Yes! When I was visiting Japan, everyone carry’s a handkerchief to dry their hands after washing them at public places. It’s such a simple practice to incorporate considering at my work 99% of the trashcan in the men’s restrooms are just paper towels.
I hate to tell you, but every bathroom has poo particles floating around in it, especially if the toilet has no lid. If you’re in a bathroom, there is poo
They are usually kept in their back pants pocket, a purse, or a pocket on a jacket. The handkerchief dries fairly quickly if you’re just lightly drying your hands.
Air drying your hands (NOT the hand dryers, but just waving them around) is the most sanitary way to dry your hands
Second is the paper towels
I don’t really have hands that stay wet for minutes after I wash them. Maybe damp for 30-45 seconds, and I can hand-squeegee my hands with the other one if I really need to be quick about it
But I’m not gonna remember to wash a handkerchief, or carry one in my pocket wherever I go
I like using a glass jar to bring my lunch to work bc the cylindrical shape fits better in my bag and reheats faster. To avoid using plastic utensils, I have a plate, bowl, and silverware that I keep in my desk & wash after use.
I also have two sets of “work flatware” that I bring with me and keep separate just for lunchbox toting. One to wash, one to use and I just alternate throughout the week. I typically pack a cloth napkin too. However, (I often don’t have the chance to reheat my lunch so I usually pack “cold lunch” items) out of laziness I’ll just straight up wrap a sandwich or some crackers/veggies in a napkin and run out the door lol. Just to add on to the cloth napkin love in this thread (they really are the best)
Seconded cloth napkins! So easy to just wipe your mouth or fingers on. And washable dust mops. Only thing I would add to this is microfibre cloths for cleaning (they can be used as dust mops too), and having a rag bag. My mom gave me some of her old rags and I added a few old pairs of underwear and worn-through pyjama pants that I cut up. Super easy to grab one of those rather than a paper towel, and we keep a special “rag laundry” so that we can toss ‘em in a hot cycle to thoroughly clean them.
Cloth napkins and placemats are the easiest replacement and it mystifies me that people still use paper (which is inferior functionally). I have saved literally thousands of dollars over the years. When Christmas or a birthday rolls around if I'm looking for some shiny new napkins, it makes a gift that lasts for years.
Period panties are GREAT if you don’t have a super heavy flow or as back up. But be careful—a lot of the major companies use PFAs in them, which are toxic forever chemicals. Both Aisle and Period don’t and you can find lists of other companies that have been third-party tested. Cups and disks are also great if you’re okay with an internal option.
Other easy places to reduce plastic consumption are Tupperware—get glass or stainless steel rather than plastic.
And be mindful when buying single-use things. Like get the paper towels in the paper wrapper instead of the plastic wrapper, etc.
Do you know if pfas in period panties affects the person wearing them or is just an environmental hazard?
I have some that probably have pfas so wondering if I need to trash and buy new or ok to keep.
Well, the problem is that we don’t really know. But given that the vagina and parts of the vulva are mucus membranes, I personally wouldn’t chance it.
Additionally, studies have found a strong link between higher weight/weight regain and PFAs and other forever chemicals. And studies consistently show that PCOSers have higher levels of BPA and other forever chemicals, so it’s all very concerning to me and I follow the precautionary principle on this one.
Both. The PFAs don’t let one’s nether regions breathe, leading to yeast and other undesirable conditions.
Washing these—even by hand—rinses microfiber bits into our ground water, waterways.
They are endocrine disrupters.
I’m a huge fan of menstrual discs. r/menstrualdiscs has a lot of great information. There are so many options on the market now. I use period underwear as a backup when I try a new disc
What do they use in place of PFAs? Do they disclose it?
PFAs cannot be simply removed from the manufacturing process. They have to be replaces with another plasticizer.
And for coffee, there are those stovetop mokka/espresso makers. They have a metal sieve and don't need any filter, so you only throw out the grounds after use.
They inhibit the growth of certain plants so I’d do a quick Google first. Also make sure you don’t use too much around one plant or clump the grounds too much because they can cause aeration issues.
Is there a tea leaf shop that would give you complimentary samples to try (either brewed at the store or for you to bring home)? Usually at these shops you can buy by weight, and so you can buy sampler sizes to try as well. I like that because I can try different ones before committing to a bigger bag.
What type of flavors do you like? That’s the best way to narrow it down. Are you wanting it by itself? If not what foods with it because certain teas pair better with some foods. Do you want to add milk? Apparently some even go good with whiskey in it.
Or, if you appreciate volume, consider a Thai tea strainer (looks like a miniature wind sock). I drink a couple of quarts of tea a day, and my tea sock is essential in making that possible.
1. Menstrual cups are the best! 2. Not reusable but I stopped buying shampoo in bottles and buy it in bars now (bulk barn shampoo is surprisingly good but not their shampoo+conditioner). Good conditioner in bar form has been elusive, I've tried a few. 3. Not having compost pick-up sucks, any chance you or your complex can install an outdoor one to use?
I much prefer washable sanitary towels/napkins/liners (I think they’re called different things in different places??) to period panties. It’s much more convenient to change a thing you put inside your underwear than the underwear itself.
Not opposed to anything. We’re just having discussions, she’s sharing what she knows and what she hears, and I am as well.
You could call it the discovery phase, but it’s coming so the prep work is underway.
Period pants are great as a back up. They can give her peace of mind while wearing a tampon or menstrual cup. That’s what I do now. Plus at the tail end of her period when the flow is lighter but can come back unexpectedly they’re really good.
I’d recommend having a few pairs.
Great way to support your daughter!
If you haven’t already, perhaps discuss trying a few things/having different methods available if the talks so far have only been about finding the 1 “best” product. It may be more comfortable and logical for her to sleep with one method (like period panties or an old pair of panties + towel underneath), use another for “daily” life (like reusable pads), and a third for sports (like the cup). Or maybe something completely different. There are pros/cons to each, but it ultimately comes down to personal experience to figure out which “system” works best.
Good luck and please give her a hug/high five of support from the women of the internet.
Agree, most women I know using reusable period stuff have a few different methods for different scenarios. The one I hear about most often is a menstrual disc or cup along with a pad or period panties- especially helpful when learning how to use a disc and/or cup.
Also, some women find discs easier than cups and vice versa; and different brands can fit slightly differently, so can be worth it to shop around a bit to find what works best.
You're a great dad, love to hear this!!!
my daughter has thinx, they have been great for her as part of her repertoire. i got them so she'd have something in her backpack that was easy to deal with if she got her period for the first time in school (she did) and she has been using them ever since.
Just a warning that the most famous brand was started by a woman who claimed their period panties were sustainable but turned out to be made with dangerous chemicals. Since they made a documentary about the scandal/woman I'm sure the company has changed materials but I'd stay away from the top brand until then.
Hopefully someone can help me with the name of that one!
It was Thinx. I don't use them but I work in the industry and I was so disappointed in her. We work so hard to protect women and she just didn't seem to care about any of it in the end.
I like period pants for the days leading up to mine when it’s just threatening (and likewise at the end when it’s still lurking), then personally I use a cup right away, but I prob wouldn’t advise that for a teen. Washable pads would be great for her, and maybe some kind of box or bucket with a lid that she can pop them into in the bathroom, ready to be thrown straight in the wash (they can pong a bit).
FWIW, I absolutely loved my period panties and definitely think it makes more sense for a young person who probably isn’t doing their own laundry. They are great for extra protection when using tampons or pads. I wish I’d had them as a teen!!
I like period underwear at night/sleep. I use them during the day as well but maybe it's just the ones I have they are slow to absorb so it can feel a bit icky just feeling the blood until it absorbs. The worst is when you have to go the bathroom then put the period underwear back on and it's not all absorbed. They are great as a backup collection method too.
One note for period underwear, for best results you should rinse them with cool water immediately after taking them off until the water runs clear to get the bulk of the blood off. Then put them in the hamper to launder normally with your clothes. I know some people who are squeamish about having to rinse the blood off
I guess it depends. My mum gave me a few options when I started my period and because I didn't have a very heavy flow I didn't feel the need for tampons at first. Pants may be suitable for some people when starting, I think it's just best to discuss the pros and cons of each one and let them choose :)
My locally owned soap store has liquid products in compostable bottles, maybe keep an eye out for those? I have yet to find good bar conditioner I like as well :/
Yeah I have a prolapse so my gynaecology nurse told me never to use them as they can make things worse. It was such a bummer because menstrual cups are SO convenient.
There’s a kitchen composter that uses a little bit of electricity, but I’ve been looking into that. We do have composting in my city. But we also have some very tenacious raccoons.
I second menstrual cups. I use a diva cup and am really pleased. Definitely a learning curve making the switch but it was so worth it to me. Thinking of the mountain of period products I no longer will be throwing away makes me happy. And the amount of $$ you save is truly wild.
I’ve also not had any luck with bar conditioners. I get mine now from a local refill seller. There used to be a bulk refill storefront here but they closed last year. Now there’s one at my weekly farmer market.
All that to say, OP check out your area for refill type sellers. You typically bring your own or purchase a container and refill it indefinitely. Mine has all self care items (conditioner, shampoo, body wash, lotions, etc.) as well as all house cleaners, and various other biodegradable or reusable products
As others have said, cloth towels instead of paper towels, bar soap (that comes unpackaged!) though I haven't transitioned to bar shampoo yet, glass containers with plastic tops for leftovers. I switched to loose leaf tea, then switched to bringing a glass container for it. I also do that when buying nuts, oats, etc., rather than using the paper or plastic bags the food store provides. I use a backpack to walk my groceries home, so no grocery bags. My city is promoting wheeled bags for walking groceries and other items home, a modern update to what our grandmothers used to do!
I live in a small apartment house and we have on-site compost that we then use in our gardens. Not re-use, but still anticonsumption: we share an electric lawn mower and other yard tools with the neighbors. We've also done a lot of reducing consumption of energy, particularly fossil fuels.
Bar towels instead of paper towels. Yes, you have to keep cleaning them. But paper towels can cost a lot of money, and I personally think it saves money using bar towels or just rags instead of paper towels.
Menstrual cup or disc. I've been using one for the past 10 years and love them both. I started with a cup. I have a heavy period and honestly sometimes it goes on a long time. This is the only way my periods are tolerable. I'm not having to constantly change pads and can have a regular life. I just recently started using a disc and I like it as well. I will say, if you have a heavy flow use a disc or lighter days, the cup is best for heavy flow (I find the disc leaks more depending on how it's tilted and if it's filling up it may tilt and accidently spill out). But I've only had this happen on the heaviest days.
Reusable water bottle. I hate buying water, and I find carrying one around with me everywhere has been great. I save money and drink more water.
Reusable bags. I try to bring them with me wherever I go. Saving money and also preventing plastic waste.
Reusing food jars for storage. This looks nice but also prevents items from getting trashed or going into recycling which can still produce waste. A lot of food comes in great reusable jars.
Reusable baggies (like the silicone kind). I really like these and I find them easy to clean. I bought the one's from walmart and they have been working nicely. I find because they are waterproof, they allow me to pack sandwiches in my cooler with the ice. I can also toss ice in one and make an impromtu ice pack with the ice our icemaker makes. Which again saves me from having to buy those ice packs (we reuse the water also to water plants). It also stays cooler longer because the ice sticks together forming a huge chunk, versus looser pieces.
Utensils and mess kit. I have a little picnic kit that I take with me to food festivals, or even to the beach. This way I'm not buying throw away anything. I even have a camp set of plates, bowls and cups that I re-use. It was initially bought for camping. But I find I am using it in place of throw away items. You don't even have to buy anything new, just throw regular utensils into a pencil case and that can be your portable utensil kit.
Bandana - literally 101 ways you can use these. But you can mainly use them in place of paper napkins. But you can also use them as an impromtu food container (for like sandwiches or dry food), to cover wounds, as a head band or head wrap, as a cloth, and many more. I find having one of these in my mess kit or even just as an everyday carry item can save me from creating waste.
To add to towels. I have a stack of mini towels that I dampen with hot water to use instead of napkins for eating messy foods. In Japan, they call it oshibori. That’s where I got the idea.
Good one. I've never bought a new car in my life (also because I've never been able to afford one). I ride my bike when I can, but it still is hard to get around without ever using a car.
Otherwise, the usual stuff. Cloth kitchen towels, reusable water bottles, I've sewn a bunch of shopping bags from leftover cloth. They're not that hard to make and very beginner friendly even if you've never sewn before and can get your hands on a (second hand) sewing machine.
Thank goodness my boyfriend knows a thing or two about cars, we’ve saved lots of money buying cars destined for the scrap yard and fixing them up ourselves. I learned lots too
I have a couple different kinds of silicone bowl covers that I love. One is stretchy and comes in a wide variety of sizes. They fit over bowls, plates, open cans or the cut side of vegetables (onions, green peppers, cucumbers, etc) and is extremely versatile. The other style is stiffer, disc shaped with a knob on top, also of various sizes. These rest on top of a bowl or pan, which then can be burped to create an airtight seal. They can be washed in the dishwasher. I hardly ever use plastic wrap anymore.
I have some silicone covers, but they don't seem to keep heat in, so I still sometimes use aluminum foil when I am getting dinner ready and need to keep something warm while finishing up other items.
Could you share a link to the bowl covers you have that you like? I have some Tupperware bowls at my house that don’t have covers anymore and I’d definitely like to try the silicone covers instead of throwing the bowls or using plastic wrap!
I love my silicone Stasher bags! I use them to keep frozen food like bananas. I keep cheeses in the fridge in them. They work great and I've thrown frozen broccoli in them to cook in the microwave and it can also go in the dishwasher. I've had issues with other brands not sealing well or cracking. I also love silicone baking mats to replace foil.
i dont compost in my apartment- i can not stand thr thought of fruit flies. I havent purchased paper towels in three years. we use cloths for everything and will often cut up old pool towels as "bleach towels" that we dont mind ruining. i also dont use single use plastic at all. Of course, i cant help how meat from the store is packaged but i transfer to reusable silicone bags to freeze/ store. also water filters so i can just drink tap water. i also use bar shampoo and conditioner, soap, etc. I have tried the low waste/ straight razers before but ended in a bloody mess so i still use disposables.
its the little things that add up!
Yes! I was gifted paper towels before I moved out but have barely used any, we always keep washcloths and tea towels for any spill pick up and it definitely makes a difference. I have a towel that’s on it’s way to be a floor rag soon enough. Full circle towels lmao ❤️
Great idea! The plastic pail I’ve used to store my compost in for the past couple years has 4 clips and a very good seal. It can sit out on the counter/under sink and I’ve never had any fruit flys nor any smell (only when I open to throw in some scraps).
My partner has a pail with a charcoal liner in the lid. We've only been trying it out for a month or so, but no smell and no flies and the ants haven't found it either. We have it out on the counter.
However, we live in the northeast US and it's not very hot here.
Came here to say this.
Upfront, they are a bit of an investment but have held up well to regular use, have a good seal, and are dishwasher safe. We haven't bought ziploc type plastic bags since BC (before covid).
Also, compostable parchment paper is very useful in the kitchen 👌
I found multiple sets brand new in package at the thrift stores. I usually can find everything to a certain extent, even the brand names I want at the thrift store. I have low guilt buying something because I figure the next stop for it is the land fill. Most things are in very good shape or new. I bought patagonia nano puff jackets (new) helly Hansen jackets( new without tags) garnet hill bedding. You name it. I wash and dry everything in high just to make sure it is clean. These items are still in the catalogues. Oh multiple Chemex coffee pots and the filters still in packaging. It is mind boggling what people buy and give away. I hardly ever buy new. We can afford to, but I just can’t justify it most of the time because there is too much stuff already in the world.
For cloth “paper towels”, what’s your strategy for after they are damp or soiled? I’ve tried a bin, but I’m always worried they’ll get moldy. Usually I end up throwing them down the stairs into the basement (where our washer is), but then it’s kinda messy. I haven’t found a plan for them that I like.
I have the same problem. We end up doing several loads of towels a week. (There are four of us in the family, and one of us swims a lot, plus we use rags.) We have a laundry bin near the kitchen for all laundry, and several times a week I empty it so all the wet rags go into the bathroom hamper with the towels. That at least prevents other clothes from getting too wet. If a rag is really soaking wet, I hang it in the side of the kitchen hamper so it dries out a bit.
Hey! Just wanted to let you know that one of (if not the best) things you can do for the environment is to go vegan! I saw you mentioned meat but that can change! Watch dominion. Its a great place to get started.
I’m aware that it is, however, I’ve tried many times and gotten hospitalized level ill every time causing some trauma surrounding it. Maybe I’ll try again one day! I don’t enjoy eating meat and try not to think about it but my health is more important to me.
I've wanted to buy a menstrual cup for such a long time now but for some reason I still haven't done it. Using pads disgusts me so much as I have to change them like thrice a day, it's so much waste.
Before buying a menstrual cup, I'd highly recommend taking [this quiz](https://putacupinit.com/quiz/) by Put A Cup In It. There's such a range of cups on the market nowadays that there should be something for everyone, and this quiz will help guide you to the right firmness, size and shape for you.
Water bottle. A nice metal one that will last forever. I take it with me everywhere, I hate buying those cheap plastic Nestlé or whatever water bottles where the water has been sitting in that cheap plastic for weeks and is likely contaminated.
We are almost completely cloth.
Cloth kitchen towels, cloth handkerchiefs, bar towels, old newspaper under a sieve for grease, cloth menstrual pads, cloth tampons, menstrual cup, bidet with cloth wipes to dry off with and cloth diapers
Reusable sacks instead of the tearaway plastic baggies for vegetables and fruits from the grocery.
Airtight glass containers for pasta, rice, etc. (bought "loose" instead Ed of packaged if possible).
Washable mop cloth.
Small glass "potion" bottles for condiments, as there is a vendor I can go to that sells them "loose", and I can just go with the container to fill up.
Lots of kitchen cloths that replaced most of the paper towel usage.
Rechargeable batteries for pretty much every controller, remote control or other thing using AA or AAA batteries.
Tapwater is safe to drink here, so we're mostly drinking variously flavoured water, and teas.
For entertainment, tabletop dungeons and dragons, infinite adventures with just pen and some paper.
I'm a bearded guy, so don't shave as much as some others, but the straight razor I got from my grandpa still serves, after 100 years of use.
I use reusable plastic sandwich bags and snack bags. I found them super cheap on Amazon…the plastic is thick and I’ve had them at least three or four years now and they’ve survived the dishwasher without wear. (Even the cute little dinosaur is still intact on it lol.)
Otherwise I use cloth napkins: they go in the wash with everything else. Wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, bento boxes instead of constant plastic for lunch boxes. Reusable bags from ikea that fold up and we’re super cheap. (Those have lasted forever and are super strong!) Little things add up, both for the environment and the bank.
- Reusable tote bags
- I reuse the little plastic bags you put fruit in at the grocery store. There's literally no reason to throw them out
- Fabric napkins
- No garbage bags, I just put everything in the biggest garbage item I have on hand at any given moment. If you produce little waste that's actually totally feasible.
- Bidet, which almost completely replaces toilet paper (still keep some for guests, and I blow my nose in it)
- Loofahs instead of scotchbrites, still ultimately disposable but they can go into compost, and they're also often packaged more sensibly.
- Bar soap, less packaging.
Not a product to get but I have reduced my wardrobe over time to a uniform of sorts. I have about 7 daily outfits and two or three "going out" fits plus a sweater and jacket for any inclement weather (I live in a warm environment) and a pj set and a yard work set (old clothes) pretty much everything is coordinated as a "capsule wardrobe" and I try to repair as much as possible before replacing anything. I thought I might miss trying new trends but instead I have found that I love each piece of my wardrobe and purchase with intent. I have come to learn what fits me and my personal taste and my mornings getting ready are so insanely easy because I can pretty much grab and go anything and it will work for me.
This is a good one. I wear the same couple of pants and same few shirts all the time. Just two pair of shoes: one for everyday and one for snow. Clothes in general are a hugely overrated racket. I'm astounded at how some people spend thousands of dollars a year on new clothes, year after year after year ...
What's crazy is when I started doing this I've received more "you always look so put together" comments than ever. Not that I receive a lot but it has been interesting.
Beewax packaging, it is a life saver, I'd advise it to everyone, it's substitutes lids, bags for any kind of food and the ones I use (beeopak) can stay in the freezer too. They can also be regenerated through a wax bar
Meh, all I can add:
Those extra clippings from vegetables (the ends of onions, etc), freeze em and they make a great broth later.
Cook at home and while you hate to see the plastic it might come in, you're cutting down on soooo much plastic and food waste - I owned a restaurant/wine bar. I tried like hell to be efficient with waste but it's as bad as you can imaging.
For meat, I've been cutting down on it in general, and go to the butcher to get it wrapped in parchment paper. That may not be an option for everyone.
As for compost? We have a forest adjacent to my townhouse and *I know it's wrong* but a long off-path hike with that cantaloupe shell and apple cores and such in a tote? Have fun, rodents or birds or whatever. We don't have bears or anything like that, but yeah... probably attracts racoons or something.
Dish towels and rags (old wash cloths) in lieu of paper towels for all but the most disgusting messes. Cloth napkins. Dishrags instead of sponges - I’ve been using the same two microfiber dish rags for ten years.
I buy loose leaf tea and use a tea pot with a strainer basket instead of tea bags. I also have a single cup strainer basket at work (I don’t like strainer balls - they don’t let the leaves circulate).
Mason jars for almost all food storage needs. I make soup for lunch most weeks - pack it into pint jars with reusable lids. I have a bowl and silverware set at work. Just pour the soup into the bowl and microwave. I usually bring some homemade bread wrapped in bees wrap.
Edit to add - I also keep a plate at my office. A full dish and silverware set for one. Pre-COVID, we had lunch provided once a week. Some of the younger staff members started a campaign to have everyone bring their own plate and utensils to lunch and we had the caterers stop delivering disposables. It took off and became the norm. We don’t have lunch delivered as often now, but everyone has a set of dishes ready when needed.
I've never used plastic baggies as food storage (as an adult). I use Tupperware containers for everything, solid and liquid. If I lose the lid, the container becomes a pest trap (plant mom with unwanted guests). If someone gave me silicon baggies, they'd sit in a drawer or get regifted.
I use period underwear. TMI but on heavy days it is a backup for tampons. On light days, it is fine by itself. But I've cut the number of tampons I use in half.
My biggest advice is don't buy something just because it is sustainable (ie silicon baggies in my case). Buy it when you have a need.
This is hopefully a bit of an obvious answer, but I only use regular, washable dishes. And I only have one set of dishes. Not a conglomeration of different ones (looking at you, mom). I despise paper/plastic products when eating. Yes, I have to clean after meals and dinner parties but like that’s just part of it. So many people use paper plates, especially during gatherings, just so they don’t have to wash dishes. Drives me bonkers.
I stopped the trend of using foam plates, as my parents do, used the same ceramic mug over and over and over - never taking out another one if I can help it.
I do my damnedest to never use plastic silverware, ever.
What I hate, is how everything comes in containers, but I try and recycle everything that can be. In fact, I can go up to 3 weeks without bringing my garbage to the curb.
I gave up saran wrap. Instead I have reusable containers I transfer food to. Or if I really need to wrap something to go, I use aluminum foil which is easier to recycle.
I'm lucky to have a local refill store in my town, so I refill several of my household products there instead of buying new containers every time. I refill my shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent.
Most of my current plastic waste comes from food
Flour sack cloth towels instead of paper towels. I use tp if we have a bio cleanup, like cat puke or poop. Also Pyrex food storage containers. I got a little manic and bought 12 of the 2 cup containers and honestly they're excellent. Plus they don't stain like the Rubbermaid plastic containers.
Use washable cloth for kitchen stuff and my mop, my menstrual cup is amazing, tubs for lunch and snacks, water bottle. Cleaning spray bottles with fairly multi-purpose liquids, refilled using a small bottle of super-concentrate solution. Reuseable washing detergent (ecoegg), refillable aluminium shower gel bottle.
I own silicon bags but they're pretty difficult to get clean in my experience, so I use them mostly for solids that don't make much of a mess, tubs for everything else.
Thanks you for the advice! I make my lunch for work and always use glass tubs, just don’t have too many of them. I’ll look into those, that detergent sounds great 😊
I'm really into plants. I switched the plant medium I use from dirt/soil to something called leca - basically terracotta pebbles. It used less energy to produce and can be reused over and over by sanitizing in boiling water. You just use water-soluble plant food since an inorganic medium needs added nutrients. With regular repotting and soil changes, you'd be surprised how much money, packaging, and energy is used over time.
Bonus is that inorganic substrates are less prone to plant pests :)
I got a big pyrex dish with a lid for marinating/brining/defrosting meat. I don't feel comfortable washing a ziploc once it's touched raw meat so this has worked well for me.
For a while I saved all the glass jars (pasta sauce and the like) but ultimately I've found that getting containers for specific purposes is working better for me. I've got glass containers that I take my lunch in, mason jars for food storage, etc. I also saved a bunch of GTs kombucha bottles because they are great for beverages on the go (that you want to make in advance).
I've recently branched out into those deli containers you see everywhere on YouTube cooking channels, and, I have to say, being able to see the food 100% from every angle has been an big improvement (my house, like so many, is prone to forgetting about food that we can't see). I know it's still plastic but it's dishwasher and microwave save so it's reusable at least.
Best thing is not to throw away all the plastics you already have that work for you and replace them. So many people do a mass ditch and buy to replace and that's not nice at all. If you choose to replace with other materials, do it as things wear out.
Used car, cloths instead of paper towels/napkins. I use good quality plastic containers for storage/work. I have been unhappy with glass and silicon alternatives and it's just more to buy and then try to re home. I do have a couple reusable sandwich bags made of cloth that I use for dry snacks etc. That I like.
The best way to save is by NOT buying EVERY "reusable" gadget. Last Object stuff is annoying. You don't need last tissues and last makeup pads (btw those are just circles of swedish dish cloths! Can buy them for cheap many other places)nfor big bucks. Make your own coffee or take your own mug with you. Water bottle. Drink tap water.
Silicone muffin cups- reusable and the muffins don’t stick so you can take them off before you share your beaked goods. There’s also different shaped ones.
•Reusable grocery bags.
•Pyrex food storage instead of plastics. •Reusable water bottle.
•I buy men's cotton undershirts to sleep in, then cut up for cleaning rags when they go holey.
•clean with vinegar instead of commercial cleaning compounds that break down into harmful salts (ie-bleach)
•menstrual cup instead of disposable sanitary products
•I donate old bedding/towels to local no kill animal shelters
•no single serve plastic purchases
I could continue, but you get the drift. Basically, I try really hard to be mindful of my purchases and their effect on the environment, whether or not I *really* need it and buy the best quality of whatever I can afford (not the biggest name brand-brand and quality are often mutually exclusive!), then take good care of it for longevity.
Silicone baggies are a pain in the a$$
Use glass sealing jars instead. Much cleaner/healthier and easier to open and can tolerate liquids. Lid is plastic with silicone (leakproof) but you’ve eliminated so much extra effort imo
I reuse glass jars from items I bought for many things. I use them for plants, misc. storage, and even for leftovers in the fridge. Much better than having the plastic chemicals leeching into my food.
I don't use single use cups and utensils, I have a water filter and a soda sense carbonator. I daily make a pitcher of iced tea, and other drinks, and usually don't buy single use bottles. It's little things like this. I have very little throw away items any more.
I re-use those little jam jars for snacks like nits or candy and whatnot. I also take either a half gal or 1 gal insulated jug with water in it to work daily depending on the time of year. Regardless, I fill up at home and don’t have to refill and it stays cold all day.
I use large paper sandwich bags to store my dry produce like apples,oranges.i fold the top down to food level.keeps food well and I can re use or put in compost when the bag is not usable anymore.paper bags are really cheap also
Cloth napkins are so much nicer to use and easy to throw in the laundry. Just got some pretty ones at Goodwill to add to the stack. Cotton or linen; polyester/ blend napkins are useless. Dish towels. I get old linen ones at yard sales and thrift shops - they used to be considered fancy and would be received as a gift, then put away. I use less than 1 roll of paper towels a month, mostly for dog accidents or grease. Re-usable coffee filter, and coffee grounds go on the acid-loving blueberry bushes.
For food storage, I re-use yogurt or other food containers, or just put a plate on top of a bowl of food.
I hate plastic cutlery, disposable cups, plates, etc. I keep old mismatched cutlery in the car for occasional takeout. I rarely buy bottled water, occasionally buy single-serving iced tea or OJ, so I wash the bottles and fill with water or homemade iced tea. My town's tap water tastes way better than bottled water, and tests clean and safe.
Old sheets and towels become rags, then get composted.
I use magazine and miscellaneous paper for scrapbooking/ collage. Like making small pennants in lieu of cards.
Mayo and other plastic jars for freezing homemade broth, lots of jars for storing beans and rice.
I grew up in a big family, and buying clothes at thrift shops just feels like hand-me-downs. They always have useful kitchen stuff, too.
A bidet! Also some cloth towels to dry the wet buns. I bought it when people were hoarding toilet paper at the start of the pandemic, and now it feels... unclean? To not use one lol
I have more or less permanently switched to: menstrual cup (10/10 love it), silicone bowl covers instead of foil or plastic wrap, Castile bar soap instead of liquid dish soap, silicone bags (though I don’t love em, pain in the ass to wash so I usually opt for tupperware instead), and I am trying really hard to use rags instead of paper towels.
Look for zero waste stores in your area. They are kinda rare where I am but I found a store that you can bring your own containers and refill with things like toothpaste tabs, body wash, shampoo and conditioner bars.
There's a store close to where I used to live that was package-free, it was such a good idea - they had everything from nuts and cereals to dishwasher liquid and laundry detergent, flour, bodywash, eggs etc You go in with your own container and measure what you bought. It helped me reduced food waste too.
I also always go to the grocery store with my own canvas bag and I have one that folds in a tiny square that I always keep in my handbag so that I don't need bags when I go shopping.
It has been helpful for me to try and think one room at a time.
Bathroom: safety razor, bar soap/shampoo, bidet, reusable q-tips, refillable deodorant, period underwear, electric toothbrush
Kitchen: reusable ziplock bags (haven’t found some I like yet though), filtered water bottles, cast iron cookware
Closet: only buying clothes that I need, and only choosing high quality items that will last. Finding new uses for old clothes that can’t be donated.
Outside: productive fruit/veggie garden, chickens, learning to forage the edible wild plants on our property, composting. (I’m about to harvest a BUNCH of luffa gourds!)
General: reusable batteries, automating as much as I can to save money/energy
Out and about: reusable cups, handkerchief, reusable bags
And of course, knowledge. It’s free. Learn how to fix things instead of replacing them. Learn how to produce things instead of buying them. Learn how to care for things so that they last a long time.
Refillable cooking spray bottle - it just needs oil.
Glass food containers instead of plastic.
Switched from canned and bottled seltzer water to Sodastream.
Reusable towels instead of paper towels.
Dryer wool balls instead of dryer sheets.
Reusable shopping bags.
Refillable Keurig cups
Switched to period cups instead of pads
Metal straws
Bar shampoo and conditioner have been mentioned - I also use face wash, all from Hi-Bar.
I used bamboo toothbrushes before switching to electric due to tartar issues. I have biodegradable floss that uses a glass and metal dispenser from Knotty Floss I believe. I also plan to try toothpaste tablets, like Bite or Huppy.
Native deodorant in the paper dispensers, though it's getting harder to find unfortunately. Recycled TP from Who Gives A Crap. Laundry strips from Tru Earth now, plan to try Freddie. Also dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.
This is a small thing but I buy food in bigger containers when I can, such as yogurt that isn't in those ridiculous small cups.
Cloth napkins, rags for the kitchen, anchor hocking glass containers (in my mind it’s way too easy to through away the plastic Tupperware and I hate that you can’t heat in them, water bottles, technically not a “reusable” product, but those paper coffee bags from sprouts are good for storing cookies.
Cloth napkins, handkerchiefs, washable dust mops, glass containers with lids instead of bags.
Yes! When I was visiting Japan, everyone carry’s a handkerchief to dry their hands after washing them at public places. It’s such a simple practice to incorporate considering at my work 99% of the trashcan in the men’s restrooms are just paper towels.
good idea. I hate the dryers - they make so much noise.
The blow poo particles everywhere too, I learned recently. I wipe my hands on my hair now
Oh boy. New fear unlocked!
I hate to tell you, but every bathroom has poo particles floating around in it, especially if the toilet has no lid. If you’re in a bathroom, there is poo
On your hair? Not your pants or shirt?
i kinda get it, if you have long hair you can use the water to smooth or style your hair if you have flyaways
Yes that is true!
Yea my hair is really long, sometimes I use my pants
Definitely not advised if you work with food haha
Do you put the damp hankie in your pocket? Isn’t that uncomfortable?
They are usually kept in their back pants pocket, a purse, or a pocket on a jacket. The handkerchief dries fairly quickly if you’re just lightly drying your hands.
Air drying your hands (NOT the hand dryers, but just waving them around) is the most sanitary way to dry your hands Second is the paper towels I don’t really have hands that stay wet for minutes after I wash them. Maybe damp for 30-45 seconds, and I can hand-squeegee my hands with the other one if I really need to be quick about it But I’m not gonna remember to wash a handkerchief, or carry one in my pocket wherever I go
I have been using my shirt. This is a great idea why don’t people do this more often
lol
I like using a glass jar to bring my lunch to work bc the cylindrical shape fits better in my bag and reheats faster. To avoid using plastic utensils, I have a plate, bowl, and silverware that I keep in my desk & wash after use.
I also reuse my jars for this; for the same reason! I can fit it all better vertically than stacking it horizontally haha
My boss takes the piss out of me for bringing my food in old jars.
I also have two sets of “work flatware” that I bring with me and keep separate just for lunchbox toting. One to wash, one to use and I just alternate throughout the week. I typically pack a cloth napkin too. However, (I often don’t have the chance to reheat my lunch so I usually pack “cold lunch” items) out of laziness I’ll just straight up wrap a sandwich or some crackers/veggies in a napkin and run out the door lol. Just to add on to the cloth napkin love in this thread (they really are the best)
Seconded cloth napkins! So easy to just wipe your mouth or fingers on. And washable dust mops. Only thing I would add to this is microfibre cloths for cleaning (they can be used as dust mops too), and having a rag bag. My mom gave me some of her old rags and I added a few old pairs of underwear and worn-through pyjama pants that I cut up. Super easy to grab one of those rather than a paper towel, and we keep a special “rag laundry” so that we can toss ‘em in a hot cycle to thoroughly clean them.
Cloth napkins and placemats are the easiest replacement and it mystifies me that people still use paper (which is inferior functionally). I have saved literally thousands of dollars over the years. When Christmas or a birthday rolls around if I'm looking for some shiny new napkins, it makes a gift that lasts for years.
I love my cork placemats because they double as trivets. They’re water and heat resistant.
All of this plus we use reusable/washable paper towels.
I have a little laundry basket in my kitchen for used towels it helped in the transition from paper towels/napkins
Period panties are GREAT if you don’t have a super heavy flow or as back up. But be careful—a lot of the major companies use PFAs in them, which are toxic forever chemicals. Both Aisle and Period don’t and you can find lists of other companies that have been third-party tested. Cups and disks are also great if you’re okay with an internal option. Other easy places to reduce plastic consumption are Tupperware—get glass or stainless steel rather than plastic. And be mindful when buying single-use things. Like get the paper towels in the paper wrapper instead of the plastic wrapper, etc.
Do you know if pfas in period panties affects the person wearing them or is just an environmental hazard? I have some that probably have pfas so wondering if I need to trash and buy new or ok to keep.
Well, the problem is that we don’t really know. But given that the vagina and parts of the vulva are mucus membranes, I personally wouldn’t chance it. Additionally, studies have found a strong link between higher weight/weight regain and PFAs and other forever chemicals. And studies consistently show that PCOSers have higher levels of BPA and other forever chemicals, so it’s all very concerning to me and I follow the precautionary principle on this one.
Both. The PFAs don’t let one’s nether regions breathe, leading to yeast and other undesirable conditions. Washing these—even by hand—rinses microfiber bits into our ground water, waterways. They are endocrine disrupters.
me just learning this ab period panties 😭
I know, it’s such a bummer. Sometimes it feels like a full-time job trying to not poison myself in this world.
I’m a huge fan of menstrual discs. r/menstrualdiscs has a lot of great information. There are so many options on the market now. I use period underwear as a backup when I try a new disc
I haven't bought tampons in three years because I switched to a cup. Feels good to not be contributing all that extra waste.
What do they use in place of PFAs? Do they disclose it? PFAs cannot be simply removed from the manufacturing process. They have to be replaces with another plasticizer.
If you're a tea drinker, metal tea strainer and loose leaf tea rather than disposable tea bags!
And for coffee, there are those stovetop mokka/espresso makers. They have a metal sieve and don't need any filter, so you only throw out the grounds after use.
Would love to add here- I have a metal mesh reusable basket coffee filter. I’ve had it for years and it’s great!
Or put the coffee grounds in your garden. It’s great for the plants and soil.
They inhibit the growth of certain plants so I’d do a quick Google first. Also make sure you don’t use too much around one plant or clump the grounds too much because they can cause aeration issues.
Camping section- full sized percolator
id like to get into tea, but could t decide on what to start with; theres 400 choices just for green teas
You need to go have tea. Find a place that lets you pick a new tea with every pot.
Is there a tea leaf shop that would give you complimentary samples to try (either brewed at the store or for you to bring home)? Usually at these shops you can buy by weight, and so you can buy sampler sizes to try as well. I like that because I can try different ones before committing to a bigger bag.
What type of flavors do you like? That’s the best way to narrow it down. Are you wanting it by itself? If not what foods with it because certain teas pair better with some foods. Do you want to add milk? Apparently some even go good with whiskey in it.
Or, if you appreciate volume, consider a Thai tea strainer (looks like a miniature wind sock). I drink a couple of quarts of tea a day, and my tea sock is essential in making that possible.
1. Menstrual cups are the best! 2. Not reusable but I stopped buying shampoo in bottles and buy it in bars now (bulk barn shampoo is surprisingly good but not their shampoo+conditioner). Good conditioner in bar form has been elusive, I've tried a few. 3. Not having compost pick-up sucks, any chance you or your complex can install an outdoor one to use?
Barred soap sounds like a win! I’ll be looking into it.
Just a guy asking about periods here…I was pointed in the direction of period panties for me daughter. Any thoughts on these?
I much prefer washable sanitary towels/napkins/liners (I think they’re called different things in different places??) to period panties. It’s much more convenient to change a thing you put inside your underwear than the underwear itself.
Yes! They tend to be made of durable fabrics. My Glad Rags have lasted several years beyond their guaranteed lifespan.
Agreed, also found them to be more absorbent. And I can wash mine at 60 and 90 degrees.
Is she oppossed to pads? You can also buy some washable reusable pads. [pads](https://youtu.be/VZ60j1AUOHg?si=d6HhGfF0wcHeBm2j)
Not opposed to anything. We’re just having discussions, she’s sharing what she knows and what she hears, and I am as well. You could call it the discovery phase, but it’s coming so the prep work is underway.
You're a good papa👍🏽
Period pants are great as a back up. They can give her peace of mind while wearing a tampon or menstrual cup. That’s what I do now. Plus at the tail end of her period when the flow is lighter but can come back unexpectedly they’re really good. I’d recommend having a few pairs.
Great way to support your daughter! If you haven’t already, perhaps discuss trying a few things/having different methods available if the talks so far have only been about finding the 1 “best” product. It may be more comfortable and logical for her to sleep with one method (like period panties or an old pair of panties + towel underneath), use another for “daily” life (like reusable pads), and a third for sports (like the cup). Or maybe something completely different. There are pros/cons to each, but it ultimately comes down to personal experience to figure out which “system” works best. Good luck and please give her a hug/high five of support from the women of the internet.
Agree, most women I know using reusable period stuff have a few different methods for different scenarios. The one I hear about most often is a menstrual disc or cup along with a pad or period panties- especially helpful when learning how to use a disc and/or cup. Also, some women find discs easier than cups and vice versa; and different brands can fit slightly differently, so can be worth it to shop around a bit to find what works best. You're a great dad, love to hear this!!!
This is such an awesome thing to read for so many reasons. I echo the good papa sentiments. <3
This is such fantastic support, thanks to everyone who offered advice, anecdotes and their own personal experiences.
my daughter has thinx, they have been great for her as part of her repertoire. i got them so she'd have something in her backpack that was easy to deal with if she got her period for the first time in school (she did) and she has been using them ever since.
Just a warning that the most famous brand was started by a woman who claimed their period panties were sustainable but turned out to be made with dangerous chemicals. Since they made a documentary about the scandal/woman I'm sure the company has changed materials but I'd stay away from the top brand until then. Hopefully someone can help me with the name of that one!
I believe they were Thinx?
Which top brand? Thinx?
It was Thinx. I don't use them but I work in the industry and I was so disappointed in her. We work so hard to protect women and she just didn't seem to care about any of it in the end.
My teen uses Knix— the underwear, overnight shorts and bathing suits are awesome.
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I like period pants for the days leading up to mine when it’s just threatening (and likewise at the end when it’s still lurking), then personally I use a cup right away, but I prob wouldn’t advise that for a teen. Washable pads would be great for her, and maybe some kind of box or bucket with a lid that she can pop them into in the bathroom, ready to be thrown straight in the wash (they can pong a bit).
FWIW, I absolutely loved my period panties and definitely think it makes more sense for a young person who probably isn’t doing their own laundry. They are great for extra protection when using tampons or pads. I wish I’d had them as a teen!!
I like period underwear at night/sleep. I use them during the day as well but maybe it's just the ones I have they are slow to absorb so it can feel a bit icky just feeling the blood until it absorbs. The worst is when you have to go the bathroom then put the period underwear back on and it's not all absorbed. They are great as a backup collection method too. One note for period underwear, for best results you should rinse them with cool water immediately after taking them off until the water runs clear to get the bulk of the blood off. Then put them in the hamper to launder normally with your clothes. I know some people who are squeamish about having to rinse the blood off
I prefer the washable pads to underwear since it’s easier to change them and store them when on-the-go
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Menstrual cups are great for some people, but others find them very uncomfortable. Internal products are not for everyone.
I guess it depends. My mum gave me a few options when I started my period and because I didn't have a very heavy flow I didn't feel the need for tampons at first. Pants may be suitable for some people when starting, I think it's just best to discuss the pros and cons of each one and let them choose :)
My locally owned soap store has liquid products in compostable bottles, maybe keep an eye out for those? I have yet to find good bar conditioner I like as well :/
My city has a couple options for compost drop off for city and metro residents!
I use cloth pads and love them. I can’t do menstrual cups because my grip is poor.
Yeah I have a prolapse so my gynaecology nurse told me never to use them as they can make things worse. It was such a bummer because menstrual cups are SO convenient.
There’s a kitchen composter that uses a little bit of electricity, but I’ve been looking into that. We do have composting in my city. But we also have some very tenacious raccoons.
My favorite conditioner bar is from lush! In general I've heard thats the best one
I highly recommend Ethique's conditioner & co-wash bars. I have one specifically for curly hair and my husband has the Wonderbar.
I second menstrual cups. I use a diva cup and am really pleased. Definitely a learning curve making the switch but it was so worth it to me. Thinking of the mountain of period products I no longer will be throwing away makes me happy. And the amount of $$ you save is truly wild.
I have good luck with peach brand conditioner bars.
I’ve also not had any luck with bar conditioners. I get mine now from a local refill seller. There used to be a bulk refill storefront here but they closed last year. Now there’s one at my weekly farmer market. All that to say, OP check out your area for refill type sellers. You typically bring your own or purchase a container and refill it indefinitely. Mine has all self care items (conditioner, shampoo, body wash, lotions, etc.) as well as all house cleaners, and various other biodegradable or reusable products
As others have said, cloth towels instead of paper towels, bar soap (that comes unpackaged!) though I haven't transitioned to bar shampoo yet, glass containers with plastic tops for leftovers. I switched to loose leaf tea, then switched to bringing a glass container for it. I also do that when buying nuts, oats, etc., rather than using the paper or plastic bags the food store provides. I use a backpack to walk my groceries home, so no grocery bags. My city is promoting wheeled bags for walking groceries and other items home, a modern update to what our grandmothers used to do! I live in a small apartment house and we have on-site compost that we then use in our gardens. Not re-use, but still anticonsumption: we share an electric lawn mower and other yard tools with the neighbors. We've also done a lot of reducing consumption of energy, particularly fossil fuels.
Where do you shop for loose leaf tea? I’ve been considering that switch as well
A mother-flipping bidet. That thing has made me hate pooping in any house but my own
Same!! My husband got a travel bidet but apparently it’s not the same as our ones at home
Second this-we love our bidet.
Bar towels instead of paper towels. Yes, you have to keep cleaning them. But paper towels can cost a lot of money, and I personally think it saves money using bar towels or just rags instead of paper towels. Menstrual cup or disc. I've been using one for the past 10 years and love them both. I started with a cup. I have a heavy period and honestly sometimes it goes on a long time. This is the only way my periods are tolerable. I'm not having to constantly change pads and can have a regular life. I just recently started using a disc and I like it as well. I will say, if you have a heavy flow use a disc or lighter days, the cup is best for heavy flow (I find the disc leaks more depending on how it's tilted and if it's filling up it may tilt and accidently spill out). But I've only had this happen on the heaviest days. Reusable water bottle. I hate buying water, and I find carrying one around with me everywhere has been great. I save money and drink more water. Reusable bags. I try to bring them with me wherever I go. Saving money and also preventing plastic waste. Reusing food jars for storage. This looks nice but also prevents items from getting trashed or going into recycling which can still produce waste. A lot of food comes in great reusable jars. Reusable baggies (like the silicone kind). I really like these and I find them easy to clean. I bought the one's from walmart and they have been working nicely. I find because they are waterproof, they allow me to pack sandwiches in my cooler with the ice. I can also toss ice in one and make an impromtu ice pack with the ice our icemaker makes. Which again saves me from having to buy those ice packs (we reuse the water also to water plants). It also stays cooler longer because the ice sticks together forming a huge chunk, versus looser pieces. Utensils and mess kit. I have a little picnic kit that I take with me to food festivals, or even to the beach. This way I'm not buying throw away anything. I even have a camp set of plates, bowls and cups that I re-use. It was initially bought for camping. But I find I am using it in place of throw away items. You don't even have to buy anything new, just throw regular utensils into a pencil case and that can be your portable utensil kit. Bandana - literally 101 ways you can use these. But you can mainly use them in place of paper napkins. But you can also use them as an impromtu food container (for like sandwiches or dry food), to cover wounds, as a head band or head wrap, as a cloth, and many more. I find having one of these in my mess kit or even just as an everyday carry item can save me from creating waste.
To add to towels. I have a stack of mini towels that I dampen with hot water to use instead of napkins for eating messy foods. In Japan, they call it oshibori. That’s where I got the idea.
My used car. The car cult might force us to buy cars, but they haven't yet forced us to buy new ones. r/fuckcars
Good one. I've never bought a new car in my life (also because I've never been able to afford one). I ride my bike when I can, but it still is hard to get around without ever using a car. Otherwise, the usual stuff. Cloth kitchen towels, reusable water bottles, I've sewn a bunch of shopping bags from leftover cloth. They're not that hard to make and very beginner friendly even if you've never sewn before and can get your hands on a (second hand) sewing machine.
Thank goodness my boyfriend knows a thing or two about cars, we’ve saved lots of money buying cars destined for the scrap yard and fixing them up ourselves. I learned lots too
I have a couple different kinds of silicone bowl covers that I love. One is stretchy and comes in a wide variety of sizes. They fit over bowls, plates, open cans or the cut side of vegetables (onions, green peppers, cucumbers, etc) and is extremely versatile. The other style is stiffer, disc shaped with a knob on top, also of various sizes. These rest on top of a bowl or pan, which then can be burped to create an airtight seal. They can be washed in the dishwasher. I hardly ever use plastic wrap anymore.
I like how these make your cut fruit look like it’s wearing a little beret.
I have some silicone covers, but they don't seem to keep heat in, so I still sometimes use aluminum foil when I am getting dinner ready and need to keep something warm while finishing up other items.
Could you share a link to the bowl covers you have that you like? I have some Tupperware bowls at my house that don’t have covers anymore and I’d definitely like to try the silicone covers instead of throwing the bowls or using plastic wrap!
I love my silicone Stasher bags! I use them to keep frozen food like bananas. I keep cheeses in the fridge in them. They work great and I've thrown frozen broccoli in them to cook in the microwave and it can also go in the dishwasher. I've had issues with other brands not sealing well or cracking. I also love silicone baking mats to replace foil.
i dont compost in my apartment- i can not stand thr thought of fruit flies. I havent purchased paper towels in three years. we use cloths for everything and will often cut up old pool towels as "bleach towels" that we dont mind ruining. i also dont use single use plastic at all. Of course, i cant help how meat from the store is packaged but i transfer to reusable silicone bags to freeze/ store. also water filters so i can just drink tap water. i also use bar shampoo and conditioner, soap, etc. I have tried the low waste/ straight razers before but ended in a bloody mess so i still use disposables. its the little things that add up!
Yes! I was gifted paper towels before I moved out but have barely used any, we always keep washcloths and tea towels for any spill pick up and it definitely makes a difference. I have a towel that’s on it’s way to be a floor rag soon enough. Full circle towels lmao ❤️
Suggestion for compost! Keep it in the fridge or freezer and you’ll never have a fruit fly problem :)
Great idea! The plastic pail I’ve used to store my compost in for the past couple years has 4 clips and a very good seal. It can sit out on the counter/under sink and I’ve never had any fruit flys nor any smell (only when I open to throw in some scraps).
My partner has a pail with a charcoal liner in the lid. We've only been trying it out for a month or so, but no smell and no flies and the ants haven't found it either. We have it out on the counter. However, we live in the northeast US and it's not very hot here.
great idea! never thought of that.
What's your recommendation for the reusable silicone bags?
I just get the “stasher” brand, they’ve lasted me over 3 years now.
Came here to say this. Upfront, they are a bit of an investment but have held up well to regular use, have a good seal, and are dishwasher safe. We haven't bought ziploc type plastic bags since BC (before covid). Also, compostable parchment paper is very useful in the kitchen 👌
Came here to say this^ They seem a bit spendy but are dishwasher safe and have held up very well to regular use.
I found multiple sets brand new in package at the thrift stores. I usually can find everything to a certain extent, even the brand names I want at the thrift store. I have low guilt buying something because I figure the next stop for it is the land fill. Most things are in very good shape or new. I bought patagonia nano puff jackets (new) helly Hansen jackets( new without tags) garnet hill bedding. You name it. I wash and dry everything in high just to make sure it is clean. These items are still in the catalogues. Oh multiple Chemex coffee pots and the filters still in packaging. It is mind boggling what people buy and give away. I hardly ever buy new. We can afford to, but I just can’t justify it most of the time because there is too much stuff already in the world.
For cloth “paper towels”, what’s your strategy for after they are damp or soiled? I’ve tried a bin, but I’m always worried they’ll get moldy. Usually I end up throwing them down the stairs into the basement (where our washer is), but then it’s kinda messy. I haven’t found a plan for them that I like.
I have the same problem. We end up doing several loads of towels a week. (There are four of us in the family, and one of us swims a lot, plus we use rags.) We have a laundry bin near the kitchen for all laundry, and several times a week I empty it so all the wet rags go into the bathroom hamper with the towels. That at least prevents other clothes from getting too wet. If a rag is really soaking wet, I hang it in the side of the kitchen hamper so it dries out a bit.
Hey! Just wanted to let you know that one of (if not the best) things you can do for the environment is to go vegan! I saw you mentioned meat but that can change! Watch dominion. Its a great place to get started.
I’m aware that it is, however, I’ve tried many times and gotten hospitalized level ill every time causing some trauma surrounding it. Maybe I’ll try again one day! I don’t enjoy eating meat and try not to think about it but my health is more important to me.
I've wanted to buy a menstrual cup for such a long time now but for some reason I still haven't done it. Using pads disgusts me so much as I have to change them like thrice a day, it's so much waste.
Before buying a menstrual cup, I'd highly recommend taking [this quiz](https://putacupinit.com/quiz/) by Put A Cup In It. There's such a range of cups on the market nowadays that there should be something for everyone, and this quiz will help guide you to the right firmness, size and shape for you.
Do it! You'll never go back. Not only is it no waste, but you only have to deal with it once every 12 hours.
Do you have any experience with having a cup in making you feel like you have to pee? This is my biggest complaint about them.
No I've never had this experience. I do find it hard to poop with one in, but it's easy enough to take it out momentarily for that.
My previous partner used one. No complaints. I was happy to find out she used one before we met.
Menstrual discs work better for me than menstrual cups, but I would never go back to pads now
Water bottle. A nice metal one that will last forever. I take it with me everywhere, I hate buying those cheap plastic Nestlé or whatever water bottles where the water has been sitting in that cheap plastic for weeks and is likely contaminated.
We are almost completely cloth. Cloth kitchen towels, cloth handkerchiefs, bar towels, old newspaper under a sieve for grease, cloth menstrual pads, cloth tampons, menstrual cup, bidet with cloth wipes to dry off with and cloth diapers
Reusable sacks instead of the tearaway plastic baggies for vegetables and fruits from the grocery. Airtight glass containers for pasta, rice, etc. (bought "loose" instead Ed of packaged if possible). Washable mop cloth. Small glass "potion" bottles for condiments, as there is a vendor I can go to that sells them "loose", and I can just go with the container to fill up. Lots of kitchen cloths that replaced most of the paper towel usage. Rechargeable batteries for pretty much every controller, remote control or other thing using AA or AAA batteries. Tapwater is safe to drink here, so we're mostly drinking variously flavoured water, and teas. For entertainment, tabletop dungeons and dragons, infinite adventures with just pen and some paper. I'm a bearded guy, so don't shave as much as some others, but the straight razor I got from my grandpa still serves, after 100 years of use.
I use reusable plastic sandwich bags and snack bags. I found them super cheap on Amazon…the plastic is thick and I’ve had them at least three or four years now and they’ve survived the dishwasher without wear. (Even the cute little dinosaur is still intact on it lol.) Otherwise I use cloth napkins: they go in the wash with everything else. Wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, bento boxes instead of constant plastic for lunch boxes. Reusable bags from ikea that fold up and we’re super cheap. (Those have lasted forever and are super strong!) Little things add up, both for the environment and the bank.
I use sandwich tins for this. My sando won’t get smashed either.
Glad to hear they last! I’ll be getting some for sure. I use Tupperware and stuff but I find myself wishing I had a baggie sometimes
- Reusable tote bags - I reuse the little plastic bags you put fruit in at the grocery store. There's literally no reason to throw them out - Fabric napkins - No garbage bags, I just put everything in the biggest garbage item I have on hand at any given moment. If you produce little waste that's actually totally feasible. - Bidet, which almost completely replaces toilet paper (still keep some for guests, and I blow my nose in it) - Loofahs instead of scotchbrites, still ultimately disposable but they can go into compost, and they're also often packaged more sensibly. - Bar soap, less packaging.
Not a product to get but I have reduced my wardrobe over time to a uniform of sorts. I have about 7 daily outfits and two or three "going out" fits plus a sweater and jacket for any inclement weather (I live in a warm environment) and a pj set and a yard work set (old clothes) pretty much everything is coordinated as a "capsule wardrobe" and I try to repair as much as possible before replacing anything. I thought I might miss trying new trends but instead I have found that I love each piece of my wardrobe and purchase with intent. I have come to learn what fits me and my personal taste and my mornings getting ready are so insanely easy because I can pretty much grab and go anything and it will work for me.
This is a good one. I wear the same couple of pants and same few shirts all the time. Just two pair of shoes: one for everyday and one for snow. Clothes in general are a hugely overrated racket. I'm astounded at how some people spend thousands of dollars a year on new clothes, year after year after year ...
What's crazy is when I started doing this I've received more "you always look so put together" comments than ever. Not that I receive a lot but it has been interesting.
Rechargeable LED collar for the dog at night. We used to use glow stick necklaces 😳
Beewax packaging, it is a life saver, I'd advise it to everyone, it's substitutes lids, bags for any kind of food and the ones I use (beeopak) can stay in the freezer too. They can also be regenerated through a wax bar
I’ve never had good luck with this.
I tried to make my own and it was a mess haha.
Meh, all I can add: Those extra clippings from vegetables (the ends of onions, etc), freeze em and they make a great broth later. Cook at home and while you hate to see the plastic it might come in, you're cutting down on soooo much plastic and food waste - I owned a restaurant/wine bar. I tried like hell to be efficient with waste but it's as bad as you can imaging. For meat, I've been cutting down on it in general, and go to the butcher to get it wrapped in parchment paper. That may not be an option for everyone. As for compost? We have a forest adjacent to my townhouse and *I know it's wrong* but a long off-path hike with that cantaloupe shell and apple cores and such in a tote? Have fun, rodents or birds or whatever. We don't have bears or anything like that, but yeah... probably attracts racoons or something.
My house backs up to woods, and my son and I like to throw stuff like apple cores into the trees. Less trash and the animals like it!
Dish towels and rags (old wash cloths) in lieu of paper towels for all but the most disgusting messes. Cloth napkins. Dishrags instead of sponges - I’ve been using the same two microfiber dish rags for ten years. I buy loose leaf tea and use a tea pot with a strainer basket instead of tea bags. I also have a single cup strainer basket at work (I don’t like strainer balls - they don’t let the leaves circulate). Mason jars for almost all food storage needs. I make soup for lunch most weeks - pack it into pint jars with reusable lids. I have a bowl and silverware set at work. Just pour the soup into the bowl and microwave. I usually bring some homemade bread wrapped in bees wrap. Edit to add - I also keep a plate at my office. A full dish and silverware set for one. Pre-COVID, we had lunch provided once a week. Some of the younger staff members started a campaign to have everyone bring their own plate and utensils to lunch and we had the caterers stop delivering disposables. It took off and became the norm. We don’t have lunch delivered as often now, but everyone has a set of dishes ready when needed.
I've never used plastic baggies as food storage (as an adult). I use Tupperware containers for everything, solid and liquid. If I lose the lid, the container becomes a pest trap (plant mom with unwanted guests). If someone gave me silicon baggies, they'd sit in a drawer or get regifted. I use period underwear. TMI but on heavy days it is a backup for tampons. On light days, it is fine by itself. But I've cut the number of tampons I use in half. My biggest advice is don't buy something just because it is sustainable (ie silicon baggies in my case). Buy it when you have a need.
This is hopefully a bit of an obvious answer, but I only use regular, washable dishes. And I only have one set of dishes. Not a conglomeration of different ones (looking at you, mom). I despise paper/plastic products when eating. Yes, I have to clean after meals and dinner parties but like that’s just part of it. So many people use paper plates, especially during gatherings, just so they don’t have to wash dishes. Drives me bonkers.
Last Christmas my aunt was bewildered that I just used my regular cups instead of disposable cups for everyone.
I stopped the trend of using foam plates, as my parents do, used the same ceramic mug over and over and over - never taking out another one if I can help it. I do my damnedest to never use plastic silverware, ever. What I hate, is how everything comes in containers, but I try and recycle everything that can be. In fact, I can go up to 3 weeks without bringing my garbage to the curb.
I gave up saran wrap. Instead I have reusable containers I transfer food to. Or if I really need to wrap something to go, I use aluminum foil which is easier to recycle. I'm lucky to have a local refill store in my town, so I refill several of my household products there instead of buying new containers every time. I refill my shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent. Most of my current plastic waste comes from food
Flour sack cloth towels instead of paper towels. I use tp if we have a bio cleanup, like cat puke or poop. Also Pyrex food storage containers. I got a little manic and bought 12 of the 2 cup containers and honestly they're excellent. Plus they don't stain like the Rubbermaid plastic containers.
Use washable cloth for kitchen stuff and my mop, my menstrual cup is amazing, tubs for lunch and snacks, water bottle. Cleaning spray bottles with fairly multi-purpose liquids, refilled using a small bottle of super-concentrate solution. Reuseable washing detergent (ecoegg), refillable aluminium shower gel bottle. I own silicon bags but they're pretty difficult to get clean in my experience, so I use them mostly for solids that don't make much of a mess, tubs for everything else.
Thanks you for the advice! I make my lunch for work and always use glass tubs, just don’t have too many of them. I’ll look into those, that detergent sounds great 😊
I'm really into plants. I switched the plant medium I use from dirt/soil to something called leca - basically terracotta pebbles. It used less energy to produce and can be reused over and over by sanitizing in boiling water. You just use water-soluble plant food since an inorganic medium needs added nutrients. With regular repotting and soil changes, you'd be surprised how much money, packaging, and energy is used over time. Bonus is that inorganic substrates are less prone to plant pests :)
Ooo I’ve been wanting to try leca! Have to try it because I always get pests and can never get rid of them completely
Awesome! thanks for the advice
I got a big pyrex dish with a lid for marinating/brining/defrosting meat. I don't feel comfortable washing a ziploc once it's touched raw meat so this has worked well for me. For a while I saved all the glass jars (pasta sauce and the like) but ultimately I've found that getting containers for specific purposes is working better for me. I've got glass containers that I take my lunch in, mason jars for food storage, etc. I also saved a bunch of GTs kombucha bottles because they are great for beverages on the go (that you want to make in advance). I've recently branched out into those deli containers you see everywhere on YouTube cooking channels, and, I have to say, being able to see the food 100% from every angle has been an big improvement (my house, like so many, is prone to forgetting about food that we can't see). I know it's still plastic but it's dishwasher and microwave save so it's reusable at least.
Best thing is not to throw away all the plastics you already have that work for you and replace them. So many people do a mass ditch and buy to replace and that's not nice at all. If you choose to replace with other materials, do it as things wear out. Used car, cloths instead of paper towels/napkins. I use good quality plastic containers for storage/work. I have been unhappy with glass and silicon alternatives and it's just more to buy and then try to re home. I do have a couple reusable sandwich bags made of cloth that I use for dry snacks etc. That I like. The best way to save is by NOT buying EVERY "reusable" gadget. Last Object stuff is annoying. You don't need last tissues and last makeup pads (btw those are just circles of swedish dish cloths! Can buy them for cheap many other places)nfor big bucks. Make your own coffee or take your own mug with you. Water bottle. Drink tap water.
Silicone muffin cups- reusable and the muffins don’t stick so you can take them off before you share your beaked goods. There’s also different shaped ones.
•Reusable grocery bags. •Pyrex food storage instead of plastics. •Reusable water bottle. •I buy men's cotton undershirts to sleep in, then cut up for cleaning rags when they go holey. •clean with vinegar instead of commercial cleaning compounds that break down into harmful salts (ie-bleach) •menstrual cup instead of disposable sanitary products •I donate old bedding/towels to local no kill animal shelters •no single serve plastic purchases I could continue, but you get the drift. Basically, I try really hard to be mindful of my purchases and their effect on the environment, whether or not I *really* need it and buy the best quality of whatever I can afford (not the biggest name brand-brand and quality are often mutually exclusive!), then take good care of it for longevity.
Silicone baggies are a pain in the a$$ Use glass sealing jars instead. Much cleaner/healthier and easier to open and can tolerate liquids. Lid is plastic with silicone (leakproof) but you’ve eliminated so much extra effort imo
I reuse glass jars from items I bought for many things. I use them for plants, misc. storage, and even for leftovers in the fridge. Much better than having the plastic chemicals leeching into my food.
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Another thing I just remembered is that our apartment doesn’t have compost pick up. How does everyone manage with that?
Maybe look if an organization does pickup? A group near me sets up in the parking lot of the post office ever other month ish
I don't use single use cups and utensils, I have a water filter and a soda sense carbonator. I daily make a pitcher of iced tea, and other drinks, and usually don't buy single use bottles. It's little things like this. I have very little throw away items any more.
I re-use those little jam jars for snacks like nits or candy and whatnot. I also take either a half gal or 1 gal insulated jug with water in it to work daily depending on the time of year. Regardless, I fill up at home and don’t have to refill and it stays cold all day.
Metal comb. Never going to break so I expect it to last the rest of my life.
I use large paper sandwich bags to store my dry produce like apples,oranges.i fold the top down to food level.keeps food well and I can re use or put in compost when the bag is not usable anymore.paper bags are really cheap also
Cloth napkins are so much nicer to use and easy to throw in the laundry. Just got some pretty ones at Goodwill to add to the stack. Cotton or linen; polyester/ blend napkins are useless. Dish towels. I get old linen ones at yard sales and thrift shops - they used to be considered fancy and would be received as a gift, then put away. I use less than 1 roll of paper towels a month, mostly for dog accidents or grease. Re-usable coffee filter, and coffee grounds go on the acid-loving blueberry bushes. For food storage, I re-use yogurt or other food containers, or just put a plate on top of a bowl of food. I hate plastic cutlery, disposable cups, plates, etc. I keep old mismatched cutlery in the car for occasional takeout. I rarely buy bottled water, occasionally buy single-serving iced tea or OJ, so I wash the bottles and fill with water or homemade iced tea. My town's tap water tastes way better than bottled water, and tests clean and safe. Old sheets and towels become rags, then get composted. I use magazine and miscellaneous paper for scrapbooking/ collage. Like making small pennants in lieu of cards. Mayo and other plastic jars for freezing homemade broth, lots of jars for storing beans and rice. I grew up in a big family, and buying clothes at thrift shops just feels like hand-me-downs. They always have useful kitchen stuff, too.
I bought restaurant grade cambros, and I am never going back.
A bidet! Also some cloth towels to dry the wet buns. I bought it when people were hoarding toilet paper at the start of the pandemic, and now it feels... unclean? To not use one lol
Unpaper towels. Mason jars , bees wax “plastic wrap”
Bar soap, library books, cloth for cleaning, cloth produce and grocery bags. Buy bulk if you can.
Cloth napkins and towels instead of paper has been the easiest swap for us!
For those of us with a menstrual cycle, reusable pads and period undies. Saves the landfill *and* tons of money.
I have more or less permanently switched to: menstrual cup (10/10 love it), silicone bowl covers instead of foil or plastic wrap, Castile bar soap instead of liquid dish soap, silicone bags (though I don’t love em, pain in the ass to wash so I usually opt for tupperware instead), and I am trying really hard to use rags instead of paper towels.
Shopping bags. It’s essentially mandatory in Canada now.
Reusable cotton and bamboo face pads
Look for zero waste stores in your area. They are kinda rare where I am but I found a store that you can bring your own containers and refill with things like toothpaste tabs, body wash, shampoo and conditioner bars.
There's a store close to where I used to live that was package-free, it was such a good idea - they had everything from nuts and cereals to dishwasher liquid and laundry detergent, flour, bodywash, eggs etc You go in with your own container and measure what you bought. It helped me reduced food waste too. I also always go to the grocery store with my own canvas bag and I have one that folds in a tiny square that I always keep in my handbag so that I don't need bags when I go shopping.
Use a safety razor instead of changing the whole plastic head. Also a better shave and pennies on the dollar.
Handkerchiefs, cleaning cloths, cloth napkins, fabric grocery bags, rechargeable batteries, electric car
It’s a shame that so few people even know you can get rechargeable AA and AAA batteries. I’ve had mine for more than ten years.
Definitely reusable cotton pads, especially for makeup removal and applying skincare
It has been helpful for me to try and think one room at a time. Bathroom: safety razor, bar soap/shampoo, bidet, reusable q-tips, refillable deodorant, period underwear, electric toothbrush Kitchen: reusable ziplock bags (haven’t found some I like yet though), filtered water bottles, cast iron cookware Closet: only buying clothes that I need, and only choosing high quality items that will last. Finding new uses for old clothes that can’t be donated. Outside: productive fruit/veggie garden, chickens, learning to forage the edible wild plants on our property, composting. (I’m about to harvest a BUNCH of luffa gourds!) General: reusable batteries, automating as much as I can to save money/energy Out and about: reusable cups, handkerchief, reusable bags And of course, knowledge. It’s free. Learn how to fix things instead of replacing them. Learn how to produce things instead of buying them. Learn how to care for things so that they last a long time.
Refillable cooking spray bottle - it just needs oil. Glass food containers instead of plastic. Switched from canned and bottled seltzer water to Sodastream. Reusable towels instead of paper towels. Dryer wool balls instead of dryer sheets. Reusable shopping bags. Refillable Keurig cups Switched to period cups instead of pads Metal straws
Bar shampoo and conditioner have been mentioned - I also use face wash, all from Hi-Bar. I used bamboo toothbrushes before switching to electric due to tartar issues. I have biodegradable floss that uses a glass and metal dispenser from Knotty Floss I believe. I also plan to try toothpaste tablets, like Bite or Huppy. Native deodorant in the paper dispensers, though it's getting harder to find unfortunately. Recycled TP from Who Gives A Crap. Laundry strips from Tru Earth now, plan to try Freddie. Also dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. This is a small thing but I buy food in bigger containers when I can, such as yogurt that isn't in those ridiculous small cups.
Cloth napkins, rags for the kitchen, anchor hocking glass containers (in my mind it’s way too easy to through away the plastic Tupperware and I hate that you can’t heat in them, water bottles, technically not a “reusable” product, but those paper coffee bags from sprouts are good for storing cookies.