On zero waste, room by room

This is a list of all of the places in (and out of) the house that I can think of where one can reduce waste. It’s not complete, and I will edit it whenever I think of, find, or am suggested a new idea. It’s not necessarily to be read in one sitting, but can be referred to section-by-section as the need arises. I want it to be clear that I don’t do all of these things yet, but it is my aim to implement them all eventually. This isn’t a list to make anyone feel bad (except for maybe Coca-Cola and Nestlé), and it’s not for comparing people. It’s a list of ideas for anyone who is looking for another step in the zero waste direction.

A good technique for reducing plastic in any aspect of our lives is to look back at how people lived before it. Please comment anything you’d like to see added to the list.

 

Living

Electricity – Electricity wastage is a waste of both money and resources. Make sure to turn off lights, devices, appliances etc. when not in use to avoid unnecessary electricity consumption. If possible, switch to a provider of renewable energy. 

Entertainment – Buy or rent entertainment, such as games or films, second hand or online.

Toys – You can easily find second hand toys, whether they’re hand-me-downs from cousins and friends, or found through freecycle groups or in charity shops. When your kids have out-grown their toys, pass them on to younger children. If you’re buying a new toy for a child, avoid plastics and synthetic materials if possible.

 

Dining

I’d normally put these things in the kitchen section, but that’s long enough already!

Paper towels/serviettes – You can replace these with natural fibre hankies, napkins, tea towels or even cut up pillow cases (don’t forget to hem to increase longevity).

Salt and pepper grinders – I’ve seen a lot of disposable salt and pepper grinders for sale in Ireland. These grinders have fixed lids and cannot be refilled. If the consumer wants to stick with the seasoning brand, they have to buy a new grinder each time. To avoid this, invest in refillable salt and pepper mills, or keep salt in a bowl. My mother found our Cole & Mason set in a local charity shop for €2.

 

Kitchen

Dry goods – If you’re lucky enough to live close to a grocer’s that will sell you dried goods in your own containers, shop there. Often these shops sell organic foods which are better for the environment, and the package-free, loose nature of the products tends to bring the price down. If you can’t buy loose, then pre-packaged dry goods usually have less packaging than their hydrated competitors. Look at what can be recycled in your area, and think about whether buying cans or tetra-paks is better. For example, in Ireland soft plastics are not recycled, but both cans and tetra packs are.

Fruit and veg – Bring your own reusable produce bags when shopping for fruit and veg. Depending on what options are available to you, you may have to forsake produce like leaves and berries, or accept that you can’t get everything plastic free. Farmers’ markets can be a good place to find fruit and vegetables with little or no packaging. They’re also a good opportunity to get to know the people who are producing your food. They’ll want to hear customer feedback, and if you don’t want their plastic packaging, they may change to paper. In my experience, shops and vendors of loose items are often happy to let you use your own containers.

Fresh meat –  I haven’t tried in any supermarkets, but my local butcher is happy to tare their scales and fill my own container. Try in the places you normally buy meat. There’s no harm in asking, and the worst they can do is say no.

Dried meats – I think the best option would be to find a deli that cuts dried meats fresh, and ask to use your own container. If you can’t find this service, buy large pieces of dried ham in the supermarket instead of pre-packed slices. Although you will pay more up front, this will most likely be better value, and there will be less packaging overall. Otherwise, it’s quite common (at least in some places in Ireland and Europe) to buy small salamis and dried sausages with just a paper label. 

Dairy

Cheese – Cheese is a real struggle for me. I don’t currently buy cheese zero-waste. I eat a lot of mild cheddar which I haven’t found plastic free. More expensive or delicacy cheeses can be got from a cheese counter or at a farmers’ market in your own container, much like meats.

Milk – It’s still possible in some areas to get milk in glass bottles, but supermarkets are unlikely to stock it. Try smaller producers and farmers’ markets.

Mylk – I don’t know any sources for nut or seed milks packaged in glass, but check what’s sold locally. Another plastic free option is to make your own milk from dry goods and water. I know several people who make their own almond, oat, hemp or rice milk at home.

Yoghurt – I often buy small flavoured yoghurts in glass jars at the supermarket, but the price adds up and unfortunately I can’t find large glass containers. If you can’t get yoghurt plastic-free, you could try making it at home.

Kitchen Cleaning

Washing up liquid – A lot of retailers of “eco cleaning products” will refill your empty bottle. A popular alternative is a bar of solid dish soap – this will have less packaging and weigh less than its liquid counterpart.

Dish brushes – I use a wooden compostable brush for my dishes. I clean it and let it dry between dish washes, and I find it lasts longer than the plastic brushes I used to use (or at least, it doesn’t get as smelly and gross). I bought mine in a health food shop, but they can be bought from eco-product retailers too. If you can’t find a dish brush specifically, you may be able to get a natural bristle vegetable brush in a cookware shop. 

Sponges – You can replace your plastic sponge with a sea sponge, or a natural fibre dish cloth.

Pot scraper – I take after my mother here and use my old debit/loyalty/health cards to scrape away caked on char, but if for whatever reason you don’t want to do this, bamboo versions are easy to get online and in eco-product stores.

Dishwasher soap – Anywhere you can get refillable washing up liquid is your best bet for getting packaging-free dishwasher soap. Supermarkets often stock the powder or tab version in a cardboard box, which is better than the plastic tubs, pouches or bottles.

Kitchen paper – Replace with designated tea towels or cleaning cloths. It’s good to have several so that you can rotate them between washes. I’ve seen some brands selling washable “unpaper towels” in rolls that will clip together and fit on a paper towel dispenser.

Countertop cleaning spray – You can find refills for eco multipurpose cleaners, or easily make your own. I use 1 part water to 1 part white vinegar in a repurposed spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil or leftover citrus peels for fragrance.

Hot Drinks

Coffee filters – Coffee filters, like teabags, can contain hidden plastic in the paper fibres. But even 100% paper filters are more wasteful than a reusable alternative. Using a cafetière/french press is a disposables-free option. If you prefer drip or pour over coffee, you can buy or make reusable fabric filters, or invest in a permanent coffee filter. A waste saving (and money saving) alternative to the beloved Nespresso machine is to replace it with a bar top machine. You’ll have to press your own ground coffee beans into the basket, but you won’t have to buy and dispose of plastic or aluminium pods, and you’ll get a very authentic cup. If you already have a coffee pod machine, you can probably find a reusable pod that fits it. I haven’t seen great reviews, but they are a low waste alternative. You can read my post on zero waste coffee here.

Tea bags – Buy loose leaf tea instead of teabags. You can use loose leaf tea in a teapot with a mesh strainer, or in a tea infuser for individual cups. Loose leaf tea can often be bought in other retailers of bulk dry goods, but if you can’t find it, a packet of loose leaf tea uses less packaging than a box of teabags.

Storage

Storage containers – Use the tupperware and containers you already have, and if you need more, start collecting the jars from products you finish and ask your friends and family to do the same. Keep an eye out for glass or steel containers in charity shops and freecycle groups.

Clingfilm – Beeswax wraps are all the rage these days. They are a reusable, cleanable alternative to cling film. Candelilla wax is a vegan alternative to beeswax. I find using a plate to cover bowls and dishes is just as effective, and lower maintenance, than any kind of wrap.

Tinfoil – Tinfoil can be recycled but you’ll have to check your local rules. It can also be cleaned and reused several times, if you’re careful. I avoid using it in the oven by cooking in dishes with oven-proof lids (ie. no plastic handles) or by placing a second oven-proof dish on top of the first.

 

Baby’s bowls and cups – Sturdy and more shatter-proof alternatives to plastic bowls and cups are stainless steel and wood.

Baby’s cutlery – Sturdy and safe cutlery for infants can be found in wood and bamboo. You can also use the stainless steel teaspoons you might already own, and stainless steel children’s knives and forks. 

Bibs – Avoid plastic and synthetic bibs by using natural fibre textiles. You can also tie a tea-towel or handkerchief loosely around the child’s neck.

Children’s snacks – Try feeding your children whole foods, like fruit and vegetables, as snacks. For snacks that are more complex, try making them at home, or buying in bulk and packaging-free.

Food waste – There are lots of ways to reduce food waste. I think the best thing to do is to meal plan. That way you can know in advance what and how much to buy, what and how much will be used and when, and you can plan to incorporate any leftovers or excess ingredients into new meals. You can read some of my other tips on food waste here.

 

Bathroom

Soap, shampoo and conditioner – Switch to solid bar versions, preferably without packaging. If this isn’t available to you, even lightly packaged soap bars are lighter on resources than their liquid counterparts, unless you can find refills, which are often available at outlets that sell other items in bulk.

Razors – Get yourself a safety razor. I’ve seen safety razors for very high prices at zero waste shops and websites, so shop around for something more affordable. Safety razors have been around a lot longer than the zero waste movement and so there should be a non-luxury price tag on at least some of them.

Hair removal wax – There are lots of instructional videos online for hair removal alternatives to wax such as sugaring or threading.

Deodorant/moisturiser/shaving cream/aftershave/toner etc. – Try to source in glass or in plastic free packaging. If not, there are plenty of zero waste recipes online for all beauty products, or see which products you can do without. I stopped wearing deodorant last year, and only shave occasionally. Some products can be a simple swap (depending on your skin type etc.), like using an oil such as coconut oil as a moisturiser.

Candles – Paraffin is a by-product of petroleum and coal, and releases pollutants into the air when burned. Beeswax or candelilla wax are natural alternatives that haven’t been found to harm air quality, so swap for these where you can.

Toilet paper – If it’s available, buy sustainably sourced toilet paper that comes without plastic wrapping. Apparently Aldi are trialling plastic-free toilet paper in some of their stores in the UK and Ireland, so hopefully it will be rolled out across them all. If you have a bidet installed, there’s no need to use paper to clean yourself after using the loo. Family cloth is another paperless alternative which uses reusable cloth wipes. It means more laundry (and you’ll want to wash them hot!), but no paper waste. You can minimise the environmental impact further by making your own family cloth from repurposed cotton fabric (pyjamas, bed sheets etc.). If you’re already used to cloth nappies and/or menstrual pads, I think family cloth shouldn’t be too big a leap – but it’s not for everyone, of course.

Cotton buds – Plastic free cotton buds are very easy to find in Ireland as the big supermarkets now stock them. I use cotton buds mainly for cleaning my ears, but I’m trying to wean myself onto using the corner of a towel instead. If you continue to buy cotton buds, buy organic where you can and make sure the stem is paper or wood.

Baby wipes – Like makeup wipes and kitchen roll, you can replace baby wipes with reusable washable cloths.

Nappies or diapers – You can replace disposable nappies with a set of cloth nappies. These need to be washed on a hot setting to kill bacteria between uses. You can find reusable waterproof covers for nappies made from plastic, but wool alternatives are also available. Parents are often happy to pass on cloth nappies that they no longer need, so ask around and look in freecycle and pay-it-forward groups before you buy.

Nursing or breast pads – Disposable breast pads can be replaced with reusable fabric versions. Youme.ie  sell ones made by Mily Designs.

If no reusable alternative suits you, Natracare make sustainable disposable maternity, menstrual, and incontinence products.

Teeth

Toothpaste – Toothpaste can be bought dry in powder or tablet form in glass jars. It’s also possible to make your own at home. Fluoridated alternatives are hard to come by, but they can be found.

Toothbrushes – Wooden and bamboo toothbrushes are more expensive than conventional ones, but they contain much less plastic. Most of them contain nylon bristles which are not compostable like wood or bamboo, so you have to snap the heads off before composting. It is possible to get boar hair bristles, but these are hard to source locally (in Ireland anyway). Soft-bristled kids’ sizes are available too.

Floss – You can swap conventional plastic floss for a compostable silk version. 

Makeup

Makeup – I know next to nothing about makeup as I don’t wear it, but I have picked up a thing or two from the zero waste community. First of all, use up or pass on what you already have. Than do some research online and in shops to find brands or recipes for zero waste and natural (ie. compostable) products.

Makeup remover – Use olive oil or coconut oil, or any oil that suits you and your skin, to remove makeup. Because oil helps to lock in moisture, it won’t leave your skin feeling dry and taut.

Makeup cotton pads – Replace disposable makeup removal pads with reusable ones. They’re sold at zero waste shops and websites, or you can find sewing and crochet patterns online. You could even designate a couple of soft cotton cloths or flannels to makeup removal so you don’t have to keep track of lots of small pieces.

Baby and makeup wipes – Replace these with a collection of soft cloths and a bottle of water. Splash a little water on the cloth when you need it. Or, if you need some extra cleaning power, find instructions online for a natural and gentle cleaning solution to soak the cloths in. To simulate the conventional wet-wipe packet, you can store them in an airtight container (maybe a repurposed plastic takeaway box) with a hole in the lid.

Menstruation

Sanitary towels, liners and tampons – Luckily for a bodily function which can be responsible for a lot of waste, there are plenty of zero-waste alternatives to conventional menstruation products. Most people find a menstrual cup or washable pads suit them straight away, but it may take a little time to find a system that suits your routine and body. There are a lot of reusable menstrual pads and liners, or sewing patterns for them, available online and in eco-product shops. Menstrual cups are a very popular alternative to disposable period products and there are many brands out there like Organicup and Mooncup. Period cups are widely available in health food shops, pharmacies, and eco-product shops and websites. There are also several brands making period underwear, such as Thinx and Flux. You can buy or make reusable tampons, or try a period sea sponge.

Reusable products are by far the most economic and ecological, but if they don’t suit you and your body, there are compostable disposable liners, pads and tampons available from brands such as Natracare. Compostable products should not be flushed down the toilet.

You can read more about zero waste menstruation in my post “On zero waste periods”

 

Bedroom

Wardrobe – Where you can, buy second hand, natural fibre clothes, shoes and accessories. Buy for the long term and don’t be tempted by fast fashion, low quality, or plastic trends. Certain items can be hard to source plastic free (like runners and waterproofs) so look for quality that will last you.

Bed clothes – to avoid plastic microfibres coming from textiles, find 100% natural fibre products, like linen, cotton, hemp, and wool.

Contraception – While contraceptives such as an IUD or the bar are available with much less plastic waste than the pill or condoms, it’s more important to find a contraceptive method that suits you, your body and/or your partner(s) before worrying about keeping it zero waste. If condoms are your method, try to source a natural latex, low chemical version such as Glyde or Sustain Natural.

Personal lubricant – 100% aloe vera is supposed to be a good natural lube, but it can contain natural latex so avoid it if you have a latex allergy. A lot of people swear by coconut oil, but because of its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, it’s not clear whether coconut oil can encourage yeast infections, or help to cure them. Remember that oils and oil-based lubricants must not be used with condoms. Whatever you use, do your research first. There are also natural and organic products on the market.

 

Utility

Laundry

Detergent – Like with kitchen and bathroom supplies, liquid and powdered laundry detergent can often be bought in bulk in a refillable container. You can also find powdered detergent sold in cardboard, or recipes for a homemade version online. Soap nuts are another, natural alternative which can be bought in bulk.

Fabric softener – Can also be bought in refills, but you can skip softener altogether or add a splash of vinegar to the washing machine’s rinse cycle.

Synthetic fabrics – Reduce the micro plastics entering the water system by washing your synthetic textiles less frequently. You can also purchase a Guppy Friend wash bag that will catch most of the fibres before they’re washed away.

Cleaning

Cleaning cloths – Try to use 100% natural fibre cloths. You can repurpose old textiles like clothes and bedsheets as cleaning cloths.

Cleaning products – Try to buy natural cleaning products in refillable containers, or make your own. There are lots of recipes to be found online.

Out and about

Cups – Sit in or bring your own reusable cup for hot drinks, juices, iced tea and iced coffee. It doesn’t have to be a branded product like KeepCup, as long as it’s clean, and heat proof if necessary.

Paper napkins/serviettes – Like in the dining room section, replace paper napkins with a linen or cotton version you bring with you.

Take away containers – Pack your own lunch at home in a reusable lunch box, or bring that reusable container to the vendor when buying take away food.

Packaged snacks – Make at home or buy in bulk whatever snacks you like and bring them with you in your own jars or reusable containers.

Bottled water – Instead of buying bottled water or other drinks, get into the habit of bringing your own reusable bottle with you when you’re out and about. Restaurants and cafés should have safe running water, so if you can’t find a water fountain you can ask for a refill.

 

Baby and children

I’ve added the baby- and children-related zero-waste alternatives to their respective rooms, but I’ll also group them together here for ease of reference.

Pacifier – Hevea make natural rubber baby (and puppy) products, including pacifiers. Natural rubber is biodegradable, so once Baby is finished with their pacifier, you can compost it.

Bowls and cups – Sturdy and more shatter-proof alternatives to plastic bowls and cups are stainless steel and wood.

Cutlery – Sturdy and safe cutlery for infants can be found in wood and bamboo. You can also use the stainless steel teaspoons you might already own, and stainless steel children’s knives and forks. 

Baby wipes – Like makeup wipes and kitchen roll, you can replace baby wipes with reusable washable cloths.

Nappies or diapers – You can replace disposable nappies with a set of cloth nappies. These need to be washed on a hot setting to kill bacteria between uses. You can find reusable waterproof covers for nappies made from plastic, but wool alternatives are also available. Parents are often happy to pass on cloth nappies that they no longer need, so ask around and look in freecycle and pay-it-forward groups before you buy.

Bibs – Avoid plastic and synthetic bibs by using natural fibre textiles. You can also tie a tea-towel or handkerchief loosely around the child’s neck.

Nursing or breast pads – Disposable breast pads can be replaced with reusable fabric versions. Youme.ie  sell ones made by Mily Designs.

If no reusable alternative suits you, Natracare make sustainable disposable maternity, menstrual, and incontinence products.

Toothbrush – Soft-bristled kids’ size bamboo toothbrushes are available.

Copy books – At the beginning of the school year, my mum would take all of our old copy books and if there were any that had a lot of blank pages left, she would cut out the used pages so that we could fill the rest of the book as if it were a blank copy.

Toys – You can easily find second hand toys, whether they’re hand-me-downs from cousins and friends, or found through freecycle groups or in charity shops. When your kids have out-grown their toys, pass them on to younger children. If you’re buying a new toy for a child, avoid plastics and synthetic materials if possible.

Snacks – Try feeding your children whole foods, like fruit and vegetables, as snacks. For snacks that are more complex, try making them at home, or buying in bulk and packaging-free.

 

Miscellaneous

Wrapping paper – I use whatever spare paper I have. This is usually wrapping or tissue paper I’ve received on gifts, but I’ve also used tissue from parcels, brown paper bags, or newspaper. I’ve seen people wrap with fabric scraps or scarves too. To avoid sticking tape, I’ve started using string or ribbon to secure the wrapping, or biodegradable paper tape.

Tissues – Replace your Kleenex with some old-fashioned, natural fibre hankies that you can throw in the wash when dirty (I understand this might be tricky with lots of small children, and it’s not easy to carry a big wad of half clean, half used snotty hankies along with everything else).

Pacifiers – Hevea make natural rubber baby (and puppy) products, including pacifiers. Natural rubber is biodegradable, so once Baby is finished with their pacifier, you can compost it.

Copy books – At the beginning of the school year, my mum would take all of our old copy books and if there were any that had a lot of blank pages left, she would cut out the used pages so that we could fill the rest of the book as if it were a blank copy.