and has really creative swaps for everyday life. She has a blog as well as her online shop. She has been really honest lately about covid and not being able to go zero waste. I really appreciate that honesty. 

Bea Johnson wrote a wonderful book on zero waste life with 2 kids. Here's a tour of her home, it's beautiful. She has tons of tips on buying food zero waste and kids lives. She is unapologetic about it to her friends. She is also really great about making things herself. Her book is filled with recipes. 

This is a video that goes beyond not using plastic bags at the store. Really helpful. 

Shops:

This shop has pretty much everything you would ever need. Trust me it's a deep dive. Again remember, they are still good at marketing and want you to buy things you don't need. Use up what you've got first...Bella. 

This company has zero waste cleaning supplies. When all mine are used up I'm either going to make my own or check out this company. It's fascinating. 

Do your best, stay content, use what you have and be mindful.