As people look for new ways to minimise their carbon footprint, many are turning towards zero waste products. Read on to discover 6 easy switches you can make to begin your zero waste journey today.
2020 has been a wake-up call to everybody. Having witnessed powerful typhoons, raging forest fires, and all-time high temperatures, people are left with little choice now but to acknowledge the devastating impacts of climate change, and the need for individual action.
One of the easiest ways to make an impact is at home, by adopting – and advocating for – a more sustainable, waste-free lifestyle. But change doesn’t happen overnight! Kickstart your transition to zero waste today by making simple lifestyle changes that limit personal waste.
To start your journey, check out these six zero waste products to live a waste-free lifestyle. Through just a few small alterations to your day-to-day, you can make a big difference to the environment, the climate, and the world as a whole.
Reusable Water Bottles
Studies show that a global estimate of 60 million plastic bottles end up in landfills on a daily basis. These single-use plastic bottles will never fully disintegrate, and will instead fragment into smaller particles until they eventually end up in the ocean. With plastic consumption surpassing recycling efforts by a long mile, reverting to reusable water bottles would be a small yet notable step in the right direction.
Insider’s Tip: Typo has a great collection of reusable bottles in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours.
Shampoo Bars
A game-changer in an industry notorious for its environmentally-detrimental practices, shampoo bars have found a loyal follower base among the beauty community and world as a whole. Eco-friendly and plastic-free, they’re packed with premium natural extracts that are beneficial to your hair and are a great green alternative to traditional liquid shampoo. On top of that, they’re long-lasting, devoid of excessive packaging and harmful ingredients, and come in travel-friendly sizes, making them a godsend for both the planet and travel junkies alike.
Insider’s Tip: R Liggett’s Virgin Coconut & Argan Oil Shampoo Bar has been raising eyebrows for all the right reasons. With a paraben-free formulation and organic ingredients, take your self-care game to the next level with one of these, available on Amazon.
Grocery Tote Bags
Tote bags make for a great alternative to the flimsy plastic bags we are all guilty of resorting to when shopping. A far more practical option in terms of durability, you can carry all your heavy groceries without having to risk dropping your weekly supply of snacks all over the walkway. With many countries having a plastic levy in place, investing in one or two tote bags is a no-brainer – and more cost-effective in the long-term.
Insider’s Tip: Our pick would be these Natural Canvas Tote Bags on Amazon. Heavy-duty yet foldable and compact, these are perfect for doubling down as a grocery bag as well as a DIY craft project. Bring out your markers and unleash your inner artist as you have fun personalising your very own tote bag.
Bamboo Toothbrushes
A billion toothbrushes are predicted to end up in landfills by the end of 2020 – and that’s just from the US alone. We understand that plastic toothbrushes are much more readily available than their bamboo-based counterparts, which is why so many fail to make the switch. However, a little effort can go a long way, especially for our planet. Bamboo toothbrushes are all-natural and biodegradable, and will do the job as well and last as long as their plastic counterparts. Small changes make a big difference, so make this simple swap today!
Insider’s Tip: Check out Cosmopolitan‘s top picks on the best bamboo toothbrushes currently available in the market. We particularly love the Isshah Biodegradable Eco-Friendly Natural Bamboo Charcoal Toothbrush.
Collapsible Straws
Unlike some soft plastics which can be recycled, plastic straws cannot be recycled due to their weight and size, which means that they either end up in landfills for – quite literally – hundreds for years or floating in the ocean, harming marine life. So if you’re not ready to skip straws entirely, then consider at least swapping to reusable straws. Our favourite? Collapsible, metal straws. Once you opt to try one of these, you won’t ever have to give in to the temptation of using plastic straws again. Highly portable and easy to clean, these straws are a must-have for the next time you get a drink to go.
Insider’s Tip: We recommend the Flyby portable straws. Packaged in handy keychain containers, you can get these eco-friendly straws on Amazon.
Unpaper Towels
Good for the environment and your wallet, unpaper towels will eliminate the need to purchase multiple rolls of paper towel, helping you making that all-important switch to organic washcloths. Made of easy-to-wash fabrics, these options come in an array of colours and sizes, to suit even the most discerning of tastes. Although they may cost more up-front, these reusable towels are multi-purpose steals to use around the house, that will be the more cost-efficient option in the long-run.
Insider’s Tip: Check out these 100% cotton towels on Amazon. Long-lasting, highly absorbent, and made of high-quality material, these unpaper towels make for a great deal.
Wrapping Up
We get it, implementing lifestyle changes is always easier said than done. However, with a little commitment and our recommended swaps, these zero waste products will smooth the transition into your zero waste life and improve the quality of your day-to-day living.
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