Waste mismanagement contributes to the world’s biggest environmental problems. Surveys show that the global population produces 2.3 billion tons of solid waste per annum. This much rubbish could fill 820,000+ Olympic-sized pools to the brim. At the rate we produce trash, the local landfills would run out of space within the next 20 years.
Global issues like these take decades to correct, and change will only occur if everyone plays their part. Do not dismiss small, eco-friendly changes. If everyone on Earth strived to cut their waste production by half, the annual global waste production would also drop just a billion tons.
Are you ready to start living sustainably? Contrary to popular belief, a zero-waste lifestyle will not require you to overhaul your whole household. In fact, you can make the transition as seamless and convenient as possible with the help of these zero-waste products:
1. LastRound by LastObject
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While cotton is a renewable resource, cotton pads are not eco-friendly. Producing just 20 packs of cotton pads exhausts 20,000 liters of water, which would already keep a healthy adult alive for nearly two decades.
On top of the excess water used, many modern brands dump their cotton farms with various pesticides. Some of these solutions contain harmful chemicals that render nearby soil beds unusable.
Considering that cotton pads play an integral role in anyone’s makeup and skincare routine, we understand if you cannot wholly stop using them. The best alternative is to use LastRound by LastObject. These consist of 100% compostable, renewable reusable beauty rounds encased in a durable ocean-bound plastic case designed to last decades.
Each pack consists of seven reusable pads and costs only around $20. Since you can reuse each cotton pad 250 times, seven reusable pads would already replace 1,750 cotton rounds!
2. Plastic-Free Toothpaste by Bite
You might not notice it, but most commercial toothpaste brands heavily rely on single-use packaging. They seal the actual paste in a plastic-based, non-recyclable tube, then encase the item in a cardboard box. To make matters worse, manufacturers coat these boxes in flashy plastic wrappers for branding purposes.
Fortunately, finding sustainable alternatives to toothpaste tubes is pretty easy. You will find several options at Bite. They carry dozens of plastic-free, cruelty-free oral hygiene products like dental floss, toothbrushes, whitening gels, mouthwash, and of course, toothpaste.
Since toothpaste is a bathroom staple, we encourage switching to renewable alternatives as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will continue increasing the number of toothpaste tubes that go straight to landfills. Note that you exhaust three to four packs per annum if you brush your teeth three times a day.
3. Trolley Bags by Lotus
Statistics show that more than 100 billion pieces of plastic bags in America go straight to landfills every year. Apart from the fact that each piece takes decades to decompose, manufacturing this much plastic requires over 12 million barrels of oil.
While switching to paper bags helps reduce plastic waste, these still classify as single-use goods. The best approach here is to bring your own set of reusable grocery bags whenever you go shopping.
If you still don’t have one, try Lotus Trolley Bags. Not only do they replace single-use plastic bags, but they also make shopping trips significantly easier. You can attach them to your trolley so that they serve as multiple compartments.
Apart from streamlining item segregation, they also make checkouts easier. Trust us—cashiers will love the fact that they could just place your groceries in the bags conveniently installed in your trolley.
4. Reusable Silicone Straws by GoSili
Image Source: alchemyandherbs.com
Do you hate the slimy feeling of sucking on a metal straw? If so, then switch to GoSili’s Reusable Silicone Straws.These silicone straws have a soft texture that feels gentle and comfortable on the lips.
Also, silicone metal straws consume less space. You can twist and bend each piece to fit in the compact case it comes with, which is smaller than a smartphone. On the contrary, large metal straws come in bulky cases.
5. Plastic-Free BeeBags by Life Without Plastic
If you love meal prepping but feel like Ziploc bags are too wasteful, switch to Plastic-Free BeeBags by LifeWithoutPlastic. Think of these as sustainable plastic wraps. They allow you to carry various foods like sandwiches without compromising freshness.
However, Plastic-Free BeeBags are reusable. If used and washed correctly, each bag will last you at least one year of daily usage.
6. How to Start Living Sustainably
You don’t have to reinvent your lifestyle right from the get-go. Trust us—forcing yourself to adopt an entirely new routine without prior preparation yields negligible results. In the worst case, you might end up dropping the cause.
Remember: living sustainably does not require multiple drastic transformations performed overnight. Instead, the process involves setting small goals that you can commit to while exerting minimal effort. You can get a recycling bin, use fewer plastic products, or avoid single-use items.
Once you build new habits, work on bigger changes, such as shopping at your local farmer’s market, eating less meat, and growing a sustainable garden. At this point, you can try involving other household members as well. Just make sure to lead by example.
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