Category: Zero Waste

bookmark_borderHere’s Everything You Need for Zero Waste Cleaning

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Hey earth muffins! When I started my eco journey, I made it a goal that once I used up all my cleaners I would slowly replace them with eco-friendly alternatives. This goal has been stretched out after moving in with my boyfriend because he also came with a lot of plastic bottled cleaners…. BUT, I have finally been able to start using zero waste cleaners! If you are interested in how to zero waste your cleaning supplies, this is the full list of everything you could ever need for zero waste cleaning. Let’s jump right into it!

The Essentials

You can’t do sustainable cleaning without vinegar and baking soda. I buy a huge container of vinegar and keep it under my sink. It is multi-purpose and can be used as a cleanser, deodorizer, and even to cut grease. My favorite easy-to-make all-purpose cleaner is also made with vinegar. Baking soda is another great thing to have in bulk. It is an abrasive (and also a deodorizer)… It makes my sinks/shower shine and can even be used to unclog drains too.

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bookmark_borderWhat is the Waste Hierarchy?

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Hey earth muffins! When opting out of mainstream living to pursue something a bit more sustainable, it is important to follow something called the waste hierarchy. You might be familiar with a short version of it: “reduce, reuse, recycle”. This slogan not only reminds us what we should be doing with our waste, but it also tells us the order of what we need to focus on. Let’s jump into a discussion about the full waste hierarchy!

1. Reduce & Refuse

First up, we must try to reduce our consumption as much as possible (which might mean refusing certain products). Living with the planet in mind isn’t just about recycling plastic – we need to consciously reduce the amount of resources we consume in our daily lives. If we minimize what we purchase or use, we won’t even have to deal with this waste!

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bookmark_borderIs the Zerra & Co Zero Waste Mascara Worth It?

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Hey earth muffins! I recently decided to purchase some zero waste makeup from Zerra & Co. Most of my sustainable makeup products were getting old, so I wanted to try out some new ones… Zerra & Co makes a zero waste mascara, so I knew I just had to give it a try and share my thoughts with you all. Let’s jump right into it!

Hand holding Zerra & Co zero waste mascara

What I Love About This Zero Waste Mascara

The first thing I love about this product is that it is sustainable and truly zero waste. The container is a glass vial with a metal lid, with the option to get a bamboo wand. So awesome that you can reuse the container and/or recycle it when the product is gone! Not only is the mascara in sustainable packaging, it was also shipped in reused cardboard boxes with fully recyclable packing materials.

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bookmark_borderThe Best Places To Shop Secondhand!

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Hey earth muffins! Secondhand September is coming to a close in a few short days… But that doesn’t mean you have to stop shopping secondhand! To bid the challenge goodbye, I thought it would be fun to share my list of the best places to shop secondhand. You should always consider used items before buying new, so I hope this post is helpful to those at any stage of an eco journey.

Top Places to Shop Secondhand in Person

The very best place to start is at your local thrift stores. I’m not talking about the chains like Salvation Army (see below for those)… Local, unique, and one-of-a kind destinations are where it’s at! You can find some awesome things at these locations (especially if you follow these thrifting tips); and, most of the time these stores support local non-profits/causes in your community. So, you are helping the planet AND those in your area too!

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bookmark_borderIs BPA Free Plastic Actually Safe?

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Hey earth muffins! Whether we like it or not, plastic is everywhere. I’ve been seeing things labeled as “BPA free” a lot more recently, which got me interested in the health around BPA and plastics. From doing some research, I thought it was a fascinating thing to write about… So let’s jump into a quick discussion on BPA and BPA-free plastics!

What is BPA?

BPA, also known as Bisphenol A, is a chemical used to make certain plastics since the mid-1900s. The plastics that often have traces of this substance are used in containers to store food and drinks (like water bottles). Now you might be asking, why is it bad? I’m not a scientist myself, but there is tons of evidence out there about BPA seeping right into the food and drink stored in those containers. Exposure to certain amounts of BPA can lead to numerous health effects on the brains of infants and kids. Not only that, studies show it can also lead to increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is safe in low levels, I personally would rather not expose myself to those risks.

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bookmark_borderMy Pet Peeves About People Doing “Eco” Things

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Hey earth muffins! After being on an eco journey for a few years, you might begin to notice that you are more aware of sustainability issues… Which oftentimes can lead to being annoyed at people who aren’t as well-educated in the sustainable space. I hear you, this happens to me too. In today’s post, we will be looking at some common eco pet peeves of mine…

~ Wishcycling

We all know these people. If they think something can be recycled they just pop it in the recycling bin. They avoid the issue themselves and force the recycling center/workers to sift out the item as either trash or actual recyclable. Even worse, some people just do this because it helps them avoid high trash collection fees. 🙄 Wishcycling is annoying because it can cause issues (and slowdowns) at the recycling plant. And, of course, the motive of these people to recycle is not in the planet’s best interest. It is essential to educate wishcyclers on how to properly recycle.

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bookmark_borderA Thrift Books Haul: New Eco Books to Read!

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Hey earth muffins! It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that I love to read (just follow my Instagram if you need proof!). While I typically use my local library, there are some books that it unfortunately does not have. I thought it would be fun to order some eco books off ThriftBooks, as they have been on my “to-read” list for awhile now. I haven’t used this secondhand book website since college and was excited to support it again. Let’s jump right into my Thrift Books haul!

Make Your Place by Raleigh Briggs

This book was listed in “Acceptable” condition for a price of $5.09. I had added it to my “to-read” list after seeing it at a local gift store in my town. The text looks like it is handwritten, so I thought it would be a fun coffee table book after I read it. Such a fun read on nesting skills, and it mostly focused on things like DIY tinctures, salves, and gardening/composting. Would definitely recommend if you are into sustainable living!

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bookmark_borderHow to Help Clean Up The World!

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Hey earth muffins! The third weekend of September is recognized as Clean Up the World, a time to unite together and conserve the planet. There are many different ways you can participate in this event, so there is really no excuse not to! Whether you have only a few minutes or a couple of hours to spare this weekend, there are a ton of different ways to clean up the world. Let’s jump right into it!

Organize a clean up event or join one in your area.

If you have a couple of hours this weekend, do some research if there are any clean ups happening in your area. A lot of environmental organizations will have them planned to help with this cause. Follow their instructions to sign up for the event and show up with an attitude ready to clean the planet! For those in more rural areas, you might have to head onto local Facebook groups/pages and organize your own clean up. Just let others know where, when, and WHY you will be picking up trash this Clean Up the World weekend… I’m sure others with join you! 😊

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