There are so many uses for this sourced-from-the-tropics ingredient as a beauty aid, household cleaner, lubricant, cooking oil, and antibacterial agent.
Even though it’s had its coming-of-age in recent years, the history books (and the Interwebs) tell me that it has been widely used by cultures around the planet for thousands of years and adopted for its benefits: It’s known to burn fat, fight bacteria, remove makeup, and more. Though I could go on and on about its many uses, let’s talk about hair and the ways coconut oil can help. I feel that I’m a pseudo expert in this category, thanks to my Filippino heritage.
Here’s the proof:
Me, age 3 ½, sitting on coconuts in the Philippines
I’ve done my fair share of research and testing with my hair and coconut oil. Here’s what I discovered over the years.
🥥 It nourishes your scalp with vitamins and fatty acids.
🥥 It penetrates the cuticle of your hair.
🥥 It controls frizz by smoothing the cuticles on split ends and
🥥 It replenishes moisture.
🥥 It stops pesky dandruff flakes from making an appearance.
🥥 It strengthens your hair and reduces breakage
🥥 It protects your hair from environmental damage caused by sun, smoke, and wind.
With this in mind, I was pretty darn excited to see that etee has released their new Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner Bars.
You can now experience the tropics in your shower with these plant-based bars while giving your locks a long-lasting boost of softness and hydration.
Keep it tangle-free, friends!
Chantal and the whole crew at etee
PS. Checkout what these amazing articles about our Chewpaste and our Laundry Detergent
]]>We know, for example, that an estimated 2 billion disposable razors end up in the landfill every year in the US. Or that many shaving creams and gels are made up of ingredients like glycols, isopentane, PEGs (polyethelene glycols) that make their way into the water ecosystem and negatively impact the growth of plants and animals, and ultimately, humans. Or that canned shaving creams often use hydrocarbon propellants and greenhouse gas contributors like butane or propane to make the product foam.
Luckily, non-toxic shaving supplies exist and putting together a kit is quick and easy. From your razor to your moisturizing oil, here are 5 must-have supplies for your shaving enjoyment.
Old-school wet shaving tools are making a comeback! Why?
It’s high time we ditch the canned stuff for something less expensive and better for our skin and our environment! Enter this Organic Shave Bar that now comes in two scents: the classic lavender, and the all-new, Black Forest—sumptuously scented with black spruce essential oil. Lather up with this plant-based bar and your razor will easily glide over your skin and leave it moisturized and smooth.
I think everyone understands the pleasure of a luxurious lather. Make it a reality with the help of a simple shaving brush like this one from Fendrihan. It features natural bristles and a beautifully turned beech wood handle. The stiff bristles not only exfoliate the skin but supercharge your suds!
To keep your shave bar dryer and make it last longer, we suggest this soap dish to help your shave bar last longer. They’re beautifully handcrafted from white birch and literally roasted in an oven to give it that deep brown look and make it resistant to decay, bugs, and mould. Make sure you opt for the dish with “Shave” engraved on the front!
Anyone who has to shave every day knows how hard the process can be on your skin. To prevent nasty skin irritations, using a skin oil pre and post shave is a good idea. We love this one from Good Juju because it’s an all-in-one formula that can be used as a full-body moisturizer, beard oil, after-shave oil, and even as make-up remover. And it’s made from delicious ingredients like organic jojoba oil, nettle infusion, and ylang ylang essential oil.
This one is a bit of a bonus item! I think it’s fair to say we all know the problem with bar soaps including our shave bar: they get gooey, dissolve too quickly when left wet, and they’re super slippery. The Soap Standle is a simple yet ingenious invention that helps you get a grip on your bar and be less wasteful. And in case you were wondering, it’s reusable, recyclable, and made of 100% post-consumer recycled materials!
I hope this little list helps you rethink your shaving routine and reorient it towards a planet-friendly experience!
Shave on,
- Chantal + team etee
By the mid-2oth century, this new-age, light, and flexible material was being exploited by the personal care industry, among others. Companies custom molded durable packaging into whatever shapes they wanted and shipped their products further and more easily. For a number of reasons, plastic was the more logical choice..
For decades and decades since then, the booming $500 billion per year global personal care industry has relied on plastic for its packaging. According to Euromonitor International, in 2018, almost 7.9 billion units of rigid plastic were produced just for beauty and personal care products in the US alone.
But what about Recycling?. Only 9% of all plastic produced—not just for the beauty industry—is actually repurposed. And we all know what that means: At some point, it will end up in landfills and maybe even our oceans. .
But there is good news. The general public—you and me—are demanding more sustainable products from companies. We want to stock our pantries, showers, and medicine cabinets with planet-friendly options.
We’re seeing more and more response to this demand. Some companies are cutting back on plastic packaging, saying that it’s too expensive to go cold turkey. But others, especially smaller and newer ones, are leading the way and building business models based on eschewing plastics entirely. Determining the best plastic-free experience simply becomes part of the product development phase.
As you know, etee is one of those companies leading the way on the plastic-free frontier. We’re happy to offer planet-friendly options like our new, plastic-free moisturizing hair mask.
The science nerds behind the plant-based formulation—bless them—say it’s perfect for moisturizing dry, damaged, over-processed hair of all types. It’s a rinse-out or leave-in mask which basically means anyone can adjust the application depending on what kind of deep conditioning your hair needs.
Want to give it a try?
Mask on, mask up,
- Chantal + team etee
]]>Here’s why that’s a problem: Most of it is not recyclable.
The metallic sheen, the lining, the glitter, the saturated inks—all that stuff makes it so that wrapping paper goes straight to the landfill.
The thing is, there are perfectly great alternatives that aren’t lined in plastic or encrusted with glitter (a.k.a. micro-plastics that pollute our waters and kill our fish).
Need some ideas and inspiration?
Given these options, I think it’s time to get rid of the roll! Are you with us?
Since we’re in the holiday spirit, we have a proposition for you. We’re giving away a FREE organic cotton bento bag, with any purchase of $70 or more. Since it’s not only great for wrapping presents (also awesome for shopping at the farmers’ market, organizing a suitcase or toting lunch), it’s a gift that keeps on giving!
Want one?
Jingle all the way,
- Chantal + team etee
Every year, my mom stuffs our family so full of appies—her famous lumpia (spring rolls), curried chicken rolls, mini quiches, veggies and dip, the unnecessary array of cheese and crackers—that we all become uncomfortably full. That means the main meal goes relatively untouched. Even though our family loves leftovers, there is inevitably some waste. That really bugs me.
Pete Pearson, the Senior Director of Food Loss and Waste at the World Wildlife Fund, once said:
With that in mind, I’ve decided to take a more tactical approach to holiday dining (and convincing my mom to take it easy on the appies). I thought you might also appreciate these tips on avoiding food waste this holiday season.
Do inventory for what food you already have and use easy strategies to help you remember what you have so you avoid doubling up. You might want to start an “Eat Me First” shelf in your fridge for foods that are nearing the end of their edible life. Reach for them first when preparing quick snacks or meals during the holidays.
The goal here is to have just enough food for the holidays, not over buying and over preparing. The way to do that is to be realistic about how much food you actually need. I recently discovered this nifty Guest-imator, a fun online tool to help you figure out how much food you’ll need for any particular meal.
Also, take note of when you plan on eating the fresh foods you buy and avoid purchasing any just-in-case items. There’s no point in buying something if you can’t eat it before it goes bad!
Some dishes really do taste better the next day, don’t they? If you are having your family over this year, encourage them to bring their own containers so they can take home leftovers.
As for the remaining food, you have a few options:
If you’re left with good food that you either haven’t opened, can’t eat, or don’t have space to keep—like gift baskets or extra canned foods— consider donating it your local food banks or soup kitchens, or even offering it up on social media to anyone who might be able to put it to good use.
I’m just going to put it out there: etee can’t help you with your inventory or your planning but we can help with food storage solutions. And right now, we have a great deal on our holiday Food Storage Kit.
Did you know that Canadian families throw out 24 to 45 percent more garbage over the holidays? The large bulk of it is food waste! We can do better. Let’s!
Eat well, be well, and don’t forget to mind the planet,
- Chantal + team etee
]]>One of my earliest childhood memories is running to help my mom with the laundry. I loved having the responsibility of scooping out the blue-flecked powder detergent from the big cardboard box and dumping it into our top-load washing machine. My mother thought it was sweet that I wanted to pitch in even though it meant she would need to clean up after me. (I missed the target often.)
Powdered detergents are hardly as readily available as they were in the (ahem) 1970s. If you even see them on the store shelves, they A) have been relegated to a sad spot among the sea of other liquid detergents in huge plastic bottles B) they’re formulated with nasty ingredients that I wouldn’t want in my home.
Luckily, the push to move towards sustainable detergents has led to an explosion of liquid alternatives like pods, sheets, tabs—and a revisiting of powder.
So what’s the difference between these options?
First, let’s look at the similarities:
Now, let’s look at the differences.
When Tide Pods™ hit the market in 2012, they caused quite a stir. These single dose pacs were packaged in a small polyvinyl film packet that conveniently dissolved in water. Since then, companies like Dropps have taken up the charge to offer a friendlier-to-the planet formulation. Note that I said ‘friendlier’, not necessarily ‘friendly’.
The thing we like the least about pods is the “dissolvable film” used to encapsulate the liquid. We’ve talked about PVOH, PVA, or PVAL before. Otherwise known as polyvinyl alcohol, it’s derived from petrochemicals and used in all sorts of applications like dishwasher pacs, shampoo, and laundry pods. In our research, PVOH does not actually biodegrade as much as it dissolves into a “non-harmful” monomer. Those monomer molecules can biodegrade but we couldn’t find any information pointing to the amount of time that would take. A century? Two centuries? Who knows?
To make matters worse, polyvinyl alcohol products are contributing to sabotaging our seas.
Bottom line: For me—and for product developers at etee—, PODS and polyvinyl alcohol films are a no-go.
I jumped on the train when the Tru Earth laundry sheets came out a few years ago. I loved their convenience: small and easy to store, great for travel, and seemingly eco-friendly. Ultimately, I left them behind for two reasons: A) the cost per load was high B) the ecological impact was too high for my liking.
See the pros and cons here:
Sheets = Made from PVOH? No thank you.
Tabs are pretty cool. The ones from Blueland (as seen on Shark Tank and in Kim Kardashian’s tweets!) have the same cleansing properties as pods, sheets, and powder but come in a compacted form which makes them easy to use. They do come with some drawbacks though.
Check this out:
I haven’t tried these but I’d be willing to. How about you?
After looking at all the laundry detergent options, my work buddies at etee opted to produce a high-performing concentrated powder that only requires one tablespoon to be effective. (That’s unlike the powders from my childhood which would have required 3 to 5 times that amount!)
Here are the goods:
Since the average Canadian household does about 400 loads of laundry per year, it seems important that we minimize the impact caused by our detergent of choice. Right? Right!
Happy washing,
- Chantal + team etee
]]>When I replaced my not-so-eco-friendly razor last year, I cringed at the options. The entire world seemed to recommend a safety razor, and the only good thing about it was that it was plastic-free. And while I’m happy to make sacrifices for the planet, I wasn’t looking forward to the countless nicks on my legs reported by other users. That is… until I walked into my local zero waste shop.
In 2018, 163 million people used disposable razors in the US alone. That’s nearly half of the entire population. What’s more, most razors can’t even be recycled, so they’re ending up in the landfill. Let’s shift our collective consciousness towards other methods that are kinder to our planet.
My zero waste shop here in Seattle had two options for a plastic-free razor. One, your classic safety razor. Two -- this beautiful Leaf Shave razor. It looked like the razor I was used to, just made of metal. It has a pivoting head which makes it easier to go around curves, and holds up to 3 blades for a close shave.
I’ve been using it for over a year and I’m in love with it. The blades last so much longer than regular disposable cartridges, and I don’t nick myself. I’ve found my forever razor. And what’s more sustainable than those items that we buy once and can depend on for years to come?
Although it’s an investment to start, replacement blades cost just 28 cents each. The blades snap in half and then you put 1-3 halves in the razor. So each time you replace your blades, you’re paying anywhere between 14-42 cents. Show me a razor subscription with that kind of deal!
Have you tried the Leaf Razor? I’d love to hear about your experience.
Author’s Note: This is not in collaboration with Leaf Shave. All opinions are authentic.
]]>I never considered using a bar of soap for dishes until our customers asked us how to wash their etee wraps and bags.
Turns out, long before we worried about micro-plastics in our oceans, lakes and rivers, hard soaps were used to clean dishes.
I'm guessing that once plastic arrived, the convenience of liquid soaps (in throw away bottles) made bar soaps a bit of a Dinosaur. Let's be honest liquid soaps are super easy to use.
But here's the crazy thing. Most liquid dish soaps are about 90% water. And all those suds that look so good? They're largely cosmetic, they don't actually clean anything.
So what are you really paying for when you buy a liquid dish soap? Water, plastic and about 10% soap.
And that's probably why dish bar soaps are becoming popular again. Why? They're good for the environment AND they're economical.
Maybe, maybe not.
The fact of the matter is, Bar soaps can take some getting used to. It took our family a couple weeks to adjust to the first couple of prototypes.
We eventually I figured it out though. Grab a brush or etee's Loofie, wet it and rub the soap on. Bam you have a powerful cleaning tool. Want to soak hard to clean pots? Just run some water over your bar soap and let the soap melt into your pot. Voila.
So what do we do in our house now? We actually use both. Single plates and glasses? I find it easier to use the bar soap on my loofie and get cleaning - it's effective, fast and much cheaper (the bars last a long time when you use them this way).
Need to soak? I still prefer our plastic-free liquid dish soap.
Haven't tried a dish bar soap? What are you waiting for!
]]>
Hey Lily, tell us a little bit about yourself.
-Hi! Well, I’ll start with the fact that I’m an Urban Planning & Sustainability student at Concordia University in Montreal. I work part-time at a big bakery as a barista and I love it. I grew up in Halifax and Toronto and still spend my summers in rural Nova Scotia working at an Arts Centre.
When did you decide to adopt a zero-waste routine and why? Was it gradual or did you go cold turkey?
I moved to Montreal 2 years ago, straight from high school, and I had to figure out how to be in charge of maintaining a household for the first time. I relied on buying ‘quick and easy’ groceries and home goods at the lowest price possible. At the time, this led me to items that were wrapped in plastic. For example, I’ve noticed that it’s common for grocers in Montreal to sell their discounted produce in homemade packages for some reason. They put a couple of pieces of fruit or veg on a polystyrene plate and then cover it with plastic wrap. As a student, I would reach for those guys well before I considered paying a dollar more for the loose produce.
I started noticing that we were producing at least 1, if not 2 to 3 large black garbage bags every week between the three of us that lived in the apartment. The worst part of it was that our street wasn’t on the city’s list for compost collection, so these enormous, stinky bags became the bane of my existence.
I’ve always been an environmentally minded person, but that’s really when I started to think about my direct impact, and how anything we threw away would end up in a landfill, forever producing methane gas and destroying the surrounding ecosystem. I started to do some research into the zero waste movement and it immediately captured my interest. I felt like I couldn’t not participate in this seemingly groundbreaking yet simple idea. It started with me bringing my own bags to grocery stores and markets and refusing extra plastic wherever and whenever I could. I started to learn that it was about more than refusing plastic when you’re out, it’s about completely changing the way you engage in consumerism and daily life. It really didn’t happen overnight for me. I can’t say I’m absolutely “zero” waste, because from time to time I do slip up and forget my container or travel mug, and sometimes I buy tofu and other essential groceries that always seem to come in plastic. I am proud to say though, that I waste very little compared to how I used to be and have made some major lifestyle changes that allow me to skip on the plastic.
Do you find your zero waste lifestyle costs you more or less money? Where do you save and what extra costs you do encounter?
Here’s where it really varies from person to person! I believe that it depends on where you live and what stores and products you have access to. Living zero-waste can be done in so many different ways. For me, I feel that I have actually saved money on groceries since I decided to start visiting bulk stores, bakeries and shopping for produce at markets. I don’t eat a very comprehensive diet, so for me, sourcing my groceries from places like these turns out to be very cheap. When I used to visit big chain grocery stores I ended up always spending over $100 for just me and my partner. This is probably because most things are pre-packaged, pre-cut etc which always marks up the price. I am also more tempted to buy things like a mega-pack of Clif bars, a jumbo cereal box or 3 blocks of cheese which can get really expensive! Instead, I started to make my own granola from bulk oats, seeds, and dried fruits. From the granola, I can also make energy balls, granola bars, and even cookies! The habit of going to bulk stores instead of giant grocery stores has made me save a ton of money, you’ve just gotta use your imagination and plan a little.
Do you try to encourage your friends to adopt the zero-waste lifestyle? Have you been successful?
Since I am so passionate about reducing waste in everyday life, I love to talk about it with my family and friends. The concept of living waste-free is actually quite a new thing to the people around me, so I have gotten the chance to educate people like my grandmother, my sister, mom, cousins, step mum, dad, aunt, and cousins! I have given some of my beeswax wraps to my family which they have adopted using seamlessly. Leading by example, I have also had an impact on my friends’ habits. Some have told me that by looking at my Instagram they have become more mindful of their plastic waste and have actually purchased zero-waste swap items like beeswax wraps, glass straws, reusable mugs, and silicone zippy bags.
It is really gratifying to hear when people realize they can make even a small difference in their everyday life that allows them to be a part of this global change.
What do you say to people who argue that one person’s actions can’t make a global impact?
I always think back to the quote by Anne-Marie Bonneau, “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” This really captures my philosophy on the zero waste lifestyle; you don’t have to turn your routine upside down to become more sustainable. Even the smallest actions like turning lights off when you’re not in the room, bringing reusable bags to the store, and not letting the tap run when you’re doing dishes or brushing your teeth can make a difference. If everybody started to pick up these little habits, there could be so much less waste and energy used.
Have you ever wanted to stop living zero-waste? What’s been the hardest part?
Since I’m not a perfect zero-waster, I really have never wanted to stop or have felt that keeping up these actions was too hard. For me, it’s about doing my absolute best to refuse, reduce & reuse plastic. If I look around my house there are so many things I already own that can help me reduce my waste, so it’s about getting the courage to organize myself and actually create & implement strategies for myself that are sustainable. That is what’s challenging for me and a lot of people, but you have to remember to push yourself a little bit, step out of your comfort zone and maybe you’ll find your creative side while you’re at it!
Other than etee wraps (wink, wink), are there any other products you recommend to anyone interested in reducing the waste in their life?
Oh my goodness, there are more zero-waste swaps out there than I ever could have imagined. Every time I think I’ve learned about them all, there is a whole other category of swap items that I end up finding. I would suggest going to Bare Market’s website and looking at their products list because they’re really creative people and offer swap items that you didn’t even think could exist! The most obvious or common swaps to start with that I have found helpful and very easy to sustain usage are:
-Refillable liquid soaps, cleaners, shampoos, deodorant, toothpaste, detergents, body oils, lotions, creams
-Shopping for dried goods, snacks, pantry items, oils, etc at bulk stores with your own containers
-Reusable silicone zippy bags
-A silicone baking sheet instead of parchment or foil
-Cotton mesh produce bags
-Reusable pads, pantyliners, menstrual cup, or absorbent underwear instead of pads & tampons.
-Tote bags instead of plastic bags
-Wooden (biodegradable) hairbrush, dish scrubbies, body brush, toothbrush
-Reusable cloth napkins
-Reusable straw
-Stainless steel water bottle
-Stainless steel tiffin (food container)
As long as you are down for an interesting, creative, and challenging journey to reduce your waste and impact of the environment, you are in for a gratifying lifestyle. It may seem daunting, but just remember there is no perfect way to do “zero-waste”. The goal is to use the resources you already have access to and put them to use if you can! This movement shouldn’t be about comparing one person to another because everybody has different limitations.
Thanks Lily!
]]>That’s the basic premise behind adopting a zero waste lifestyle. That if enough people demand change with their pocketbooks, companies will start to change the way they do business. We’re living with a linear economy rather than a circular one, and we’re running out of resources...fast.
Have you heard the term ‘zero waste’ and your first thought was “impossible!”? Well, you’d be right. It’s not actually very possible to create absolutely zero waste, unless you live completely off the grid without ever putting a cent into to economy. Does that mean you shouldn’t try? Of course not! While our purchases can often create tons of waste in their production that we never even see, starting with the waste we willingly welcome into our homes is a good place to start.
Sure, one person alone can do very little, a group of people can do a lot. And maybe, more importantly, the spending power of a group of people definitely can. The zero waste lifestyle not only encourages you to speak out against harmful waste production with your voice but equally with your spending habits.
When we were taught to recite Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in school, they failed to reinforce that the words are in order of priority. Meaning that we should first try to reduce the waste in our lives, then try to reuse anything we can and lastly to recycle. A shocking number of recyclable materials end up in landfills (even if you toss them in a recycling bin) with only 9% getting recycled. Don’t throw your arms in the air and start chucking your recycling in the garbage though! Every contribution to keep trash from being burned, piled up or floating away to sea is a good thing.
While it may seem like going vegan or Paleo, zero waste lifestyles aren’t about perfection. They’re about effort. There’s no ‘cheating’ and the only way to fail is to decide you no longer care. Every step you take towards reducing the waste you personally contribute to landfills is a win for our planet and our future. While it may seem like a hip or trendy fad, lots of fads have become a normal part of everyday society. On August 20, 1990, the Washington Post called bicycling a hot fad for the "bleached-haired, music-hall type". Sound familiar?
The ‘throw away’ culture created in the 50s encouraged housewives to save time by simply throwing plastic plates away. This was also a trend that society fed with its pocketbooks. Imagine what good we can accomplish if we put our heart, minds, and money behind it.
]]>The idea isn’t to go through your house and throw away every piece of plastic, that would be completely against the point. Got a plastic hairbrush that’s still working great? Then please, keep it as long as you can! But next time your toothbrush needs swapping, take a look at your choices.
From making school lunches to covering leftovers, plastic wrap gets a lot of use. But with reusable beeswax (and vegan) wraps being biodegradable, natural and keeping your food fresher longer, they’re an easy swap.
Want to ditch plastic wrap? Check out etee Reusable Foodwraps.
Again, we’re not suggesting you toss your drawer of mismatched plastic containers (seriously, where are all those matching lids?!). But if taking your lunch to work is new for you and you’re looking to invest, there are some really great glass and stainless steel options out there now. You can find wonderful Tiffin or bento-style containers that keep your salad, leftovers, and dessert from mixing all together.
Much like plastic wrap, we use plastic food bags to keep our food fresh, but in fact, a beeswax bag will keep food fresher longer. Isn’t it a bit silly to buy things that you know you’re just going to throw away?
Check out etee Reusable Foodbags
A lot of the time nature’s answer is quite simply a better option. A wood handled scrubby with all-natural bristles is long-lasting, easy to keep clean and never has that ‘sponge smell’ (you know the one).
Beyond eliminating single-use plastic coffee pods, there are a number of ways to make your morning coffee production zero waste. From unbleached, all-natural Chemex filters, to fabric reusable filters, to simply using the trusty Bodem or espresso machine.
This is one of the most common ways for plastic to enter our homes and our kitchens. Keeping either cloth or beeswax food bags on hand will help you avoid this ‘convenience plastic’, just toss them all inside of one bag and keep them in your tote.
Once a paper towel has been used it’s not a recyclable product and most towels are bleached, making it a less than ideal compost addition. Keep clothes on hand to quickly clean up spills.
Whether or not you have the time to make your own dish soap, you can still be refilling a glass pump (or you can get a pump attachment for a Mason jar) and then take it with you when you visit the bulk store.
Jars for nut butter and spices, fabric bags for grains and pasta, beeswax food bags for produce (and pretty much anything else!). While it may seem like a drag to bring all your own packaging with you to the bulk store or bakery, the pay off is huge. You’ll be saving money and the environment. Win. Win.
The average North American will throw away 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime, that’s a lot of plastic! Next time your toothbrush is looking a little worn out, try switching to a bamboo toothbrush. They last just as long, keep plastic out of your mouth and are biodegradable.
Toilet paper is one of those things most people just won’t go without, and fair enough! (Although bidets, like the Tushy, are also an option.) However, if you’re not planning ahead and buying paper-wrapped in bulk, this is one of those convenience items that’s really going to get you. So find a source for eco-friendly paper and stock up! You’ll always need more.
While the smell of Lush might be an overwhelming experience for some, they have an incredible selection of package-free shampoo bars. You might be cringing, picturing washing your precious hair with a bar of soap, but these shampoo bars are made with your hair in mind. They’ll leave it just as silky and soft as any shampoo in a bottle. And while Lush kicked off the shampoo bar trend, there are tons of options out there now. So try a few and see what you like.
The problem is right there in the name. Disposable razors. We use them, we toss them and often times they aren’t even that good. Brand name disposable razors have gotten wildly expensive, so invest in a safety razor and you’ll also save some serious cash.
Dental silk, it even sounds nicer. Look for floss made from mulberry silk or coated in beeswax to avoid petroleum-based products coating the floss itself. You’ll find a variety of container options, from glass to cardboard to tin.
We still want you to feel fresh and smell nice. Why not switch from your plastic roll-up deodorant stick to a nice jar of cream next time you wind it down the last little bit? Made from all natural ingredients, your armpits will thank you.
Here are our 5 tips for starting your new zero-waste life.
Wait, what? Aren't we supposed to go all in? Isn’t that why it’s called ‘Zero’ Waste and not ‘Less’ Waste? Being passionate is great, but if you try to cut out everything at once, chances are pretty good that you’ll give up before you even begin. Find quick wins in your everyday life that won’t feel so hard to eliminate or alter. Do you get takeout coffee or lunches? Keep a cup and cutlery in your bag to eliminate wasteful single-use trash. Better yet, make them at home and bring them with you. Find small things you can add every day, you’ll be surprised how easily you can ramp up.
Buying new things to waste fewer things may sound counterintuitive but you’ll need to make sure you’re able to easily swap wasteful habits for good ones. You absolutely don’t need to spend a lot of money to get zero-waste prepped and you may even have everything you need already in your home. Take a look at your day-to-day and where waste tends to pop-up. Use saran wrap or sandwich bags regularly? Swap them for eco-friendly wrap options. Grab groceries on your way home from work? Keep a canvas tote in your bag. Try to take inventory of your life and your needs and make sure you have a good replacement lined up.
One common habit that can be hard to break is buying only what we need at the moment, rather than planning for the future. Even though we know that buying larger quantities of things we use all the time is actually more cost-effective, most of us prefer to spend more in small quantities under the guise of ‘convenience’. If you can’t kick this habit you’ll get stuck in the convenience loop. And you know what convenience comes packaged in? You guessed it. Plastic! So find your local bulk shops, pack your reusable bags and stock up on things you know you use or eat all the time.
Seriously. Look at it. Pull out your garbage and poke around in there. Are you surprised by what you find? We bet you might be. Are there easy to swap out items, like plastic bags? Food waste that could have been composted? Plastics that could have been recycled? What’s really in there? Take a look and you’ll have a really clear idea of where to start making some changes.
Try to bring friends and family into what you’re doing and set a good example. Don’t be preachy (no one likes that!) but show how effortless some small changes can really be, and encourage them to try reducing waste in their own lives. We tend to think of these life changes as depriving ourselves of something but if you can show that you’re actually thriving in your new lifestyle, you’ll have friends asking you how they can get on board before you know it!