Earth Day 2020 has once again come and gone, but today I wanted to write a post sharing some of my favourite zero waste and low waste swaps. I love Earth Day because it brings awareness to two things that I love dearly, the natural beauty of our planet and the importance to maintain it. As the saying goes, "there is no Planet B." That is why I believe that Earth Day is everyday. There are so many things that we can do to work toward lessening our impact on this planet, but today I wanted to stick with something simple by sharing my favourite low waste and zero waste swaps. Most of these swaps are easy to make and rather inexpensive (you might even save some money in the long run). Everything has been linked via Amazon, though I encourage you to browse online, do your research, and make informed choices about products that will work best for your lifestyle.
I want to preface this by saying that I don't believe in attaining perfection when it comes to these things. Some of these products DO come with external packaging and if you are ordering online you may end up with even more additional packaging. I highly recommend looking into Amazon's 'Frustration-Free' Packaging. Products ship with less unnecessary packaging and the box is 100% recyclable.
I am not striving for absolute perfection, I am looking to make changes that are possible for me to maintain long-term. A perfectly practiced zero waste lifestyle may not be attainable for some, and that is okay. The small steps matter.
So, let's begin with something easy!
Water Bottles
Whether you drink your water filtered, or from the tap - you should always carry a reusable water bottle! Single use plastic water bottles are unnecessary and can be easily avoided and replaced with a sustainable solution. Plus, you will likely save money in the long-run, as purchasing plastic bottles adds up substantially over time. Water bottles come in a wide range of styles and prices; from the extremely inexpensive, to their more pricey counterparts. They can be double walled, steel, or collapsible. There are so many different styles to choose from! I suggest picking a bottle that works best for your lifestyle. I personally prefer insulated bottles, as I find my cold liquids stay cooler for much longer. The first time I used a S'well bottle, I was amazed that there was still completely formed and frozen ice left in it after hours in the hot Bali sun. Here are a few of my personal favourites.
Travel Mugs
Whether you brew your own or prefer the drive-thru, travel mugs are an essential for the tea or coffee drinker. Many coffee places, such as Starbucks, allow customers to bring their own re-usable mug and in return provide a small discount ($ 0.10) - please note, this service is currently unavailable due to the current COVID situation. Like water bottles, mugs come in various shapes and sizes. Here are a couple of my favourite travel mugs.
I really really love my Contigo AUTOSEAL, I have never had an issue with this mug leaking. You can literally turn this mug upside down and not see any spillage! Plus, you can lock it so that accidental pressure on the release does not occur. This mug is relatively inexpensive and I can't recommend it enough. The only downside is that, for me, it is slightly on the smaller side. I drink a lot of coffee and I typically like a larger container. If the mug is well insulated, I can make a large mug of coffee last a good few hours at work. This is where the YETI Rambler comes in. YETI's come in various shapes and sizes, and you can even get attachments to add a handle. Unfortunately the selection is slim on Amazon, but you can find these mugs in many sports and recreation stores.
Reusable Straws
If you don't have these in 2020, you're missing out! With the push to "save the turtles," you probably know a little bit about these by now. There are many different types of reusable straws on the market. Straws are another easy swap to make, and they are certainly on the cheaper end of the zero waste swaps that you can make. Reusable straws can even be found at your local dollar store. They are sold in various styles and material types; straight, curved, bamboo, plastic, silicone, and stainless steel. I prefer stainless steel for beverages, and silicone for smoothies as they are wider (making thicker drinks easier to consume) and they do not become uncomfortably cold to the touch. Additionally, I have a collapsible stainless steel straw in my bag just in case I need one on the go. Again, I'd advise you to think about which style suits your lifestyle best! Here are a couple of my personal favourites.
Reusable Utensils
Reusable utensils are great to have on the go; you can slip them in your bag for times where you might be picking up from a restaurant, ordering take out to work, or eating in a food court. Additionally, they are far more convenient than metal utensils to transport to and from work or school (for those of you who pack a lunch). There are an array of styles that include various utensils, utensils made from different materials, and different cases to store them in. Here are a couple of options that are available on Amazon.
Reusable utensils are great to have on the go; you can slip them in your bag for times where you might be picking up from a restaurant, ordering take out to work, or eating in a food court. Additionally, they are far more convenient than metal utensils to transport to and from work or school (for those of you who pack a lunch). There are an array of styles that include various utensils, utensils made from different materials, and different cases to store them in. Here are a couple of options that are available on Amazon.
Silicone Bags or Reusable Plastic Bags
If you're someone who uses Ziploc bags to transport your snacks or sandwiches to and fro; I highly recommend investing in reusable sealing snack bags. There are a variety of styles and sizes available, and they tend to vary in price. Simple reusable snack bags will soon begin to save you money as they are much more long-lasting than a Ziploc bag and can be easily rinsed and washed for reuse. I also enjoy my Stasher silicone bag as it can be used in the microwave, the oven, and on the stove for sous vide cooking. This means that I can transport it to work and cook or heat my food there, without ever having to take it out of the bag. You can also use this bag to store things when travelling, or to store things at home; such as make-up and other hygiene products.
If you're someone who uses Ziploc bags to transport your snacks or sandwiches to and fro; I highly recommend investing in reusable sealing snack bags. There are a variety of styles and sizes available, and they tend to vary in price. Simple reusable snack bags will soon begin to save you money as they are much more long-lasting than a Ziploc bag and can be easily rinsed and washed for reuse. I also enjoy my Stasher silicone bag as it can be used in the microwave, the oven, and on the stove for sous vide cooking. This means that I can transport it to work and cook or heat my food there, without ever having to take it out of the bag. You can also use this bag to store things when travelling, or to store things at home; such as make-up and other hygiene products.
Beeswax Wrap and Silicone Covers
Beeswax wraps are great for covering food to be temporarily stored in the fridge; whether you're covering a bowl of leftovers, wrapping up cheese, or wrapping up that half of an avocado you want to save for later. This makes them an excellent replacement for saran wrap/cling film. You can also use beeswax wraps to transport food, such as sandwiches, making them another pretty good alternative for Ziploc bags. Admittedly, they don't provide much protection, so I prefer to use a reusable container of some type to protect my food from getting squashed in my bag. Here are a couple of popular beeswax wrap options that can be found on Amazon.
Beeswax wraps are great for covering food to be temporarily stored in the fridge; whether you're covering a bowl of leftovers, wrapping up cheese, or wrapping up that half of an avocado you want to save for later. This makes them an excellent replacement for saran wrap/cling film. You can also use beeswax wraps to transport food, such as sandwiches, making them another pretty good alternative for Ziploc bags. Admittedly, they don't provide much protection, so I prefer to use a reusable container of some type to protect my food from getting squashed in my bag. Here are a couple of popular beeswax wrap options that can be found on Amazon.
Reusable Food Containers
The holy grail - you likely have these in your home already! You know the kind I'm talking about, the ones that mysteriously go missing (like socks in a dryer), leaving you with various orphaned lids that you can't bring yourself to dispose of. There are so many different types of food containers out there of all shapes, sizes, and materials; glass, plastic, silicone, steel, bamboo, round, stacked, square, collapsible. If you can think it, it probably already exists. I like stackable containers, plastic containers, and glass containers. Stackable containers are great for an all encompassing food container as you can separate food into different compartments. This is especially useful when you are packing a salad - a salad container allows you to separate the dressing and may even include utensils. Glass containers are fantastic for microwavable meals; though the downside is that they can be pretty heavy in your bag. Alternatively, some takeout containers are safe to reuse (please ensure they are microwave safe if you are going to heat your food in them). Obviously, a great option is to reuse what you already have, and this is certainly possible with many plastic takeout containers. Here are some different styles of food storage containers that can be found online (once again, think about what works best for your lifestyle!)
Reusable Bags for Groceries and Produce
Reusable grocery bags have become rather commonplace. Many cities and countries in the western world either charge for plastic bags, or have outright banned them all-together. Reusable grocery bags can usually be purchased when buying groceries at your local grocer. Sometimes they are included in a purchase (think Saje or Lulu Lemon - aka the infamous Lulu lunch bag). They come in all shapes, sizes, and fabrics. You may opt for an insulated bag to keep your cold and frozen items safe, or a structured box style for easy packing. Again, this is an easy transition to make - it's just a matter of remembering to put them back into your car when you've unpacked them! Here are some different styles that can be found on Amazon.
Produce bags are less common, though equally as useful. Most of us prefer to put our produce in a bag when purchasing and storing at home to reduce the surface contact it receives. Plastic produce bags at the grocery store are flimsy and highly likely to be a single use item, which can be rather problematic for the landfills and bodies of water that they end up in. An easy solution is to purchase a small amount of reusable produce bags. Again, they come in many sizes and materials. Here are some options that can be found on Amazon.
Reusing Glass Jars and Buying Bulk
Produce bags are less common, though equally as useful. Most of us prefer to put our produce in a bag when purchasing and storing at home to reduce the surface contact it receives. Plastic produce bags at the grocery store are flimsy and highly likely to be a single use item, which can be rather problematic for the landfills and bodies of water that they end up in. An easy solution is to purchase a small amount of reusable produce bags. Again, they come in many sizes and materials. Here are some options that can be found on Amazon.
Reusing Glass Jars and Buying Bulk
An easy change that you can make without spending any extra cash is to save your glass jars (jam, pasta sauce, pickles) and use them for further storage or bulk ingredient purchases. Here in Canada, we are very lucky to have Bulk Barn! Bulk Barn is an an amazing bulk bin store. Bulk bins can also be found in many grocery stores, though here you will need to know the weight of the jar prior to filling it. I recommend weighing the jar first, writing the weight on the lid, and then filling and weighing it again. I love Bulk Barn because they have an incredible reusable container program. You actually receive a discount when bringing your own (clean) reusable containers from home! (Please note, this program is currently unavailable due to the current COVID situation). Bulk Barn carries everything from baking supplies, candy, spices, and pasta, to epsom salts, dog food, and coconut oil. All 100% package free. Amazing.
Shampoo, Conditioner, and Shaving Cream
The majority of people who regularly purchase shampoo and conditioner will purchase single use, disposable plastic bottles. Along with other hygiene products, such as shaving cream, these items contribute significantly to our plastic waste. A simple solution is to switch to solid shampoo and conditioner bars. While they can be a bit of an adjustment, solid shampoo and conditioner is great for travelling, made from natural ingredients, and much better for our waterways and environment. They come in various scents and different products can be purchased for different hair types; so if you have dry hair, dandruff, or curls, you can still buy for your hair type. Shaving cream can also be purchased in solid shaving bars. You've likely seen these products at your local LUSH store. There are many online retailers as well. Here are a few that can be found on Amazon.
Bar Soap and Face Cleansers
Bar soap is an incredibly easy swap to make as it is available nearly everywhere. Large, popular brands like Dove make body wash and facial cleanser in solid bar form and these can easily be purchased at your local drug store or Wal-Mart at an affordable price. You may also prefer to buy local, as many products can be purchased at local farmers markets by small businesses. Like shampoo and conditioner, these soaps may have various formulas for different skin types. Here are a few options.
Menstrual Cup and Underwear
Okay okay okay, hear me out. I know this is not for everyone - but switching to a menstrual alternative will save you a significant amount of money and is worth the learning curve. Plus, tampons and pads are notoriously terrible for the environment and the waterways (please, for the love of god, do not flush your menstrual products). Alternative for tampons? Menstrual cup. Alternative for pads? Period underwear. I'm not going to tell you what will work best for your lifestyle, but I will tell you that if you are willing to try something new, I cannot recommend the switch enough.
These are a few of the changes that I have made personally, and I would like to continue to work toward lessening my impact on our environment. That is why there are a few more changes I would like to make this year.
Firstly, I would like to transition to a bamboo toothbrush. I currently have an electric toothbrush, as well as a regular plastic toothbrush I use for travel. Part of reducing my waste means not throwing things out unnecessarily to replace them. Until my toothbrush has truly reached the end of its life cycle, I won't be replacing it. But when the time comes I will definitely be switching over to a bamboo toothbrush! Bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable. Along with this, I would like to try a tooth powder in place of regular toothpaste. While travelling and backpacking through Thailand and Bali, I used the Toothy Tabs from LUSH. Oh my lord, I hated them. I'm hoping to try some different brands and crossing my fingers that something will stick. Recommendations are appreciated!
Additionally, this year I am aiming to use less disposable makeup wipes. Switching to reusable makeup pads and/or face cloths with a natural makeup remover is a pretty simple and seamless swap!
And lastly, I would like to swap out my plastic razor for a good quality, long lasting metal razor and blades. I, like many others, am notorious for buying a new razor rather than buying the blades. Why? First of all, plastic razors often break when left in the shower for long periods of time. Whether the water has worn it down over time, or you accidentally dropped it - they are flimsy and likely to break. Second, the dreaded 'pink tax.' Women's products are often overpriced compared to their men's counterparts. Blade refills often cost more than the price of the razor itself. I haven't replaced my razor yet because...well...it was winter and I haven't used it much haha. Needless to say, I still have a few blade replacements to use up before swapping out my plastic razor.
Changes You Can Make!
When purchasing products, ask yourself if the packaging is excessive or necessary. Try to purchase items that will reduce your waste. For example, when given the option to buy produce individually or produce wrapped in plastic, in a plastic clamshell container, or in a plastic bag - simply choose the option without unnecessary packaging. When we begin these habits, we tell producers that we prefer the sustainable option. Another option is to buy from places with a recyclable/returnable container program. For example, stores such as Lush, Mac, and Khiels offer free products when you save up a certain number of containers from items purchased in store and return them to the store. They are then able to recycle the packaging. Farmers Markets are another excellent place to shop as you are able to support local, and produce and products often come without excessive packaging.
Another great option is to check if your city has a refill store. I am aware of at least four of these stores here in Calgary:
- Canary Refillery and Zero Waste Market
- Refillery at the Apothecary Inglewood
- DYP Refillery
- Without Co.
If you're not into solid bar soap, shampoo, and conditioner - you can purchase liquids here. Make sure you bring your reusable jars! Other products include dish soaps and laundry detergents.
There is so much more that could be said (or written) on the topic of zero waste and low waste swaps, but I will save that for another day. I hope that this post was helpful to you in some way, and that it encouraged you to look into alternatives. As always, do your research and reflect on what you can take away from this.
Remember - Earth Day is Everyday.
We have one planet.
Until next time,
- Courtney
Another great option is to check if your city has a refill store. I am aware of at least four of these stores here in Calgary:
- Canary Refillery and Zero Waste Market
- Refillery at the Apothecary Inglewood
- DYP Refillery
- Without Co.
If you're not into solid bar soap, shampoo, and conditioner - you can purchase liquids here. Make sure you bring your reusable jars! Other products include dish soaps and laundry detergents.
There is so much more that could be said (or written) on the topic of zero waste and low waste swaps, but I will save that for another day. I hope that this post was helpful to you in some way, and that it encouraged you to look into alternatives. As always, do your research and reflect on what you can take away from this.
Remember - Earth Day is Everyday.
We have one planet.
Until next time,
- Courtney
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* Please note that Amazon prices are subject to change based on supplier and availability, at the time of writing, items are in stock and reasonably priced. You may find similar items for a better price by searching keywords. *
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