plastic-free or zero-waste...

Been thinking about going plastic-free or zero-waste even? But don’t know where to start? One year into my own journey, I’ve some experience and thoughts on the matter.

To be clear for most people plastic-free or zero-waste are long term dreams that exist as a continuous journey rather than a destination to be reached within 3-6 months, and that is what I would suggest you try to remember at frustrating moments. The most important thing is that we all make a concerted effort to do it, but don’t expect ourselves or anyone else to be perfect at it. 


So where to start?

Some, the more maverick of us, just start swapping out items as they come up on the shopping list. Finding the closest zero-waste shop and when it comes to grocery day off they go! But if like me that seems too drastic and honestly expensive then choosing a room, a routine, or a household job first might be more your speed.

• Remember the 1st rule of sustainability is to use what you have, it’s not sustainable to toss out perfectly good and half-full items just to buy something more eco.

I was starting a skincare routine and had nothing to use up or replace so decided to only look at plastic-free options, but if you find yourself reluctant to change beauty brands something less evocative might be a better place to start! 

Rooms

• Bathrooms
  • A very waste and plastic heavy room can be a good place to start.
    • Hand soaps
    • Body wash
    • Shampoo
    • Bubble-bath
    • Razors
    • the list goes on and on.
  • Kitchens
    • Also, a waste and plastic heavy room and a second option but it can be hard to know where to start. (I wouldn’t start here.)
      • Food wrapping (clingfilm)
      • Single-use items (food packaging)
      • Washing up sponges & brushes
      • Washing up liquid
      • Dishwasher tabs
      • another list that goes on and on

Routines
If you choose a routine it would probably be best to choose something you do regularly, rather than once in a blue moon.

• Morning tea or coffee
  • At home, this routine provides a small number of items that regularly need replacing. Some are easy to think of replacements for (milkman milk, replacing shop brought plastic bottles), and others are more difficult (finding plastic-free tea or coffee).
  • Out the house, a simple keep cup can reduce waste and mores the better if you can find a zero-waste coffee shop, however, bringing your own in a thermal cup is another option

Household Jobs

• Cleaning
  • Most products that are shop brought are still bad for the planet, from plastic containers galore to harsh and toxic chemicals that eventually wake their way into the water cycle. However, they are also becoming one of the easiest items to swap out now as many zero-waste and even plastic-free options are becoming commercially available and can be posted to you on subscription.
    • Washing up (Sponges, Brushes, Cloths, Liquid)
    • Dishwasher (Tabs, Rince aid, & Salt)
    • Laundry (Tabs, Powder, Conditioner, Drying)
  • Watering the plants
    • A simple one that doesn’t require any money to be spent, it’s just a case of catching any clean unused water, for example as the tap heats up, and watering the plants with it!
  • Composting
    • Another low-cost job that if you buy compost each year will eventually pay for the initial cost of set up.

We would love to hear how you started your journey below or any other ideas you have as to good places to start!