Your Zero Waste Starter Kit

Jul 11

Now, more than ever, we are becoming more aware of the effects our human footprints have on the planet.

Things that we do every single day and don’t think twice about have a huge impact on the earth. Luckily, in today’s world, many of us are waking up to this fact and are spreading information on how to live more sustainably.

You have probably heard of the term, “zero waste,” but maybe you’ve wondered what a zero waste lifestyle actually looks like. In reality, a zero waste lifestyle can look different from person to person. Those who are new to sustainable living compared with people who have adopted this mindset much earlier on will be at different stages, and that’s okay. Rather than producing absolutely no waste at all, the core idea is to minimize the amount you produce as much as you can, and to keep improving on that. It’s all about being creative and thinking outside of the box- or better yet- no box at all!

Here are some easy everyday swaps you can make today to start your zero waste journey!

Bamboo Toothbrush

Instead of using a plastic toothbrush, which will end up in a landfill or our oceans and beaches, leak toxins into the environment and take over 400 years to decompose, swap it out for a toothbrush made from bamboo! Bamboo is 100% biodegradable as well as antimicrobial. This means that not only is it safe for the environment, but it’s safe for our bodies! Bamboo contains antimicrobial agents which stop bacteria from growing. Now, that’s a clean brushing!

Mason Jars

Not only are mason jars adorable for decorating and storage: think vases for flowers, planters, pantry storage, a holder for toothbrushes or pens, places for odds and ends, and the list goes on... But, have you ever thought to bring mason jars with you to the grocery store? Eliminating the use of plastic is pretty much #1 when thinking zero waste as plastic pollution affects not only our earth but many of the animals living on it. So, when making your grocery run, use glass jars to buy in bulk. This not only swaps the use of plastic bags, but also skips many pre-packaged foods that you might buy off the shelf instead.

DIY Beauty Products

This swap certainly calls for the most creativity, but it’s honestly one of the most rewarding ones on this list! Making your own beauty products at home will save you money as well as eliminate a lot of plastic from your consumption. Did you know that 40% of all plastic that is produced is made for packaging? The packaging that goes into beauty products, while it can be beautiful, is also damaging to our planet. Thankfully though, many of the beauty products that we use on a daily basis can be swapped for easy to make, at home cosmetics. There are countless recipes you can find online for anything from moisturizers, hair masks, lip balms, sugar scrubs to even toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant! Another bonus with this one is that you will also know exactly what goes into the products that you are using on your body. Plus, it gives another use for your mason jars!

Reusable Bags

I for one have been impressed with the amount of people I’ve seen shopping with their reusable bags! While this swap is a bit of a no-brainer, it’s also one that can be easily forgotten. Make sure to keep your reusable bags somewhere in your home where you will see them on your way out the door. If you drive, keep your car equipped with a few. Even if you’re not making a shopping trip that day, you never know when you might need one for something, and this way, you have an earth-friendly alternative to their plastic counterpart. Did you know that the average American family takes home almost 1,500 plastic shopping bags each year? BYOB! Bring your own bags!

Secondhand Shopping

Second-hand shopping or “thrifting,” as the kids call it, has become quite popular over the past few years. The zero waste community is very happy about this! Shopping second hand not only helps fight against fast fashion demands, but it salvages otherwise land-fillable items. So, not only is shopping second-hand great for the environment, but making sure to donate any of your used clothing that you’re ready to part with is important too. The average American will throw away approximately 80 pounds of clothing each year! That’s a lot of clothing that somebody else could have made use of.

Naturally Cadie

Cadie is the creator and curator of Naturally Cadie on Instagram. There she shares zero waste, plant based and natural living lifestyle tips and tricks, as well as mindfulness techniques. Her goal is to be able to help those on their own journeys towards their truly healthiest and happiest lives!