The reasons for my family’s clutter-full habits are varied, from just plain being taught not to be wasteful, not being taught or being unable to manage our consumerism better, feeling too guilty to say goodbye to items of emotional value, or wanting our stuff to go to good use somewhere, all capped off by my grandparents raising children after WW2 when resources were really scarce. Such lack and scarcity is something hard to erase from your memory, and the emotional legacy of that is really f* heavy. Like fighting with my parents every single time I wanted to donate or get rid of sth. heavy. Any attempt at decluttering or reducing consumption was met with massive anxiety from all sides, including me.

It’s normal you feel overwhelmed, it’s like learning a whole new way of existing in the world, different from what you were taught and it’s different from the current mainstream society. We aren’t taught to be zero-waste, or save, or take good care of our things. We are encouraged to spend more, have more, do more at every strep. When we turn our phones on, go on the subway, have a walk in the city, it’s ad porn everywhere. Plus, there are many choices, options, and voices in this space already. I get it. Until you start actually paying attention to all the products we buy, you don’t notice how plastic-addicted we are. We are told it’s fast, cheap, cleaner. The actual cost of plastic is hidden from us, like meat factories or the fact we were all exporting our trash to China until 2 years ago. And when you start looking for that info, it’s like opening a flood gate. Anxiety starts creeping in. Worry. Overload. Deer in headlights. Standstill.

What reduces overwhelm? Simple small actions. Stop listening to all the voices out there, and do something simple. Today. Do now and deal with your emotions later. Journaling is great to get all the tangles out, or if it’s easier for you, talk it out with someone. You can leave a comment here or write to me directly at natasha@zerowastethings. It will be me answering. I also have a FB page. It’s easier to do zero waste in a community.

Lesser known zero waste tips

You will most likely not see this suggested on any other zero waste blog, but if you are overwhelmed by going zero waste, you have to reduce the input of information. For heavens sake, get yourself an AD BLOCKER. They are free. I use uBlock on Chrome. You won’t believe how much space will free up and nothing will flash in your face constantly. It takes 1 min to set up. Stop reading, install it, then come back for 3 actionable steps you can do TODAY.

There is no perfect way to do zero waste. Sustainability has many angles and moving parts. As a rule of thumb, it’s more environmentally friendly to use up what you will use, donate or toss what you aren’t using and then start buying local and zero waste when you can. We all do what we can and practice being OK with the rest.

I might do a write-up on how I dealt with the guilt and anxiety in more detail, if there will be enough people interested, but for now… I want to keep it simple. Actionable.

3 actionable steps that will cut your zero waste overwhelm

3 simple things you can do that will have a big impact on your piece of mind and your zero waste lifestyle:

1. Swap for Ecoegg

Swap your laundry detergent and softener for EcoEgg. It’s one product that will save 2 plastic bottles per month, it replaces detergent and softener. There is no microplastic, no nasties, and the product works for 90% of their clients.

I just finished writing a full review with stain swatches for the laundry egg, but beware of not overloading yourself with more info (the short review is: is works and it’s comparable to organic detergents).

2. Swap for soap

Swap your shower gel for bar soap. I like the luscious triple-milled, glycerin bar soap or any of the more luscious varieties, but anything gentler will do. They still sell them in every grocery or drug store, you probably never noticed. Dove makes bar soap sold in paper boxes. It’s the simplest no-fuss, guaranteed to work well swap.

I have a full post on soap bars, when you are ready for it.

3. Swap for a shampoo bar

Swap your shampoo for Lamazuna bar soap (or Lush). Lamazuna has 3 options, dry, normal, and oily hair. It’s a good shampoo. I’ve tried several and it’s my favorite. If you are overwhelmed now, save trying no-poo or clay washes for later, if you want to give them a try. Make it simple and easy. Do a direct swap at the beginning of your zero waste journey that will not send your scalp and hair to a 2-4 week purging period. Lamazuna behaves more like a regular shampoo, no nasties, clean beauty brands, made in a garden here in France.

I’ve reviewed Lamazuna before and I have several more of their products in the light up. As a preview scoop-I like most of their zero waste products.

Those are the 3 things you can do today. Use up what you have at home, try to recycle the containers, and move on. Next… Start reading everything else on my zero waste blog. Just joking You do not need more information when you are too overwhelmed. Just order the 3 things from the list today and start using them when your current products run out. Take one first step today and give yourself a mental and emotional break. Come back to it after the overwhelm settles and you start feeling good about your initial swaps. Living a zero-waste lifestyle requires a lot of trial and error, customization, and just seeing how a product or system works for you. That is why I review products, including the ones I don’t like. I buy the products myself, as I need them and write an honest review.

If you are a complete beginner start with my zero waste essentials guide. It’s tailored to newbies, swapping out items that make the biggest impact and I explain the why and how to do it so you will have maximum success.

Recap for stopping overwhelm when going zero waste

• keep it simple and actionable
• do the 3 zero waste swaps mentioned
• reduce the amount of information
• stop ads from influencing your emotions and behavior
• stick to easy direct swaps to start
• remember what you are feeling is OK and normal
• connect with zero-waste groups

*Links above are affiliate. Opinions are mine.

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The post How to stop being overwhelmed when going zero waste appeared first on ZERO WASTE THINGS.

Side note: Did you know laundry cleaner manufacturers aren’t required to disclose ingredients used in laundry detergents and stain removers? So they do not. Some still use microplastic and ingredients harmful to the environment.

Related: Zero waste plastic free laundry routine from start to finish

General tips before you apply a stain remover

I think you already knew this, but for people at the back, the sooner you can soak or wash off a stain, the better.

What is also good to know about natural stain removals is that there are 2 kinds of stain removal, actual stain removal vs. bleaching the stain so it becomes less visible. I describe this in more detail in my post on why I stopped making my own laundry detergent.
Most often, stain removals will do a bit of both. I find it often doesn’t matter which one it is really, though it is a bit gross to think sth. is still dirty, just not visible…

For best success, you need to know what we are dealing with. There are several types of stains:

1. PROTEIN BASED: blood, milk, ice-cream, various body fluids…
2. OIL BASED: oil, cosmetics, makeup…
3. TANIN BASED: tea, coffee, coke, berries …
4. DYE BASED: ink, colorants in food and drinks
5. COMBO: mayo (protein+oil), ketchup, most finished dishes, most processed food…

Each category has its own stain remover and you can treat some in the same way. The most important thing to remember is:

Never rinse/wash in hot water on blood (protein-based stains).

Never use a stain remover with soap on coffee or tea stains, use pure detergent only. By soap, I mean hand soap, body soap, laundry soap, laundry detergent with Marseilles soap…

So, what do you do instead?

You will want to rinse off the stain with cold, and I mean very cold water. Turn your tap water on the coolest it will go to rinse and soak the stain. Soak with what? Keep reading…

Pre-soak with laundry detergent

If your stains aren’t too old, I would probably just try to soak it with laundry detergent, or dish soap for oil-based stains (just be careful to rinse off dish soap before putting it in the washing machine, you might have a bubbly fiasco on your hands if not) and wash it in a warm or hot cycle if possible. I found we often use stain removers because are told we have to. Some laundry detergents are quite powerful, especially the powdered ones and that is why I got away with not using a stain remover on my clothes for so long. Enzyme based detergents are also quite good at removing stains.

*Washing soda

Washing soda is what I treat my oils stains on kitchen towels with. I have a special set of kitchen towels that I use just like a paper towel and those do get dirty often. Every couple of months, I will chuck them in the washer with a good cup of washing soda (not baking soda) and regular cleaner. Washing soda works by bleaching the stain, not actually removing it.

It can be quite harsh, so I do not use it on clothes and I try to not do it too often.

I buy it at my local zero waste store or organic store. You might also be able to find them in a hardware store, with solvents and cleaners.

It’s also what I used when I tested the Ecoegg|laundry egg.

A word on ammonia based stain removers

It’s often found in old-school “natural-looking” cleaners shelf where I live, so I thought I would include it here, though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. Here is why.
Ammonia is great as a textile stain remover, for carpet spills, as a car seat cleaner, and works very well on all types of stains. I have used an ammonia solution on an old chocolate stain and it worked like magic. You can also find it in window cleaners or pots cleaners since it doesn’t really leave a residue. And very little goes a very long way…

…but it toxic to aquatic animals (it’s sometimes just dumped into rivers or oceans by the coal industry) and the fumes are highly toxic to humans as well. If you decide to use sth. like that, protect yourself, wear goggles, gloves, and use an appropriate concentration (5-10%), dispose of it properly. Also, ammonia stinks like sth. else and the fumes are harmful, so always do it outside or well-ventilated area.

Acid-based stain remover

Stage one: citric acid or acetic acid aka lemon and vinegar

Citric acid is found in lemons (and other citrus fruits) and acetic acid is vinegar. The problem with those two is that they are sometimes not quite potent enough in their natural states. Try lemon and vinegar on coffee and tea stains, grass, or other protein-based stains.

Use acid only in the pretreatment stage and never put it directly in the washing machine. Some types of rubber react with it and get damaged, which can get to leaks.

Health warning: do not inhale.

Also, do not use acid near metal buttons or decorations, they can get damaged as well.

Acid should also never be used on any type of stone or wood, no matter the stain. It works great on glass (just not glasses, since it can remove anti-glare or anti-blue light layers).

For what it’s worth: hydrogen peroxide and bleach

Hydrogen peroxide is hard to get and it’s not really used as a stain remover in my neck of the woods. I know it can be used as a good all-round brightening solution and it’s gentler on textile than bleach.

I really dislike using bleach on stains because I always manage to get it on something else as well and it tends to linger around, so I got accidental bleach stains weeks later.

My mom will use a diluted solution to clean tiles in the bathroom and it does a good job, but for me, the stink and elbow grease required just isn’t worth it.

So what do I use then?

Old school stain remover – Gallseife

Galseife is a mix of a vegetable hard soap and ox bile. It’s the stuff out great great grandmas would use to get stains out of wool, silk, or any kind of other textiles. It’s suitable for delicates as well, it preserves colors and can be applied as many times as needed. It’s 100 % biodegradable and not harmful to the environment (providing there are no harsh chemicals included). By buying organic you can control at least some of the ingredients.

It cleans oil and protein based stains very well, including makeup stains, fruit stains and dyes.

Sonett stain remover gall soap does quite well and is 100% zero waste, plastic-free. See it here.

*This is not a vegan product and honestly, I’m not sure we have to use animals for cleaning our stuff as well, except when it is a by-product (meaning when we are trying to use the whole animal).

Zero waste and natural Fuellers Earth or Terre de Sommières

Also known as bleaching clay, whitening clay, multani mitti, clay of Multan… It would normally be named after a town where it is mined.

I really like this one because it is naturally occurring all over the world and has been used since ancient times.

It is amazing on oil based stains, but it’s also a really all-around stain remover, for collar stains, deodorant stains etc. The best use for Fuellers Earth though is the dreaded red wine stain. It works as a natural dry cleaning agent, all you need to do is apply it to the stain and it will soak it in.

Where to buy:

• Powder here or on Iherb
• plastic-free stain remover bar from The Théophile Berthon

2 in 1 zero waste stain remover

Most commercially produced stain removers, including natural, zero waste stain removers are a cocktail of bleaching and cleaning agents.

A zero waste stain remover from another French soap maker La Savonnerie des Calanques contains both ox bile and Terre de Sommières and comes plastic free. See it here.

Key takeaways

1. never treat bloodstains with heat
2. never treat coffee or tea stains with soap
3. pre-treat with your regular detergent – it might be enough
4. acidic based cleaners are better for protein-based stains
5. don’t use washing soda in your washer

The post The best zero waste stain remover + some stain science appeared first on ZERO WASTE THINGS.

I also have some tips and suggestions on what kinds of bags and jars you should get, so you can be set up for success from the get-go.

Some zero waste tips to get you going

• I do not want you to think if you need to get everything right, all the time. Preserving your sanity and mental health is equally important and small incremental changes make plastic-free life achievable.

• Start with what you have already. Zero waste means less consumerism, not just swapping out plastic items for something paper or wood-based items.

• check at flea markets, second-hand shops, and swapping communities like Freecycle when you don’t need to buy sth. absolutely new.

Basic zero waste essentials

Plastic-free water bottle/thermos

Using a reusable plastic bottle saves tons of energy. In most developed countries tap water is absolutely drinkable. Healthy. Safe. Plastic packaging, on the other hand, has now been proven to often leech harmful chemicals into our water and food. In the studies, PET plastic has come out as the safest of the plastics (you can find the label on the packaging, usually in the bottom).

You would be surprised to hear how many people still buy bottled water every day. If your tap water isn’t contaminated in some way, is it good to drink. Chlorinated water doesn’t taste great, but can get a water filter (tap filter or pitcher filter).

I like bottles made out of quality steel, but if you use a plastic one, make use it is BPA free.

I’ve been using Thermos Light 500 ml and my partner has Flsk thermos bottle, 750 ml.

If you like drinking soda, get yourself a Sodastream. It will save you tons of money, plastic waste and you will have control of your sugar intake. I got my partner a SodaStream for Christmas several years ago and it is still the single most used machine in the kitchen.

Re-usable set of bags

I think everyone has heard of reusable bags for fruit/veg/groceries. In fact, any bag will do, as long as it is CONVENIENT and SIMPLE for you. You want sth. light, foldable and strong, preferably not too stretchy. I do not like the stretchy net bags (with holes in them), though very photogenic, they can stretch soo much, get saggy, fiddly, and are awkward to carry around the city when they are actually full. There is a reason why they are always photographed flat.

The big gorgeous looking weave baskets are beautiful, but not really practical on the go. They are a 1 occasion only item, and if you won’t use it, it just creates more waste.

If you are crafty, you can make bags yourself out of old shirts, old plastic bags, sheets etc.

I also like to reuse old paper (or plastic) bags – they pack small and are lighter.

Zero waste waterproof vessel

I have a deep glass container for food (Ikea), several standard medium and big jars, which I have accumulated from buying peanut butter, yogurt, jam… I removed stickers with rubbing alcohol or acetone.

Just these two items will serve you for work lunches, buying cake, fish, cheese at the market or shops and shopping at zero waste stores. You can use them in so many ways, jars are excellent zero waste vases, pencil holders, candles, glasses, lunch boxes, DIY terrariums, plant pots…

I like the simplest, no-fuss shape better. Jars with special shapes are really pretty, but a pain to clean and get liquids out. If your lids get rusty or damaged, you can buy replacements in bigger grocery stores or kitchenware shops (or online).

I do not have many ‘decorative jars”/special jars, lemonade jars… because they are often not recyclable. I break them or have too many, they go in the normal waste bin.

Jars and bottles with a wider mouth are better because they can go into the dishwasher, thin bottlenecks need to be washed by hand.

How to do your grocery shopping zero waste?

A lot of supermarkets are now ditching single-use plastic bags, though they just get replaced by a version of biodegradable bags. Sadly, not everything that says is biodegradable really is. It’s a bit of greenwashing mixed with honest hope. It is still better than using old fashion plastic though.

How to find a zero-waste store near you?

• often Google map is a good start
• blogs like mine: I have a full directory of zero waste shops in Vienna and how to avoid plastic when you are visiting Vienna, and write about eco-friendly, sustainable travel everywhere I go.
• Bepackt.com
• Zerowastemap.com

If you have a zero-waste store and a local farmers market near-by, you are all set. Most of us do not have this luxury though.

If there is nothing in your area, or the plastic-free shop is too expensive, you can still shop low-waste. We do not need everybody to be perfect, just do what they can.

It has been a while since I’ve been to Canada (so they might have zero waste shops now), but they have this crazy shop called Bulk Barn. It is a bulk shop, founded in 1982! where you can buy everything from candy, baking goods, flour, gluten-free organic flours, spreads, oil, nuts, dry fruit, tea, coffee, spices, herbs in bulk. They offer (or used to offer) free plastic bags, but they always encouraged people to bring their own containers. They will not appear on the zero waste shop list.
In France, there is a bulk section for nuts, pasta, cereal and some basic grains in many bigger supermarkets and health stores and the prices were pretty comparable to plastic-packaged foods.

When in your normal grocery store, follow these tips

Returnable packaging

Returnable schemes are the most efficient thing consumers and businesses can do in their zero-waste efforts. It literally creates no waste in the process, minus the energy and cleaners used to clean the bottles jars and bottles. It is how our grandmas used to buy milk, yogurt, and all preserved food., but it got phased out till the 70s. Some countries already have a deposit system for beer bottles and the consumer then gets some money back for the returned bottle.

Zero waste essentials for food storage

I do food prep for the whole week almost every weekend. I store all of it in my tall glass jars and it looks really pretty too. I found the big one (500 ml) fits just enough food for 1 meal.

Bee wax or vegan wraps

This is my DIY set of bee wax wraps and a big part of my zero waste essentials. I have several dimensions to fit bread, sandwiches, pastry, covering veggies in the fridge, you can make a lid out of them for bowls… There is honestly nothing better for storing bread, nothing moldy, nothing dry.

I also made a couple of different size bags for zero waste snacks on the go, I even had success carrying cookies in them.

Recycled aluminum foil

You can totally get recycled aluminum foil if you wish to keep using it. Where I live, aluminum wrapping and foil are recyclable.

From what I have seen, we are often too paranoid to “protect” our produce, or preserve them for longer. We were also taught that plastic wrapping mores food cleaner and safer, which is not necessarily so. Commercially made products will always last longer because they were treated with chemical preservatives, no matter what bag we wrap around them. A paper bag and fabric wraps are sufficient.

Zero waste bathroom essentials

Once you use up all your old creams, gels, and shampoos, you will probably want to get a bar soap, bar shampoo, organic oil for hair, and maybe even zero waste toothpaste.

Related: Zero waste makeup

I managed to find an organic facial cleanser with a pump in a glass bottle and tend to buy all my moisturizers in a metal tube, that can be recycled. Metal is also much better in terms of preservation because it prevents oxidation of the product.

I still use my normal toothpaste and use zero-waste toothpaste pellets for travel.

My favorite brands are German Dr. Hauscka (almost everything is either in glass or metal), they have all low waste essentials, American The Ordinary and Niod keep most of their products in glass). British Lush is also expanding its zero-waste line, and so is the French Lamazuna.

Low waste cleaning

In all my years or cleaning with organic products, I have found this essential DIY zero waste cleaner to be the winner.

All you need is a spray bottle, white vinegar, alcohol, and water. Mix the liquids in equal parts and pour them in the bottle. I use this on greasy and calcium stained surfaces, the toilet, mirrors, and windows. You can add some of your fav. essential oil. Essential oils are anti-bacterial, but alcohol already kills some germs (in this ratio, alcohol strength is 33% and you need a much higher percentage to disinfect).

I’ve used the same plastic spray bottle for years, repurposed from an organic cleaner. When it breaks, I will buy a metal or glass one.

Warning

A lot of zero waste products are still in the development phase they use natural ingredients, that have not been proven by science to be effective. The formulations aren’t quite where they need to be, though this is improving.
Some established brands are wanting to join the low waste wagon too, offering greener products, as a result of public pressure and profit. Organic is the highest growing market in skincare in Europe. This is great news for everyone, consumers get more choice, better products and new greener jobs are created.

I do have to give a word of warning here and it is called GREENWASHING. Greenwashing isn’t a new term. Essentially it is when a company uses branding and clever marketing to present themselves greener and healthier as they really are. A prime example of greenwashing is using a green bottle, putting the name new and natural on it, without changing the formulation, suppliers, or their process.

Getting proactive on all fronts

I do think it is very important that we all, our governments and consumers, hold our favorite brands accountable. I send countless emails to companies asking about their green policies, asking for more environmentally friendly packaging, telling them I stopped using their products after finding out it contains (not labeled) micro-plastic.

For your convenience, I have made a copy-paste template that you can send to any company. All you need to do is find their email on their webpage. Companies take emails send personally seriously, because it took you more effort to send it, especially if lots of people do it.

It is free for you to download and use and you do not have to give me your email.

Sign petitions when you can. Greenpeace always has sth. happening, but there are lots more organizations.

The biggest thing you really need, besides some zero waste essentials, is the motivation to keep going. Going low waste is more of a mentality shift, vs. getting glass pots out and buying a bamboo toothbrush. I can’t count the times I got frustrated and it just took so long to get things done. However, with a bit of help and community encouragement, once you get past the learning curve, things get simpler and easier.

If you have time, do check The Climate Collage for additional motivation and understanding climate change.

The post Zero waste essentials to jumpstart your eco-friendly lifestyle (with TIPS) appeared first on ZERO WASTE THINGS.

I am aware that beauty standards and the amount of makeup are relative and stir up many emotions, needs, and opinions. I’ve kind of found my own way with it, reducing plastic along the way and I only speak from my experience which will not work for everyone.

Plastic makeup packaging is causing harm on all levels

I’m 99 % sure every single item in your makeup bag is packaged in plastic. Mine was. Most likely the packaging will end up burned, in a landfill, or somewhere along our waterways. The plastic used for makeup is the soft (the “crappy” non-recyclable) kind. By that, I do not mean it cannot be recycled, it’s just that is very rarely is. It’s too expensive and the soft recycled plastic can’t be used for much anymore (the quality is just too low). But cosmetic brands keep on using it because it is cheap, convenient and light to ship.

Alternative zero waste makeup options

Have you seen makeup refills around?
I love the idea, but… I’ve seen several brands not really reducing waste, just having a plastic refill, in addition to the bamboo casing. Hmm…

Paper is also not a perfect solution. It’s obviously not suitable for liquids., but more importantly than that, it is harder to ensure proper disinfection. My tip here is buying from credible sources, small-batch producers that use paper from controlled forests.

Swapping with girlfriends isn’t recommendable from a sanitary perspective.

Wood and metal are precious resources that often get used in zero waste cosmetics. Metal (mainly aluminum for skincare and makeup) is tedious and really polluting to make, but can (and is) infinitely reused.

There really isn’t anything perfect in a zero waste sense, but we do not need perfect. We just need better.

I like to buy the best quality I can, and use it up fully, to avoid wasting resources and product.

Zero waste makeup tips

I’ve eliminated “testing ” from my makeup routine. I only buy when I run out, and only products I’m at least 85% sure I’ll like.

Learn more about makeup, your skin, and application techniques

When I first started applying makeup I had no idea what I was doing, I just tried to imitate my friends. My mom doesn’t wear makeup, so she couldn’t help, and they were no Youtube tutorials back then. I wore a lot of colors I later discovered I didn’t like and didn’t look good on me. On occasion, I bought something I really liked and got me compliments, but I ascribe that to luck than anything else.

I wasn’t till my late uni years that I had more time and experience to actually sit down and learn a couple of things. This enabled me to stop mindlessly buying new products, that didn’t work for me. I also learned which products I really want to buy, and which I do not need. I finally figured out what I’m doing, and why… I even did makeup on some photoshoots in my best days.

Where (or from whom) I learned most:

• Lisa Eldridge YouTube channel + her book: she is a British celebrity makeup artist with loads of free tutorials. I do not use most of the products she uses, but I use many of her techniques.
• Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro, Bobbi Brown
• Makeup Artist Eye Charts, G. M. Reyna

Low waste eye makeup

I’ve started using eye pencils as shadows to save on space in my travel makeup bag years ago, and now it’s all I ever use. They apply like a creamy eye shadow and they are actually designed to stay on better. Win-win in my books. I get a natural or organic eye pencil in a wooden casing.

I even used a pink lip liner as an eyeshadow. It worked really well.

I always found organic eye shadows really limiting in color, mainly browns, and muted colors, so checking the pencil section broadens the selection a bit.

Old school Kayal (plastic free) makes for a great black eyeliner if you are looking for eyeliner replacement. They tend to be more intense than plain pencils.

I do still use a “classic” eyebrown powder, since I have issues ffinding a good shade and I feel the powder makes for a more natural look. Do you have any suggestions?

DIY low waste mascara/refills/classic

Mascara was so far the hardest thing to do zero waste, and I do wear it.

I have successfully made a mascara from a started kit on Aromazone, though it was fussy and still required a plastic casing.

In my mind, the plastic refills + casing does not save enough packaging to merit a much higher price tag, so I don’t buy them.

I’ve been a long time favorite of the organic cheapo Alverde 12h stay (cheap in countries with physical DM drugstores). It does the job, stays put in European city summers, and it’s easy to wash off.

Semi-permanent makeup

Just putting it out there, knowing most people reading this will not go for this option. Semi-permanent makeup treatments. The most common ones are eyeliner or eyelashes treatments, or microblading for your brows. You need to repeat the procedure every 16-14 months, depending, so you are not totally locked in.
Some of my friends are super thrilled with the results and it’s a huge time (and product) saver, but I do not have personal experiences with those. I’ve been tempted by microblading, but still rocking my own.
Something like this could work really well if you wear makeup frequently enough, or you always do it in the same way.

Related: How to choose a zero waste soap

Zero waste foundation

I tend to get an organic foundation in a glass bottle (not all glass is recyclable). I only cover the parts I need to and thin out/ blur the edges. I have rosacea, and on most days, I just cover the middle of my face (nose, between eyebrows, around my nose), I would say I probably wear foundation on about 1/4 of my face on any given day. This obviously makes the product lasts longer.
To be able to do that, I have a foundation that matches my skin tone perfectly with a decent longlasting coverage.

In the past, my skin tone changed quite a bit during the year (fair in the winter, tanned in the summer…), so I would buy 2: a lighter and darker shade of the same brand and mix them as needed.
If I would keep on buying different shades throughout the year, I would never use the whole bottle up.

Nowadays I would always wear sunscreen, so my skin tone is more even throughout the year.

I use liquid foundations by Sappho (14 shades) or Innisfree (24 shades, depending on the country of purchase).

I don’t like bronzes on my face and can’t be bothered with blushes or contouring on most days. If I’m in the mood for blush, a very light application of my lipstick does the job very well.

Zero waste setting powder/oil absorption

I do not have to use setting powders often, I try to take care of that with skincare products.

In the summer, I will sometimes use a freshwater pearl powder. Before you leave this page to never return again since I promised normally priced products, let me tell you, the powder set me back 3.50 EUR for 10 g on Aromazone.
Aromazone is a DIY cosmetics giant, but I do still buy from them once in a blue moon. To my knowledge, the pearls they use are sustainably sourced.

So, what is this freshwater pearl powder? It is a fine powder made from freshwater pearls that has been used in Asian beauty products since forever, and some very high-end traditional French makeup for about 100 years. It not only mattifies, but it also has added skincare bonuses. I keep it as 1 ingredient wonder and there is no need for preservatives.
It has a slight white cast (but less than zinc oxide sunscreen), so it’s not suitable for all skin tones.

I also used MUJI skin blotting paper, which works very well.

Low to zero waste makeup brand recommendations

Watch out for LUSH

Lush is just killing it in terms of innovation and range of zero waste makeup products they are currently offering. Their goal is to be really packaging free, and their refills actually being plastic-free.

I currently have their metal lipstick casings that come with refills protected with wax. You can just peel the wax off, insert and use. The metal casing is made by a French company (close to where I live) and there is a decent shade selection for the lipstick.
The problem is that you can only try them in their UK stores and the selection in the online shops vary from country to country. There also could be a potential breakage problem when peeling the wax off and inserting the lipstick.

I also use the casings for my DIY lip balms.

Lush also make an actual zero waste foundation with wax packaging, which looks really cool. I’m just not quite sure how to choose a shade online and based on YouTube reviews, it melts off, so I’m waiting for when they reformulate.

*Lush wax casing is compostable

I’m also a fan of Sappho

Sappho isn’t quite zero waste, they fall on the low to recycled packaging. They do have an impeccable ethos and I’m really happy with the quality, so I buy some favorites from them. They are on the pricier side, unless if you catch them on sale. I used to buy Dior sth. sth. foundation back in my non-organic days and the price was similar. I scored my first bottle in an organic store on sale and was then sold on texture, appearance, and longevity.

My favorite products from the brand are the primer and foundation.

The primer has 0 silicone (the thing that smooths out skin, makes foundation look flawless, last longer, and clogs pores) but I couldn’t tell, it’s that good. The packaging is recycled plastic. I would only use a primer on photoshoots and special occasions, so 1 tube lasted quite a while.

I also keep re-buying Sappho organic foundation. The container is made out of glass and it’s long-lasting. I really loved their first formulation, that thing lasted a full day, without retouches, but they have reformulated. It’s still pretty good, just not as good.

The problem with Sappho is the same as most organic makeup brands. They are smaller and so not have their own stores or many places that sell them to actually see and test the products.

Zero waste makeup application

In all honesty, you do not need a specific brand for makeup brushes to be zero waste. Many brands have always made brushes with wooden handles, and there is no way of getting around plastic bristles. Brushes last a really long time with proper care.

I do have an Ecotools travel kit (it has 4 brushes: foundation, blush, angle brush, and eyeshadow brush) but I do not like the foundation or blush one, the bristles aren’t soft and thin enough. I do not care for the case, it’s an extra product I do not need and the big brushes sometimes catch on them. But I do like the angle and foundation and I would buy singles if I would be buying them again.

I actually only use 1 brush, the angle brush on my eyebrows.

I use my fingers for applying foundation, I find the warmth helps with the application.

I dab my lipstick straight from the case and that gives a very natural look.

Zero waste makeup brands I want to try next

• Beauty made easy (vegan lip balms and lipsticks in 100% biodegradable paper)
• Colorisi
• Couleur Caramel

Both are local French brands with minimal packaging and I wanted to through those in there, in case you are looking for full zero waste makeup lines. I’ll update the post when I try them out.

Zero waste makeup is still in its infancy, so many products or brands aren’t available and I get it, it’s very hard to formulate good makeup products and use biodegradable packaging. Not everything I own is 100% packaging-free, so I balance it out with buying less.

Over to you,

How are you going with zero waste makeup? Is it hard? Easy to find?

The post Zero waste makeup hacks, tips, brands I like, products I repurchase appeared first on ZERO WASTE THINGS.

I have tried several hair removal techniques through the years (reviews below) and landed on 2 techniques that work well for me.

Note: This post is NOT sponsored.

I was starting with thick dark hair (armpit, bikini line, legs) which means I would have to shave almost daily. In my world, things have to be quick and easy, and shaving every day is just really time-consuming.

Depending on personal preference and your environment, not shaving at all might be an option. Removing hair in some form or another has always been a thing for humans, however, since the invention of a razor for women in 1915, things got out of hand. Products were (and are) sold to women via shaming, degrading, and pseudoscience of hair being somehow unclean. Nowadays, removing hair gets marketed more from an attractiveness perspective, but in reality, a lot of men just don’t care as much as we think they do. Hair removal is sold to us with images of luxury, long legs, and silky plum skin, though I have to say I rarely look or feel that way when it’s just me, razor, and privacy of my bathroom.

Long term low (zero) waste hair removal: permanent hair removal laser

Trying to reduce my time shaving, I invested in a home permanent hair removal laser. I was really skeptical at first but decided to give it a go.
Laser hair removal stuns hair growth, and making them thinner and in my case a tad lighter. I followed instructions religiously and had visible results in about 2 months.
3 years later, with minimal touch-ups, I have still have about 80% less hair growth than before treatments (my rough estimate, I sadly do not have photos). This also means I can go longer between shaving or waxing.

The downsides of using a laser remover:

• does not work well if your hair and skin are a similar color
• depending on your pain levels, it can hurt (it was moderate for me)
• you have to use a gel (in soft plastic) and I went through very fast (I tried a DIY version, but it was a lot more painful – do not recommend)
• it’s time-consuming – several treatments are necessary, over several weeks
• this hair removal method isn’t suitable for all body areas – face, vaginal area, other sensitive areas, I wouldn’t use it around scar tissue…
• DIY version might not be appropriate if you are in any way motorically challenged

You can get it done professionally in a salon or DIY at home. Option for a home version was a fair bit cheaper where I live (though not cheap) and it was worth the time/money spent for me.

IMPORTANT: I consulted some people on the safety of using this type of laser on my skin (and eyes). Do your own due diligence and decide based on what you are comfortable with, not based on what sb. online says (including me).

If your hair and skin are too similar for a laser removal treatment, you can look into electrolysis for hair removal. Results are faster, permanent, but also more expensive (not suitable for home treatments, always with a highly trained professional).

Hair removal with an electric epilator

Electric epilators were a fail in my books. I got one after a friend recommended it. She was really happy, so I got the same model, but it was tedious and too painful for me. I also kept getting ingrown hair so I abandoned this method altogether.

Note: Many manufacturers nowadays design and built products to die just a bit after the warranty expired to encourage a new purchase. Reviews online are normally done after a couple of uses, so I can’t ever be sure of the longevity of these things.

Removing hair naturally with sugar: 2 methods

Zero waste hair removal with sugar wax + strips

Nowadays I mainly use sugar wax as my main hair removal method. I was skeptical at first, but it works much better than regular wax strips (I sometimes used on my legs before starting a more zero waste lifestyle).

The process is the same as with regular wax. What I really like is that the wax dissolves in water, so the mess is easier to clean. There is no need for oil strips to remove the wax residue. I just wash it off my skin. The strips are washable and reusable. I normally soak them for a minute or two, and the wax just rinses off.
The stips are in good condition even after several uses (I have about 1/4 of the pot left) and they still do the job well. I cut some of the strips into smaller ones so I can use them on my face.

There is a plastic pot, but it’s actually lasting me pretty well, even with the initial learning curve. When getting the temperature just right, the pain is minimal. I do it every 3-4 weeks, which is huge for me.

The only thing I don’t like with this method is that it’s hard to tell when the wax is hot enough (my indicator stick is not accurate). There is a perfect sweet spot between temperature, the amount applied and speed, which is a bit hard to achieve at home. In the summer, when the inside temp was higher for several degrees, it noticeably affects the temp. of the wax too.

Oriental waxing/sugaring

Another method of removing hair with sugar is oriental waxing or sugaring. This method was meh me, at least the home version.

Essentially, you remove hair with a caramel-like substance, my set had me warm and prep the sugar wax by folding it several times. You do not need strips or any other equipment, the wax functions as a strip as well. You just apply and pull the same one several times. It worked great when I got the consistency of the wax just right, and it did absolutely nothing if I failed at prep. I found it time-consuming and harder to get it right at home. Regrowth was also faster than the sugar wax+strips method above.

If you are wanting to try it, make sure that the skin is absolutely dry and clean before removing hair. In the end, I finished the pot, but didn’t rebuy.

Natural way to make hair removal hurt less??

The pain threshold is a subjective thing, no person is alike. What might be painless for me, could be uncomfortable for you.

Timing hair removal right

According to research, the menstrual cycle alters our pain perception, depending on the levels of sex hormones. Women rated higher pain sensitivity just before and during menstruation and lower in the midmenstrual and ovulatory phases. This means that if you schedule your treatments (or DIY) around your ovulation, the pain should be less.

Perception of pain is dependent on many things, not just hormones. I have been testing the theory and but I can’t say for sure. What do you think?

Do not soften the skin prior to treatments

If you are epilating or waxing, do it before you have a shower/bath. Water softens the skin, which makes hair removal more difficult. It can damage the skin and has the potential to be more painful.

Getting your skin ready for hair removal

I try to do scrub the day before, to eliminate dead skin and expose ingrown hair. I also avoid lotions and oils the day or two before. I want my skin to be exfoliated and ready for some rougher treatment.

Zero waste hair removal the old school way – reusable razer

I use my partners old plastic razer and purchase inexpensive Wilkinson blades. If you can’t find them in the women’s section with other disposable razors, waxes and depilation creams, have a look in the men’s section.

I also tried Bic blades which produced razor burn (with using the same technique).

I can’t say I had issues switching from disposable to reusable razor. I actually cut myself more often on the disposables (and have a scar or two to prove it) than a reusable one. It could be that I am more careful, or the blade is better.

I do not use shaving gels or shaving soaps anymore. I use whatever soap bar I am using at the time (a creamier soap works best, so it stays on the skin better).

I also do not use aftershave lotions. Oil-based lotions can clog newly opened hair follicles which can result in little pimples or a breakout. Because I use a gentler soap, my skin doesn’t get dry after shaving anymore. I apply alum water on potential cuts and wait with a moisturizer for a day.

To recap: I use sugar wax removal on all nonsensitive parts plus a old reusable razor in a rush or sensitive areas and quick touch-ups. I do not use a shaving cream or aftershave. My skin reacted really well to these methods, but you might have to adapt to your skin type.

What do you think? Which one of these zero waste hair removal options do you think you would be most successful at? Do you see any problems ahead?

The post Low to zero waste hair removal options: epilator vs. wax vs. razor vs. laser removal appeared first on ZERO WASTE THINGS.

Zero waste swaps are in order of biggest impact (most plastic reduced), but they use and quantity depend of your lifestyle.

Crucial zero waste swaps tips

1. SMALL STEPS – LONG TERM GAINS: when you are just starting with zero waste you might be tempted to transform all areas of your life into a green oasis at once, only to end up overwhelmed and upset. From experience, start with something that is easy to implement, and easy to sustain.
2. the most sustainable thing you can do is USE THINGS YOU ALREADY OWN FOR LONGER
3. if you get discouraged, remember every action counts, it’s OK to not be perfect and feel free to reach out to me

Most impactful zero waste swap – switch to public transport or bike

The most impactful thing we can do for the environment as individuals is to approach transport differently. Swap a short weekend trip for a longer vacation, explore the neighbour’s backyard, swap a plane ride with long-distance or night trains, and hop on a bike when you can.

This reduces CO2 our dependency of fossil fuels and supports local economy.

Switch from meat to more legumes and veg

I have no words for how greedy companies produce meat nowadays. Animals are stuffed with antibiotics and growth hormones in appalling conditions. The current crisis has exposed unethical conditions for workers in meat factories all over the world as well.
Reducing our meat consumption reduces not only CO2 but also other greenhouse gasses.

Start by switching 1 meal or 2 per week and see how you go.

Buy local/organic/free range when you possibly can.

Switch from single-use bottled water to a reusable water bottle

I saw most impactful, because 1 person uses (and throws away) roughly 4 bottles per day, which makes 28 water bottles per week, which makes 1456 plastic bottles per person per year.

You may have seen this quote online: “Companies providing bottles water are in the business of producing plastic, not water” (author unknown). This is because a 25-80 % of bottled water worldwide is actually just tap water, depending on the location and brand.

There are locations where bottled water is cleaner, but it’s less common than we think. You can also get physical filters or tabs that purify water if you are concerned.

Get your very own re-usable coffee mug

Similar to water bottles, coffee to go comes with it’s own single use plastic items. Some people think paper cups are recyclable, which may or may not be true. Paper cups were up until recently mostly lined with plastic, that is impossible to separate. With greater awareness and peer pressure, cups lined with some sort of wax may be available, but it’s hard still hard to trace if the wood was sourced sustainably and what coating they used. And does your recycling facility take used coffee cups? Mine doesn’t.

Any brand will do, though baristas prefer low to medium high cups that fit in the espresso machine vs. taller ones.

*Switching to mugs is actually a very easy swap for the office as well.

Zero wasting take-out

Especially in the last couple of months take out was the only way of “dinning out”. But the reality is, take-out produces a lot of non-recyclable single-use waste. Where I currently live, plastic containers are not recyclable, let alone those small sauce pouches. Polystyrene foam (or styrofoam – the white crumbly kind) containers are actually the hardest to recycle.

If possible, cook at home (I do batch meal prep on Sundays Fundays) or eat at a restaurant.

When ordering in, ask for no utensils or sauces.

During quarantine, I ordered from a restaurant down the street that uses paper-based cups and aluminum foil (paper cups are just garbage here and alufoil is recyclable). Some places also allow you to bring your own containers. If your favorite place doesn’t offer plastic-free take-out, ask them if they would consider plastic-free alternatives.

Refuse to buy fruit and veg in redundant plastic wraps

Stores say they wrap our fruit and veg to help it keep longer, which seems like a good thing (fight food waste). However, they need to keep it “fresh” for longer, because it’s transported from so far away it would naturally spoil by the time we cook it. And do we really want to eat lettuce that keeps for 3 weeks? (tested). Pre-packaged bulk food actually sells more produce (creating food waste).

Solution: Look for loose produce grown more locally and grab your own produce bags. Farmers’ markets are even better and they cut out the middle man.

Carry a thin and light-weight grocery (multi-use tote) bag. Chose sth. light and something you will love using. A lot of the countries worldwide have already switched from plastic to paper or canvas (plastic or cotton) at checkout. I don’t think I need to say this, but store provided reusable bags aren’t intended as a single-use item.

You can also reuse plastic produce bags, use other paper bags, make your own, take bigger items through checkout loose, and obviously, buy some.

There is no best brand, try to prefer cotton fabrics (most are made out of plastic) and get something sturdier that will last more than just a couple of visits to the store.

Zero waste swaps in the kitchen

Zero waste food storage is actually pretty easy. I collected glass jars from bigger yogurt jars, pickled veg, sauces… and I use those in my food prep and shopping in zero waste stores.

I also love bee wax wraps. They keep fresh vegetables and cheese so much longer than anything else I’ve used in the past. Nothing dries out and nothing gets moldy.

I made some bee wax wraps bags as well for snacks on the go.

I never wrap fruit. We often thing we need to protect and wrap our food, but it’s often not the case. Unless your fridge is very dry, things will not dry out that fast.

I also have 2 shallow and wide Ikea glass storage units for things that do not fit in jars.

Quick zero waste swaps for your bathroom

These items are a bit lower on the list, because they more readily recyclable and I do not not to overwhelm you. Plus, it takes a long time to find good skincare products in our price range that work well for us, so it can often take longer to find good plastic-free alternatives.

Zero waste makeup options and solutions + brand recommandations

The easiest: ditch plastic packaging shower gel and go for a soap bar

I even wrote a bit of a trouble shooting guide to buying soap, so you can narrow down your selection.

Second easiest: conditioners and masks and leave-in conditioners

Here’s a fun fact: I do not buy any of those any more. Gone. Out. I have a very sensitive scalp and curly dry hair and my hair (and scalp) is much healthier after ditching all the commercial plastic-full hair care products.

The thing is, most shampoos contain very strong surfactants (SLS) that dry our scalp and hair out and so we need moisturizers to correct that.

I do make some ayurvedic hair masks from time to time (when my hair needs it) and moisturize with almond, grape seed, or castor oil (or a mix).

The most readily available shampoo bar here is Lamazuna. See my review for their shampoo bar for oily hair here. I’m currently testing their conditioner bar as well.

Plastic free laundry detergent

Did you know that a lot of laundry detergents contain micro-plastic? Go organic and look for the nearest refill station. If not available, buy the a concentrated detergent and go for the biggest size available.

I used to make my own detergent, but do not recommend that.

I’m currently testing some sciency laundry detergent that replaces detergent and softener. So far so good.

UPDATE: I finished testing, I’ve been using it for over 6 months now, find the review of this magical sciency detergent creature here.

Until manufacturers install (already available) micro-plastic filters, I’m using the Guppybriend bag.

Did you know menstrual products are mainly plastic?

Tampons and menstrual pads are mainly made out of plastic and the ingredients aren’t regulated anywhere in the world.

If the idea of a menstrual cup is too daunting, start by using organic tampons without plastic applicators or organic pads. They are available in most organic grocery stores. There are even companies starting to made biodegradable pads, but they aren’t available worldwide yet.

Dive deep into the topic of plastic-free periods.

I use a menstrual cup by Lunette.

*I do not use vaginal soaps, washing gels or duches. They create more trouble (and plastic) than good.

To recap the first zero waste swaps

1. small steps
2. buy better quality & reuse items for longer
3. you do not have to be perfect all the time
4. reusable water bottle
5. reusable coffee cup
6. look for a farmers market in the area
7. reduce take-out food
8. use a thin reusable multi-use tote bag for groceries
9. avoid plastic-wrapped fruit and veg
10. re-use glass jars for storage
11. use (bee or vegan) wax food wraps for storage and snacks on the go
12. switch to a bar soap
13. go natural poo and condition your hair with oil
14. ditch laundry detergent containing microplastic, go organic
15. if something doesn’t work out, come back and we can troubleshoot together

And here is a handy dandy zero waste swaps checklist for you to reference later.

Over to you.

Does is look doable? Daunting? Share your successes (or challenges) below!

The post Easy and impactful zero waste swaps for beginners appeared first on ZERO WASTE THINGS.

Microplastic has been found on all continents, in all of our waters: oceans, rivers, ponds, rural creeks, but it recirculated to our soil, and is now also found in our fruit and veg.

How does microplastic get into our water?

Our plastic-made clothes shed plastic

Nowadays, most of the clothes are made out of plastic, or a blend of plastic and natural fibers. When we wash them, they break apart, and particles hardly or not really visible to the human eye release into our waterways. Water treatment plants filter about 60% of microfibers.

The recovered microfiber mass per garment ranged from approximately 0 to 2 g, or exceeding 0.3% of the unwashed garment mass. Microfiber masses from top-load machines were approximately 7 times those from front-load machines.

Microfiber Masses Recovered from Conventional Machine Washing of New or Aged Garments

The number is per garment, per wash. Guppyfriend calculated that to be the volume of the city the size of Berlin (how did they calculate that?) or approx. 500,000 plastic bags – every single day.

Even when we buy second-hand clothing, fleeces from ethical brands that use recycled polyester or better yet, clothing made out of recycled ocean plastic, we return bits of plastic back into circulation every time we wash them.

There is plastic in our washing detergents

Another way of getting microplastic in the water is simply by putting it in out washing detergents, like a lot of brands do. Sadly, plastic in detergents is allowed and unregulated, the producers actually do not have to list it as an ingredient (or any other ingredient for that matter).

Read more about zero waste laundry detergents and how to make your whole laundry process plastic-free.

When we wash ourselves…

Our cosmetics and soaps also contain plastic, not only micro beads for peeling.

Why did I buy the Guppyfriend instead of a filtering system?

As first, I was looking at other options to contain microplastic in my washing machine, and microplastic filters that can be installed in our washing machines already exist. However, they are another cost for washing machine manufacturers, that they don’t want since it’s not contributing to their bottom line. The governments aren’t requiring them to be responsible. There are already plastic filters for consumers, but they come with a regular subscription model, you need to replace it regularly (extra waste). I strongly disagree that all the microplastic in the world should be solved by the consumer directly. Same as with Coca-Cola and other major plastic polluters, it’s the manufacturers that take zero responsibility for the disposal of their products. It is our governments that allow loose (or zero) regulations. The long term solution getting non-plastic clothes and creating fabrics that do not shed. But until something changes, I got myself a Guppybag.
The Guppybag was a much simpler solution compared to built-in filtration. It is 1 item, no replacements, no recurring costs, and the material was developed and tested to be high quality, so it should last OK.

Does Guppyfriend reduce microplastic pollution?

I had a healthy dose of scepticism at first and then decided to test it myself.

As it turns out, the Guppybag does work. Every time I use it, I get visible balls particles, bunched up in the corners.

I did however have this instinct to rinse the bag away after use, which is very lame. I still consciously tell myself every time, do not wash away. I guess they predicted that, because the bag actually says “do not rinse. residues must be collected and disposed of properly” right under capitalised “STOP!MICRO WASTE”. Smart.

It is made out of a special polyamid.

Classic size is 50 x 74 cm or 19,7 x 29,1 inches.

Guppyfriend bag review: positives

• it very obviously traps microwaste
• I like the big size: it’s big, for several sweaters or pants
• it has a safety pocket of the zipper, so it doesn’t catch on other clothes
• light + it dries fast
• can be used as delicates bag as well (2 in 1)

Guppyfriend bag review: negatives

• after a year of use, the ribbon on the corners started to fray a bit – it still seals perfectly, buy…hej
• price
• made in China

What fabrics exactly should you put in the bag?

I put the Guppyfriend bag in any load together with the rest of my clothes.

And I opt to put all my synthetics in, not just fleece. The reason being is, that the shedding of microfibers depends on different polymer types, origins, yarn size, length, brightness, cutting/sewing methods, age…

A study published in 2020 they tested 12 different textiles and they all shed, though some more than others. The study was sponsored by Procter & Gamble, a manufacturer of detergents and fabric softeners, but I can’t see reasons for them to skew results. We also have several studies saying that the use of detergent increases fiber loss, some saying it doesn’t or makes little difference (I didn’t check them all or their big daddy bosses). It’s hard to compare since they didn’t use the same machine, water, detergent, fabrics etc. It stands to reason, that anything that gentle on the clothes creates less fraying, with is lower temps and liquid SLS-free detergent.

Where can you buy the Guppyfriend?

I actually got it at my local Jack Wolfskin store, but you can also get them online via Patagonia website or obvious, Amazon.

If you buy via their official website, shipping is free within Europe.

All the shops I saw, say they sell it with no profit for them – the fabric material was lengthy and costly (another reason to get our microplastic producing fashion brands to contribute to new research) and there was no difference in price.

I also saw smaller versions in a grocery store as a part of a special one off offer, but those would maybe be good for 1 sweater. Very small and not economical.

To recap Guppyfriend bag review

My review of the Guppy bag is very positive. Use it with all synthetic fabrics. I recommend buying the bigger (standard) size. Never rinse the gunk into a sink.

Over to you

Did you know about microplastic in our waters? What is your solution?

The post Does Gupyyfriend work?? Guppyfriend bag review appeared first on ZERO WASTE THINGS.

Why bother with zero waste period products?

Conventional menstrual pads and tampons contain plastic. Pads are actually mainly plastic. Not every woman and menstruating person had access to proper period products, zero waste or otherwise. The number is changing and yet, the most obvious choice is still plastic.
Because periods are still tabu topics, menstrual products and the waste created isn’t regulated or even counted. The numbers and estimations we have mainly come from interviews, self-reports and beach-river-ocean clean-ups. In Europe, plastic debris is in the top 5 most common plastics found in our rivers and oceans.

Plastic applicators are not accepted as recyclables. Paper applicators are not recyclable. Pads and tampons aren’t biodegradable.

No matter what we choose to use, most obvious and convenient period products come as a single-use item.

Switching to zero waste period brings not only big environmental savings but also health benefits.

Are our period products toxic?

Besides the obvious environmental benefits to switching to zero waste plastic free tampons and pads, there are also health benefits to switching to something more “natural”.

I used to use the classic pads (and tampons on occasion, especially for travel or in the summer months) for probably over 10 years. I didn’t know back then that pads and tampons come lined with plastic, harmful unregulated chemicals, and fragrances. I didn’t really think about it and didn’t know what I should be looking for.

Historically (up until 5 years ago) nobody wanted to talk about it or regulate the industry. We call it odd names like menstrual absorbents or menstrual management. Period products aren’t subjected to health laws, anywhere in the world. My message to the people making laws: in addition to zero waste plastic-free menstrual absorbents, we also need proper regulation.

2 years ago, ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety) found traces of fragrances, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and pesticides in the disposable period products with carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR), endocrine-disrupting or skin-sensitizing properties. How do those get there? From the raw materials (cotton and plastic) and manufacturing process (glue, plastic…)

In Europe, absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) are classified as general products and allergenic fragrances can be used freely. In comparison, fragrances in cosmetics are intensely regulated. We apply strict laws about the creams we put on our faces, but we can’t even get a bill to pass that would require any sort of regulation on menstrual products. A study published in May 2020 tested 10 AHP (pads, tampons, panty liners) and found 8 allergenic fragrances in these products, and 5 of them contained at least one allergen above 10 mu g/g.

The current laws do not require manufacturers to disclose ingredients or comply with regular health regulations.

Every. single. study I found in researching for this article concluded something like this: “More clinical testing and post-market surveillance is needed. And all of them found issues with either ingredients or material used. The problem is that menstrual hygiene was never high on the priority list of regulations and consumer protection laws. It still isn’t.

I do not want to scare you, but this is some serious stuff. And the fact that we are only now looking into putting any sort of regulations in place, anywhere in the world… WTF

Zero waste period alternatives

I ditched conventional menstrual hygiene products about 7 years ago. Prior to that, I used a mix of sanitary pads and tampons.

The good news is, we have lots of zero waste period alternatives now. This is what is available at the time of writing.

• organic cotton pads and tampons (normally in health stores)
• reusables menstrual cups
• cloth pads
• period pants
• *reusable tampon applicators
• compostable sanitary napkins 

It still can be an overwhelming choice, so I’ll try to describe some of the functions and benefits of each. Another thing to consider is that not all these will be locally available.

Read next: Zero waste soap options for sensitive skin

Zero waste menstrual cup

What I’ve been using all these years is a silicone menstrual cup. I do have a very strong brand preference and I could never go back to conventional stuff. I was quite hesitant at first and it took several months to get used to this reusable idea, but I still gave it a try after 2 of my friends suggested it. They were both very content.

A menstrual cup is a reusable period cup made out of medical-grade silicone. With proper care, they last for 10 years.

A reusable menstrual cup is worn inside the body and needs to be emptied every 12 h. It also needs to be sterilized (in boiling water for 2-3 min) before and after each cycle. This is actually much simpler and fuss-free than any other method I have tried. I empty it every morning and evening and can forget about it in between.

Before buying a zero waste menstrual cup

Crucial info is this: not every vagina is the same size or shape so you need to shop around.
For most of us, it’s impossible to know what shape and size we are. However, with many more people in the menstrual cup business, there are some guidelines online to make it a bit easier. A general rule of thumb is that one should have a smaller cup if we have not given birth and a bigger after. That is more of a suggestion, not a rule set in stone. Lunette menstrual cup suggested smaller cup for light periods and bigger ones for heavier flow.

Another thing you can do it feel-measure your cervix length. Cervix is the “neck of the uterus”, usually between 3-4 cm. If your cervix is longer, your vagina is shorter and you will have more luck with a smaller cup. There is a simple guide here.

There are different brands that make different sizes, but most importantly – different shapes. So how do you know which kind to buy? The difference I have noticed is that some brands make a menstrual cup “more robust” so the lack of a better word. The Mooncup brand makes the upper rim too stiff for my liking and hence uncomfortable. The difference isn’t huge, but you will be able to tell wearing it.

There will be an adjustment period for sure, for the first couple of months.

NOTE: A cup is reusable up to 10 years, but needs to be replaced after a yeast infection. However, infections normally greatly reduce after switching to organic or reusable period products.

My top benefits I experiences after switching to a menstrual cup

I never experience vaginal dryness anymore, which is very common when using tampons. There are never any irritations or allergies.

It is so simple and so fuss-free. I do not have to think ahead of time to restock, I’m always ready. Once you get past the adjustment stage, and you have a very good fit, it feels really organic to wear.

Zero waste period products are cheaper in the long run. My menstrual cup costs a bit under 30 EUR, and I brake even on month 5.

I use the brand Lunette made in Finland. I was actually lucky. When I first bought it, it was the only available kind and it is still a perfect fit. I also had the brand Mooncup and like mentioned the upper rim was too stiff for me.

Read more about Lunette, follow this link for a review.

Not everyone will love to use a menstrual cup, so there are other alternatives to make your period eco-friendly and safe.

Zero waste cloth pads

I’ve seen zero waste cloth pads in many health stores and organic product fairs. The idea is really simple, cloth pads are a direct replacement of the sanitary pads, just made out of fabric – normally cotton. They are made to be equally absorbent and safe. They last for about 5 years.

I am personally not attracted to this idea, though natural, breathable, and eco-friendly, there is just more fuss with them. If you choose to try cloth pads, you will need to carry them with you at all times, plus a bag or container for the used ones, then soak them… And they will never be as clean as new, which is a deal-breaker for me. I know they are 100% clean, it’s just a personal preference.

Zero waste period pants

Zero waste period pants are a similar idea to zero waste pads, just that the liner is already sewn into the underwear. Special fabric wicks moisture away from the body, keeping you feel dry. Classic materials are cotton, merino (non vegan) or nylon (plastic). They totally look like any other undie. Some people also use them as extra leak protection, for sports or nightwear.

Organic cotton pads and tampons

I do still use organic cotton pads and tampons on occasion, for travel or when I do not have immediate access to a clean and private bathroom for longer periods.

EXTRA INFO: For the longest time, I didn’t know that tampon applicators or just tampons in general, can create little tears in your vagina. The tears and bacteria present can create the dreaded toxic shock syndrome (though it can happen in other instances as well). Whatever you use, be gentle.

Organic pads and tampons do not contain plastic or harmful chemicals, though organic certificate regulations differ country to country.

I find organic versions much more comfortable to wear, all brands I tried have almost a silky smooth top layer. Tampons slips in better and pads are just more comfortable and breathable.

I’ve used Natracare and Organyc from my local heath food store and was happy with both.

A part of the zero waste period for me is also ditching special vaginal soaps or vaginal douches. Your vagina really doesn’t need anything else. Your period is a time of cleansing as it is, and the body knows what to do. Adding soaps (with more fragrances) ruins the natural balance.

Over to you

Did you know period products aren’t regulated??

Are you just looking to transition to zero waste period products or have you been doing it for a while? What worked?What didn’t? If you have any questions, leave me a comment below or in my mailbox.

The post Reliable and toxin-free zero waste period solutions appeared first on ZERO WASTE THINGS.

My absolute tops recommendations for zero waste laundry detergent are currently Terra Wash Mg and the Eco Egg.

To give you a bit of context, I do about 3 loads of laundry per week on average for 2 adults. No children, no animals. My main challenge is keeping my whites white, black black, colors vibrant, and getting all kinds of stains out of my kitchen towels. I want to keep my plastic and chemical waste to a minimum while staying in a reasonable price range.

Why use a zero waste laundry detergent?

Laundry detergents can pollute our water

Big concerns when using traditional laundry agents are harmful chemicals and microplastic in the detergent itself. All of that goes down the drain, into our sewage system, back into our rivers, lakes, soil…

The worst part of it is, companies aren’t required to disclose a full ingredient list on laundry detergents like we are used to seeing on other products.
See the ingredient list next time you are in the store.
Most of them read: 5-15% non-ionic surfactants, <5 % ionic surfactants, soap, enzymes, fragrance, and maybe some additional ingredients.
Someone might come along and say, but, wait, there is no plastic on the ingredient list?? Exactly.
They really didn’t make it easy on the consumer end, at this point we need to ask the brands directly and hope they will be transparent enough.

Certain chemicals, enzymes, and fragrances in laundry detergents can cause skin sensitivities and rashes. If you ever got a massive breakout after switching laundry detergent or softener, you know what I’m talking about. It is the first thing doctors ask when there is a skin problem.

Organic detergents are better because they abide by different standards and they are only allowed to use milder chemicals. However, not all organic detergents are microplastic free, for example, the Ecolabel certified DM Denkmit nature.

In this case, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer is the microplastic in the detergent, undisclosed on the packaging.

Plastic packaging

Laundry detergent bottles create a lot of waste in themselves. In Europe containers are normally a smaller size (depending), some now only for 20 washes, costing the same amount as before and most of that plastic just goes to the landfill.

In an effort to make packaging more plastic-free, some brands switched from hard plastic (type 1 or 2) to softer plastic pouches (normally plastic nb.5). The problem with that is that hard plastic bottles get recycled more (it’s a higher quality plastic) and only a few recycling centers across the world take the softer types. Plastic sleeves create more waste for incinerators and landfills.

Can I just wash my clothes with bar soap?

Yes, you can. But I wouldn’t recommend using bar soap as your primary detergent long term. I am planning to write a separate post on the topic, to address soap nuts, DIY laundry recipes, and alike. I tried them all and used soap nuts for about a year. In short, laundry detergents do not leave a scum residue on our clothes or inside our washing machine.

Related: Best zero waste natural-ish stain removers

The truth is, for most people on this planet, we do not need harsh chemicals to clean our clothes. Laundry detergents were made strong and harsh way back when (detergent was invented in 1914). Our jobs were different then, we were miners, construction workers, mechanics, farmers… Nowadays, our needs are different. Our clothes are mainly sweaty at best with an occasional stain.

Best low waste laundry detergent

Years ago I switched to Frosch which is a great eco company. I have contacted them several times and always got a transparent and real answer. Their laundry detergents and softeners are readily available all bigger stores across Europe.

Money-saving tip: I would buy my laundry detergent in bulk on sale, so the price was actually comparable to all other high-quality washing liquids. Their packaging is not plastic-free, they are using the plastic sleeve method.

If you are just transitioning to a more natural laundry system, zero waste laundry detergents and organic ones do not lather as much and have a milder scent.

Completely zero waste laundry detergent options

Option number 1: Zero waste laundry detergent from refill stations

I switched to my organic zero-waste store laundry detergent and I was quite happy. It did the job well. The problem, however, is that my nearest zero waste shop isn’t that close and I do not own a car. I would try to buy at least 2 liters of laundry detergent in one visit and with combined weight of my other shopping, it just isn’t sustainable.

Another problem is, that zero waste refill stations tend to be a lot more expensive than packaged laundry detergent.

In one of the local zero waste refill stations the have powder and liquid zero waste detergent. The Bio Bar powder amounts to 0.27c/ wash and Unisapon liquid detergent equals to 0.284c per wash using 10 ml and 0.568c/wash when using 20ml. The calculation is in EUR, price in Feb 2020.

However, there are 2 zero-waste laundry detergent options I have been dying to dry. First is called Ecoegg from the UK and the second one is TerraMg from Japan.
Both would fix my problems and are completely plastic-free, as natural as they come and sensitive skin/asthma appropriate. They keep winning awards and consistently good reviews in every single online shop.

Both work in a similar way, but with different ingredients. I guess they are like laundry detergents 2.0 changing the chemical structure of water to clean more efficiently, gently, and with less stuff. Both are truly eco-friendly laundry products.

When I first heard of these two options, it sounded to good to be true, so I also enlisted my partner with a masters degree in chemistry and phd in physics. The science checks out.

I’m hopping to write a seperate review of both in the future.

Option number 2: EcoEgg zero waste laundry detergent

Eco Egg replaces a traditional laundry detergent and softener. It is completely natural, eco-friendly, appropriate for sensitive skin, asthmatics and comes with very little waste. The casing is designed to be recyclable (check with your local recycling station) and would last about 3 years for a family of 4.

The pellets are biodegradable and without petrochemicals, enzymes, bleaches, phosphates, parabens, SLS/SLES, palm oil, or microplastics.

How does the EcoEgg work?

Cleaning pellets gently lift dirt and produce no chemical waste. It comes in a variety of scents and a fragrance-free option.

Full and extensive review of the Ecoegg here, with stain swatches.

The pellets themselves are made out of minerals that loosen up the dirt and ionize the oxygen molecules in the water. That is what washes our clothes. The pH of the water increases which has a natural softening effect. So no more plastic containers from fabric softeners either.

It is suitable for all fabric and works up to 60°C/140°F.

Where can you buy it?

You can get the EcoEgg and/or refills from their website, they ship out of the UK or Amazon. At the time of purchase, Amazon was by far the cheapest option. They are a lot more widespread so you might be able to get it in your local drug store or other natural online shops.
Oddly enough, I haven’t seen it in my local zero waste shops.

They also have a zero waste dryer ball and other accessories (that you probably do not need).

Option number 3: Zero waste laundry detergent TerraMg

I learned about Terra Wash when doing research for my trip to Japan. They have been around for years, creating a whole new way of doing laundry. They have a patented system of doing laundry with magnesium pellets, no harsh chemicals or even plastic needed.

It contains no toxic and synthetic chemicals and preserves fibers and colors, so your clothes will last longer as well. The zero waste washing pellets are suitable for all fabrics even the delicates. With every wash, the pellets reduce in size and you just refill the pouch, or you can place the small pellets on your plant soil as fertilizer. The pellets will dissolve ever so slightly every time you water the plant.

It really is incredible how science has come and Terra wash+ Mg managed to completely close the loop. There is absolutely no pollution after using this laundry detergent.

Their pellets have been rigorously tested and proven to remove dirt, smell, and a certain amount of oily stains as well. There is no fragrance in this eco-friendly laundry detergent, which is very good for asthmatics, babies, and people with sensitive skin.

Like in the EcoEgg, there is no soap involved, so you can save on the rinse cycle as well.

Again, the water pH will increase which has a natural softening effect.

Another advantage of the Terra Mg is that it cleans the inside of the washing machine of dirt and mold automatically, no additional products needed.

1 pouch with pellets is good for 1 year or 365 washes.

Where can you buy it?

Terra Wash is currently being sold worldwide via their webpage and shipped from Japan, which can involve hefty import taxes, depending on where you live. I haven’t seen it in specialized stores yet. So, we’re all back to Amazon.

In Europe, you can avoid import duties by buying it directly from Amazon.

Over to you, what is your favourite zero waste laundry detergent? Have you tried the Egg or Terra Wash already? How did it go?

Pin it for future reference or share with friends.

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