Welcome! I assume you want to become a zero-waster or at least you are playing with the idea. That’s awesome! Whatever the reason: environmental, health benefits, going more minimalist or you just want to be a part of this cool club, welcome. These are exciting times for everyone who wants to live a more environmentally friendly life. There are more and more options available, and the costs are (very slowly) coming down.
I have a list of zero waste essentials to get you started, I kept it very simple and achievable, with minimum investment.
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.
