If you want to go zero-waste, it won’t take you long to realize that reusables are where it’s at. Sometimes this means that you will spend a little more up front than you would spend on an item’s throw-away counter-part.
However, you’ll start saving immediately and continue piling up that savings every time you wash and reuse said item instead of purchasing another package of “throw aways.”
If you’re a crafty kind of person, a lot of reusables in the zero-waste world are fairly easy to make at home. All of the items on the list in this post are things that you can make on your own if you have the time, some sewing & crochet skills, and a few natural ingredients stocked up. But if DIY isn’t your thing, or you just don’t have time, this list will point you in the right direction.
The biggest jackpot of handmade, inexpensive items for going zero-waste can be found on Etsy. This is where you will find stylish, high-quality reusables that will cover all the bases for you as you begin your eco-friendly lifestyle.
These are my top 10 must-haves for going zero-waste. And they are ALL on Etsy! These are the things that I recommend you purchase when you are trying to get serious about wasting less. It’s not practical to simply stop using single-use products without having a good alternative to use instead.
So, here are the best beginner zero waste swaps, in no particular order.
Best Zero Waste Products on Etsy
These are made out of 100% cotton. One side has brushed cotton making them soft and gentle to your skin. The edges are serged together so they will not fray with use. Size is approximately 3” diameter.
After use, you can just throw them in a small delicates laundry bag and then wash them with your regular laundry.
Crocheted cloths made out of 100% cotton yarn are a reusable gem. They are very sturdy, long-lasting, and totally zero-waste.
Crocheted cotton cloths are perfect in the kitchen for washing dishes or wiping down kitchen counters. They work just as well in the bathroom as a face cloth or in the shower in place of your plastic loofah. In fact, they are WAY better at exfoliating.
This is what you will need to replace your single use plastic wrap. They come in squares or circles, different sizes, and lots of cute patterned fabric.
These wraps are my favorite that I've tried because instead of just using beeswax, they also have jojoba oil and pine rosin to make it pliable and help it stick/seal better. To use them, you just press the wrap to your dish (or to itself, if you're wrapping food on its own). To clean, just wash and rinse with soap and cool water.
Rich, shimmery color made with natural, plant-based ingredients and packaged in zero-waste, plastic-free packaging.
DirtyHippieCosmetics is definitely well-known in the zero-waste community for all of their awesome non-toxic and eco products, but this lip and cheek tint is a good place to start. Just be aware that this might turn out to be your "gateway" product into the world of nontoxic, zero-waste beauty.
This set of three different sizes of produce bags are perfect for making your shopping trip zero waste!
They are easily washed and made out of cotton mesh. No plastic or petroleum product used in it.
Made of laminated cotton that is free of BPA, PVC and lead.
A few reusable sandwich bags are all you need to ditch the single-use plastic bags. They are easily washed or wiped out after each use.
These paper towel substitutes are made out of cotton fabric, two layers thick. Sold in sets of 6. Get them with or without snaps. (I prefer without, but each to his own.)
They can be rolled up on a standard paper towel holder. This zero-waste kitchen item is the key to getting rid of your paper towels once and for all. You'll find that unpaper towels are more absorbent than what you're used to, so you probably won't go through them as fast.
Etsy has a plethora of cloth napkins to choose from. I love these beautiful linen ones in these soft colors.
Replacing paper napkins with cloth is one of the easiest ways to cut down on your everyday waste. Plus, it just feels fancier than using paper napkins, and you deserve to feel fancy.
This dish soap block is great for washing dishes by hand. Made of saponified coconut oil and castor oil, it is organic and cruelty-free. It's easy to use with either a dishcloth or a natural bristled dish scrubber.
Moving away from liquid soaps and detergents that come in plastic bottles is a simple way to reduce your waste.
This is a set of 6 XL (~3 inches wide) wool dryer balls to be used in place of dryer sheets. They are unscented, dye-free, and 100% natural wool.
Dryer balls help decrease static and drying time when added to your load of clothes in the dryer. You can add several drops of essential oils to the balls to add a subtle scent to your laundry. Moving away from dryer sheets is an excellent way to decrease the waste you create as well as limit the toxins your family comes into contact with.
These items will have a big impact on your daily waste and really reduce your consumption of disposable products. If you have a family, this positive effect will be even bigger. So nice job choosing a more sustainable way of doing everyday life!
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