Zero-Waste Household Must-Haves

Top Nine Must-haves to go out and get right now!

It seems to me that people are slowly becoming more aware of the zero-waste movement, the importance of sustainability research, and the effects on the environment. In the spirit of that, I thought I would share my top nine sustainable household item must-haves that I have at hand and consider to be life-savers!

A little note
I think the zero-waste movement is incredibly important and I really support all of the awareness that is being raised, and I also believe that every little bit counts. Having said that, I would like to add one small little note. I am deep in my studies and one of the things we often discuss in a theoretical-based field is the issue of placing responsibility on the individual when the issue is really a structural one.

To clarify, the issue is that plastic is being mass-produced, and industries and mass companies like grocery stores are one of the main wasters of plastic and other non-compostable materials. Instead of looking at the structures in society that enforce pollution and waste, we turn to individuals and put the responsibility on them to not use plastic, even if that's often the only thing available. It is beneficial and makes a difference when individuals stop buying plastic water bottles and cease using new plastic bags from the grocery store each time they go shopping.

However, this becomes a problem when, for other structural reasons, people are unable to contribute to the movement out of their financial situation or socio-economic location. I would simply like to create some consciousness around this inequality and the danger of making individuals responsible for problems that are bigger than they are. Additionally, I also want to acknowledge that not everyone can afford to have zero-waste products, and the purpose of this post is to simply share what I love and endorse as opposed to shaming those who are unable to have these things. If you are able to afford all these wonderful zero-waste products, go get them! What are you waiting for!?

1. Metal Straws 

Metal straws are GAME CHANGERS. Let me say that again. Metal straws will change your life. Not only are you not putting the plastic particles in your body but your also not throwing plastic straws into the oceans (maybe not literally, but pretty much). I got this set of four which came with one straw cleaning brush. If you live with more people or just want a whole bunch of metal straws, you can buy them in larger sets too.

2. Wax Paper 

 
This wax paper honestly makes me so happy. I got my first wrapping wax paper from Abeego and I love it. Wax paper works like magic. I  recently went to a vegan festival and got some more wax paper from Earthology in these beautiful patterns. How can you not want to support the environment when your lunch wrap has the ability to make you happy?!

3. Mesh Produce Bags 

 
These are life-savers. They hold food for longer than plastic bags do, and you save the environment by not using all those plastic bags at the produce section of the grocery store. I got mine as a gift, but these from Kmool are exactly the same. I highly suggest getting different sizes, like with the wax paper, so that you can divide up your produce.

4. Non-Plastic Waterbottle 

Plastic is not only harmful to the environment but using plastic products to store our food or drinks can harm the contents we are consuming as the plastic particles seep into them, and in turn, they can harm us. Anyways, enough "science" from me. To move away from plastic water bottles I got this amazing silicon waterbottle. Metal water bottles work too but I love the silicon. Silicon is lighter and see-through which also makes it easy to wash. I take the water bottle with me EVERYWHERE (literally.)! It's from 720°Degree, and you can get the bottles in various different sizes and colors. It was the best thing I bought on this entire list because now I only have this one great bottle as opposed to five shitty ones.

5. Biodegradable Pela Phone Case 

When I stumbled across Pela Cases I knew what everyone was getting from me as their next birthday or Christmas present. Pela is a Vancouver based company, producing biodegradable phone cases. The cases are long lasting and when you are done with it, you simply throw it in the compost and it will break down. Amazing!

6. Jars 

This one costs you nothing. Simply wash and reuse jars from food products you've bought. Old salsa or pickle jars are just two great examples of glass jars you can reuse. Putting these jars to good use will also encourage you to buy glass packaged products as opposed to plastic!

7. Stasherbag or Re-zip

I must admit, I do not have my own stasher bag or reusable zip lock yet. I am obsessed but haven't been able to find one that works for my shipping situation. But this is definitely next on my short list of buys!

8. Reusable make-up cloths

This one is more of a "cute" thing. I guess if you really wanted to you could just use a small cloth towel to remove your makeup... but i mean, how cute are these little guys!? I got mine from the vegan festival but you can find multiple versions on Amazon too! I got a pack of 10, and each pad has at least two uses (front and back side), if not more depending on how much make-up you are wearing. After its dirty, you just throw it in the laundry and then start all over again!

9. Bamboo Toothbrush 

This one is kind of just a no-brainer... you can buy these in packs of four or more and share with all your loved ones! We go through toothbrushes so quickly, adding to the mass amounts of plastic ending up in landfills. Here is one pack of 10 ... really there is just no wrong answer here.

 
Share your favorite zero-waste items with me and fill me in on all the other cool eco-friendly products that are out there! I would love to hear if you ended up purchasing a new zero-waste product after reading this post!