I think I've made huge strides toward having a low waste kitchen. Time to move to the bathrooms.

Zero waste bathroom/toiletry essentials or suggestions?
Favorite zero waste/eco friendly makeup & skincare?

Note: I’m especially looking for things which don’t use plastic in their packaging.

**especially looking for a dark lippie
An answer I've found regarding toilet paper/ tissues/ paper towels: Who Gives a Crap

This company uses plastic-free packaging and recycled paper.

Hoping to use in conjunction with a bidet before month is out. https://us.whogivesacrap.org/ 
Re: Oral Care
I'm going to try my hand at a DIY because I have all the ingredients at home already (bentonite clay, baking soda, coconut oil, peppermint oil)

But I'm hoping to have a good experience with this toothpaste bar

https://www.etsy.com/listing/572093123/tooth-suds-zero-waste-soap-for-teeth?ref=shop_home_feat_1&frs=1
I already have some 100% compostable toothbrushes & a bamboo toothbrush holder. There are a bunch on amazon & etsy & some at Whole Foods & local shops I've seen as well.
Haven't done a DIY mouthwash yet - but I think that'll be my go to there. I just need to figure out what glass container I'm ok keeping in the bathroom for that purpose (I'm clumsy and drop things a LOT)
Reusable Cotton Pads to replace cotton balls/cotton rounds

https://www.etsy.com/listing/732537973/striped-pattern-reusable-organic-cotton?ref=cart
Still working on other parts but that's my progress thus far. Still would love suggestions
Been looking locally to find things when I can. Trying to have as few things shipped as possible...to not get things from amazon etc etc

This is quite a PROCESS
But I want to do what I can to intentionally love this here Earth & make it easier for others to do the same
For assistance with reducing your waste, complete with a by state / city list of shops & markets (other than farmers markets) for bulk plastic free shopping https://www.litterless.com/ 
Specific to Chicago bulk shopping, I've found that - as with too many other things - there are a good amount of north side options and nothing on the Southside.
BUT some DO accept Link &/or have link match! https://beherowastezero.com/zero-waste-stores-in-chicago/
The desire for a zero waste bathroom got a bit side tracked by the need for food products to replace certain items (e.g. coffee ground for body scrubs; different oils for body butters). But I'm still working on it.
There is still a trashcan in my bathroom. Goal is to stop filling it so frequently

Everytime I chuck something in, I make a note of what needs to be replaced in zero waste form.
This is definitely a process (which btw seems to feel/look a lot like minimalism &decluttering)
Re: Bidets -

Any cheap hose version (that should not cost more than $30 at all) is absolutely fine - until you are ready/able to upgrade to a more expensive/complex one that allows for temperature modification.

Nothing in me sees the value for cost of the Tushy brand though🥴
Re: Eco-friendly scrubbing -

You can of course grow or purchase your own loofah - but those are always super painful to me.

I love scrubby gloves, and this is the closest eco friendly option I found:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KKNKGD7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
To backtrack a bit to the kitchen -
I have a water cooler dispenser that most offices have. I don't get water delivered though. I take the empty jugs to refill at a filtered water station myself

However - this pandemic has me inside chugging water. So.. not super convenient
I'm looking for #ZeroWaste / #PlasticFree / #Sustainable water filtration options. So - not Brita (though that's better than plastic bottles)

& though I'm team tap in most situations, I live on the south side of Chicago & I know damn well there's lead in the pipes so. naw.
I see some companies that have more sustainable filters than Brita & subscriptions... but the carbon footprint of all that shipping doesn't super sit great with me either.
I've read some good things and some bad things about charcoal sticks. But Imma give em a go, and see how it works out.
In case you're still 'preferring the taste of'/otherwise a big fan of plastic bottles of water: Please reconsider



TLDR: It's in your head; The companies are lying; It's terrible for the planet; No - you chucking the bottles in recycle bins doesn't fix it
More kitchen things as I observe my recycle waste:
1) I consume a lot of alcohol - but bc I don't plan to stop within the next 18 mo;
2) I want to support black&/or latinx&/or woman owned&/or local vineyards &breweries. Suggestions?;
3) Might consider kegs to reduce waste
Obviously, I recycle my bottles - but bottles have labels & packaging.

The best zero waste booze option is probably me making my own hooch, but I haven't done that since I lived in FL.
...Not above running that back though. 🤔
Last thought for the morning:
I need to sort a zero waste first aid kit.

Will update on these thoughts later.
Zero waste pet parenting -
lots of folks have written about it & later I'll link more but I just want to turn attention to a company that goes out of its way to ensure that its dry food packaging is properly recycled by partnering with @terracycle https://openfarmpet.com/ 
Of course we have to prioritize our pets' health and preferences and overall well being. But that doesn't HAVE to be in competition with reducing our footprint.

If your fur baby isn't picky & it's within your budget to shift to lower waste options, it's nice to give it a try
https://twitter.com/hjaybee/status/1252611404441563136?s=20

I tweeted things about baby needs in a separate thread that I'll keep there for parenting stuff.
Separately from that, I was asked about zero waste moon time [menstrual cycles] & hair removal and posted a bunch about it on my instagram #EcoFeminism highlight. I'll carry some of that over here.
RE: menstruation

Cloth pads are cool and are available from a small black woman owned company at http://FortNegrita.com 
Fort Negrita also shares a lot of helpful zero waste info and was my initial inspiration for learning to intentionally live more waste free years ago
I dig @shethinx and particularly love that they now have "period kits" especially made for tweens & teens so that they can be introduced to their cycles in a low waste way at the onset. https://www.shethinx.com/collections/btwn-teen-fresh-start-period-kits
Cups are amazing. There's a wide variety of them and it can be overwhelming or intimidating for many. @putacupinit has a lot of content, including video tutorials and reviews, that can help guide you
For me, @InsteadSoftcup was an amazing transition product to help me become more comfortable with cup use. They aren't zero waste but are absolutely less wasteful then tampons & pads
I'm not really keen on Flex Fits. I used them and was subscribed. It's the same physical product as soft cup but they encourage and use a LOT of unnecessary waste.

As a result - I still have over a dozen unused flex cups. Will gladly mail to you if interested in trying em out
My comfort with that disc style led me to try the @letsnixit NixIt Cup. I'm keen.

It's silicon, will last years, and came in primarily compostable packaging.
If you aren't keen on the disc style, there's like a dozen other styles out there - that's where Put A Cup In It becomes super helpful.

Good LUCK! and open to answering questions about all that here or on IG.
RE: Hair Removal

1) Laser Hair Removal. good option - check Groupon for deals

2)Epilators. rechargeable handheld devices that tweeze. Intense. Effective. Best for larger spaces (underarms; arms; legs) and not great for sensitive small spaces (upper lip; bikini)
3) Sugar Wax.
This is how I was introduced to waxing. It's just Sugar + Water + Lemon boiled together.
Cheap. Easy to make. Also easy to make badly.
PLEASE watch vids & read on - not only making this properly, but using it properly, and storing it properly.
4) Shaving.
There are lots of different kinds of safety razors available. Some from larger companies, some on etsy from smaller ones. Check them out, read reviews, and consider your needs. I'll link some I've seen with good reviews
This is not on my personal priority list as I try to make a lower waste household at the moment. But I'm working on it.
But of course continuing use of plastic disposable razors generally isn't super sustainable.

Same for plastic water filters.
I talked a bit above in this thread about not using bottled water so related to that...
I want to emphasize that the goal is to be active in working to (in order of importance):

- REFUSE
- REDUCE
- RE-USE
- RECYCLE
All the stuff before "Recycle" can be considered "pre-cycling" and it has a significantly higher impact.

Refuse - ACTIVELY say "no straw/plastic utensils" when ordering food. Contact folks who are shipping & ask if they can use no plastic. If it's in hella plastic - say no
Reduce - you can do this by lowering your dependency on harmful products or companies. When you seek out similar substitutes at local shops for something you regularly got on amazon, you're reducing harm to the planet
Re-Use - This includes Repairing & Repurposing
If the shoes aren't in totally shit shape and you still like the style, go support your local cobbler. No need to buy a new pair. Print the wrong thing? Staple em together for a scrap notepad
Recycling is our last line of defense before contributing to landfill waste. Not all of our municipalities do this responsibly or well & we have an infrastructure that doesn't care a lot about it.

Be mindful of trying to reduce recyclable waste too.
If it's a non-recyclable item, before tossing in the bin for it to get chucked in a landfill - go back through those other steps and ensure that it's at the end of its life.

Does the company have a take back recycling program? Does your artsy friend have a need?
Individuals can only do so much and we can't be perfect.
Also the state of the planet is not our fault - So don't feel guilty.

But we can still try to do our part.

Ok that's enough in this thread for today
Here are some really great moves to make for beginners and folks a bit more advanced from an incredible YTer @Shelbizleee
She curated a LOT of info on her page & has partnered with @shopearthhero (a carbon neutral company that has lots of sustainable goodies) to provide a discount with promo code: Shelbi10
Reminder that going without or repairing or getting an item used is often best ..
but if you need to buy new it's nice to support responsible planet friendly companies.
If you aren't able to find things you're looking for second hand at your local thrift shops, remember to check FB marketplace & browse around for "no buy no sell" or "freecycle" groups on FB or Meetup.

& of course there's always good old craigslist
There's also the Bunz App @bunzofficial which helps to reduce waste by giving users a means to barter.
The Olio App @OLIO_ex has barter options, but also gives choices to give away food or find places where food is being given away.
Beginner Zero Waste Tip:
Consume Less!

Advanced Zero Waste Tip:
Crush Capitalism!
(eat the rich)
k. just wanted to share before I forgot.
Currently considering my gardening options.
There's more I have to share later about soft plastics but I already have 50lem tabs open atm so... later
Since we are all being germaphobes now, and probably not scrubbing our phone cases properly, it may be time for a new one.
There's an eco-friendly COMPOSTABLE phone case from the amazing @PelaCase. They have a campaign @MeToWe which provides 1 yr of clean water to a person in Kenya for each case sold

AND there's 15% off with code: Shelbi
cc: @Shelbizleee

https://pelacase.com/?sscid=41k4_wtzee
Ok I've been talking about stuff outside of this thread - gonna try to pseudo truncate...
I'm gonna def add some info about biking to this one below.
Nothing is there yet, but I traveled down a deep rabbit hole there. Obviously biking is better for the environment, but I wanna talk about offshoots like the naked bike ride & touring https://twitter.com/hjaybee/status/1254899882298654723?s=20
I'm gonna hopefully add info about domestic travel issues (& advocacy?) to this one. Again - trains as transit are better for the environment than cars or planes.
& I find it funny that we obsess over the "individualism" aspect of cars but then... https://twitter.com/hjaybee/status/1255287466711539712?s=20
...decide we do trust the government with properly supplying all of our food. I'll maybe add things there about raising food (and potentially hens? lolbutmaybeactually)

TLDR: Lawns are tools of capitalist oppression. Grow food. https://twitter.com/hjaybee/status/1256011110391611392?s=20
Ok now this one, that i WILL specifically say more about here today - https://twitter.com/hjaybee/status/1255688379112579079?s=20


This video was pretty helpful and it has a part 2...
Part 2...
From What I've found
- Carbon Offsets CAN help if done responsibly*; AND
- If you are continuing to make efforts to waste less.

* a: with orgs transparent about where money goes; and/or
b: with a local org doing environmental work
That means, when given the option to purchase carbon offsets through an airline or amazon - think twice, and probably just say no.

These big corporations don't actually care, and you generally can't control (or sometimes even KNOW) where the money goes.
There's are some companies that work to donate to great orgs that do very important and *efficient* carbon neutrality work that make it easy through a monthly subscription service.
One is called Go Climate Neutral ( @goclimateneutrl ).
https://www.goclimateneutral.org/ 

Their calculations show I use less than the average american but, with contributing $11.30/monthly I could reach carbon neutrality.
Another is Terrapass ( @terrapass ). Their calculator asked slightly different questions and came to a slightly different result - 18.8 tonnes of CO2 & $16.50 monthly contribution
https://www.terrapass.com/carbon-footprint-calculator
When you're looking at these organizations or separate projects locally or nationally or abroad, see if you can find whether they meet the "Gold Standard" for carbon offset projects.

That means they actually exist BECAUSE OF offset funding
Of course, you could also calculate your annual contribution and donate to a local org doing environmental or preservation work.

If you find that it's too much to donate, consider also donating your time weekly, monthly, or quarterly by volunteering with them.
By just taking the step to calculate the impact you have on the planet, you can become more aware of it on a regular basis.

Being more conscious of it means you begin to make better small choices - that lead to better general habits - that lead to planet saving patterns
It might seem small and silly but it matters.
YES (again) we need to take these big companies to task &
YES we need to hold this corporations accountable

Until we see that progress and compliance and change, we can still try to do our part to save ourselves & the future.
Related to carbon offsets - there is also the purchase of carbon removal certificates which focuses on funding projects which specifically harness carbon emissions for use as energy.

I don't know heaps about them, but it's something to know exists https://nori.com/remove-carbon 
It's beautiful out and we've been getting a lot of sun through the windows - so I've been turning lights off.
This made me think of other ways to reduce my energy/electricity consumption.
1) I switched to clean energy. I called my electricity provider (ComEd), told them I wanted to switch to clean energy. They transferred me and I had a long convo.

Price difference results pending
If the difference is as minor as I expect, worth it (for me)
2) I'm replacing power strips in my house with advanced power strips. @TrickleStarUS has made power strips that stop your plugged in items from utilizing power when they aren't in use.

This helps to save money + The planet.
They're available at home depot
If you know anyone who lives in a condo or within a home owners association which includes electricity as a utility, they may provide them for free because it saves money.

I had someone ask for extra, and they were gifted to me.
Worth an ask
3) I'm hang drying clothes outside.
I'd like to do this indoors, but that requires running the dehumidifier in a specific space + a racking dry situation I've not yet sorted.

Hopefully that'll come.
I feel the need to add the disclaimer to this thread:

Plastic itself is not the ultimate evil.

The problem is SINGLE USE plastic.

And general lack of mindfulness and waste.
You don’t need to toss out all your plastic tupperware!! Use it for all it is worth. Until it warps and the top doesn’t fit. Until it has a hole or cracks or breaks.

THEN if you have a friend moving trying to downsize or you find some second hand plastic Tupperware, go for it!!
But if you don’t have good existing plastic ware, and can’t get it second hand, consider glass and meta options for your next purchase.

You don’t have to immediately fit into some minimal glass & wood Instagram worthy aesthetic to do good for the planet.
Don’t get excess shit even if it’s marketed as eco friendly (REFUSE)

Only get what you absolutely need that will actuall add value to your life (REDUCE)
Use what you have until it’s worn out - then maybe repurpose it. Cut it or poke holes for garden use or for storage to organize cords/batteries. Maybe see if a crafty friend or person you come across in an FB swap or zero waste group wants it (REUSE)
Make the small steps in just thinking about it every time you toss something in the trash.

Those small shifts in mindset
Make small shifts in behaviour
& make a big change for our world
You can follow @hjaybee.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: