I’ve been staying home for the past few months and one thing I realized was how much trash we make daily. From the moment we wake up and shower to the time we prepare for bed, we use up so many things and end up throwing them away. If we switch to zero waste products everyday, we could reduce the amount ending up in landfill and polluting our seas.
For each item in the list, think of its disposable counterpart and how often you use and toss it. Multiply that waste by the number of days, then the number of people around the world who use it. Now that’s just one item. Imagine how much waste we make for all of the things we buy. Now you see the problem.
Thankfully, there are products out there that can help us transition to less trash. With each item we swap, we lessen the unnecessary waste we contribute to the earth. It’s important to note that if you already have these items on hand, there’s no need to purchase new things. If you don’t yet, and can commit to using them instead of single-use items, then go ahead and get them.
Reusable bags
The most common one on the list, the reusable bag is something you probably already have in your house. This is handy for your grocery trips and everyday items. It’s more sturdy, comfortable to carry, doesn’t pollute our streets nor choke our sea creatures. Another thing I like about reusable bags is that you can carry it over your shoulder instead of in your hand or the crook of your elbow.
If you don’t have one yet, try these cotton bags for shopping trips or these large capacity ones for those weekend grocery trips. Another type of reusable bag are produce bags (for your fruits and veggies). They eliminate the need for extra plastic. The great thing about these is that they’re all washable! Just toss them into your washing machine to get them ready for the next trip.
Reusable cups and tumblers
Can’t start your day without your favorite drink? Excited to go hiking and want to carry some water? Don’t forget to bring your own container with you! There are a ton of benefits to this, some of which are:
- it reduces waste in the form of disposable plastic bottles or paper cups
- it’s more sanitary
- some stores charge you less when you bring your own cup
- your drink stays colder or warmer longer if you’re using an insulated container
- you don’t have to spend on drinks, you can bring your own water, tea, or coffee from home
There are a lot of of different types out there for whatever drink you like. You can use this water bottle for sports, this amazing collapsible one for travelling, and this super handy matcha and tea maker for your favorite drinks on the go!
Also, you might not think them useful right now since you’re not going out as much, but you can use your insulated water bottle to keep water hot. That way, when you make a second cup of tea, you don’t need to reboil any water (and you save energy!).
Stainless steel diffusers
Speaking of drinks, if you love loose-leaf tea, ditch the disposable filters and purchase a steel diffuser instead! They last forever and are easy to clean. You can get the type that you can just put over the cup, put your loose leaf tea in, and pour water over. Or you can use the one with a chain, which you can also use for cooking (put peppercorns inside to flavor soup).
Zero waste cutlery
Have a complete set handy—spoon, fork, chopsticks, knife, and straw—for those takeouts or smoothies. There’s no need to purchase a set though. You can simply get a pair of each utensil from your home and put them in a bag. This is definitely more sanitary and more eco-friendly than using plastic spoons and straws.
For the bag, you can use a pencil case or you can sew your own from some spare fabric or scarves that you have. Here’s a link on how to sew your own cutlery pouch (this one uses denim).
Cotton handkerchiefs
Hands up if you always bring one of these with you! I always have one in my pocket or bag to do any of these:
- wipe sweat off face or neck
- wipe mouth after eating
- dry hands in case there are no paper towels
- use as a mask (in case you forgot to bring one)
- dab nose in case of the sniffles
This leaves us with less tissue and paper towel waste! If you don’t have any at home, try these top-rated cotton ones that are absorbent and sturdy.
Washable cotton rounds
Do you use disposable cotton rounds or squares to apply toner or remove your makeup? If you haven’t yet, switch to washable cotton rounds. I use something similar to this one and really love them. I don’t apply makeup often, so I only use them to apply my toner in the morning. These zero waste products absorb well and are gentle enough for everyday use. After using, just place them in the small mesh bag they come with then wash them along with your clothes.
If you use them to remove eyeshadow and eyeliner, you might want to give them a prewash right after just to ensure that they don’t get stained as much.
Reusable containers
Use these zero waste products everyday to store your leftovers, lunch, or crafts. I like using glass containers for food since they are easy to clean, don’t stain, and are microwave-safe. Also, if you’ve been doing a lot of takeout lately, try reusing some of the containers that come with them. Just wash them and they’re good as new. Even those little plastic jars with lids can be reused to store nuts or sauces.
If you want to avoid adding more boxes to your home, try these silicone food covers that come in different sizes so you can wrap them over bowls, plates, your glass, or even directly over fruit or vegetables. Replace your cling wrap with these so you don’t add more plastic to your trash.
If you like bringing snacks with you to work, for hikes, or long drives, stop using disposable plastic bags and opt for fabric ones or dishwasher safe silicone ones like these. They last forever so you don’t have to purchase and throw out zip locks again.
Menstrual cup
Hello, ladies! If you haven’t discovered the wonders of the menstrual cup yet, then I highly recommend you to try one. I switched to the cup 2 years ago and stopped buying and throwing away over 400 disposable pads since then. There are a lot of benefits to using one, some of which are:
- reduces waste
- saves money
- more hygienic
- lasts longer (can use up to 12 hours before emptying)
I know it might sound scary, but once you’ve gotten used to it, you will never turn back. The only cons I’ve had for this is that it takes more time to change (I usually do it when I get back home) and that you have to boil it after every cycle. Aside from that, it’s great. Sometimes I even forget I have my period. And isn’t that the best? Haha!
I bought mine in the Philippines from Sinaya cup, which I’ve heard is modeled from Diva Cup. I still use it up to now. There are a lot of interesting brands that you might want to try.
Washable liners
In relation to the previous item, you can use washable liners instead of single-use ones too. I wear these with my menstrual cup as an extra precaution. They’re comfortable, easy-to-wash, and give you a sense of relief as you’re not dumping them right into the trash after each use. You don’t have to come close to that chemical-laden adhesive either.
Shampoo bars and soaps
The same goes for soaps. Instead of purchasing body gels and washes, opt for bar soap instead. You can create your own, or purchase some from your local stores. Support your local businesses, reduce shipping costs, and reduce waste from the extra packaging.
Most of us have been so used to shampoo in liquid form that we’ve never considered using them in solid form. The benefit of this is that we lessen the number of plastic bottles that need to be recycled and reduce waste. I’m about to try my first shampoo bar and will update this post once I’ve tested it out.
Use these zero waste products everyday
If you read this, congratulations! You’re on your way to becoming a better citizen of the earth. The first step to take towards caring for the planet is to acknowledge that there is a problem and we have to change to solve it. Using zero waste products everyday will help you be more conscious of your actions and the products you buy. Hopefully, this will spurn a lifestyle change for good! Don’t stop with just you, though. Spread the word and influence your friends and family to start living more sustainably too!
If you’re interested in learning easy-to-follow steps on how to be more sustainable, read Simple Tips to Go Green Everyday.
