22 Steps Closer to Zero Waste Living: Disposable Items to Stop Buying Right Now

22 Steps Closer to Zero Waste Living: Disposable Items to Stop Buying Right Now

Some people think or expect zero waste lifestyle practitioners to create no waste at all. As I have mentioned many times before on this site and elsewhere, there is no such thing as 100% sustainability in life unless you live away from modern civilisation perhaps in an undiscovered indigenous tribe somewhere in the Amazon Rainforest.

The whole point of the zero waste lifestyle is to avoid creating garbage in the first place – garbage that is destined for landfill.

This means reusing, recycling, upcycling and composting products as much as possible. It also means reducing the consumption of single-use ‘disposable’ items to begin with, even if it can be composted and recycled.

The key to zero waste living is to ditch all products that are disposable and unnecessary, that will end up as ‘garbage’. The next step is to find reusable eco-friendly alternatives for products that you often purchase and make the switch.

Related Post: We Can’t Recycle Our Way to Zero Waste

To help you get started, here are 22 disposable items you really should stop buying (or accepting into your home) to help you live a more waste-free and minimalist lifestyle:

Kitchen

1. Plastic bags

Non-biodegradable plastic bags are truly a menace to our natural environment. They clog water ways, pollute parks and beaches and are a nuisance to our wildlife. It’s little wonder that local governments around the world are waging war on single-use disposable plastic bags including the Queensland Government who will ban disposable plastic bags in 2018.

The solution? Take reusable cloth bags and say no to plastic bags at the checkout.

Eco Bags Organic Cotton String Produce Bag - Reusable Zero Waste Items
Get these Eco Bags organic cotton product bags at Flora & Fauna.
Ever Eco Reusable Organic Cotton Produce Bags - 4 Pack - Reusable Produce Bags
Ever Eco Reusable Organic Cotton Produce Bags.

2. Plastic wrap

Plastic cling wrap was developed to wrap and preserve food and seems ingrained in our culture of convenience but its disposability is creating a huge problem for the environment, not to mention that it’s often made from synthetically-developed PVC.

The solution? Use reusable food wraps made from hemp, beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin. You can purchase some eco-friendly food wraps at Life Without Plastic.

Wrappa Vegan Jumbo Food Wrap - Bees - Reusable Wraps Vegan
Wrappa Vegan Jumbo Food Wrap in Bee print.

Wrappa Vegan Jumbo Food Wrap Reusable Wraps Ditch Cling Wrap

3. Facial tissues & napkins

Facial tissues were first introduced in 1924 by Kimberly-Clark as ‘Kleenex’ and then marketed to the world as a convenient product that would improve hygiene. Even if they are made from recycled paper, disposable tissues and serviettes are still wasteful.

Related Post: How Advertising Has Contributed to Wasteful Consumption

The solution? Take a handkerchief with you at all times. Use it when you need to and throw it in the washing machine when it needs a clean. Handkerchiefs can also be purchased second hand but if that makes you queasy, just make your own.

4. Aluminium Foil

While you can wash and reuse aluminium foil, most people don’t, it’s often just thrown out like all other products built for disposability and convenience. While some people can’t imagine roasting a chook without aluminium foil there are better alternatives and some that won’t leach aluminium into your food.

ditch foil for banana leaves or cookware

The solution? Ashley Housley, founder and mummy blogger of Whistle Pig Hollow suggests using covering dishes with a glass Pyrex pan if you’re roasting a chicken. If you’re using aluminium foil to store food, ditch it for reusable tin, plastic or glass food containers. If you enjoy camping, ditch the tin foil and bring your own cookware. They can be used over any campfire!

Cheeki Stainless Steel Lunch Box Double Stacker Zero Waste Living
Cheeki Stainless Steel Lunch Box Double Stacker.

Cheeki Stainless Steel Lunch Box Double Stacker - Reusable Items Zero Waste Kitchen

5. Paper towels

Paper towels may be convenient and biodegradable, but the fossil fuels used to produce (and transport) this disposable product is completely wasteful and unnecessary.

The solution? Use reusable, washable cloth towels. To be extra ‘green’, I recommend purchasing these second hand or just upcycle some by cutting up pieces of cotton from old or worn out clothing.

Earth Greetings Organic Cotton Tea Towel in Rosea Gum Galah
Earth Greetings Organic Cotton Tea Towel in Rosea Gum Galah.

Earth Greetings Organic Tea Towel - Rosea Gum Galah Organic Cotton Tea Towel

6. Freezer bags & zip lock bags

Forget purchasing freezer bags and zip lock bags. Can you even imagine how many consumers around the world are using, abusing and then tossing these bags into landfill?

The solution? Reusable washable glass containers or even plastic containers.

Cheeki Stainless Steel Lunch Box 500ml Zero Waste Reusable Kitchen
Cheeki Stainless Steel Lunch Box 500ml.

Cheeki Stainless Steel Lunch Box 500ml Zero Waste Living

7. Bamboo skewers

While bamboo and wooden skewers are eco-friendly in the sense that they are made from natural materials, the resources used to produce them are wasted. Not to mention that they are usually disposed of after one use.

The solution? Purchase reusable stainless steel (metal) skewers.

Flat Barbecue Skewers, X-Chef 12 inch Stainless Steel Shish Kebab Kabob Grilling Skewers Set of 12
Flat Barbecue Skewers 12 inch Stainless Steel Grilling Skewers Set of 12

ditch bamboo skewers for metal skewers

8. Coffee pods

They’re ending up in landfill faster than you can pour yourself a cup of coffee. Yes they can be recycled, but that’s the ‘cure’. The best option is prevention, or in this case, reducing waste.

The solution? Don’t buy them or the coffee pod machines. If you have already purchased a coffee pod machine though, make sure to buy reusable pods! If no, just make coffee the old fashioned way, in a coffee plunger, stovetop espresso or go to a cafe and enjoy one made by a barista – just don’t forget your reusable coffee cup of course!

SealPod Reusable Coffee Capsules Two Pack - Zero Waste Coffee Pod
SealPod Reusable Coffee Capsules Two Pack.
French Press 20 Oz Pot, Coffee, Espresso and Tea Maker, Chrome, Includes 6 Filters by Procizion
French Press 20 Oz Pot, Coffee, Espresso and Tea Maker $19.97
Kuissential 8-Cup Stainless Steel French Press Coffee, Espresso & Tea Maker, Complete Set
Kuissential 8-Cup Stainless Steel French Press Coffee, Espresso & Tea Maker $19.99

9. Kitchen sponge

Unlike the loofah sponges that are derived from plants, kitchen sponges are made from artificial fibres such as polyurethane. Not only is it non-biodegradable, it’s thrown out and sent to landfill.

The solution? Use a biodegradable, natural alternative such as dish brush or cotton dishcloth that’s also reusable and washable.

Eco Max Dish Brush Eco Friendly Biodegradable Dish Brush Zero Waste Kitchen
Eco Max Biodegradable Dish Brush

10. Toothpicks

How many of us have been presented with toothpicks at a party when served appetisers such as olives and cheese? How many of us consider the wastefulness of it? While toothpicks are compostable, there is an even better solution.

The solution? Opt for stainless steel turkey lacers that are reusable and washable.

Bathroom

11. Cotton buds, also known as ‘Q Tips’

Avoid at all costs. There’s a reason why we have wax in our ears and we shouldn’t try to clean it out with cotton buds. Watch this video to learn why poking cotton buds in your ears is bad for you.

Now if you can’t break the habit, opt at least for natural cotton buds that are completely biodegradable.

Go Bamboo Biodegradable Cotton Buds Sustainable Bamboo Stick and Cotton Tip Zero Waste Health Living
Go Bamboo Biodegradable Cotton Buds.

12. Body Wash

Nice smelling and often nicely packaged, but no matter how organic your body wash, it’s still wasteful. Once you’ve used it up, the packaging still needs to be recycled. Have you ever considered the amount of fossil fuels that it has taken to produce 1 litre? I don’t even want to.

The solution? Unpackaged bulk bar soap often sold at local markets and sometimes even farmers markets or paper packaged will do too (so long as you recycle paper!)

Dr Bronner's Original Bar Soap Zero Waste Soap
Dr. Bronner’s Original Bar Soap Zero Waste Soap
The Australian Natural Soap Company The ANSC Calamine ( Zinc) Solid Soap (100g)
The Australian Natural Soap Company Calamine ( Zinc) Solid Soap (100g).

13. Cotton balls

Most cotton is grown using large amounts of pesticides and it is also a water-intensive crop. But even if the cotton balls you use to remove your eye make-up or cleanse your face is grown organically, you will still only use once and then throw away. This is wasteful.

The solution? Use a face cloth, soften it if you must with water, and then gently use on your face or use reusable cotton pads.

Dr Hauschka Organic Cotton Compress (80x80cm) Reusable Cotton Face Wipe Sponge Makeup Remover Zero Waste
Dr. Hauschka Organic Cotton Compress (80x80cm) Reusable.

14. Hairspray

Hairspray is an unnecessary beauty item that should be avoided given its toxicity to humans and the environment. It just smells of chemicals don’t you think? However, there are times when you might feel that you need it to control your hair.

The solution? Opt for a natural solution and make it yourself. Bea Johnson, author of Zero Waste Home and often referred to as the pioneer of the Zero Waste lifestyle, has this great hairspray recipe you can try:

2-4 lemons sliced
Cover with water
Simmer for 30 min
Strain
Pour in spray bottle
Add 1tb rum or vodka

15. Feminine hygiene products

While organic cotton tampons are a great eco-friendly option, it still uses a large amount of non-renewable energy to produce and once used, just ends up in landfill.

The solution? Menstrual cups that can be washed and reused such as The Diva Cup and Ruby Cup. At first there is the ick factor. I should know, I remember that day well. It took me hours to work up the courage not only to put it in, but then I was stressing so much I couldn’t take it out! An hour of panicking later and I managed to do just that. Now that I’ve been using a menstrual cup for years, I’m not sure how I lived without one!

Lunette Menstrual Cup Clear Model - Zero Waste Period
Lunette Menstrual Cup Clear Model
OrganiCup Menstrual Cup - Zero Waste Feminine Hygiene Beauty
OrganiCup Menstrual Cup and feminine hygiene products.

16. Facial Wipes

Cleansing facial wipes are the epitome of beauty laziness, created especially for disposability. Even if labelled ‘biodegradable’ the non-renewable resources consumed just to create a set of convenient cleansing wipes is shameful.

The solution? Wash your face with water, use coconut oil to remove makeup and use a face cloth that’s machine-washable and reusable.

17. Toothpaste

We all want pearly whites but at what cost to the environment? Toothpaste tubes are binned each time they are used, the price the earth pays for us humans following dentist’s orders.

The solution? Make your own toothpaste. Follow this DIY toothpaste recipe by zero-waste lifestyle advocate and founder of Trash is for Tossers blog, Lauren Singer:

18. Plastic toothbrush

As with a toothpaste tube, a plastic toothbrush is generally sent to landfill once its usefulness is gone.

The solution? Purchase a bamboo compostable toothbrush.

Brush Naked Biodegradable Toothbrush Biodegradable Zero Waste Toothbrush
Brush Naked Biodegradable Toothbrush.

Household

19. Cleaning products

There are many commercial chemical-based cleaning products on the markets that are highly toxic. Some are much better in that they are made from natural and organic ingredients. Unfortunately no matter how eco-friendly these ingredients, when you consider the fossil fuels required to produce and transport the bottles and then the amount of energy it takes to recycle the packaging, the impact on the environment can scarcely be called “minimal”.

The solution? Make your own all-purpose cleaner with 1/4 cup bi-carb soda or baking soda, 2 litres of water, 1/2 cup vinegar and add a couple of drops of an essential oil such as tea tree oil if you prefer fragrance.

ditch buying cleaning products make your own cleaning products

Related Post: A Guide to Sustainable Cleaning

20. Wrapping paper

Wrapping paper is a nice to have but definitely not a need to have. It is one product you can definitely do without.

The Solution? If you’re given birthday or Christmas gifts, make sure to save the paper and reuse it so you don’t need to purchase wrapping paper. If you don’t have any wrapping paper to reuse, try using old newspapers destined for recycling or composting or paper bags you’ve saved from shopping. Check out these brilliant ideas of how to wrap gifts waste-free.

ditch wrapping paper

21. Magazines

I am partial to purchasing magazines and at one point in my twenties had subscriptions to Vogue, In Style and Shop Til You Drop all at once. A beautiful magazine cover draws me in, but it’s the printed words conjured up by a talented writer or clever journalist that gets me every time. Purchasing a magazine and reading it from cover to cover brings great joy. But it is short lived as once that issue has been devoured, you move on to the next one. The magazines then sit on our bookshelves collecting dust and taking up precious room.

The solution? Borrow magazines from the library. You get all the pleasure of reading the magazine without necessarily having to own it. This way you won’t end up with piles of magazines that need to be recycled saving you time, money and the planet’s finite resources.

22 Steps Closer to Zero Waste Living: Disposable Items to Stop Buying Right Now

22. Newspapers

So many newspapers created each day around the world only to be discarded at the end of it. How much energy went into growing the trees? How much water? What of the coal that needed to be burned so that the printing factory had the electricity it needed to print the paper? How about the petrol and gasoline needed for the trucks to transport the paper to newsagencies across towns and cities? The cost of our daily newspaper fix is high.

The solution? Get a digital subscription.

Starting your zero waste journey? I recommend checking out the Hoarder Minimalist Book, Workbook and Planner Bundle, a practical guide on how you can start to declutter your home and rethink the way you view stuff.

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Feature image via Etsy.

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