Zero Waste Living
Photo by Laura Mitulla from Unsplash
Maintaining a conscious lifestyle can seem like a real challenge at first, but it’s all about finding little things that you can do to make a big difference. So far this month we’ve covered sustainable packaging and eco-friendly swaps that help you consume in a mindful way. This week, we’d like to share some zero waste products you can integrate into your conscious lifestyle! It’s important to be mindful of what you’re consuming and how it’s affecting the planet, so here are some common products that have zero waste alternatives.
1. Laundry Detergent
The chemicals in laundry detergents can be extremely dangerous for the environment, not to mention the plastic containers they are stored in! Most laundry detergents are full of phosphates, which are then washed into the ecosystem where they can wreak havoc on the plant and animal life. There are many zero waste options, but our favorite is Dropps laundry detergent. This laundry detergent is made with plant-based products and it’s free of phosphates. The product is also cruelty free and sustainably packaged.
Photo by Markus Spiske from Unsplash
2. Bulk Goods
It can be difficult to find foods at your local grocery store that use sustainable packaging. Buying bulk goods from a store in your area can help you save money, and better the planet. Many bulk goods stores allow you to bring your own container to fill with foods such as granola, rice, snacks, candy, and much more! You can find a bulk foods store near you here.
We recommend washing and reusing glass jars you have at home such as mason jars. Container stores in your area are also a great place to find containers you can use to store bulk foods!
3. Paper Towels
This product is probably one you use daily, but that can’t be recycled. Using a reusable towel or sponge instead of a paper towel is an easy way to begin your eco-friendly lifestyle! There are many zero waste products that can be used instead of paper towels. Some of our favorites are Swedish dishcloths, bamboo paper towels, and biodegradable paper towels.
The Three Bluebirds Reusable Swedish Dishcloths can be reused up to 200 times and come in a variety of styles including sunflower and cat patterns. Marley’s Monsters Organic Unpaper Towels are another great option, made from organic cotton. These products come packaged 100% sustainably too!
4. Makeup Remover
Makeup remover is an essential product for anyone that wears makeup, and wipes or cotton rounds are some of the most common types. However, these disposable products are thrown in the trash every time you use them. Reusable makeup rounds are an easy item that you can feel good about using -- and they work just as well as makeup wipes. They can also help you to save a ton of money.
Green Estate Reusable Makeup Remover Pads come with 14 pads and a mesh laundry bag to help you clean them. Green Estate also plants a tree with every order! Another great makeup removal product is the Snow Fox Skincare Reusable Bamboo Make Up Removal Pads. These bamboo pads save almost 9,000 gallons of water, and can be reused up to 500 times!
5. Food Storage Wrap
Did you know that National Geographic found that Americans buy enough plastic wrap each year to cover the entire state of Texas? This type of plastic film can be an easy way to store leftovers, but it releases lots of toxic chemicals into the environment when it’s thrown away. If you’re looking for a a zero waste alternative, try beeswax food wraps. These reusable cloths help preserve the earth -- and save you money.
Beeswax has been used throughout time to preserve food, and it’s a great way to cut down on your consumption of single-use plastics. The beeswax food wraps are made with jojoba oil, tree resin, and sustainable beeswax. Whether you are using the beeswax cloth to store items purchased at a farmers market or to cover a bowl of leftovers, it can leave a lasting positive impact on the environment. Lilybee Wrap is one of the beeswax food wraps that we love. These food storage wraps come in a variety of beautiful patterns and different multi-purpose sizes, and can be reused up to 365 times!
Now that we’ve shown you how easy it can be to kickstart your zero waste journey, we hope you check out these products and see if you can adopt them into your lifestyle! Check out our other blog posts for Earth month to learn more about easy, sustainable swaps.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. We hope to see you again next week to talk about upcycling!
