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I grew up composting, recycling, and reusing odd items around the house. I was an early adopter of the metal straw and am a proud owner of several reusable water bottles and mugs. But I only really started paying attention to my waste this past May. That’s when I decided to look for products and begin consciously transitioning into a zero waste lifestyle.
I love the idea of living a completely zero waste lifestyle, but I know that I’m just not there yet. My family and I still buy food that comes in plastic containers and get takeout. I’ve had to buy shampoo and toothpaste from brands that use plastic containers instead of supporting waterless or zero-waste brands. I am by no means an expert in zero waste living, but it’s still something I think about and work towards every day. And based on my firsthand experience, I don’t believe you have to eliminate all of your plastic usage at once. For most, that would simply be impossible. So, instead of thinking about zero waste as all-or-nothing, I think about it as a guiding principle. I believe in making slow, meaningful changes to reduce waste in the products I buy, as well as the things I already have. That’s my personal brand of zero waste and it’s what works for me.
If you’re interested in this approach to zero waste, I’d love to offer some tips that I’ve learned along the way, as well as my recommendations for great zero waste (or low-waste) products.
General Tips
Start small: Focus on one area first. For me that was the bathroom and kitchen due to my obsession with towels and cloth napkins, but you should pick whatever makes sense for your lifestyle. You could even make a list of the disposable items you use the most and replace them one by one. If you make little changes over time, they’ll add up.
Replace as you go: Instead of buying every zero waste item imaginable, try to be more thoughtful the next time you run out of something. If you notice you’re getting low on shampoo, that might be the best time to order a waterless shampoo bar and try it out!
Get creative: There are so many great items you already have that are great zero waste solutions. Instead of buying tupperware, you can wash and reuse takeout containers or other plastic or glass food containers. Start using kitchen towels whenever you’d usually use a paper towel. And for big messes, you can even use old shirts that you cut up into rags. My family keeps a basket of them lying around and they’re perfect for cleaning up anything greasy or oily.
Be kind to yourself: You have to be kind to yourself when you buy something that comes in a plastic container or forget to ask the barista to hold the straw. You can always do better next time but you shouldn’t let regret get in the way of enjoyment. Instead, feel proud of all the small changes you have made.
Some Products To Invest In
And now here are some products that I love or have heard great things about from friends, family, and fellow writers here at The Wellness Feed! I’ve broken these down into several categories in case you want to focus on certain areas. This is just a place to start; there are so many great zero waste solutions out there for just about any product you can think of.
The easiest and most economical way to get a sustainable toothbrush and floss is to go with a kit. I highly recommend Package Free’s Zero Waste Oral Hygiene Kit, which comes with refillable floss, a bamboo toothbrush, and a tongue scraper! There are other kits out there but this one gives you the ability to source your own toothpaste depending on what you’re looking for.
Recyclable Toothpaste
This is my go-to natural toothpaste. It’s sulfate and fluoride free, feels great on my teeth, and comes in sustainable packaging. Personally I like the traditional brushing experience so that’s why I stick with David’s.
Refillable Toothpaste Bits
Bite is a company that makes plastic-free toothpaste and mouthwash substitutes. Their “bits” are compact, chewable tablets that give you a totally unique tooth-brushing experience. This is definitely one for someone who’s a bit more adventurous.
Solid Bar Soap
Ethique is my go-to for any and all bar products. I’m obsessed with their shampoo and conditioner bars, their bar soap, and I’m dying to try their bar deodorant. These products have totally changed how I think about body and hair-care products. I always assumed liquid products in plastic packaging were a given. But in reality, cleaning your body can be so much simpler with a good old-fashioned bar.
Solid Shaving Soap
Ecoroots is a great place to buy any and all zero waste products. One of their hidden gems is their shaving soap. The great thing about using shaving soap is that you can rub on and use exactly what you need. I know that when I use traditional shaving cream I always struggle to spray out the right amount and end up wasting so much. But shaving soap solves that problem in an organic and sustainable way.
Bee’s Wrap sells their iconic food storage wraps in varying sizes, all made from organic cotton, beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. They’re the perfect replacement for aluminum foil and plastic wrap in everyday life. Anytime you’d want to wrap up food, whether you’re taking it to work for lunch or you’re putting it away so it doesn’t go bad, you can count on Bee’s Wrap. And as a bonus, it looks super cute.
Reusable Shopping Tote Bags
In the past few years reusable bags have been on the rise. They started popping up in farmers’ markets and eventually grocery stores started selling them. And now it seems everybody has their own favorite tote. If you’re looking for a reusable bag that will last your trips to the grocery store and socially distant picnics, why not try Baggu? They sell everything from wine bottle bags to giant beach bags so you can carry whatever you need in style.