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Rebeka WhiteTaking the Leap to Save the Earth- Becoming Self-Sufficient by Going Green and Zero Waste
Updated: Oct 25, 2021
Switching out just a few products can prevent heaps of trash from landing in trashcans everyday, and subtract from the 728,000 tons of trash Americans dispose of every day. We can also take a step toward self-sufficiency.
Self-sufficiency means something different to everyone. For some, it's leading a more simpler life, for others it's producing 100% of their own resources. For most, they fall somewhere in between. Switching to reusable products is a step toward sustainability by producing less trash that will need to be disposed of by outside resources, spending less money on disposables and never running out of essentials are huge steps to this type of freedom. And it can be achieved by making small changes.
Personal Hygiene
Billions of plastic razors, toothbrushes and hygiene products are disposed of each year. That's simply money thrown into landfills when reusable products are cheaper, more resilient and can possibly last years and years, meaning you won't see these products on your bill for some time.
Skip the plastic and toss the handles directly into the compost bin. Bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource and biodegradable. Turn your old toothbrushes into a nutritious soil for your house plants or gardens!
If you'd prefer to shop small, we carry these in our store!
Bamboo Reusable Make-up Remover/Facial Cleansing Pads
I love the idea of making my own beauty products and these are perfect for DIY lotions, face scrubs and washing! Once these have reached the end of their life, they can be repurposed into household cleaning pads for dusting or scrubbing.
If you'd prefer to support a small business, we also carry these!
Reusable Razor with Bamboo Handle
This is a traditional style razor using a bamboo(naturally water repellant) handle. The replacement blades are super cheap, and lasts 3-5 shaves each. I like the idea of never buying those crummy disposable razors again.
I doubt a replacement would be needed for a very long time, but should you need to dispose of this razor, the handle is decomposable and the metal parts can be recycled.
Biodegradable Floss with Refillable Reusable Stainless Steel Container
Toss this floss right into the compost bin. It's biodegradable and this company sells refills for the container. A refill lasts up to 2 months, and they sell packs of 5- almost a year's worth of floss. Talk about a stockpile!
Around the House
There are much sturdier products to use around the house, other than store-bought cleaning supplies. Many biodegradable products can also be tossed in the compost, contributing to the garden and finding purpose at the end of their lives. A true zero-waste lifestyle!
Biodegradable Reusable Sponges
These sponges can be sanitized in the dishwasher, or microwave, and reused again! They are made of plant and wood material and biodegradable, and could possibly land in the compost bin at the end of their lives- a win for the garden!
Simple toss into the compost bin once used. No compost bin? These will break down much quicker than traditional rubber gloves and contribute to less outgoing waste.
Throwing a party? Skip the dishes and save the environment. Toss those plates(and leftovers!) right into the compost bin. No giant bags of trash, no mess. Easy, quick and clean! Perfect for the upcoming holidays.
Also check out compostable forks and spoons.
Reusable Baggies (or a different solution...)
These are a great, no-waste, reusable solution. Simply wash and let dry and you're done. Simple as that! But for those who need disposable baggies, check out these compostable ones. Toss them into the compost pile, or the trashcan at work, and be done! They will decompose no matter where they end up.
Compost Bins
Starting a compost bin is a great way to live zero-waste. Turning your old food scraps and products into plant(or worm!) food completely cuts out the waste process, meaning you worry about disposing of less trash and you know your trash is being recycled- not tossed into the ocean or landfill.
1 .3 Gallon Countertop Composting Bin
43 Gallon Tumbling Compost Bin
Imagine if every single American made these changes. We could take on small changes, one step at a time, and progress ourselves to a more independent, sustainable, healthier future. One step at a time can make a huge difference in the time and money you're spending every month, leading to more independence, and that's always a win!
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