A Zero Waste Beginner

First I have to say, this is really not that hard! I was expecting to feel the way you do when you start a diet; tons of temptations, doubting if it will even work, and wanting to give up the minute it gets inconvenient or difficult. Instead, I felt empowered, aware, and refreshed. If anyone is maybe thinking about reducing their waste I ABSOLUTELY say go for it! Of course there is prep to be done and I found lots of cheap and easy ways to replace plastic in my life. With my prep this is what I found or purchased:

Silicon food bags (good for freezer, microwave, refrigerator, boiling water). To replace ziplock bags. $16 Amazon

Silicone baking sheets. To replace aluminum foil and parchment paper  $5 Meijer

Glass jars. Good for shopping in bulk, or to replace plastic packaging. Previously owned

Glass, stainless steel, or biodegradable paper straws. To replace plastic straws. 10 for $8 Amazon

Silicone menstral cup. To replace tampons and sanitary napkins. 2 for $9 Amazon

Cloth rags, or fabric sponges. To replace paper towel and disposable sponges. Previously owned

Bamboo toothbrushes. To replace plastic toothbrushes. 8 for $10 amazon

Reusable bamboo makeup remover pads. To replace makeup wipes. 16 for $8 Amazon

Stainless steel water bottle. To replace plastic water bottles. Previously owned

Mesh produce bags. To replace plastic produce bags. 12 for $17 Amazon

Reusable shopping bags: To replace plastic shopping bags. $1 at any store

All these “quick fixes” are sustainable, long lasting, and eco friendly. Since this is something I plan on continuing, I looked into products that were organic or would eventually be recyclable at the end of its lifecycle. 

What do you do with all the plastic you already have? 

This was my main question when I started this week. I wouldn’t be able to magically be plastic free if I already have all this plastic in my life. I found that the best thing to do, is use what you have so you’re not wasting. Then you can try to repurpose, or recycle your plastic. I buy balsamic glaze for my vegetables (go try it, it’s life changing) and it comes in a small plastic squirt bottle. If I can’t recycle it when I am done I have already decided to clean it and repurpose it as a dispenser for a DIY stain remover I plan to make. 

Do It Yourself Zero Waste

I decided to get a head start on creating my own products and recipes. I googled several recipes, watched videos, and experiemented with my own combinations to make toothpaste, makeup remover, and deodorant. I put my makeup remover and toothpaste into mason jars and put my deodorant into an old, cleaned out deodorant container so I didn’t have to throw anything away.  Despite what you might think, DIY toothpaste is not the worst thing in the world and it still leaves my teeth feeling clean and smooth. What I love so much already about DIY products is that I know every single thing I am putting onto my body, which gives me confidence and excitement. 

Gold Stars and Pitfalls

When I was researching and purchasing I found a lot of products that were sold in biodegradable packaging! So if you HAVE to buy, find products that aren’t packaged in plastic. Bamboo toothbrushes, reusable produce bags, and makeup remover pads, all came in biodegradable packaging. 

When I did my first zero waste shopping trip I felt great about the products I was putting into my reusable bags. Then at checkout when I felt I had done everything right, the machine spit out more than 15 COUPONS that everyone knows are pointless anyway! So that was a bit of a bummer. 

I was able to really start to notice what I used that I really didn’t need to. From these observations I am able to minimize what I keep in my home. 

I am someone who likes to be prepared and always have a backup. I have so many plastic containers of body washes, face scrubs, and other toiletries. I could either use these and recycle the container, then think more eco friendly the next time I shop, or donate the unopened products in hopes someone who needs them can have them. Still though, I have produced that waste by purchasing the products and I have to be aware of that. 

I went out to eat this week and when the waiter came to the table he put down a cocktail napkin immediately. I told him right away I didn’t need the napkin and he took it back and was able to reuse it for someone else. Yes the napkin is still going to be used but in this scenario, I won’t be the one to use it. We’re saving the world one napkin at a time. 

Classes in the new semester started this week and I got a ton of papers I couldn’t decline because either there wasn’t an electronic version, or the professor had printed just the amount for the class and I didn’t want to waste. This may be the thing about being zero waste in college. 

Food waste is a HUGE category of waste. Though it’s the middle of winter and my apartment doesn’t even have recycling, I have started a small tupperware of compost that I’m keeping in my freezer until I can figure out what to do with it. So far it contains the peelings of my sweet potatoe.

This week has felt really good. I did produce waste, but not nearly as much as I normally would have before this journey. A lot of the waste I produced was with plastic or packaging I had already purchased and couldn’t avoid. However, this will continue to decline as I am not replacing all my plastic with new plastic. I have experimented with making my own products which is not only exciting, but extremely cheap in the long run. This is not just a lifestyle that is ascetically pleasing; it’s creating a more sustainable future.