Category: Zero Waste

bookmark_borderThe Misconceptions About Living “Zero Waste”

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! Even though my journey towards living a zero waste lifestyle started less than a year ago, I have heard so many misconceptions about being “zero waste” from friends, family, and strangers when I talk about my progress! While this isn’t surprising (as many people aren’t familiar with the concept of living without making waste), I thought it would be informative to share some of
the most common things I have heard to dispel some of the major rumors. 😀 Let’s jump right into it!

1. Most “zero wasters” DO make trash – Being absolutely zero waste is quite the feat, so many people aim to be as zero waste as possible… But yes, this does mean trash is created! And no, this does not mean that people aren’t real or good “zero wasters” if they create some waste. The whole point of the lifestyle is to limit your trash output as much as possible! 👍

2. The mason jar trash can is not ideal for everyone – I have seen so many articles about that one girl/guy in the inner city who is able to fit all their trash from the past twelve years in a mason jar… Good for them (because that is quite the feat!), but that is not the end goal for everyone who calls themselves “zero waste”.

3. Being zero waste is “weird” or people will look at you differently – Again, maybe they will… But I have only been met with positive reactions when I ask for a drink without a straw or bring my own bag into a store. People are generally interested and even excited to learn about what lifestyle I am trying to live. If your friends judge your for trying to help the planet are they truly your friends?

4. You don’t need to throw everything away and buy zero waste alternatives – That is actually quite the opposite of the lifestyle! Many Instagram photos romanticize the collections of zero waste products that a true zero waster should have, but the whole point is to make the belongings you have right now last until they NEED to be replaced. At that point you can then buy into products with the sustainable aesthetic.

5. It takes too much time to be zero waste – It takes time to do anything right? But as soon as you change your habits to be more sustainable, you spend the same amount of time doing the things you have always been doing (minus the endless hours spent retail shopping but that I personally haven’t missed 😉)!

6. The zero waste lifestyle costs more money – I mean, it could be if you make it that way (I guess) but I have found the opposite! From shopping in bulk bins and thrift stores to reducing my spending on clutter in the home, I have saved a bunch of $$$ already.

7. One person being zero waste can’t make a difference – WRONG. Because of my actions my family, friends, and even strangers are more likely to re-think their choices. I’ve seen those around me make small improvements to be more sustainable, and in my eyes, baby steps are still steps! ❤

What other misconceptions have you heard about the zero waste community?

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_borderReview: Clean Faced Cosmetics Foundation Powder

Posted on

Hey earth muffins! I posted on my Instagram recently that I purchased the Clean-Faced Cosmetics Foundation Powder in the shade “Light”. After using their zero waste mascara religiously, I thought that I should try out their powder and see how I like it to continue on my journey towards zero waste. After using it for a month or so, I wanted to share my thoughts with you all today 😃

Pros:
~Keeps me matte almost all day: I was worried that a natural product wouldn’t work like a “normal” powder, but this keeps my skin matte almost all day! 👍 It definitely does his job!
~Perfect amount of coverage: I don’t like a lot of coverage, so this powder is the perfect one for me. If you are used to a lot of coverage I would suggest using a foundation as well, but it can definitely be used by itself.
~Made with wayyyyy less ingredients/chemicals: This powder has three components (kaolin, tapioca starch, and cocoa powder) versus the 27 in the Neutrogena Skin Clearing Mineral Powder (aka the old powder I used to use).
~Feels better on my skin: I don’t know if it was the Neutrogena powder specifically, but my skin never felt that great when I was wearing powder. My pores felt suffocated, so I am so happy that this one feels so light on my face! 🎉
~Price: You literally cannot go wrong with a powder that is less than $10!!!
~Doesn’t break me out: Maybe this goes back to the pores being suffocated, but this powder helps keep my skin clear (which I of course appreciate!). I have had sensitive skin my whole life, so it was super exciting that I found a powder that doesn’t make me breakout.

Cons:
~A bit tricky to use: The powder is loose and comes in a metal tin which makes it a bit difficult to use. However, after you figure out the way that works for you this isn’t an issue at all. 😁
~Often lose product when you open the tin: Again, this goes back to how it is packaged… Especially if you travel and the powder gets moved around, you will lose a bit of powder when you open the tin. To counter this, I have found that hitting it on the counter a few times allows it to settle.

Overall, I would definitely suggest you check out the Powder Foundation from Clean-Faced Cosmetics! I think it is an excellent powder in general AND you get to be sustainable while using it (truly a win win)!

^Laura, the Etsy shop owner

What powder do you use? 

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_borderReview: LUSH Jumping Juniper Shampoo Bar

Posted on

Hey earth muffins, I hope everyone is having a great week so far! 😍 As part of my journey towards zero waste, I have recently been switching out my bathroom essentials to products that are more sustainable… Recently, I swapped out my shampoo to the Lush Jumping Juniper shampoo bar. I was a bit wary of trying a new shampoo, as my scalp produces this weird oily substance that is hard to maintain. I had been using Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Shampoo ever since I was in 6th grade, and this product was able to at least control my scalp a little bit.

When I was looking to find a more sustainable alternative, I immediately knew I wanted to try a shampoo bar from LUSH. When looking through their “flavors”, I decided to buy the Jumping Juniper one that is aimed to “sort out oily hair problems by washing away grease and managing oil production”. I have been using it for about a month now, so I thought I would share the pros and cons of the product. 👍

Pros:
~Works great on my scalp: While I thought the Tea Tree shampoo had been helping my hair, it clearly was not doing that great because this bar does an excellent job of washing away ALL the oil! I was actually blown away the first time I used it, and the oil has still been controlled after using it for a month.
~Smells great: I can’t place what this bar smells like (I am pretty sure it is some sort of candy or dessert), but it smells amazing regardless. Sometimes heavily scented things can irritate my nose, but this one has just the perfect amount of scent to it.
~Easy to use: I actually love how easy this is to use! You basically just use it as you would with any bar of soap (get the bar wet, lather it up, and lather your head!)
~Looks ascetically pleasing: Who wants a brightly colored plastic bottle in their shower? Not me! I love how simple naked products are 😃
~Sustainable: Because this has no packaging, it is definitely a great sustainable alternative. I would recommend giving it a try!

Cons:
~It is difficult to keep the bar dry: To last for all 80 washes (which is how many washes the website say it will last for), it is essential to keep the bar dry when it is not in use. I bought the round tin to hold this product, but I would recommend not storing it in this container unless you are traveling, as it doesn’t allow the bar to fully dry.

*Update: This shampoo bar lasted me a total of 98 washes!!! 😲 *

~Makes my hair full of static: This is a minor thing, and I am pretty sure that is the dry air of my dorm…
~Kinda pricey: One bar is $10.95, which means you will need about 5 bars per year (if you wash your hair every night). While $55ish isn’t that expensive for a whole year of shampooing, there are definitely cheaper options out there if you are concerned with price.

Overall, I think the LUSH Jumping Juniper shampoo bar is an excellent product, and I will continue to use it! ♥ Would you ever try out a shampoo bar?

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️

bookmark_borderThe Best Places to Buy Sustainable Products!

Posted on

As many of you know, I have been on a journey towards zero waste since May of 2018. If you also embark on a mission to live a more sustainable lifestyle, you might be curious about where I buy my sustainable products. Look no further – this post is dedicated to a list of my favorite places to shop! 😊 Let’s jump right into it!

1. Family and friends! – When you have a list of sustainable items you would like to buy (such as stainless steel containers, reusable produce bags, etc.), try to find them from people close to you! This will ensure that you get it for a better price (or even for free) and is best for the environment, as the product that they might not use will be heavily used by you instead of ending up in the landfill.

2. Freecycle (or Facebook Marketplace) – This is basically the same idea but with strangers in your town/city! If you don’t know what Freecycle.org is, it is a website where people can post things that they would like to get rid of. This stuff is all free, which is amazing, and it prevents perfectly good items heading to the landfill. In my city there is currently a dining room table, TV, firewood, etc. being offered.

3. Amazon – When I first started my journey, I was looking for many products to replace the plastic or unsustainable ones in my life. I found that Amazon sells almost all kinds of stainless steel, bamboo, and other sustainable products that you can think of… It is definitely a great place to start to at least understand how much certain things will cost you! If you plan on buying a lot from Amazon, I would recommend making a list and buying everything at once, which will reduce the amount of environmental impact when it comes to shipping materials and carbon used for shipping.

4. Ebay – Like Amazon, this website has some great sustainable products, but I like Ebay because you can buy more things used… Again, this prevents any excess waste from going into the landfill (but make sure you try to avoid as much shipping pollution as possible!).

5. Thrift stores – After looking for a product on Amazon and Ebay, why not try to find it in your local thrift shops? I am a huge promoter of the Salvation Army, but you should be able to score some great finds where ever you go! Hint hint – thrift stores tend to carry lots and lots of glass containers for a perfect zero waste pantry!

6. Yard sales – Just like the thrift store, yards sales are a great place to find great deals.

7. Craigslist – I never usually use Craigslist (as I have been able to find sustainable goods from the above places), but it is another way to find products close to you for decent prices. Make sure you don’t meet people at their home or sketchy locations!

8. Zero waste/plastic free websites – There are a bunch of websites that specialize in sustainable products that will even use as little packaging as possible. Here are some of my faves:

 
 

Where do you like to purchase sustainable goods?

Love,
Jenna ♥

➡️ Subscribe to never miss a post! ⬅️