Zero waste essentials

Hey guys,

I think that it is a bit obvious that I do care about the environment and I hope that I have expressed that I am thoughtful when it comes to what I purchase. Normally, I try to avoid buying items that I can not use often or items that will be thrown out in a few weeks or months. I also try to avoid plastic items and single-use products.

This may seem difficult or unnecessary to some of you. I get that some may not care and it may even seem inconvenient to think a little more about a product rather than just grabbing the most available item. I can only say why I do this and hopefully encourage you all to see it how I look at it.

Why I try to be “zero waste”/ chemical-free

Firstly, the environment is our home. We live, breathe, eat the environment. Therefore, I think it is smart for us to try and take better care of it. Plastic is killing a lot of animals and destroying their habitats, but it is also destroying the land. It is not a natural substance, and therefore it does not belong on the ground or in the sea. The chemicals can be harmful to us whether we consume it or touch it.

Secondly, I think that we have become so untouched with everything that we do not have the consideration or appreciation we should have for the convenience of our time and the products we use. A lot of us have our favorite food and clothing right at our fingertips. We do not even have to blink an eyelash to get a burger and fries when we are hungry. I know that this is a fantastic luxury… I use these things too. I am just trying to say we should all be very grateful for the ease that we are granted now.

Thirdly, I believe that God gave us this earth so we can have everything that we need. Therefore, we should honor the earth and everything in it so we can show God that we honor Him and thank Him for what He has given us. This means we should take care of the people, the animals, and the environment so that everyone and everything is happy and healthy.

Okay! I think that is enough rambling…. I hope I made some points to you guys.

Let’s get into my zero-waste essentials!

Disclosure: This page contains affiliated links which means: that to no added expense to you, I would receive a commission if you click and purchase the item linked. 

Bathroom essentials

Bamboo toothbrushes

Instead of using plastic toothbrushes that will end up in the landfill after three months, I opt for these bamboo toothbrushes. These brushes are almost completely compostable because of the bamboo (the bristles are plastic). Bamboo is an eco-friendly choice because it grows faster than other trees and does not take much electricity or human resources to produce. Once I am finished with my toothbrushes, I compost them. You can also use them as garden labelers. (You should take out the plastic bristles before composting.)

Safety razor and blades

Some of us like to shave. Shaving means we need to buy razors that have a new blade everytime we grab one. This means we are throwing away 100s of disposable (plastic) razors a year on a personal scale. However, this safety razor helps the problem. They are made from stainless steel, which means they can last for years and the razor blades are made out of metal also (recyclable). Therefore, this whole razor is entirely eco-friendly.

Bidet

I use a bidet rather than toilet tissue to clean myself after using the bathroom. A bidet is a water jet that washes away waste from your under bits. It is much more eco-friendly than toilet tissue since toilet tissue cuts down trees and uses a lot of water to manufacture it. Using a bidet helps your pocket because you don’t have to buy tissue every week. Use this to clean yourself after using the restroom then dry with cloth toilet paper. You can buy some wash clothes or do what I do and make your own. Wash the cloths like all other towels in the washing machine.

Ear cleaner

These metal ear wax removers work just like cotton swabs. I do not like sticking things in my ears, but my husband likes to use them. He would use three cotton swabs a day sometimes. That may seem like no big deal, but when you realize how much waste you’re producing for such a simple task, it becomes ridiculous. So I bought these tools that would help him with his itchy ears and save us some money and the environment.

Menstrual cup

A menstrual cup has been a life saver for me! It is just like a tampon but so much better. Instead of throwing away a tampon every time it’s used, you can wash the menstrual cup and use it over and over again. I do not have to go to the pharmacy every month now for my feminine products since I switched to these eco-friendly products! Also, its healthier for us because the cup doesn’t have bleach or other chemicals in it like single-use feminine products.

Cloth pads/ panty liners

Okay, so I know some of us do not like using tampons/menstrual cups…but guess what? There’s an option for everyone! Either you can buy cloth pads/liners or make your own. I bought some liners from Etsy, but I’m planning on making some more for myself. As soon as I get a sewing machine 😉 Cloth pads work just as well as regular single-use pads (meaning no leaks). After using them, wash them with your detergent like normal and reuse them over and over again.

Kitchen

Grocery/ shopping bags

Did you ever stop and think of how many plastic grocery bags you get every time you go to the food store. Well, it’s a ridiculous amount! That does not even count the ones they double up for heavier items. Well, I realized this and decided that I would start taking my own bags. Most food stores sell reusable grocery bags, but I carry the bags I have collected over time from home. Whatever bags you guys decide to take, its best to make sure they are sturdy enough for canned food and are washable.

Produce bags

I am baffled at how much plastic we have decided to use in our lives. It’s crazy that after all the plastic bags we use to carry our grocery to the car we still use smaller bags to put produce in. Instead of carrying items loosely, I bought these reusable produce bags which work great. Now my grocery store trips are almost entirely eco-friendly.

Reusable food storage bags

Like I said its ridiculous how much plastic we use for everyday things, we even get plastic bags to put food in to store in the fridge or pantry. Instead of using regular Ziploc bags, these reusable food storage bags get the job done without hurting the environment. You can wash them and reuse them instead of throwing away the Ziploc bags after one use.

Reusable sandwich bags

Just like the food storage bags, these reusable sandwich bags are great for sending lunches or storing snacks. However, they do not keep air or water out so the food storage bags may work better for some of you guys’ needs.

Stainless steel straws

Straws are single-use products that are unnecessary items to use. Drinking straight from a cup is not that hard of a job, but I know some people prefer using them anyway. Instead of getting a new straw every time you buy a fast food soda or get a drink from out, you can use these stainless steel straws. They come with a straw cleaner, so you do not have to worry about them getting dirty and they never rust. Just remember to take them with you when going out!

Hydroflask

I opted for a metal water bottle rather than a plastic one. This hydro flask is durable and large enough for me to carry water around when running errands. So no more plastic water bottles for me and hopefully for you!

Miscellaneous

Rocketbook

I mentioned this book a few times on the blog. A few months ago I realized that I use a lot of paper and notebooks to write down notes, so I started looking for maybe a tablet that can be used as a notebook. Well, what I found was pretty cool but totally out of my budget. I mean a tablet wasn’t that necessary right. Anyway, with some more research, I found this book that you can write in with FriXion pens and erase with a damp cloth. You can also scan the notes on your computer. This book has helped me to declutter my bookshelf and save money on notebooks. (The FriXion pens can erase ink on ordinary paper also).

Reusable batteries

Have you ever noticed that batteries are a necessity in our lives whether we like it or not? Our tv remotes use them; some toys use them along with other little gadgets that we use on a daily basis. Well, I got some reusable batteries to use for all of those gadgets and they are amazing. No more unnecessary battery purchases and no more uncertainty of how to dispose of them properly. Great!

Check out my simple and waste-free laundry routine to see what I use for laundry day!

Tips

• Opt for metal, glass and bamboo/wood over plastic. They are natural material and can be recycled.

• Try to avoid mainstream products that use harmful chemicals. Look for organic and natural ingredients on product labels.

• Avoid products that have additional amounts of plastic packaging. Go for loose fruits and veggies instead of packaged sets.

• When plastic is necessary, try to look for products that say recycled plastic or recyclable plastic and follow through with recycling them.

• Instead of buying fast fashion look for thrift store purchases, fair trade clothing or research for well-known name brand companies that try to be eco-friendly and ethical. (Levi’s has a good rating from what I’ve researched along with some other brands that I’ll mention in another post.)

• Reuse or repurpose old clothing and fabric. Do not throw clothing away that is worn, use them to wear around the house or clean with them. You can make napkins etc. with them.

• Try to repurpose old or used furniture. I’ve fixed up furniture that others were throwing away, and I do not have any skills or creativity for it. Meaning: it’s not that hard!

• Also instead of buying new furniture when necessary, try to build it! With the help of my dad and husband, I’ve made my bed, nightstands, desks and dining table so far. I’ve saved so much money to furnish my house, and the best part is I know what my furniture is made from and how durable they are! I’ll be making more things soon…

• Try to plant your food rather than buy everything. My dream is to own a little homestead, just in my backyard that has the fruits and veggies I eat. My dad had a garden full of all sorts of stuff. Tomatoes, cabbages, avocado, mango, dilly, bananas, and a lot more. Unfortunately, we got a terrible hurricane a few years ago, and it wiped almost everything out. Luckily the avocado tree bore some tasty ones this year.

• Try to avoid meat consumption as much as possible. I have been transitioning into a fully plant-based diet for some time now because it’s proven to be healthier for our bodies and the environment!

• Finally, ADOPT your furry friends instead of buying. I got Binki from my aunt who had a “mishap” with her dog and my cousin’s dog. No one even wanted my sweet girl, but I got her, and I think it’s because she was supposed to be my best friend. So many animals need a home already, there is no need to breed more.

Final thoughts

This is not a full list of everything that I use, just the essentials. My zero waste collection is growing every day. However, it is quite hard to be ultimately “zero waste” so I’m striving to do the best that I can.

Living on an island presents its problems, and a lot of things has to be shipped in, which I feel is counterproductive. I try to order stuff in large pallets and without excess shipping. If this is not possible, I try to live without it. This obstacle has helped me to be a little bit more creative though!

I hope you guys can share this value with me and we can all help each other to be better stewards of this beautiful earth we call home.

If you guys have any more tips or products that are eco-friendly, please share them in the comments below.

Until next time,

yasmin rose xoxo