While the journey towards Zero Waste is never ending, these alternatives will help any step of the way! All of these alternatives have been tried, tested, and approved by me! I would never post anything that I have not researched to the best of my ability and will constantly update this list with new alternatives! Please keep in mind that throwing out an old item for one of the items I have listed is not a good alternative. Use up old products, recycle, donate, give away or sell the rest! The purpose of Zero Waste is to prevent as much matter from heading to the landfill as possible!
Hygiene Essentials
The Waste Problem: Disposable Razors
Why: Non-recyclable, expensive, wasteful
The Alternative: Safety Razor or laser hair removal (more money)
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Shaving Solutions
The Waste Problem: Plastic Toothbrush
Why: Non-recyclable, wasteful
The Alternative: Bamboo compostable and sustainable toothbrushes
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Bamboo Toothbrushes
The Waste Problem: Disposable Makeup Remover Wipes
Why: They are wasteful, expensive, unnecessary, and often have toxic chemicals
The Alternative: Organic Coconut Oil and Reusable Cotton Rounds
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Facial Rounds
The Waste Problem: Cotton Rounds
Why: Cotton is very pesticide and water intensive and they are not recyclable
The Alternative: Reusable Cotton Rounds
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Facial Rounds
The Waste Problem: Body Wash in Packaging
Why: It is wasteful, not recyclable everywhere, and contains chemicals
The Alternative: Unwrapped Bulk Soap
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Soaps
The Waste Problem: Bleached toilet paper
Why: Dangerous chemicals, non-recycled, wasteful
The Alternative: Recycled, Natural Unbleached Bamboo Toilet Paper or Reusable Toilet Paper
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Toilet Paper
The Waste Problem: Plastic Tampon Applicator and Non Organic Tampon
Why: Conventional cotton is pesticide laden & I don’t want plastic in my life, especially near my…
The Alternative: Menstrual cup such as Lunette cup
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Period Products
Everyday Essentials
The Waste Problem: Disposable Plastic Bags
Why: Go straight to landfill, very infrequently recycled, wasteful
The Alternative: Organic Cotton Tote
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Bags
The Waste Problem: Plastic Water Bottles
Why: Not often recycled (less than 20%), end up in landfill, completely avoidable
The Alternative: Reusable water bottles or glasses
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Drinkware
The Waste Problem: Plastic Straw
Why: End up in landfill, completely avoidable
The Alternative: Stainless Steel Straw
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Straws
The Waste Problem: Wrapping Paper on Birthdays and Holidays
Why: It goes straight to the landfill and is infrequently reused
The Alternative: Re-Use Newspaper and biodegradable twine from a hardware store. Check out my Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Guide!
Kitchen Essentials
The Waste Problem: Individually portioned coffee and tea and disposable coffee filters
Why: They produce a lot of unnecessary waste, uses plastic, and are not recyclable
The Alternative: A French Press – the coffee tastes better, easy to clean, no plastic, no waste!
Where to buy: I found my Bodum french press secondhand on Craigslist.
The Waste Problem: Plastic Cutting Boards
Why: You can not recycle them and it is said that these boards develop nicks which foster bacteria
The Alternative: Wooden Cutting Boards
Where to buy: My friend Chelsea makes amazing boards that I use every day!
The Waste Problem: Plastic To Go Utensils
Why: They can not be recycled and there is really no use for them
The Alternative: Reusable To Go Bamboo Cutlery
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Cutlery
The Waste Problem: Plastic Cooking Utensils
Why: They tend to melt and could leach toxins into your food
The Alternative: Bamboo utensils: are naturally antibacterial, absorb little moisture and regenerate fast
Where to buy: You can usually find wooden or bamboo options at home and cooking stores, or secondhand!
The Waste Problem: Plastic Ice Trays
Why: Most likely not recyclable and could leach toxins
The Alternative: Stainless Steel Ice Tray
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Ice Trays
The Waste Problem: Conventional Dish Soap
Why: They have a high concern for cancer, high levels of preservatives and other problems
The Alternative: Bulk Castile Soap or Dish Soap Bars
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Dish Soap
The Waste Problem: Dish brush
Why: Not recyclable or compostable
The Alternative: Compostable and reusable dish brush
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Dish Brushes
The Waste Problem: Plastic Dish Dryers
Why: They can not be recycled
The Alternative: Lay your dishes out on a reusable towel to dry
Where to Buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Dish Towels
The Waste Problem: Plastic Tupperware
Why: It poses possible toxicity risks and can leach chemicals into your food
The Alternative: Mason Jars, Stainless Steel Containers, or Reusable Silicone Bags
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Leftover Storage Solutions
The Waste Problem: Nonstick Pan
Why: A slew of health problems associated with nonstick coating
The Alternative: Cast Iron Pan
Where to buy: Mine is from Lodge Cast Iron, but you can typically find these secondhand online.
Cleaning Essentials
The Waste Problem: Paper Towels
Why: Non-recyclable, wasteful
The Alternative: Reusable towels
Where to buy: Shop Package Free Reusable Paper Towels
The Waste Problem: Dryer Sheets
Why: Synthetic, non-recyclable, unnecessary
The Alternative: Organic Dryer Balls- cut drying time, prevent static
Where to Buy: Shop Package Free Dryer Balls
The Waste Problem: A slew of cleaning products
Why: They contain chemicals and are unnecessary
The Alternative: White Vinegar used as a counter or mirror cleaner, presoak for laundry. Check out my 3 Ingredient Homemade Nontoxic Cleaner!
Where to buy: Any supermarket should have these ingredients
The Waste Problem: Laundry Detergent
Why: There are over 85,000 industrial chemicals on the market today in laundry detergents, including known carcinogens!
The Alternative: In 2014, I created The Simply Co., a Vegan, Organic, natural laundry detergent with just three all-natural ingredients: baking soda, washing soda, and castile soap. It’s a powerful, concentrated powder that reduces its’ carbon footprint, gives you more bang for your buck, and it’s packaged in a glass container, which can be recycled or reused afterward. Psst. Check out my Guide to Sustainable Laundry here!
Where to buy: Shop The Simply Co.
222 comments
This is a wonderful list!! If I may recommend something though – as an alternative to tampons, even the organic cotton ones, is a DivaCup. Some women have a hard time getting over the "gross" factor, but it reduces waste significantly and is easy to use!
Thank you so much for your suggestion! While the DivaCup falls into the category of reusable, the main focus of my blog is to look into all aspects of sustainability and design including recyclability and biodegradability. DivaCups are made of silicone and it is a material that I am still doing my research on. I'll definitely post my findings. Since this is a constant learning process and an ever evolving topic I really appreciate you taking the time to write to me and I welcome any further or future suggestions you have to make this blog better! 🙂
Lauren, there is also a natural rubber alternative to the DivaCup called the Keeper. (Obviously, not suitable for those with latex allergies.) Natural rubber biodegradation is a slow process, but it will eventually biodegrade. It can be reclaimed and processed into rubber mulch for stuff like asphalt, as well.
In addition to the organic cotton tampons, I have several friends who swear by menstrual sponges (work well for some, but you have to be very good about keeping them clean and dry or you risk getting very sick), as well as reusable cloth pads, which are nice for people looking for an insertable option. You can easily make DIY cloth pads by upcycling old clothes or other worn-out fabric.
Ugh, read "non-insertable" for "insertable." Sorry about that.
Hi Kat-
Thank you so much for your comment! I have been curious about all of those alternatives, but I thought that they would be best for at home use. For the office I still prefer an insert able option as it is more manageable. I am very interested in DIY cloth pads though for when I get home and for sleeping and would be happy if I could reduce my waste by more than 50% by making the transition.
Thanks again!
Lauren
Cups aren't nearly as creepy as tampons and pads, you have just gotten used to the idea of them. Tampons and pads are a real bacterial feeding ground and they stink and look gross! The cup is completely hygienic, easy to sterilize and minimizes the blood touching you. The blood doesen't have the chance to oxidize so it doesen't smell, and also it has really changed my feeling towards my period and my body. Instead of it being something gross and annoying, its just a small routine-affair. After I changed to cups and got used to using it in a few months, my periods became less painful, shorter and I was able to not worry about them a lot more. Not to mention that I've saved about somewhere from sixty to a hundred and fifty euros per year, which is a lot of money for a student.
Besides, your uterus is made for things to go in and to come out, so it's all a part of our femininity and shouldn't be a shameful thing 🙂 In using the cup, you become more comfortable and connected with your body, and thats been the best part for me that I didn't see coming from the change. Imagine if men would find condoms disgusting because they go on their penis? Of course not! They are an important tool for keeping people clean and safe and so is the cup. Everything new is weird at first but if it's a better product, it naturally becomes the preferred choice, and thats why people rave about them! I wish I woul've had the cup all my life and I hope every woman would give it a go just for the change in their quality of life on their period.
I have a Moon Cup would love to try and get the hang of using it, but the first time it got stuck and I freaked out and haven't tried it again…. It kind of created a vacuum and I couldn't get a hold of it to pull it out…
Anonymous this is exactly what happened to me – I couldn't pull it out the suction was so strong! I want to try again but feel like I'll need to set aside a bit of time to get it right… Also the stick seems to be annoying no matter how short I cut it…
You just have to reach your fingers up inside and squeeze it to break the suction. As soon as you cave in one side of the cup just a bit, you'll let air in and the suction will be broken. You just can't pull it straight out fully in shape, as that's where you'll get the suction problem. I've been using a diva cup for almost ten years now, I love it. There's definitely a learning curve, and it's a bit more "hands on" than tampons, but it beats the hell out of having a wad of toxic cotton shoved up inside of you.
For those creeped out by the vaginal cup, reusable cotton pads are fantastic.
This may be a bit graphic, but may hopefully ease some minds and offer advice. I chose to use a MoonCup when I was just 15 – I had not had sex, but did my research and MoonCup produces two sizes: one for more 'youthful' vaginas, let's say, and another for those who have had children or are more senior.
So, no worry there if you;re a virgin – you can use a cup
Yes, my cup has been stuck before. Yes, I got really scared but I took a breath in, knowing that this cup is not going to get lost, nor can it stay stuck inside me forever, and I checked the instructions. ALWAYS KEEP THE INSTRUCTIONS! The manufacturers know these are new and possibly scary products, so they describe things quite clearly. Their advice was to squat, and push a little (seen as I was on my period I did this in the shower) and reach in as normal. The rim needs to be bent in – the pin prick holes round the edge are what makes the vacuum, and what needs to be pushed to break the seal.
It maybe sounds scary, freaky or to new to try, but (and this my get graphic) I'd much rather need to put my fingers in my vagina than a bleach soaked tampon. Because that's how they make tampons white. Bleach.
I also loved the Diva Cup, but then I went and got and IUD to be more environmentally friendly and reduce the chemicals and waste that pills produce. I couldn't use my Diva Cup anymore because there is a chance that the IUD might be expelled. I am so disappointed and frustrated that there is no research on whether or not cups really have an effect on IUDs. I don't like the organic cotton tampons I'm using and am considering throwing caution to the wind and using the cup anyways… Once a cup user, always a cup user!
With Fibroids, my only option was the diva cup, tampons/pads combined did not work. Now my fibroids are removed, but the diva method is by far my only choice now.
I wonder if its recyclable after use or what materials its made of or how long you can use it till it has to be replaced ? Research I have to do.
My Ladycup is made of silicone, and I have been using it for several years now and can't imagine that it will ever need to be replaced. I sterilize it in boiling water before use each month and then wash it daily with soap, and it is fine. So that means one little product that may end up in a landfill (I don't know if silicone recycling exists) instead of packages full of stuff every month. To me, that is quite a win.
Hi
I just seem a bit confused about the menstrual cups because are they not plastic in one way or another, can some one please clarify if they degrade over time?
Also when purchasing how do you buy without it coming in plastic packaging or do they deliver without sticky tape and plastic, would this be something to look into, as in contacting them and asking if they could consider plastic free options if not already?
Thanks
xoxo
Rija
I bought my menstrual cup two years ago. I live in Mexico, so i chose the brand Lunacup, which is 100% local but still aproved by the FDA. I was concerned about what to do with it when it needed replacing so i called the factory and asked. They told me you can burn it, and it will leave a little bit of ash that you can incorporate directly to the soil or your composter, and that it's non toxic and kind of a good fertilizer.
It's the best thing i have bought for myself. Super comfy, safe, hygienic, local, and totally eco-friendly. I'm a dancer, and the cup saved me from the uncomfortable sensation of pads and the dryness tampons gave me. I totally recommend it.
There is an alternative for all of the above. Maybe it sound really strange, but people can hold up their blood. The big apes do it to. They hold it up like urine. And when the whoom (don't spell it right…) is full, they separate themselves to release it. We human beings can do so also. But we need to learn how to strenght our musles from our whoom.
Interesting, my doctor specifically told me that with the IUD I could not use tampons but a menstrual cup would be fine as a tampon is more likely to be dry and the strings of the IUD could get stuck on it. I've used the cup the whole time I've had the IUD and I haven't had any problems with it.
Two ladies mention using the menstrual cup being incompatible with having an IUD: I have an IUD for last 6 years and have used a MoonCup even before that, and the two have not shared a bad word. I take care to bring the cup a little further down before folding one of the sides in to take it out, but nothing bad has happened 🙂 In fact I asked the first gynecologist I had whether it would be an issue with the IUD, and besides having to educate them about the menstrual cup they said it sounded grand.
Nice read! I like your implications and suggestions for waste management and recycling. Obviously, there are so many things which we utilize in our daily day life are recyclable so instead of dumping these wastes in bins, we should employ the habit of recycling. Even most of the manufacturing companies fabricate products in such way that can be easily recycled. Products such as plastic bags, damaged electronic items, and plastic containers or bottles are easily recyclable and can be rehabilitated into various creative and useful materials.
Hi Charly!
I have been learning more and more that a lot of companies recycle, not because it is the "right thing to do", but because they have to in the sense that it saves them a lot of money that they just don't have to buy x,y, or z new. I think this is really great that circumstance breeds creativity and ingenuity. I completely agree with you that many products can and should be recycled, or even sold at a lower price to companies who will reuse or upcycle them. It would be great if people could find value in everything that is considerably "trash" and turn it into something that can be used again. This is why I love companies like Build it Green or Film Biz Recycling in NYC that take things that could, in many circumstances, be deemed as trash and help to bring them new life.
Thanks for your comment!
Lauren
I once created a huge non-disposables list for 40 people who went off-grid into a three year Buddhist retreat. Astonishingly (not really because I grew up around my Depression-era grandparents), nearly every product we think we need to replace with an alternative didn't need to be replace at all, just removed from our lives. Case in point: garbage bags. You don't need expensive corn-based biodegradable bags or paper bags in your garbage can. You just need a garbage can. Step #1: stop bringing garbage into your house. Step #2: Throw your garbage into your garbage can. Step #3: If it's food garbage you can't compost, wrap it into a couple of pieces of that free newspaper that gets tossed into your front yard and then place it in the garbage can. Step #4: Dump the whole thing into the large pick-up bin outside. NO BAGS NEEDED! Not even the ones from the grocery store. Save your money and stop looking for "alternatives" and just go back to the way it was done before this new disposable stuff was invented.
Allison, you're so right! I'm just starting to make changes to my daily routines to make less waste, and I'm realizing I have so much to learn from my grandparents and the way they lived when they were kids. There really is so much we don't need.
Virginia,
I totally agree with you and Allison, I am going to visit my grandmother in New Mexico soon – she was telling me her mother used to make so many cleaning products the same way I do – it is funny, living zero waste is like jumping back in time a couple of generations, it's nothing revolutionary, it has just been forgotten by a lot of people.
Lauren
Just Started my Trash Free Life and Reading your post Allison, blows me away… Thank you so much!
Excellent points, but when was the last time any of you got a FREE newspaper? We don't subscribe because of the cost and the trash.
Great ideas, except for the garbage disposal. There aren't any trash bins where we live, causes too much of hazard: odors, and attracting animals and insects into our front/back yards & neighborhoods. So, we have to use plastic garbage bags to keep food garbage contained properly and it cuts down on the smell of decaying garbage.
Wonderful list and images of conventional products and their alternatives! Thank you for posting this.
Hi Anne Marie,
Thank you! I am glad it was helpful! :))
Lauren
This is a really great and helpful list! I'm in the process of making my own transition to living as waste-free as possible. One thing I can't seem to let go of is using paper towels to clean the bathroom. I've switched to microfiber and reusable cloths for everyday sweeping, dusting and cleaning, but I can't seem to get past the hygienic factor of using reusable cloths to clean the toilet and the tub. Do you have any suggestions?
Hey Kyla,
Thank you so much for your comment! I know it can seem hard or gross to say no to paper towels, but once you do it, it is a really fast transition.
To clean my bathroom I use just plain white washcloths that I used to use for my face, and now are designated as just cleaning towels. I use one to do the toilet, and another for the shower/sink/floor. I use liquid castile soap to clean the inside of the toilet and use white vinegar and some essential oils to clean around the toilet as well as the shower/sink/floor. You could also get a biodegradable cleaning brush like one of the dish brushes from Life Without Plastic to designate as a bathroom brush and keep it in the bathroom. I use my old toothbrushes as scrubbing brushes for hard to reach places and around the faucet/fixtures with a little bit of baking soda to get them really clean.
I hope this helps!
Lauren
Great advice Lauren! I like the idea of having designating a cleaning brush for the bathroom (and I love the products that Life Without Plastic offers). I'm definitely going to try the old toothbrush + baking soda to clean around the faucets and hard to reach places. Thanks for the tips 🙂
Hi Kyla,
Great, hope it goes well! Keep me updated if you remember 🙂
Lauren
I love this list! But instead of the cotton tampons, I would recommend something like a diva cup! I got one and it's even helped with cramps!
Hey, thank you! I totally agree. I used to use organic cotton tampons and now I use Lunettte, like a diva cup. I absolutely love it, I just haven't gotten around to changing this list yet. Will do that ASAP, thanks for your comment!
Lauren
Hi Lauren – do you have instructions on how to make the organic dryer balls?
As of right now I don't, but i'll work on getting a post with instructions up soon!
🙂
Lauren
It's super simple! You need to find wool fiber that has been washed, but doesn't necessarily need to be processed to fine spinning grade. Take a puff of it in your hand, and roll it around until it starts to mat up in a ball. Then wrap more wool around it, a little tighter each time, sprinkle with a little soap and water, and keep rolling. Once they are the size you want, run them through with your next load of laundry. The agitation in a washer and dryer will "set" it, and they will be nice and durable. I drop a little or my favorite EO on them before throwing them in the dryer with my clothes, and everything comes out smelling AMAZING.
Hi, Great list. I've been doing the transition thing too and have found a great variety of solutions through trial and error and diving further into the subject some of which is a little different from your list.
What I've found is that for gift giving, I don't wrap if it is a small item given directly – you just don't need to. For large and seasonal gift giving, I've made large festive fabric gift bags that I reuse every year.
I've read from other commenters that the diva cup and similar versions were already mentioned – its a great solution as it cuts out a lot of demand on resources to manufacture enough for disposable options. I'm glad to have read that you've begun using it yourself.
I've downsized my closet and am transitioning to merino wool clothing for its durability, performance and sustainability.
I don't use make up, just don't feel the need for it to begin with. Saves me $, time, and resources. I also don't shave either (I am a woman) as I don't find it necessary either – when you stop and think about, shaving is a weird cultural custom. I still go to public beaches and swim. No one seems to mind, except for the odd teenager perhaps who are usually ultra self-conscious about integrating themselves already. Most adults I talk with wish they felt confident enough to do it too, and I think that is all it needs – more people publicly being human au naturel.
For washing myself, I had done the No Shampoo Method for years. Then I've gone the cultivating my own microbiota way where I used the "water-only" method for a trial period over a few months (in deep winter when I don't go out much to begin with) and found that I had a hard time accepting my hair transition period, so I just washed my hair with a shampoo bar (bonus: locally made too!) and avoided getting suds on the rest of me. Over the next few months, in addition to showering, I used a cloth for washing my armpits about twice a day, then once a day, then once every few days and now at about once a week. Slowly reducing the use as I found necessary for cleanliness and odor. I stopped stinking. My clothes don't get those pit stains anymore either. What helped get me motivated to do this was this article – "My No-Soap, No-Shampoo, Bacteria-Rich Hygiene Experiment"
Other than that I pretty well do everything else the same.
My last crutches are:
Garbage bags (we only use one in the house and it only gets filled once a month. We have to bag because we are in an apartment and don't have a dumpster option. Am trying to reduce to zero garbage, but it will take some time to figure things out).
Wheat-thins (family's last packaged food vice)
Dairy Cartons, Meat packaging, pasta, some produce (I rather support food from my own region than buying unpackaged food from abroad), and some food containers for certain condiments.
Most of these problems arise from being in a fairly remote town that doesn't have the unpackaged or bulk options.
Our meats and eggs are from local farmers year round, and in the late summer and autumn we get most of our foods from the farmer's market. I have my own little garden by the stairs, but because of the late spring, they are only now blossoming.
Hi Rua!
What an amazing comment, thank you!
I absolutely love your idea of not using wrapping paper or using reusable wrapping paper. My family always celebrates the holidays in the same place and ususally reuses the same paper over and over, but why not have pretty pieces of fabric or bags instead? So inspired!
I use Lunette and have been meaning to post it in place of organic cotton tampons, but just haven't yet, sorry.. will do it soon!
I love the idea of merino wool clothing. Right now I buy all of my clothing secondhand, which means sometimes there is a synthetic blend, but switching to all natural fabrics is defintely next on my TODO list! Always improving haha.
I use makeup because I am really, really fair and sometimes need a bit of a rouge on my cheeks. But besides that I can't really wear makeup, it irritates my eyes (maybe because I am a contact wearer?) Plus I never really liked it that much.
As far as shaving, I am Italian Eastern European mix and I have thick brown hair. When I was in elementary school a boy made fun of my arm hair at a school dance and I have, since, waxed my arms and been an avid shaver. I guess it is something that I need to grow out of, but those burns hurt for life haha I really want to just get everything lasered off (when I can afford it) and be done with shaving for good.
As far as garbage bags, I live in an apartment as well and have bins in the lobby and I don't use a bag, but I don't have garbage, I just have a little recycling, so it's not dirty or anything. If you do feel the need to have a garbage bag, I'd suggest using brown paper bags from the supermarket which are totally biodegradable and put them in the recycing once you have emptied the trash as opposed to a plastic bag.
Thanks again for your great comment, you're the best!
x Lauren
Hi KU Fan,
I'm not the author, but I might have a suggestion or two about woolwashing (mind you, it may not work on your garments though). First, the water temperature must be mildly warm, definitely not hot, more cooler than warmer. Warm water shrinks the wool and heavy rubbing (as when you have a dirty spot on the garment) will also cause shrinkage, because for the wool, it's like felting.
All woollen things must be laid out flat to dry and shaped into correct size, if not done and put to dry on without shaping or hanging, it can change the size and stretch out the garment.
Hi there, just to chime in about the washing of wool – it doesn't need to be scary!
First: Wool naturally resists absorbing moisture, so you don't have to wash it as often as other fibers. I wear my merino shirts up to four times before I wash them (depending on my activity level while wearing them of course 🙂
Second: wool shrinks because it felts, which is caused by two things: heat, and agitation. So basically avoid both as much as possible
Here's how I wash my super fancy sweaters:
1. soak in cold water with soap for half an hour or more (sometimes I forget them for several hours – this wont harm them) What kind of soap? Any kind. You can get special wool wash, like Eucalan (not woolite though – its name is a lie), but I use dish soap, or you can use Dr. Bronners. It's important to soak for long enough that the wool is wet through, which isn't so easy because of the aforementioned water-resistance
2. remove from water and squeeze excess water from the garment. Don't wring it or anything, just ball it up and squeeze hard.
3. You now have two options. (a) if your washing machine can be set to 'drain and spin' and it doesn't agitate at all while it does this, then you can put your garment on the drain and spin cycle. (b) If not, or if you don't trust your drain and spin cycle to not felt your sweater, lay the garment flat on a towel, roll the whole thing up, and step on it a bunch of times so the towel absorbs the moisture from the garment
4. Block the garment. This means: lay it flat on some surface where it will dry out quickly like a hard floor, and pull it into the shape it should be. If the soaking/squishing/drying process has resulted in stretched out sleeves, for example, pull them either longways or sideways back into the right shape. basically adjust the garment until it looks the way you want it. Wet wool is very flexible.
let it dry! et voila.
Final note: some garments (like anything from Icebreaker) are made of superwash wool, which has been chemically treated so that it doesn't felt. In this case, it won't *shrink* but it might still come through the wash looking just not great. The dryer tends to be harder on these types of things than the washer in my experience. If you're pressed for time, try machine washing and laying flat to dry.
Hope this is helpful! I know it seems like a lot of steps, but it gets really automatic after a while, and is better than dry cleaning all the time!
This is a great list! I'm slowing trying to be more "green" and having a nice resource like this is wonderful.
C'est ma favorite! Merci!
Thanks for opening my eyes! <3
Thank YOU for reading 🙂
Have you looked into SckoonCup? They even have an ecopac option which minimizes packaging to reduce waste!
You are SO inspiring!!! I'm completely in love and yesterday I read almost all your posts 😀 here in Brazil is truly hard to go like this because we just CAN'T FIND somethings. I'll try harder to find soap, for example. But I don't know any market here that sells without package, even the organic places, so it's harder. I have 1 suggestion for you: and the animals? I have a cat who lives with me at an apartment. The food she eat is totally non-organic, produces trash and the sandbox produces superduper trash 🙁
Keep up with the great work!
You could certainly make your own cat food with "real" food. For the litter box, consider training your cat to use the toilet. It's very possible – unless the cat is quite old.
What do you do with the plastic bottles from Dr. Bronner's castile soap? I'm assuming you recycle them, along with glass containers from olive oil, vinegar, etc. Do you use your food waste for composting? That's what I do. How do you feel about adding cardboard and paper to trash to help the dumps degrade?
I'd like to point out that merino wool is shorn from merino sheep and the sheep go on to grow more wool – they don't get slaughtered for the fibre.
Very nice. I am glad we use more than half alternatives presented here. For shaving problem I would suggest sugar oriental depilation. Cheap and easy to do at home
Amazing!. i never thought that so many things in our dialy life had replacements. i will definitely be buying many of these next year when i start living by myself =).
thank you for making this. the world will be a better place because of people like you. keep going.
I would suggest Chestnuts for clothes washing
What would you suggest for hair care products? Like shampoo and conditioner.
Dr Bronners Magic Soap, you can find it on internet, at american apparel stores, and every Whole Foods Store
Hi Lauren.
I think thats a great ideia. I'm student of environmental engineering and has four years that I study in this area. Reducing your thash its a better way for sustentability, but what do you do with your organic trash?
Last year I wrapped everybody's presents in colourful dish towels- seemed to go down well, even with my less eco-minded sisters.
Thanks for blogging – really inspiring!
Hi! kat, it is nice. I have one question. How can I left my organic garbage in the street? I will dont use plastic bags in my buyes, but to garbage i dont know what can i use….
thanks a lot!
O love you site!
Vegan too. Totally agree!
I never heard about castile soap. I hope is in Poland too!
I'm using waterbobble and filtred water. Never buy water in plastic bottle!
Mason jars is soo expensive in Poland:(
Great visuals !
Thank you for all these nice suggestions!
I have been using things like washable cosmetic wipes, recylced toilet paper and cotton bags for years, but I recently felt the urge to simplify my life more. Your list gives a lot of good input for that! I didn't even know there are stainless steel straws (although these are probably some of the things one doesn't reeeally need). 🙂
The new year will be a great opportunity to get started on some of this. Although some of the ideas might not work for me. For example: I am not allowed to throw my loose garbage into the shared big garbage bins, so I won't be able to get rid of garbage liners. 🙁 And there is nowhere around to buy bulk noodles, rice, etc. But I guess it is good to do as much as possible.
Thank you though for sharing!
This is all new to me, this 'no waste' living style. I knew that some people like 'hippies' lived off the land and such but urban people living this way too and being successful. It has really opened my eyes about our waste and i'm going to apply this new way in my life. Thank you!
I really try to follow this, but can't go past sponges, as they offer something that I find brushes don't, but can't clearly articulate… I have used most of the other suggestions though. There are some items I still dry clean cause DIY wash and iron don't come up good enough…
It's hard to find shoes or boots that will keep out the snow and cold rain that are made of something other than leather or plastic.
Do you have a recommendation for a seller / brand for organic dryer balls?
Norwex has dryer balls along with Enviro cloths that you only use water to clean with. They can be used for everything. Highly recomment their products.
Hi Lauren. My name is Hermes, I am from Mexico. I am very thankful for your advises and your example of live.
Thanks Lauren, you'll be my new year inspiration. I´ll try to do my best!
Hey Lauren,
I am totally impressed!!! You are so inspiring! Thank you so much!!!
Hi..!!.. I´m from Venezuela…. this is an excellent blog…..!!!!… if you can edit this blog in spanish … you don´t know how would appreciate that…!!!
Hi! I have a dog and I produce a lot of waste using plastic bags to remove her poo from the streets… what I can use instead?
I would also like to know…
they sell biodegradble/compostable trash bags. Just do a search on amazon and you will find several brand options!
As the Queen of Green I'm happy to see a great exhaustive list! I only disagree with one item. Liquid castile soap doesn't work great for dishes. I'd say soap nuts work better.
I've thought about using baby facecloths instead of toilet paper. Good enough for babies' bottoms, should be good enough for mine.
This post was amazing, and the comments just make me feel better about the world (so many thoughtful lovely people here), and I found so many great ideas. Reusable pads?? Who knew?? Also, hankies are wonderful. I like to keep one in every jacket pocket, the glove compartment, the diaper bag…
wow, this is so important!! is huge!! imagine if something like that could be teach at school, is a huge impact in the enviroment. I'm full of trash, but this is a grandefull example for follow. I was worried about the environement, and I want to do something about it, but I fell quite useless, I didn't know what to do. And I think this is something very important that you can do for yourself, is under our control. I wouldn't said easy, but posible. Thank you for that hope you give me
Hi Lauren,
I am looking into investing in a safety razor and I wanted to know how you disposed/ recycled the blades. I assume you cant just throw them in a recycle bin? What do you do/suggest?
This is great, and I'm all for it. I do hope this word can spread. However, as a literal person I cringe a little when you say something is bad because it 'contains chemicals'. Seeing as all the alternatives you suggest also contain chemicals, this isn't at all specific. I know many people will scoff at this too and dismiss what you say because of your fear of 'chemicals'. For the sake of reaching more people, could you be more specific about what is bad about these products? 'Unnecessarily harsh' chemicals in toilet cleaner, for example. Caustic, producing toxic fumes etc.
You really don't need to use any dryer sheets or wool balls in your dryer to prevent static. If I encounter static I just run the clothes over the steel door of the dryer and it removes any static charge.
I will order a bamboo toothbrush today. I didn't know they existed. My biggest gripe though is food packaging, how do you get around this?
Hi there! This blog is wonderful! One thing that I think is missing from it is talking about sex toys.Though sex toys are usually reusable, they often have very harmful phthlates in them that can cause chemical burn and a lot of them are also plastic. This may be an interesting topic for those trying to live toxin-free.
Yes! Glass (usually borosilicate glass like in PYREX) and stainless steel toys are a wonderful and fun alternative to the mass produced toys many people use. Definitely stay away from "jelly" toys and others containing pthalates. Steel and glass are bodysafe and many people also use silicone toys though they are debatably less eco than glass and steel.
Hi there – I've just discovered your blog. It's great. We are quite low on trash in our house because we can recycle so much stuff. We probably have one bag of trash a fortnight, and I'd like to get that even lower.
I had a question about soap and shampoo. You have changed from using bottled body wash to bulk unwrapped soap, but there are of course choices in between. We use soap that comes in a cardboard box which can then be recycled.
You say in another post that you still get your contact lens fluids because you can recycle the bottle. I wondered why the same wasn't true for shampoo bottles as they can also be recycled?
Keep up the great blog!
This site is amazing I love the concept of trash is for tossers. There are so many ways we can contribute and this site has some amazing ideas.
For anyone worried about using a diva cup with a copper IUD, I've been using the diva cup for a while and when I got the IUD I asked about using a menstrual cup with it and they said it shouldn't be a problem.
I've had the IUD for almost 4 years and have been rocking it in combination the whole time. The only issues I get with it are when my period is almost over that when I take out the diva cup, it smells a little coppery. But I make sure to thoroughly soap up and wash the diva cup before re-insertion and I'm in great health with no issues related to my cup or IUD(and no pregnancies, yay!)! <3
Great Ideas. Thank you for sharing them .
I have a chemical free method of hair washing (it is not really mine, quite commonly used in India). Soap nuts are great for all washing purposes, you just need to soak , boil and use the filtered water. You can store the concentrate in a jar and use it for around a month. One can add gooseberries for conditioning as well. All the best for your initiative.
I plan on reducing my trash by forgoing shampoo and conditioner in plastic bottles. Working on recipes to make my own and transitioning slowly to no poo method.
How much money do you spend on makeup removal wipes every month? $24 up front seems expensive, but if you're spending $6 on makeup removal wipes every month after 4 months the cotton rounds would have paid for themselves.
Hi Lauren, I m new to your blog. Zero waste is such a great idea. This initiative will solve lots of environmental problems and global warming effects. We do have power to change the world we live in. Share simple ideas and educate people what alternatives out there are available to us to cut down waste. Do you have a TED talk video? TED talks is a great way to spread great ideas to lots of people. Happy to be part of this community:)
Wallace
In the US portioned coffee/coffee cups are made from non-recyclable plastic. I wish they were aluminum!
I love so many of these ideas
Might I ask if you havr any shampoo receipt for dry curls. And alternatives for laundry softeners when allergy to wools snd cottons. Thanks so much.
I love all the ideas you shared. Some I had been practicing for years. My friends think I'm such a stinger. I recycled all the plastic bottles and containers if there's ever any, not for storing food, for other stuffs. Because refill packs are surprisingly more expensive. I would like to share that, reusable cotton pads are not easily and affordable in many country. So, I use the normal one but I reuse them for removing nail polish, I hope you don't find it gross. I also undo the unwanted sweater to reuse the wool yarn to knit into small washing pads for dish washing and car washing. I distribute it to my friends, some feedback that it's good but then they just ask me for another instead of making their own. Old t-shirt can also be cut into small cleaning cloth. Being environmental friendly also means making full use of what you have.
I would like to stop producing so much waste but a lot of these alternatives seem expensive or inaccessible. for example i dont live near a whole foods. i wish this stuff was more friendly to people who are low income.
Do you know Lapiglove ? It is a wonderful zero-waste makeup remover ! It is a small French company which created that…
Hi! I was wondering if you had ever found a zero waste alternative to wine and spirit bottles?
Hello! I saw your interview on MSN and I was wondering where you got the cloth bags for your bulk groceries. I like buying bulk, but I really don't like using all those little bags. Thanks! -Autumn
I use cloth lingerie bags for a lot of my bulk items and fruits and veggies. Some stores will allow you to pre-weigh jars or other containers before you purchase bulk.
cleaned plastic straws with luke warm water when there were stainless straws now i feel like a idoit
Regarding drying racks for dishes. We wash by hand, no dishwasher, but I'm ok with that. Used to just place dishes on a towel to dry, but they take up a lot more space, plus they can slip, chip, etc. Now I use wood (bamboo) drying racks, I LOVE the look, couldn't stand the look of the plastic ones, plus the plastic ones would collect scum and get yucky. With the wood rack, I just fold it and lean it against the wall to dry when done. Use reusable, washable drying pads with it, they absorb better than towels, but you could just use a towel.
Muy buena lista, muchas gracias.
es difícil comenzar cuando vives con una gran familia, me tarde mucho en que aceptaran la composta, pero algo es algo 😀
Hi Lauren!
I loved your blog and everything that you did and do.
I want to change my life and my parents too and… If I can, some friends hehe.
I hate plastic and people only change when bad things happen.
My ask is… the site that you indicated to buy mason/ball jar, this item is unavaiable in the moment, do you know another site with similar price and that I can buy importing here from Brazil?
Thanks a lot!
Kisses!
Hi Lauren!
I have more 1 question, what is the material used in mason jars' lids and bands?
Thank you!
Hey folks,
I am living in India and in Asia it is usual to not use toilet paper, but to wash oneselfes butt with water. That makes sense in so many ways (once you get used to i)t: you really get clean, you don't have to buy toilet paper, the toilet paper doesn't have to get produced in the first place, you never again have the problem to run out of toilet paper and you always have water in you bathroom anyway. Greets from Sadhana Forest Auroville!
What do you use for deodorant? Do you make it yourself? Would love to know! Thanks
use lime slices! they balance the pH in your body, so your pit sweat is not odorous..
She actually makes her own. The video is on the front page of this site and youtube.
Wow, I think your blog and your channel are amazing! There are an example of what you can reach if you really want to and is great motivation for other people. You motivated me aswell! When I saw that you olny filled one mason jar with your trash in two years, I could'nt believe it! But you show so many ways to change a lifestyle. Thank u very much!
Good for cleaning : Citric Acid.Can be used like Vinegar,but don't smells.Perfekt for Bathroom and Kitchen.To remove limescale from coffee machines and for regularly decalcify other stuff.My girlfriend got Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, so we use only organic stuff at home.
Greetings from Germany.
You could add fountain pen that allows you to refill the ink instead of disposable plastic pens. 🙂
Could you please talk more about zero waste fashion please? Great job at making a world a better place not only by reducing your personal waste but also by inspiring others like me to do so. Xx
This is a beautiful blog. As for hair removal, I recommend looking into electrolysis, it's the only officially "permanent" hair removal. Laser is long lasting but it hasn't been proven to be 100% permanent yet. Also, I can say from personal experience that electrolysis has worked a lot better for me. My hair doesn't grow back as fast or as dark like it did with laser. However, electrolysis is more painful so I wouldn't recommend it for really large areas.
Hi! For the tampon issue…I know some who only use pads, and the idea of a cup is horrifying to them. As a cheaper alternative, I have bought reusable feminine pads on etsy. Works great and they last forever! Might want to think of adding this to your alternatives? Have a good day!
This list is great!! But please make a list of what to go with your "trash". Like what to do with the cardboard that ordering these things online bring to you. Or the plastic containers that the vinegar comes in.
What about floss? Drying your hands in public places? Receipts?
I want to know about dental floss too. I carry a handkerchief with me to dry my hands in public.
I learned a lot when I lived in Guatemala for several months. In a household of 5, we had no trash. That is right! Zero trash! First, most trash comes from packaging. We bought our food fresh from venders, bring our own cloth shopping bags with us. At the grocery store, most items were bulk vegetables, nuts, soap, etc. things we put in our own bag. We used cloths to clean. We used cloth napkins. The only thing we had to get rid of was the toilet paper. The septic system there did not handle the toilet paper, so we put that in a trash can and burned it everyday up on the roof. There was no trash collection. At the end of 2 or 3 months, any trash that might have accumulated – cardboard boxes, paper – we took to the dump. Buying fresh food, not buying a lot of packaged junk we did not need meant we ended up with very little stuff to throw away!
I'm afraid that I haven't had time to read all of the questions/comments, but one that I did see I can answer, at least partially. If you are using a safety razor you can prolong the blade life almost indefinitely by rinsing and drying the razor thoroughly after each use, and storing it head down in a small jar of mineral oil. The reason that the blades get dull has far more to do with corrosion than with wear, so keeping them dry and away from air when not in use keeps a single blade sharp for weeks or even months.
The pic of the glass with water in it that you have for the suggestion against using plastic water bottles is a little off. The glass has a plastic straw in it (waste alert!!!). You might want to think of changing the pic…
That is not a straw, that is water pouring into a glass.
Hi! I eat a lot of Greek yogurt as a protein source and was wondering if you've found any way to buy yogurt (preferably in large amounts) without the bulky plastic containers?
I was going to ask the same question. I make my own yogurt but sour cream, cottage cheese, and other items pose the same problem.
Hi Lauren, I am making a change in my lifestyle to live a more sustainable lifestyle. I was curious, other than mason jars, how do you store food? I like to keep a lot of organic veggies, and I like to prep chicken and meats in bulk to eat throughout the week. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!
Hey, what would you suggest as an alternative to plastic swabs?
bamboo swabs!
What a great list! I'd love to see honey bee wraps added as an alternative to cling wrap, and glass and metal bowls as an alternative to plastic.
I also think it's worth adding a warning on anything made from bamboo or timber; watch out for glue! Something made from a single piece of wood is wooden. Something made from joined timber or bamboo is full of some kind of glue which could be even more toxic than the plastic you're trying to avoid. Worth keeping in mind.
Hi Lauren,
I've been wondering what you use to clean your menstrual cup with? I use the Dive Cup and the Ph balanced Diva Wash, but I'm wondering if I can clean it another way so I can ditch the container that the wash comes in.
I wash mine with regular soap and water, and then boil it in water for a couple minutes.
What would you use for a pump bottle? for body wash/hand soap etc… not a fan of bar soaps
Hi Lauren, Thanks a lot for sharing your life style and ideas. I came across your TED talk on Youtube and started googling.
I am curious what your substitute for laundry detergents is. Thank you and have a nice day!
Hi Lauren! Congrats for the amazing blog, great work! I’m here to share a little of my story. Last year I was living in Australia and I started the changes in my life.. Switched to Bamboo toothbrushes, started using the reusable menstrual cup and producing my own cosmetics, and started to avoid plastic in my life – Tupperware gives me nausea. I also started a vegetarian diet. I had to come back to my home country though, and things started to get a little complicated. I couldn’t manage to find my so loved bamboo toothbrush here, and every single sustainable product costs like 10 times the price of an average one. I couldn’t even find stores that would allow me to have my food bought in my own container. It makes me sad, because I really liked that new way of life and I was getting adapted real quick. But I’m trying to do whats possible here, do my part. Good thing is, I see a growing inclination from people to follow the same path 🙂 Let’s keep on spreading the word!
I bought yard goods (cloth) remnants in bright holiday colors and use them to wrap presents. Some I keep flat and re-use satin ribbon to tie them over the present. Others I sewed into simple draw-string bags. People are baffled when I ask to take them back after the present is open. I wash them once a year. Sometimes I use bandannas as wrappers and they are part of the present.
You might also find this interesting: in Finland, instead of using plastic dish dryers, it is common to have a drying cupboard or dish-draining cupboard over the sink. So no plastic needed, and you do not even need to dry your dishes by hand. Convenient huh? If you google "drying cupboard Finland", you'll find some pictures of them. 🙂
Thanks for the info! One more alternative to gift wrap is too wrap it in a scarf or pretty dish towel. Or a reusable tote bag. I received a gift in a tote bag which I loved. I can't actually remember what was enclosed in the bag but I've gotten alot of use out of that bag. I stole my friends idea and have done the same when giving gifts.
Hello,
first of all I would like to thank you. Xou´re only two years older than me but already a big inspiration for me in terms of going waste free.I love reading your blog. 🙂
I might sound stupid saying this but aren´t toilet papers wrapped in plastics, even the unbleached ones?
Also, I´m trying to avoid unnessary waste much more lately. For me the real big deal are grains and beans,all that dry food stuff. I live in small city in Germany that hasn´t got any shops where you can buy things in a bulk or take your mason jar with you. How do I avoid this packing? The next city nearby where you can buy waste free items as descriped is at least one hour train wide away. I would love to hear from you and I´m hoping maybe you could help me with that issue. Thank you.
Have a lovely day! 🙂
R.
Hi Lauren!
In recent years, I've tried to reduce my impact on the environment. I found your blog recently and I think you.re really inspiring! I will certainly make more effort to reduce the amount of waste I produce.
I am currently thinking about buying a non-disposable razor (I'm too sensitive to dare wax!). Can you tell me how is maintenance? Should we sharpen the blade or change it? Often or not?
Thanks a lot!
I love my menstrual cup! <3
Sorry just had to say this 😀
I use yuuki menstrual cup
regards Gina
Cotton wash cloths are inexpensive. They'd be a great alternative and you probably have some old ones already that could be given to the cause.
Hello Lauren! This is a great initiative. Kudos!
Have you tried oil pulling? It is a method to clean your teeth with oil (coconut, usually). Since you just have to put oil in your mouth and swish it around for a while, it doesn't even require a toothbrush. Plus, there are many health benefits to it too. Do check it out.
Hey folks! So, this whole Keurig trend is kind of terrible, but thankfully some people started using their brains and made re-usable "K-Cups". I tried reading through most of the comments, but didn't see any mentions of them! I didn't even know these were a thing until last Christmas, my dad gave me some "As seen on TV" brand cups, but since then a bit more eco friendly version has blessed my little satan machine. There are a ton of brands out there doing this, Keurig did for a while, then they TOOK IT AWAY, but since mass outrage ensued, they have brought it back. The hippies win this round, corporations, yes we do.
Anyway, my favorite is Ekobrew, their plastic models are BPA free, and they also offer a stainless steel cup as well. I noticed a concern about silicone, which is used in the sealing ring on all models, but I figure silicone has to be better than unnatural rubber. Amirite?
http://www.ekobrew.com/shop, or Amazon has them too.
Enjoy your Keurig, guilt free!
hello!! I noticed someone else had asked about this too. I really really really like flossing my teeth. I don't use those plastic sticks anymore. But I am sure there is a better way to floss then using regular floss. Is there like special biodegradable floss I can find somewhere? Thanks!!
We sell awesome dental floss at Package Free Shop https://packagefreeshop.com/products/dental-lace-in-berry-blue
I have run into similar challenges that have left me feeling like I either must sacrifice my ethics and choice of lifestyle for the sake of relationships, or vice versa. Its definitely possible, and I think the key is modeling: spend less time telling him to change his ways, and more time making a point to introduce him to , or remind him of, the more sustainable ways, via your actions. For example, when he buys a drink in styrofoam or other kind of single use, disposible cup, you can pull out your mason jar and order a drink in it. Dont underestimate the power of your actions! He will start to notice (and hopefully integrate) your actions into his own life. Just by living the way that you do, you are showing him that it is possible to be zero waste and still live a happy, healthy, nourished life. It will plant this seed in his head, if nothing else. Good luck! Peace be with you.
Hi Lauren! I was reading through several comments and a lot of women have already posted suggestions and alternatives for tampons/pads. I just started to use THINX underwear. It's amazing! This underwear acts like a pad and is washable. When you purchase their underwear, the company donates funds to Afripads, a partner of theirs in Uganda that trains women how to make washable pads for girls. I can't wear tampons, and disposable pads are so uncomfortable and wasteful! The THINX underwear is great, and I love the humor on their website. Just thought you might want to check it out! I'm proud to be transitioning to a less wasteful lifestyle by no longer using disposable pads.
I use a device that helps me empty my bottles. It is called ‘Soap & Lotion Bottle Saver Connecter Coupler’ by Use Every Drop. Check it out on Amazon!
Hi Lauren,
I just watched one of your Youtube videos that mentioned using reusable bags instead of plastic bags. As far as shopping and hauling things around, I do use my reusable bags religiously. However, do you have any suggestions for alternatives to plastic bags for trash can liners? The trash in the kitchen is especially necessary to have a liner for things that are wet, drippy, smelly, etc.
Thanks!
Hi Lauren, if you wash and let air dry all trash that isn't compostable you will not need liners. Hope this helps 🙂
Hi Lauren,
I saw a video of you on youtube (Zero Waste Teach-In with Lauren Singer at The Deep End Club) where you mentioned a water filter made out of glass, but I couldn't understand the brand or name of it. Do you still have it? And what is it called like? Do you think you can get it in Germany as well? Thank you, much love from Germany!
Didn't even know some of these things existed. Great list. I plan on reducing my waste starting with this list. Thank you!
If I already have a majority of the plastic items you listed, such as the tupperware and the plastic dish dryer, is it really worth my while to get rid of it and get the alternative? Isn't throwing it out or even donating it just adding to the waste of the planet? Whoever buys it at Goodwill might eventually toss it out. If the goal is as little waste as possible, how much does it matter that I use glass instead of plastic to store my leftovers? Just some questions I'm having as I read your blog!
I have thought about this as well. I figured what's bought is bought. When I do replace it then I will with a more natural product. I have many plastic things that I do not think I will replace for a very long time, like my floor lamp, plant pots or lawn furniture. It would also be expensive to replace it all. I think it is much better to take baby steps and replace it with better products. I just ran out of toothpaste so I used her recipe to just make my own. So far so good!
Hello!
I'm really enjoying reading all of these great ideas! Please keep them coming.
This past year I have been slowly changing my life. It all started when I bought the Diva Cup about 6 months ago. It works great for me and I have been praising it ever since my first month using it lol I loved using it so much that I replaced those nasty disposable pads and liners with reusable cloth menstrual pads and liners. The best thing that I ever did.
Now, I'm looking into my laundry and have been researching soap nuts/berries. I plan to try them in the new year. I also love the ideas of wool dryer balls. Those are both on my list for the new year. Baby steps 🙂
I use a device that helps me empty my bottles. It is called ‘Soap & Lotion Bottle Saver Connecter Coupler’ by Use Every Drop. Check it out on Amazon!
Hi Lauren!
I am curious about something. It may sound a little personal or gross but I cannot get that question out of my head. Do you use toilet paper or a biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternative?
Hi Lauren,
Great blog you have here.After reading this post i could not but wonder why people realized this so late.i am from India and it is called a poor and under developed country because our lifestyle is so much in tune with the nature.In fact,most Asian countries are!!I am not trying to raise a debate here but wanted to share the same concern as yours.My fellow countrymen have jumped onto the 'modern' bandwagon and are leaving out all the traditional knowledge which is now called as 'eco-friendly'.but i am also happy that people are realizing it and coming back to their roots.
Our elders used stems of neem and other medicinal plants to brush their teeth.They keep a bunch of dries twigs and every morning they chew and soften it and brush with it. Neem is anti bacterial but has a bitter taste.We used to say, 'Oh sick!please give us a tooth brush and that sweet toothpaste'.Now we realize how much damage we did to ourselves.
Most of our utensils used to be of brass,copper,clay,cast iron but now they are replaced with flashy and fancy non stick cook ware.
Anyways,i would like to share a few of our old practices if you are interested.Thanks for reading..
I live on a South Pacific island and am a solid waste management junkie! Alot of things towards zero waste aren't achievable unfortunately unless i just do without! But thinking of toothbrushes, i'm thinking of just using a small cotton cloth to brush my teeth with your toothpaste alternative which sounds alot nicer than straight baking soda! Instead of mopping with a proper mop i use a cotton cloth that i've had for four years and get down on my hands and knees. Overall, you have definitely inspired me to go further in zero waste when i thought i was already very good. Thanks
Or use inox dish dryer.
What you are doing is really amazing, I am 16 and have a phone ambition to live a mostly sustainable life for the environment. You have really inspired me. I noticed that many of the products above are made of bamboo, I was wondering what your perspective on that is. I thought that bamboo is decreasing in the wild which is effecting the species that are dependent on it such as pandas- wouldn't products made of local sustainably forested wood be more beneficial?
Thanks for making this blog, Lauren. It's very helpful. My biggest challenge is shampoo and conditioner and body wash that doesn't leave an impossible to clean, buildup of soap scum in my shower. Stopped coloring my gray years ago and love it now. But even "natural" hair cleaners are full of chemicals. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your contributions to a kinder and healthier planet. Maria
interestig
Sorry, but where do the used coffee grounds go?
I would add Thinx for the period situation. And homemade (locally bought) shampoo bars.
hello lauren, i found your blog and i love it, i'm from latin america, and for my surprise i was accidentally friendly with the enviroment. for example in my city the use of plastic bags is not allow by the goverment, also the most part of the people buy their clothes in second-hand stores and wash them by hand.
it's great to see that all the things that i usually use are helping like the wooden utensils and even the silverware.
that's all, sorry for my english and have a good day
🙂
Hi Lauren!
Everything I've read and saw about you so far is just amazing! I love it!
Especially your speech at the TED TALK. Very nice, funny and even really touching! I am avoiding plastic and trying to live more and more the zero waste lifestyle. But it'll still need some time
until I get there. I also try to get my boyfriend more into that topic. So I showed him a video of you.
And he is really critical about that topic. So he asked me what you are doing with the dirt from the vacuum cleaner and I told him that I'll try to figure that out. I would be really happy to give him an answer to that. 🙂
Greetings from Germany!
Please never give up that Livestyle. It is so amazing and you are doing a great job!
Great list, I know most of these but I haven't thought of using a cotton ball to dry hands before … are these felt balls? Did you make them yourself, and do they work well? Hard to imagine but I'd love this, they are so beautiful too!
oh, I got it all wrong … sorry. I thought they were for drying your hands, but no – for use in a dryer … ooooops. It was such a nice idea to have them sit next to my sink instead of towels 😉
Hi! I love the idea of your blog, and the ideas inside it! Just one question, did you consider the environmental impact of metal? You present it as sustainable, but in my mind it creates a lot of pollution during the extraction. I know that we cannot erase it from our lives, and it's a good alternative to plastic, but still, for me it's not really sustainable. 🙂 (Sorry for the mistakes, I'm French)
Hi Lauren,
Where do you get your coconut oil from? Where I live I can't really get coconut oil in anything else than big plastic containers.I've searched for ages but I just can't find it anywhere..
What do you do with the bristles of the bamboo toothbrush(as they are not biodegradable)?
Lots of good ideas here, lots to learn. One note of caution, please: Whenever a website talks about alternatives to cleaning products, or a site encourages the use of other "in" products, such as essentials oils, but states, either directly, that the preferred products don't have chemicals, I KNOW that the writer doesn't know what he/she is talking about. Chemicals/elements are the building blacks of nature, ALL OF THE WORLD! There is no such thing as something having no chemicals. One example would be vinegar, which is a great cleaner for many things. Don't forget that it is an acid. It can actually etch some items. It can dissolve bones. It still needs to be used with caution. And although your article doesn't get into essential oils, many of the sellers tout them as an alternative to chemicals, as though they don't contain chemicals and are therefore safe. Really? They also promote them as germ or fungus killing agents, so they are actually really strong chemicals.
Hi Lauren! Thanks for you post 🙂 What about contact lenses? Any zero waste suggestions?
Hi Lauren! Since I have watched an interview that you made for a Brazilian TV program, I started admiring you and making researches about the zero waste life style. I am a fan of you and I think you are an example of a world's citizen, because you not only care about yourself, YOU CARE ABOUT EVERYBODY. Well, I have a doubt and I would be glad if you could help me. I wash my hair with vegan, organic and package free products, etc, but when I finish my shower, I see all those hair in the drain… 🙁 Since it would clog the plumbing, I have to throw it in the "garbage". What do you generally do with this? Thanks for your attention. Wish you best regards from Brazil 🙂
But what about paper waste? food waste? do you put them in count?
Hi Lauren, Thank you for sharing these alternatives. This post is very useful, I will definitely try incorporating these alternatives into my life. I find it interesting that I can use coconut oil as a way to remove makeup. I am excited to try this new tip, since makeup removing wipes have never really worked for me. I also had no idea that bleached toilette paper was bad for me, thank you for sharing that information. I think it is very important to recycle bathroom items. I think the majority of people forget that they can recycle things found in the bathroom. I found a link to a website that talks about the things that can be recycled in the bathroom http://www.zmescience.com/ecology/eco-tips/shouldnt-forget-recycling-bathroom-items/.
Might I also suggest buying toilet paper individually wrapped in paper instead of plastic. The one I buy is made from 100% recycled paper!
Hi Lauren, so I just moved to a small town and want to make a change to my lifestyle but I have bought a lot of the things that you advice not to, like plastic cooking utensils and sponges and I was just wondering what should I do? Should I have them now that I bought them or should I try to get bamboo ones and dispose of the plastic ones in some sustainable way? also I was wondering about the dryer balls, I also have I believe plastic ones because the only ones I could find were wool and Im vegan so I dont want to use wool, is there any other material they have that you know of?
Thank you.
Meli.
also i suggest air drying during summer!!!
Hi! I'm just new at this and I have this question I would love you can answer and it's what did you do with all the stuff you had that was plastic? I mean you had to do something with all that, right? I know it might sound like a silly question but when I think about making a change in my lifestyle I just get stuck with that question…. can you please tell me how did you get rid of all that stuff?
Ever since I saw your segment on the Live Well Network over a year ago I have searched for bulk olive oil in my area and no luck yet! Went to 3 different types of farmers market and to Fair Trade locations and nothing. Any suggestions in the L.A. area 90042?
I am doing the switch on cleaning supplies, towels. Dumped the water bottle 3 years ago ????
I try to recycle as much as I can but this list just gave me more ideas to further reduce waste! Thanks for the post and happy Earth Day!!
Hello. I love your initiative. What do you think about use reusable toilet paper? I mean, toilet paper is very, very bad for the enviroment, but which one is worse, reusable or recycled paper? Thank you.
Hi
I am from India. I am happy to read about your implementation for zero waste and recycling to reduce pollution. You suggested bamboo toothbrush as alternative of plastic toothbrush, it's good. Here we can use brush called 'Datun' comes from trees like Neem, Babool, Miswaque etc. It's the cheapest alternative with zero waste and No need of any manufacturing unit. It means no pollution.
We can use hand made clay products in eating, drinking and cooking like dishes, cups, pots etc. Again no need of factory, no waste, no pollution.
So we need only a big factory to produce awareness about NATURE.
'LIVE WITH NATURE, BY NATURE, FOR NATURE'
Thanks
Hi Lauren, there is no bamboo alternative for electric toothbrush heads is there?
Love this website, you're extremely inspiring!
Thanks
Amazing list!
But you did not talked about stationary/ studying essentials, what I would be really curious about
Hey! I've cut back on my plastic use dramatically. There are some places I can't seem to cut corners though. I can't find vinegar or liquid soap in glass bottles, nor can I find milk in real glass jugs. Any ideas?
Hi Lauren, I love the direction you're taking this. I'm starting to work out how I can lead a much lower impact life, and everyone who is doing what you are doing is an inspiration. One big impact I still have is flying. I've cut down massively, but there is a huge amount of waste associated with a flight, even if it's not actual packaging waste that I experience in my hands. Any thoughts on this? Many thanks and best wishes with everything, Tom
The writer understand better the mind of people what they want to learn through their writing therefore this article is outstanding. Thanks!!!
Hi Lauren, I hope you're doing well.
I saw a video of yours in TEDx YouTube channel, and I must admit, I loved your video, the speech and every single detail, and at the start, the idea of your 3yrs trash that fits in a Mason jar, but after watching your video, your idea found a place somewhere in my head, and I'm more open then ever to know more about your zero waste lifestyle, since I feel bad every time when I don't use something I bought, or had to throw it not using it all after the expiration date, because whenever I go to shop and want to get a shampoo for instance, I get the big size, to make sure not to run out of the shampoo later, the same with every other single aspect..
Thank to Google, I found your blog, and I'm very happy to end up here, especially in your ultimate alternatives list that helps a lots, I wanted to know from you, if possible of course, the recipe of the DIY shampoo you use for your hair? I wanted to ask since I have a very dry hair that becomes kind of messy when drying after shower, and I want my first step to get away from the chemicals and start using DIY shampoo, fragrance if there's any way and body lotion..
I will be very happy if I receive your answer, and if not I totally understand.
Wishing you all the best of luck and success with your life!
Hi Lauren,
I am a 13 yr old girl from Melbourne, Australia and I have been a fan of your blog and youtube channel for a while now. I have been significantly reducing my possessions and waste over the past few months and I am keen to get my family on board too. Although they are supportive of me doing this, they are not interested in changing their ways. I am trying to take responsibility for shopping and buying other supplies for the household but I rely on them to help if we are to be a waste free family. Do you have any further suggestions?
Thanks in advance xx
Hi there. I'm newer to your blog and was wondering what your grocery shopping routine looks like? A lot of food comes in plastic packaging, especially meat and frozen veggies. Do you buy everything fresh?
There are some on Amazon, but I've never tried them. I know you can also get them on Etsy, and I've made a few myself. I'd love to make more to sell if I could just afford the wool!
Hi Lauren,
I remember a spot on your blog when I first found it, where you had a list of stores that sell zero waste/ sustainable and environmentally friendly products. I live a stones throw away from The Soap Dispensary in Vancouver, but we are moving to Edmonton and I wanted to check back and see if you knew of a store out there or not. Either way, I'll research it and with any luck, I'll find something.
Hi Lauren, your website has changed my life! Thank you so much. I am in the midst of making the transition to zero waste and have a question – I see you are a contact wearer. Do you just bite the bullet and buy contact lens solution? I looked up a recipe for making it on my own but am nervous about hurting my eyes. Thank you again!
Your 7th Generation toilet paper comes wrapped in plastic? I don't understand, that's not good???
Thank you for the list!
Hi Lauren,
I'm wondering what your take is on the plastic sticker/labels some products, which use recyclable plastic containers, use. I'm a rookie zero waster-er and trying to figure out what products I should be buying. Some things that seems to be ubiquitous to a zero waste life, like coconut oil or vinegar, come in glass/plastic jars wrapped in a sticker that I assume isn't recyclable or compostable. Suggestions? Should I just search harder to find products without?
Hey Lauren,
I am using an electrical toothbrush at the moment.
What do think you I should do? Sell it?
oh, i nearly forgot, i have another tip:
instead of shaving you can use the sugaring method 🙂 i adore it!!
Just need to look that you buy the sugar in a paper bag and thats it – no trash!
I just wanted to point out that if you buy organic or 100% post consumer recycled coffee filters and paper towels they can actually be composted.
Hi Lauren.
Love your list to use less plastic and go re-useable again! Thank you for some amazing ideas and resources!
I started with a conversion to commercial enzyme cleaner, which can also be made from scratch using oranges.
I also use vinegar more often than not.
A while ago, I got stumped because even though i was not purchasing commercial cleaners, I was just replacing one plastic use (commercial cleaner) with another (vinegar).
Since, I have found that it is also possible to produce (apple cider) vinegar from home. 🙂
Happy brewing and responsible living!
Hi Lauren, My partner is a beauty therapist and am sure would be keen to hear about your suggestions in the field of beauty… make-up etc. I wish more people knew about what you do and cared about the environment we live in to make an actual difference. I will be sharing your information and making some changes myself.
A few additions to the list:
* Cloth menstrual pads (like Domino Pads)
* Cloth diapers
* Handkerchiefs instead of tissues
* Toilet paper alternative? Bidet?
Wood cutting boards get nicks also, and actually hold more bacteria. You don't want contamination carried over, stone boards are the only way.
Hi great blog. Maybe you have answered this in a previous post but what type of makeup do you use that doesn't generate waste? Most containers are plastic/non-recyclable
Hey you should write of gifts too. I think buying or giving gifts create lots of waste because we end up with things which are completely unnecessary like frames or soft toys and also the gift packaging.
Yes very interesting – some items, like the washing up rack could we just not keep the one we have until it needs replacing? (this one is about 20yrs old and going strong 😉
Re the toothbrushes – due to high uses of Bamboo, Pandas are now in shortage of food – could you find another alternative?
Am so glad don't have to deal with the tampon issue anymore!! hahahahah
if i clean the bathroom with white vinegar, would that make the bathroom stink of the strong smell of vinegar ?
wow
Ever had trouble with mason jars cracking in the freezer? I do! I need a freezing solution, and would love to go plastic-free, but cracked mason jars is NOT zero waste–my city says not to put broken glass in recycling (safety reasons), to say nothing of the food and energy waste!
Why don't you wash instead of wiping. That solves the toilet paper issue, seriously no trash.