While the journey towards Zero Waste is never ending, these alternatives will help any step of the way. All of these alternatives have been tried, tested, and approved by me! I would never post anything that I have not researched to the best of my ability and will constantly update this list with new alternatives. Please keep in mind that throwing out an old item for one of the items I have listed is not a good alternative. Use up old products, recycle, donate, give away or sell the rest. The purpose of Zero Waste is to prevent as much matter from heading to the landfill as possible!
Hygiene
The Waste Problem: Disposable Razors
Why: Non-recyclable, expensive, wasteful
The Alternative: Safety Razor or laser hair removal (more money)
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Plastic Toothbrush
Why: Non-recyclable, wasteful
The Alternative: Bamboo compostable and sustainable toothbrushes
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Disposable Makeup Remover Wipes
Why: They are wasteful, expensive, unnecessary, and often have toxic chemicals
The Alternative: Organic Coconut Oil and Reusable Cotton Rounds
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Cotton Balls
Why: Cotton is very pesticide and water intensive and they are not recyclable
The Alternative: Reusable Cotton Rounds
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Body Wash in Packaging
Why: It is wasteful, not recyclable everywhere, and contains chemicals
The Alternative: Unwrapped Bulk Soap
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Bleached toilet paper
Why: Dangerous chemicals, non-recycled, wasteful
The Alternative: Bamboo Toilet Paper
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Plastic Tampon Applicator and Non Organic Tampon
Why: Conventional cotton is pesticide laden & I don’t want plastic in my life, especially near my…
The Alternative: Menstrual cup such as Lunette cup
Where to buy: Here
Everyday Essentials:
The Waste Problem: Disposable Plastic Bags
Why: Go straight to landfill, very infrequently recycled, wasteful
The Alternative: Organic Cotton Tote
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Plastic Water Bottles
Why: Not often recycled (less than 20%), end up in landfill, completely avoidable
The Alternative: Reusable water bottle
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Plastic Straw
Why: End up in landfill, completely avoidable
The Alternative: Stainless Steel or Bamboo Straw
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Wrapping Paper on Birthdays and Holidays
Why: It goes straight to the landfill and is infrequently reused
The Alternative: Re-Use Newspaper and biodegradable twine from a hardware store
Kitchen
The Waste Problem: Individually portioned coffee and tea and disposable coffee filters
Why: They produce a lot of unnecessary waste, uses plastic, and are not recyclable
The Alternative: A French Press – the coffee tastes better, easy to clean, no plastic, no waste!
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Plastic Cutting Boards
Why: You can not recycle them and it is said that these boards develop nicks which foster bacteria
The Alternative: Wooden Cutting Boards
Where to buy: My friend Chelsea makes amazing boards that I use everyday!
The Waste Problem: Plastic Utensils
Why: They can not be recycled and there is really no use for them
The Alternative: Stainless Steel or Bamboo Silverware
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Plastic Cooking Utensils
Why: They tend to melt and could leach toxins into your food
The Alternative: Bamboo utensils: are naturally antibacterial, absorb little moisture and regenerate fast
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Plastic Ice Trays
Why: Most likely not recyclable and could leach toxins
The Alternative: Stainless Steel Ice Tray
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Conventional Dish Soap
Why: They have a high concern for cancer, high levels of preservatives and other problems
The Alternative: Bulk Castile Soap
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Sponge
Why: Not recyclable, compostable
The Alternative: Compostable and reusable dish brush
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Plastic Dish Dryers
Why: They can not be recycled
The Alternative: Lay your dishes out on a reusable towel to dry
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Plastic Tupperware
Why: It poses possible toxicity risks and can leach chemicals into your food
The Alternative: Mason Jars
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Nonstick Pan
Why: A slew of health problems associated with nonstick coating
The Alternative: Cast Iron Pan
Where to buy: Here
Cleaning:
The Waste Problem: Paper Towels
Why: Non-recyclable, wasteful
The Alternative: Reusable towels
Where to buy: Here
The Waste Problem: Dryer Sheets
Why: Synthetic, non-recyclable, unnecessary
The Alternative: Organic Dryer Balls- cut drying time, prevent static
The Waste Problem: A slew of cleaning products
Why: They contain chemicals and are unnecessary
The Alternative:White Vinegar used as a counter or mirror cleaner, presoak for laundry
Where to buy: Any supermarket
The Waste Problem: Dry Cleaning
Why: Environmentally Unfriendly, unregulated (yes even the “green” cleaning), global warming
The Alternative: Hand washing, steaming, ironing, and line drying