We all know that going zero waste can seem like a daunting task. There are so many things to consider and it can be hard to know where to start.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help!
Ditch the Disposables
Have you ever thought about how much waste your family produces on a daily basis?
The average US family produces over 4 pounds of waste per day!
But what if I told you that there’s a way to reduce the amount of waste your family produces, and it’s actually pretty easy?
I’m talking about ditch the disposables and making some Zero waste swaps!
15 Easy Zero Waste Swaps Your Family Can Try Today
There is no better time than now to make some zero waste swaps in your daily routine. Here is an easy list of zero-waste steps you can do today.
- Ditch disposables for reusable menstrual products like menstrual cups, reusable pads, or even period pants.
- Bring your own shopping bags to the store or your local farmers market. A reusable bag will cut down so much plastic waste.
- Invest in a reusable water bottle or coffee mug. A reusable travel mug when you visit a coffee shop may also save money as many coffee shops offer a discount.
- Bring your own container for take-out food, or to a zero-waste store for refills. Zero-waste bulk stores are becoming more common for food and other household essentials.
- Make your own cleaning supplies. If you are not up to that you can use concentrated tabs in a reusable bottle.
- Compost your food scraps, food waste is one of the biggest wastes families produce. Planning meals will not only save you money but also reduce waste. Glass containers are also great to keep excess food in.
- Use a traditional plastic-free safety razor instead of a disposable razor.
- Make your own DIY personal care products. This can be anything from reusable facial pads to reusable toilet paper (yep, we said reusable toilet paper!).
- Repair instead of replacing. Our throw-away consumer society is responsible for much of the waste today.
- Buy food without plastic packaging. The easiest zero-waste lifestyle choice you can make is to just consume products with less packaging. Food packaging waste is a huge cause and nowadays, there are generally lots of zero-waste alternatives.
- Use a solid shampoo bar, solid conditioner, or solid soap instead of liquid soap in a plastic bottle.
- Bring your own reusable straws when you go out if you like using straws. Plastic straws have been banned in many places, and rightly so.
- Swap out those plastic brushes for ones made from natural materials. Buying quality utensil and brushes instead of plastic brushes and plastic utensils might be more expensive initally, but not only are these products compostable, they will probably last a long longer as well.
- Use a handkerchief instead of tissues is another great zero waste alternative.
- Swap out the plastic toothbrushes for a bamboo toothbrush, and even swapping toothpaste in plastic toothpaste tubes for toothpaste tablets is another very easy zero waste swap.
Go Reusable
We all know the feeling of wanting to do something good for the environment, but not knowing where to start. You’re not alone.
Going “zero waste” can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some easy zero waste swaps you can make in your everyday life that will help you cut down on waste and live a more sustainable life.
1. Reusable Water Bottle.
Swap out your disposable water bottle for a reusable one! This is an easy switch to make, and it’s better for the environment and your wallet.
You can find reusable water bottles in a variety of materials, such as glass, stainless steel, and even bamboo.
2. Reusable Coffee Mug.
If you’re a coffee lover, invest in a reusable coffee mug. This will help you cut down on waste from disposable coffee cups, and you can even get a discount at some coffee shops if you bring your own mug.
3. Reusable Shopping Bags.
Say goodbye to plastic bags and invest in some reusable shopping bags. You can find reusable bags made from a variety of materials, such as canvas, cotton, and even recycled plastic bottles.
If you often buy fresh produce, invest in some reusable produce bags. These bags are usually made from cotton or other sustainable materials, and they’re a great way to reduce waste from disposable plastic produce bags.
5. Compostable Garbage Bags.
If you have a compost bin, use compostable garbage bags to line it. This will help you reduce your waste and create nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Making small changes in your everyday life can add up to a big difference for the environment.
Key Takeaway: Small changes in your everyday life, like using reusable water bottles and shopping bags, can help reduce waste and live a more sustainable life.
Skip the Packaging
We’ve all been there. You’re at the store, you’ve found the perfect item, and you’re about to check out when you notice the packaging.
It’s too much, it’s unnecessary, and it’s just going to end up in the trash. But you really want the item, so you rationalize it and tell yourself you’ll recycle the packaging.
We’re here to tell you that there’s a better way. With a few simple zero waste swaps, you can avoid excess packaging altogether.
The next time you’re at the store, try these swaps to skip the packaging:
Bring your own bags:
This one is a no brainer. BYOB (bring your own bag) to the store, and you’ll never have to worry about those pesky plastic bags again.
If you forget your bags, see if the store has paper bags available.
Buy in bulk:
Buying in bulk is a great way to reduce packaging. Many items, like grains, nuts, and spices, can be bought in bulk and transferred to your own containers.
This also often saves you money in the long run!
Choose the loose option:
When given the choice between packaged and unpackaged items, go for the unpackaged option every time. For example, buy a whole head of lettuce instead of a pre-packaged salad mix.
Make your own:
There are many items that you can easily make at home with little to no packaging. Things like granola, salad dressing, and even some cleaning products can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
These are just a few ways to reduce packaging in your life. With a little effort, you can easily avoid excess packaging and live a more sustainable life.
Key Takeaway: You can avoid excess packaging by making simple zero waste swaps like bringing your own bags, buying in bulk, and choosing the loose option.
Key Takeaway: Making small changes in your kitchen can have a big impact on reducing food waste.
Say No to Single-Use
When it comes to reducing waste, we often think of making huge lifestyle changes. But small tweaks to our everyday routine can make a big impact too.
Here are some easy “zero waste swaps” to help cut down on single-use items:
- Bring your own reusable bags to the store.
- Invest in a reusable water bottle or coffee mug.
- Say no to straws
- Bring your own Tupperware for leftovers
- Skip the disposable napkins and paper towels.
- Use reusable menstrual products
- Compost your food scraps
- Avoid packaging by buying in bulk
- Shop at farmers markets and local businesses.
- Make your own cleaning supplies
FAQs in Relation to Zero Waste Swaps
What are zero waste swaps?
Zero waste swaps are alternatives to products or practices that generate a lot of waste.
What are sustainable swaps?
Sustainable swaps are alternatives to products or practices that are more environmentally friendly and have a smaller ecological footprint.
How Long Do Beeswax Wraps Last?
Are Wax Wraps Hygienic?
Should You Buy a Lunch Bag or a Lunch Box?
How do you do a sustainable swap?
A sustainable swap is an exchange of goods or services between two parties in which both parties benefit and neither party is harmed.
What are the main ideas of zero waste?
The main ideas of zero waste are to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
What Are Ecofriendly Home Products?
Today, there is a growing trend towards environmentalism in society. People are becoming more aware of the negative effects of industrialization and practices that contribute to greenhouse gases.
In addition, more people are beginning to understand the importance of living sustainably and minimizing our dependence on plastic based products by switching to ecofriendly home products.
Ecofriendly home products are also referred to as green products or natural products. These products are made from biodegradable and sustainable materials. If a product is ecofriendly, it means that it is friendly to the environment and earth in general.
Having them around your house will not only make your home look nicer, but will help you save money and conserve valuable resources like water and energy.
These products are beneficial to the environment and our overall health. We can all save money by making smarter choices when purchasing everyday items. These products are perfect for those who want to start living a greener lifestyle.
Plastic Problem
As plastics became more affordable, we have been reliant on them with our everyday items that some of us may not even be able to imagine living without plastic. And for years now, plastic wastes have become a huge problem.
They are piling up in our landfills and cluttered in our oceans. The accumulating plastic will not only mess up the natural order of things, but may one day kill an incalculable amount of marine species.
Everyday people and companies use more plastic than ever before. Whether it’s the daily use of plastic water bottles or non-biodegradable plastic bags.
From national plastic bans to banning single-use plastics to the recent media coverage that’s been attacking plastic straws and plastic water bottles, it’s clear: we need to address this issue. We can’t let this go on any longer. It is time for us to stand together against plastic wastes.
Sustainable Products
Most of the products we have at home are either entirely made from plastic or partially made from plastic and its derivatives. From home decorations to the paraffin candles we use to relax, these products may seem like little things but they have a huge impact on our environment.
Home decorations made from plastic will most likely end up in the landfill once they reach the end of their lifecycle or once they’re broken. Paraffin candles are made from chemicals that are considered dangerous and toxic to our health and the environment.
There’s a wide variety of home products that are made from sustainable materials like jute and wood. For example, home decorations like candle holders. Instead of buying a plastic one, you can buy one made out of wood. It complements nicely to your wooden table.
Additionally, instead of buying paraffin candles, you can buy soy based ones either scented or unscented depending on your personal preference.
Regardless of where you start, now is the perfect time to make changes to the products you buy for your home or the items you used on a daily basis. Ecofriendly home products are available, you just have to look.
Are Eco Home Products Worth It?
As more and more people become aware of the impacts of the products they use to our environment, most of them try to make a change to a greener lifestyle. And living sustainably usually starts by ditching the products that are harmful to our environment for their ecofriendly counterparts.
However, while it’s easier to make the switch to sustainable living than most people think, many people have not started doing so because they are under the impression that it would cost too much upfront financial investment to start living sustainably.
This is a general attitude and belief amongst people that organic, healthier and no toxic house cleaners are incredibly overpriced for what it is that they’re buying.
You can live a greener lifestyle even if you can’t afford most ecofriendly home products. Sure, some of these products are more expensive than their plastic counterparts. But that’s a small price to pay if we want to start living sustainably.
Lifestyle change doesn’t even have to be abrupt. You can gradually exchange the items you use at home for something more ecofriendly. For instance, you can invest in reusable water bottles and stop drinking from plastic water bottles.
Plastic water bottles are non-biodegradable and most of the time they end up in landfills or just left cluttered around. Additionally, drinking from plastic containers can be dangerous to our health because toxic chemicals from the plastic might leach into our water.
The upfront cost of a reusable water bottle is higher than buying plastic water bottles. However, since it is reusable, it means you don’t have to buy one for a very long time. This always leads to long term savings. Not only do you save money, you can also live healthier and save the environment.
Another good example is ditching plastic toothbrushes. There are many ecofriendly alternatives that cost the same or even cheaper.
Fortunately, ecofriendly home products are widely available and because of that they cost less today than they were a few years ago.
With rising pollution levels, it is important to know how to buy home products made from sustainable materials while making sure one gets more than their money’s worth. This means that it’s easy to find good deals on greener cleaning and household products if you know where to look.
There’s no doubt that going green is a great decision. It’s better for the environment, and it’s better for our health as well. Numerous homeowners have shifted to ecofriendly products in their homes because of the advantages they offer.
If you haven’t done so yet, now is the perfect time to start living sustainably. Ecofriendly home products are the rage these days, and this is great news for us at this time as the cost of such home products has gone down tremendously!
So in conclusion, yes eco-home products are totally worth it. You don’t have to buy the most expensive eco-friendly home products because there are a lot of products that are affordable and come in the same high quality as the expensive ones.
How Do You Choose Eco-Friendly Home Products
Eco-friendly home products are a great step everyone can take towards living a more sustainable life. Not only will you protect the environment, but you’ll save money and time in the process while improving your own quality of life.
As a plastic-free family, we always wanted to make sure that our home is as eco-friendly as possible.
Any household can be eco-friendly. With just a few changes, we can all work towards a more sustainable lifestyle even if it’s just in our own homes. Eco-friendly home products are any product that is as natural or derived from a natural resource as possible.
When you buy eco-friendly home products, you aren’t only helping the environment, but you also help support small businesses and to keep your family healthy and safe in their own home.
You can even share your love for the environment and all things sustainable through gift giving which help inspire your family members and friends to live more sustainably.
Green living is an important part of taking care of our planet. It isn’t as hard as most people might think to reduce your carbon footprint, and there are a lot of eco-friendly home products you can buy that do just that.
These products can help make you more environmentally friendly while improving the look of your home.
Many people are hesitant to start buying eco-friendly home products because they think they are paying premiums for these products. While this is true to some extent, the popularity of eco-home products made from sustainable materials has significantly reduced their prices.
Now everyone can start living sustainably within their financial means.
If you have a tight budget, you can swap plastic home items for their eco-friendly alternatives gradually. Knowing what eco-friendly home products to buy can maximize your contribution to saving our planet and will save you money.
The most common strategy and cost-effective way to start living a green lifestyle are through reusables. Anything disposable is always bad news and replacing them with reusables is a good way to start reducing your waste.
For instance, instead of drinking from plastic water bottles buy yourself and your family members reusable water bottles instead. They can keep hydrated while on the go and refill the bottle when empty.
Keep in mind that disposables are only bad if they are made from plastic and its derivative. If the product is disposable but is compostable, then it is something you might consider getting. However, stick to reusable as much as possible because reusing is always better than disposing of.
One of the determining factors if a product is eco-friendly or not is its material. Bamboo, a highly renewable and sustainable resource, is among the favorite materials of eco brands. It is used to make a wide range of eco-home products like storage baskets, decorations, toothbrushes and even straws.
While it’s easier and affordable to start living green nowadays, you should still be wary about products that are advertised as eco-friendly. Make your research before buying any eco-friendly product, and read product descriptions and online reviews.
Take Aways
1. Ditch the Disposables – Say Goodbye to Paper Towels, Napkins, and Disposable Plates and Cups.
Instead opt for reusable options like cloth towels, napkins, and dishes.
2. Go Reusable – Skip the Plastic Water Bottles and Coffee Cups and Invest in a Reusable Option Instead.
There are tons of great choices out there now so you can find one that fits your lifestyle perfectly!
3. Skip the Packaging – Start buying food items in bulk or from the bulk section at your local grocery store.
This way you can avoid all those pesky single-use packaging materials!
4. Reduce Food Waste – Plan out your meals ahead of time so you know exactly what you need to buy (and don’t end up with rotting produce in your fridge).
Composting any leftover scraps instead of throwing them away is another great way to reduce food waste.
5. Say No to Single Use – From Straws to Shopping Bags, Saying No to Single-Use Items is a Great Way to Reduce Waste.
If an item is only going to be used once, chances are there’s a more sustainable alternative.
Making small changes in your daily routine can have a big impact on the environment, and it’s never too early to start teaching your children about the importance of taking care of our planet.
Here at Baba Me, we offer services to help families with children go to zero waste. From tips on reducing food waste to advice on choosing eco-friendly products, we can help you make a difference.
