Hey earth muffins! 2021, for me, was the year of trying out different ways to zero waste my period. While I haven’t tried all the methods to have a zero waste period, I focused my time on menstrual cups and reusable menstrual pads. These are some of the most popular options when it comes to making your time of the month more sustainable. So, which do I prefer? 🤔 In today’s post, I will be sharing my thoughts on reusable pads vs menstrual cups… Let’s jump right into it!
Why Reusable Pads Are Better
The first thing that makes reusable pads better is that they aren’t as invasive as menstrual cups. One of the major concerns I had when trying out a cup was that it required me to insert it and remove it… Which can be pretty terrifying at first! Once you get the hang of it it isn’t scary anymore; check out my tips on how to insert and remove a menstrual cup if you still struggle! Overall, reusable pads are way less invasive even when you get the hang of cups.
Hey earth muffins! I have been using makeup from Clean-Faced Cosmetics since the very beginning of my sustainable journey. I absolutely love their mascara and have tried out the foundation powder during my college years. Before I started my new job a couple of months ago, I figured I would try out the Clean-Faced Cosmetics foundation (which also can be used a concealer!). It was my first time going back to the office in a year, so I hadn’t been wearing foundation in awhile… I’ve had some time to test out this product, so let’s jump right into the review!
What I Love About the Clean-Faced Cosmetics Foundation
Obviously I love that this company is zero waste! It is run by a woman named Laura in Grand Rapids, MI – and she has been seeing so much success on Etsy that she recently opened up her own website! 🎉 Her products are made with natural, eco-friendly ingredients which is important to help your skin stay chemical free. All the makeup products come in some sort of metal or glass container; if you ask for a refill of a product, she will mail it over in a compostable bag instead! Supporting small businesses like this is great because I know the products are all top notch AND zero waste as well.
Hey earth muffins! I was recently asked by the amazing USB Lighter Company to write a post on their new blog. You might remember them from the review I did on their rechargeable USB Candle Lighter – such a great eco-friendly product! In the post on their blog, I shared five ways you can be more sustainable on a daily basis. I decided to continue with that theme and share five more ways to be sustainable on Life of an Earth Muffin. Let’s jump right into it!
6. Reduce your overall consumption
While I mentioned in my guest post over on the USB Lighter Blog that it is important to know your local recycling rules, it is also important to remember that the saying is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” for a reason! The best way to reduce your impact on the planet is to only consume what you actually need to. Once you do this, it is important to reuse and repair what you already have so that the waste you do create is at a minimum. At the end of an item’s life, hopefully you are able to recycle or compost it – but at least the amount of trash you create has now been reduced! Another great bonus of reducing your overall consumption is an increase in spending money – I personally suggest putting it into a savings account!
Hey earth muffins! Fall is almost here! The weather has slowly been getting colder, and I have definitely been enjoying the cooler autumn vibes. The school year has officially begun, so I wanted to share some tips with you all today for packing a zero waste lunch. 🍎 These tips apply to your children headed off to school, but they also work for those of us who go to the office for work. As I mentioned in my September newsletter, I recently accepted a new job. At the end of September I will be going back to in-person work – so excited to leave remote work behind! Let’s jump right into some zero waste lunch tips.
~Invest in a nice lunch box or buy one second hand.
If you plan on packing lunches for yourself and/or your kids, you will need a good lunch box. Before checking out any new options, I suggest shopping at second hand stores in your area. You might even be able to borrow from family or friends – or score a nice deal on Facebook Marketplace! Once you have exhausted used alternatives, find a lunch box that is 1) big enough to fit a full lunch and 2) made of high-quality materials that will last a long time. A lot of the “back to school” lunch boxes sold during the fall season aren’t always the best for long-lasting wear… Especially for work, think about possibly purchasing a stainless steel lunch container that will last a lifetime!
~Use reusable bags and containers!
Once you have a nice box, pack your zero waste lunch in reusables too. Instead of Ziploc bags, try out some reusable ones. Stasher bags are all the rage right now, but there are plenty of other products on the market too. I saw some great eco-friendly bags at Target recently! For larger items, use metal or glass containers. While many people use plastic Tupperware for lunches, I always try to avoid plastic touching my food. But, any reusable container will do – use whatever you already have in the house. Make sure your kids bring them home at the end of the day so that they can be washed and used again!
~Buy snacks from the bulk bins instead of individually packaged.
Grocery stores are full of individually packaged snacks… Which seem perfect for lunches. However, these are extremely wasteful in terms of plastic packaging. You often don’t get a lot in each bag, and the cost to buy individually packaged items is more expensive than buying a larger pack and separating the food yourself. A great zero waste lunch tip is to buy food from the bulk bins! Many bulk food stores have numerous snack options. Pack them in reusable bags and your lunch is ready to go!
~Pack leftovers for lunch!
Don’t feel like you have to pack a new meal for lunches. A great way to prevent food waste is to bring your dinner leftovers from the night before to eat at lunch the next day! This allows you to save that food from going to waste in your fridge, and it is often much easier to pack than a bunch of snack bags. 🎉
~Try adding less meat options in your zero waste lunch.
We all know that plant-based diets are much better for the environment… So challenge yourself to pick a day (or a few days!) of the week to go meatless. One of my go-to lunches is a nice peanut butter and jelly sandwich – totally perfect for a Meatless Monday lunch! Every small change has an impact; avoiding meats in your lunch even just one day of the week helps.
~Bring lunch leftovers back home from school.
Instead of having your kids dump what they don’t eat, just ask them to reseal their reusable containers and bring them home. Then, compost that food waste! Ta-da, you just saved a bunch of waste from heading to the landfill. It is also a good idea to evaluate what your kids doesn’t eat. If there is a bit of everything left, you might be packing too much. When only a few items are left behind, they might not enjoy those foods as much. All good insights for keeping food waste at a minimum!
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Final Thoughts on How to Pack a Zero Waste Lunch
One of the easiest things you can do to reduce your impact during the school year is to just pack a lunch each day. Not only does this help you monitor what your kid is eating, it also allows you to shop in bulk, use reusables, and curb food waste in the cafeteria. The same goes for packing your own lunch for work; such a great way to stay eco-friendly during the year! 😊 Do you pack a lunch for yourself and/or your children?? Comment below your favorite lunch snacks!
Hey earth muffins! If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you will know that I have been trying out sustainable alternatives to period products. The first menstrual cup I tried out, the Lena cup, I wasn’t a huge fan of. The silicone was on the harder side which made it uncomfortable for my body. I tried out the Organicup next, which was definitely softer than the Lena cup… But I still didn’t find it super comfortable either. I decided that I would take a break from menstrual cups and try out reusable pads instead (affiliate link). After using these Leekalos pads for a bit, I thought I would share my thoughts with you all. Let’s jump right into my reusable menstrual pads review!
What I Love About Leekalos Reusable Menstrual Pads
Firstly, they work really well! Similarly to a disposable pad, the reusable ones catch your blood without leaking too. I was a bit concerned about this when I bought them, as single-use pads are made with specific materials to suck up everything. Reusable pads are made of just fabric, so I wasn’t exactly sure if they could successfully do the job or not. But, they definitey can! I bought a pack of smalls and a pack of mediums. At the start of my cycle (which are heavier days), I use the mediums. After day two I am totally fine with wearing the small pads. I love that you can get different sizes depending on your flow, just like “regular” pads!
Reusable pads are SO much more comfortable. The material of disposable pads is often plastic-y and makes weird noises when you walk… Because reusable pads are made of fabric, they are super soft and move with your body. Instead of having to stick it to your underwear, the wings snap together. There are even two different snaps that you can use for the perfect fit! I love this because 1) it is less obvious that you are changing your pad in a public restroom and 2) you can move the pad into a different position easily, if necessary. A stick-on pad definitely does not have this option!
This Leekalos reusable menstrual pads review would not be complete if I didn’t mention washing the pads. The ones I purchased are made of dark fabrics which means they did not get stained. I assume if you buy lighter fabrics they might stain a little, but overall they are super easy to wash! After I changed my pad I would rinse it off and soak it in my sink. Then, I would place it into the “wet bag” that came with the pads. At the end of my period, I did an express wash load to clean all of the pads – and they look good as new. Super easy and awesome that I will be able to use these again and again.
Other Things I Like About Reusable Pads
I also love that reusable menstrual pads save you money in the long run. I bought each pack of 6 pads for around $10 and will be able to use them for a long time (affiliate link). Normal pads and tampons are pretty expensive at the store, and you have to keep buying them every month or so. Plus, these disposable options have the extra environmental cost of rotting in a landfill for hundreds of years! Seems like a no-brainer to opt for the reusable alternative instead.
Lastly, there is just something about allowing your body to free bleed on your period. While I love the idea of menstrual cups, I haven’t been able to find one that works well for my body. Inserting and removing a menstrual cup can be a challenge, so I love that I can just snap on a pad instead. For me, it is definitely better to just let it all flow out naturally (but obviously this might not be your preference).
What I Dislike About Leekalos Reusable Menstrual Pads
While this doesn’t bother me, you might not enjoy getting up close and personal with your menstrual pads. It does add a bit of time to soak/rinse after you change your pad, but it really isn’t that much of a committment. It might even take you longer to insert or remove your menstrual cup if you aren’t skilled at doing so yet!
I also think it is important to note that your pad will obviously smell after it has been used… But, I have noticed the smell to be less than with a disposable one. Don’t worry – no smells will linger once you throw your pads in the wash! To combat any excess smells in the bathroom, I suggest wrapping up your pad before placing it in to your wet bag.
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Final Thoughts!
It isn’t very difficult to zero waste your period – there are so many great alternatives out there. I absolutely love reusable menstrual pads! I am a bit bummed I didn’t start with them; but, I guess I would have never known that I am not a fan of menstrual cups if I didn’t. Reusable menstrual pads are comfortable, easy to wash, and budget friendly. I highly recommend checking these Leekalos pads out (affiliate link)! I hope you enjoyed this reusable menstrual pads review – let me know your thoughts on zero waste period products in the comments below!
Hey earth muffins! I can’t believe it is already back to school season. 👩💻 The schools where I live started super early this year due to Mister Corona – August 23rd! While this is my second fall that I will not be heading back to school, I always get excited for the upcoming months. With the start of a new school year comes the need for classroom supplies… So, try your best to make as many sustainable choices as possible! I’ve talked about zero waste school supplies on this blog before, but I wanted to share my top tips for how to zero waste your school supplies this year. Let’s jump right into it! 🍎
~Buy your school supplies secondhand!
Instead of heading right to Target or Walmart to stock up on school supplies, try searching through secondhand options first. The best place to start is to look at the items you already have in your house. I definitely would always end up with extra pencils, paper, and notebooks at the end of each school year. This is the perfect opportunity to use up what you already have! Many thrift stores around this time of year also have tons of school things to purchase – and you might even save yourself some money too! Along with secondhand stores, check out your local Buy Nothing page on Facebook or even Facebook Marketplace to see if anyone is getting rid of the supplies you are looking for. You can even ask family or friends in your area to see if they have something you need.
~Opt for e-textbooks instead of buying them 📚
Back in college, I made the mistake of buying a few of my textbooks. Now that I am out of school, I definitely have never looked at them again…. So I would recommend either renting your books or getting an e-book version. While renting isn’t the best choice due to shipping back and forth from the rental company, it is great that the books are able to be reused each semester. Plus, some teachers/professors are strict about having a physical copy of the book during the school year. However, if you are able, an e-textbook is a great sustainable option! Many e-books have options to virtually highlight and add notes as well, which is a great way to help you study throughout the year.
~Buy yourself a refillable pen!
Along with pencils, pens get wasted a lot during the school year. In order to truly zero waste your school supplies, you need to choose options that are better for the environment. In terms of pencils, pass on plastic mechanical ones and use traditional wood pencils instead. These create a lot less waste, and you can even buy pencils that can be composted or planted once used up! For pens, I suggest investing in one with refillable ink. Not only are these super great for the environment (just think about all the plastic you won’t have to use anymore!), they also are cool and fun to use. Amazon has a good selection of refillable ink pens starting as low as $10, so I recommend checking them out (affiliate link)!
~Read online versus printing to save paper
Similarly to your textbooks, do your best to read online instead of printing. This saves paper, which is obviously better for the environment. Adobe Reader has some great annotation features for PDFs that can be used for note taking. I loved doing this in college because I was able to have everything on my laptop when I studied at a library – no need to lug around a binder full of articles! If you need to print something, make sure to print double sided and two pages to a side. This will print 4 pages of your reading on one piece of paper, which still saves at least a little paper!
~Always opt for a sustainable version of your favorite school supplies!
If you have to buy new, don’t just purchase the cheapest thing at Walmart. While this is tempting, these are not always the best eco-friendly options. (Yes, even if it is marked “sustainable” or “recycled paper” – I see you greenwashing companies!) Instead, I suggest doing some research and finding smaller brands that have exactly what you need. From zero waste planners to highlighter pencils, there are a bunch of awesome eco-friendly school supplies out there! Buying from these companies supports small business and ensures that you are buying the most planet-friendly option.
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Final Thoughts on Zero Waste School Supplies
Overall, it is totally possible to have zero waste school supplies! ✏️ While the back to school shopping list can be overwhelming at times, it is totally manageable if you reduce the new items you have to purchase. I suggest using what you have first, then looking at all secondhand options before buying new. Then, do your research to pick a great sustainable alternative to the product you were looking to buy! I hope everyone is having a great back to school season so far – I am so excited for autumn and the upcoming months ahead!What was your favorite back to school purchase this year? Comment below and let me know what sustainable brands you love!
Hey earth muffins! A month ago I moved back in with my parents after moving away from Grand Rapids, MI. My boyfriend and I made the decision that we want to purchase a house instead of renting an apartment. When deciding where this house would be, it just made sense to head back home where both our families are! The housing market is crazy right now, so we are hunkering down with our parents until we find a great first home. 🤞Moving back in with family is amazing, but it also throws a curveball on my eco living habits. Here are my tips for how to be zero waste while living at home with your parents!
Give yourself some time to feel out the situation.
While I visit home often, it has been awhile since I lived with my parents. Obviously, they have different ways of living than I am used to, especially when it comes to sustainability. Instead of just continuing to live the way you were living, I sugget laying low for awhile. Your eco journey can wait a week or so! This will allow you to see how they function and do certain things. Once you observe for a bit, then you can decide where you can continue living the same way and which areas need a bit of an adjustment for the time you are living there. Your parents are doing you a huge favor, so don’t cause any trouble!!
Don’t badger your parents to make a million sustainable changes!
I am lucky that my parents are about as sustainable as my boyfriend is. I’ve written a whole guide about how I live with someone who isn’t as sustainable as myself; I suggest you check it out if you are in a similar situation! It is never a good idea to try and change every single thing your parents do all at once. In your observation period, you may have noticed 25 different areas where your parents could easily change a habit to be more sustainable. Remember, even your own eco journey has been a slow process! Don’t expect your parents to drop everything and join the zero waste movement all at once. While you can introduce them to certain eco products slowly, just do this one small step at a time!
Lead by example.
People tend to make observations about the way other people do things. If you don’t want to directly talk with your parents about new sustainable habits they can make, I suggest just living as eco-friendly as possible in your current situation. Your mom might comment on your makeup – so talk about the latest zero waste brand you are trying out! Bring your parents to your favorite local thrift store and introduce them to the joys of secondhand shopping. There are so many opportunities to share your eco knowledge in an encouraging way once you are under the same roof!
Introduce them to your favorite sustainable documentaries and books!
When you are trying to decide what to watch for the next movie night, suggest a new documentary you have been wanting to see. They might be totally on board with watching something educational. I know my dad is always looking for good book recommendations; if your parents are similar, share some of the best eco books! Just like I was hooked after reading No Impact Man, maybe they will jump on the sustainability bandwagon on their own accord.
Live a little non-zero waste for a bit…
Living with someone who isn’t as sustainable as you can be challenging. During the time you live with your parents, you might just have to cut your losses and realize that you won’t be able to live as eco-friendly as you’d like. This happened with diet for me. I’ve shared my tips for living with someone on a different diet before (my boyfriend is a huge carnivore; I’m a vegetarian). My parents have been supportive with my choice to eat no meat; however, I recently decided I wanted to also cut out fish. But, my parents usually cook a bunch of fish when I am visiting because they aren’t too comfortable with vegetarian recipes. Now that I am living here, I will be eating fish until I move into my own house, just because it makes it easier on them. I’ve cut my losses and my eco journey is still intact! 😊
Final Thoughts on How to Live Zero Waste with Your Parents
Moving back in with your parents is just like moving in with a new roommate… It might take some time to mix your habits and daily routines, but it will eventually work out! It is important to not pressure your parents to convert to living exactly how you were before you moved in. That is never a good suggestion in a “how to be zero waste” post! Instead, lead by example and slowly influence your parents into making small changes. That being said, accept that you might have to cut your losses and be a little non-zero waste for a bit… But that is totally okay! Your eco journey will be stronger than ever again! What is your current living situation? How do you deal with living with people who aren’t as eco-friendly??
Hey earth muffins, happy World Ocean Day! 🐠 Back when I started my eco journey, I wrote a post about how to live a low waste lifestyle. Now that I’ve learned a lot from 3 years of “zero” waste living, I thought it would be fun to rewrite that post! There are so many ways to live sustainably; but, there are some things that are essential if you want to start an eco journey yourself. Today’s post will be a list of the top things you can do to live zero waste – let’s jump right into it!
1. Reduce, reuse, repair, compost, THEN recycle.
The planet can’t be saved by just recycling. The recycle system isn’t as great for the environment as people think it is… Which is why it is last in the “reduce, reuse, recycle” saying. If you are trying to live low waste, you should first reduce. Overconsumption is a huge issue, so reducing what you buy is much better. Then, you must reusewhat you already have in your house. When things break down, repair them instead of purchasing again. Make your things last as long as possible! In terms of food waste and compostable materials, compost them instead of throwing in the trash. Then, as a last resort, recycle what is allowed in your community – don’t be a “wishcycler“!
2. Buy secondhand!
A great way to avoid plastic packaging and overconsumption is to buy secondhand. You will be purchasing goods that have already been created; this reduces the amount of resources used compared to buying a totally new item. There are many great secondhand options: thrift shops, antique stores, Facebook Marketplace, ebay, Craigslist, Freecycle, etc. You don’t need to buy everything secondhand to be low waste, but always look at secondhand options first!
3. Avoid all single use items.
This is probably the easiest tip to live zero waste. When you use up a single use item in your home (say cotton pads for example), make the swap to something more sustainable! I’ve made some bad eco swaps before, so don’t get discouraged if it takes some time to find the best eco-friendly swap that works for you! Here are some of my favorite eco swaps:
Another way to live zero waste is to be conscious of your methods of transportation each day. Instead of driving everywhere, walk or bike when possible. If you are able to work remotely sometimes, take advantage of working from home! 😊 In terms of traveling for vacations, try to choose a more sustainable option if possible. Trains and cars have a lower carbon footprint than flying, so consider those options when you are making plans.
5. Save water and energy as much as possible!
There are many opportunities to save water once you make the effort. Instead of washing your dishes by hand, use a dishwasher (which actually saves more water than you think!). Reduce the length of your shower. Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth. It all makes a difference! In terms of energy, make it a habit to turn off the lights when you leave a room. Another great way to save energy is to use natural light whenever possible. Do you really need to keep the lights on in the afternoon when the sun is shining into your room? Probably not!
6. Reduce or stop eating meat.
As many of you know, I live zero waste by being a vegetarian. It has been almost two years of a meatless diet, and I absolutely love it! If you don’t want to quit cold turkey, then start by implementing Meatless Mondays into your meal plan each week. This gives you a great opportunity to try out some vegetarian options all the while reducing your impact on Mother Earth. A win-win!
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Final Thoughts
Living low waste is awesome for both you and the planet. There are so many tips and tricks for living this lifestyle, so I hope these top tips can inspire you to make some easy changes to your daily routine. If you want to learn more about zero waste living, I’d love you to follow and stick around! The earth muffin family is a fun place to be, and I’ll be sharing a lot of great content around sustainable living. 😀 What have you been doing recently to reduce your impact?
