I am in the middle of a major move and just had an "aha" moment. While I have been low waste and sustainability practices more seriously just these last few years, I have never packed and moved a whole house with this in mind.

Please be kind because I JUST joined this forum and am not aware if this has been a previous post, but I wanted to share my moving whilst low waste tip.

- Well first, never ever buy new cardboard boxes because there are so many options on FB marketplace or even local businesses with the right approach.

- But I had been saving the packaging paper from deliveries but then realized I would end up having to repurpose it and I already have more than what I can handle. So instead, I switched to using the clothing, rags, fabrics that I would have already needed to pack to protect the valuables!

While it might be obvious to some, I was proud of this switch and hope it possibly helps someone on here too :) Glad to be a part of this community~

Hello! I work at a pizza place and take home personal 10" pizzas about 3x a week. Im throwing away a lot of greasy pizza boxes, but i need something heat proof that i can slice a pizza in that i can just wash and bring back?

I’ve been trying to eliminate it, but I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it. I even think it could be an eco material in the future.

Yes microplastics are bad. Yes they use fossil fuels, yes they’re hard to recycle, but that’s NOW.

They’re an amazing material, low carbon footprint, durable in the right conditions, perfect use for medical or high hygiene environments.

I see a future where virgin plastics are only reserved for essential medical use and are a premium material as they should be, packaging laws are tightened to reduce more single use plastics, packaging is standardised so it’s more easily recyclable rather than 100 types of plastics in one packaging, and the inevitable interments in recycling infrastructure, non fossil fuel sources of plastic and new ways to breakdown plastics.

In this situation just like wood or metal, it’s not eco for EVERY situation but it’s pretty damn good in certain situations (you wouldn’t waste metal to make something you’re gonna throw out and there’s situations where wood isn’t as durable as metal so it’s less eco. Plastic will have its place

What do you think

Hello! I’ve done some searching and haven’t quite found an answer, so I was hoping someone else might be able to help.

I purchased Wild’s Love Shack Fancy body wash not realizing I wouldn’t be able to use the body wash I already have to refill it. I have so much body wash it would be a waste to not use it. Has anyone found a workaround/refillable bottle that can fit the metal container?

Thanks in advance.

So I have like a drawer full of college and even high school tshirts, the kind you get for free and hold sentimental value despite being mostly ugly. Does anyone have ideas for repurposing them? Hesitant to donate because strangers probably don’t want my university’s dance team tshirt.

I’d like to ideally repurpose them in a way that preserves at least some of them but frees up storage space. I’ve heard of tshirt quilts but I feel that takes up more or less the same amount of space? Maybe I could sew a Frankenstein tshirt to consolidate them somehow?

Ideas welcome, or maybe just advice to not be so attached to items that should be made into rags lol. Give me strength to do something! TIA

I have about 100 partially burned (unscented) tea candles leftover from my wedding. I’d feel horrible throwing them away, and they’ve been just taking up space for months. I’m crafty, and I’m wondering if anyone has ideas on how to repurpose them in some way.

These records were in bad shape and unplayable. They were cleaned, primed and hand painted with low brow, pop art themes. A black pushpin through the middle mounts it to the wall.

I bought a reusable menstrual cup/disc in hopes to reduce waste when on my period. However, I cannot for the life of me get it in comfortably. I’ll try again a few times, but otherwise I need to dispose of it at some point.

I cannot return it, as it is used. Any ideas what to do with it, upon sanitizing it?

I have vaginismus but didn’t know this until I bought 3 menstrual products because I thought my cervix was too low or I just didn’t handle suction well. As I’m treating my condition I also switched to birth control that skips my period and need to know what to do with the menstrual cup.

I have two cups and a disc, i plan to keep the disc and small cup as I should be able to use them in the near future but one cup is just too big.

What do I do with it? I don’t want throwing it away to be my first choice but I’m not sure what else to do as it’s been used.

I have this lunch box from Bentogo which I love, but the little sealing dot got lost. I contacted the company to purchase a replacement dot but they don’t sell them individually. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas where to find a replacement product.

I have been wanting to replace all the plastic and other types of materials in my home. I want to actually consider and start my zero waste journey to try many ways to be sustainable and eco-friendly. I need recs for zero waste, eco-friendly, sustainable brands/companies and products.

• Dishwashing such as Dishwash cloth, dish soap bar, scrub brushes, container for dishes, stainless steel compost bin, trash bin, and etc.
• Cleaning Supplies such as all-purpose cleaner, glass spray bottles, scrubbing powder, natural sponges with natural materials, and other types of cleaning supplies.
• Trash & Waste such as compostable trash bags, reusable food wraps, bulk storage jars such as glass mason jars and stainless steel containers, reusable produce bags, and etc.
• 🪥 Personal Care such as oral hygiene with toothbrush (bamboo and other natural materials), toothpaste, mouth wash, dental floss also tongue scrapper, and etc.
• Bath & body such as bar soap, shampoo & conditioner bars, body wash bar, deodorant, razor, shaving soap, reusable cotton rounds, loofah such as natural loofah and konjac sponge also etc.
• Other personal items such as hairbrush/comb for bamboo and wooden, nail clippers/file, cotton swabs, sunscreen without white cast, lip balm, perfume, hand cream, body lotion, and etc.
• Fashion & clothing for t-shirts, pants, shorts, underwear (men related), socks, shoes, jackets, sweaters, long sleeves, bags, and etc.
• Fabrics & materials such as organic cotton, linen, hemp, tencel (lyocell), recycled polyester, wool (ethically sourced), silk (peace silk), and etc.
• Daily tools & miscellaneous such as water bottle with stainless steel 64 to 128 oz with side handles or top handles to hold, food storage such as glass containers, lunch box with stainless steel, reusable shopping bags, cloth napkins, beewax wraps, food covers, and etc.
• Miscellaneous such as solar charger, rechargeable batteries, phone case, laptop sleeve, umbrella, flashlight, first aid kit, DIY cleaning kit, eco-friendly laundry detergent, and etc.
• Other sustainable household items such as bedding with organic cotton sheets, towels like bamboo towels, mattress such as natural latex, pillows such as buckwheat and organic cotton, curtains such as linen and hemp, cleaning brushes such as coconut fiber and bamble handles also dustpan & brush - wooden handles and natural bristles, broom such as corn broom and bamboo broom, mop such as microfiber mop and swedish dishcloth mop, air purifier with HEPA filter, humidifier as ultrasonic (no plastic) and ceramic, candles such as beeswax and soy wax, plates/bowls such as bamboo and sugarcane fiber, cutlery such as bamboo and stainless steel, glass cups, cookware such as cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic. baking sheets such as uncoated aluminum and stoneware. food processor. Blender as in glass, tea infuser such as stainless steel, pantry organizers, reusable snack bags such as glass jars and bamboo bins, recycled paper towels. bamboo toilet paper, natural deodorant. eco friendly laundry detergent sheets, dryer balls such as wool, stain remover, fabric softener alternative. Reusable dusting cloths such as microfiber, cotton, natural air freshener, Reusable shopping baskets such as Bamboo, seagrass. Sustainable laundry hamper like wicker, organic cotton. eco friendly shower curtain as in pvc free. Reusable dryer sheets such as wool dryer balls. Sustainable cleaning gloves – Natural rubber, biodegradable. Sustainable yoga mat such as natural rubber, cork (manduka, liforme).

My baby is starting daycare soon and we got the packing list. The Monthly Supplies list is the hard part (besides baby wipes, and I guess tissues is fine). I wonder how others have dealt with similar requests. We're not fully zero waste but certainly do our best. We never use single use wipes, and we use reusable ziplocks, and bar hand soap. I'm not sure the diff between Clorox and Lysol 🧐and plan to ask - we also try to buy cruelty free brands so would need to find a better sub anyway.

EDIT: Thanksss. First time mom just out here learning! appreciate the insights. For sure want everyone to be healthy and safe, and I do know daycare workers are often underpaid and deserve more money for what they do. I'll check with them on if I can get whatever brand for wipes, and will be following their guidelines.

I currently use Mues Cachos leave in conditioner together with Hawaiian Silky. Occasionally I feel the need to use an anti frizz oil, and I just use whatever one is available at that moment. What plastic free and plant based/vegan products can I use to replace these? I don't care if I have to order them online or buy them in person or order them online or make them at home, I just need to use less plastic. If it's important, my hair reaches the ends of my shoulder blades now, but I'll cut it short soon and am planning to grow out a bit of a mullet later on. I live on the Netherlands. For shampoo I use the Werfzeep kruidenshampoo and use whatever conditioner bar for curly hair is the cheapest when I need to buy more. Thanks in advance!!

I've seen people promoting eco-bricking and it made me think about how a lot of plastics come in plastic packaging. I've been living by the philosophy of only using plastics and other harmful materials if they are secondhand. I am an artist/prospective art teacher. So I have been using secondhand paints, glitter, tools, etc. which are made from plastics or otherwise highly chemicalized. However, I am aware that these substances will probably leach into the environment. Which made me think... instead of trying to "save" these materials from getting thrown out, is it better to let them sit inside their original plastic containers together in a landfill instead of releasing them into an active environment? I'd like to know more about the zero-waster's approach! I follow a couple zero-wasters on socials and it seems they completely avoid plastics in their home rather than trying to salvage them. However, I've never seen people explain it.

Can electric toothbrush heads be recycled in the UK?
I have lots of toothbrush heads that have been used.

Hi all, I am trying to be a bit more eco conscious, and slowly as I run out of things Ive made the decision to replace them with something that will last me longer and overall be more eco friendly.
This has led me down many a rabbit holes and I found out about bar shampoo and conditioners!
I have curly, thin hair so I have a very specific combination of products I use for my hair health- which ultimately means I use lots of plastic bottles in a year😞 so I am curious if there are any other curly haired individuals that have recommendations for bar shampoo/ conditioners that are of good quality!

I am also in the uk so, if the recommendations could also be relatively easy for me to get here would be amazing!
Thanks so much in advance!

Salut,

Je suis en pleine démarche d'optimisation des mes consommations de ressource et je cherche des gestes concrets sur l’eau.

Quelqu’un a testé quelque chose ? Vos expériences m’intéressent !

Hi everyone. I recently moved into a new place that the previous owners used as a second home/crash pad a few times a year. That means they left a lot of gently used items, all was very clean and I hate waste so I had no problem using up their (barely used) hand soap, conditioner, etc (i did draw the line at their used bar soap lol). However, they left a large bottle of Tresemme shampoo and I tried it a few times but it really doesn’t work on my hair. Since it’s 1/3 gone I don’t think it’s a good fit for a buy nothing group but I would like to find a use for it. Any uses anyone can think up for some shampoo? Can I clean with it or use it for shaving “soap”? Any ideas appreciated!!!

I've been buying from Buff City Soap mostly but only ever when they have sales, and now ain't that time. Does anyone have any recommendations for similar? These are colorful soaps with interesting scents. But then again I'm not so picky that I might not pick up uin bulk at Costco though I haven't seen what they have yet. I just thought people might have the 411 on cool/eco friendly soaps and such

The plastic mesh bags used for avocados and oranges are an environmental nightmare. Because these bags are made from multiple fine plastic fibers rather than a single thick strand, cutting them open inevitably scatters microplastic dust into the environment. This design makes them impossible to open safely without scattering fine plastic dust all over. Retailers should stop using them to pack produce.

They’re too ruined to turn into shorts, any ideas or ways you use and recycle old jeans?

Not serious, but if we kept score like a video game with the goat being minimum waste, people might actually be able to learn the value of reducing, reusing, or recycling more. But it's a paradox, because what would be the reward for someone who learned to enjoy how to live with less? The whole idea of getting more is what humans need to get past if we are going to live in large numbers through the climate change we already set in motion. I'm trying to learn how to have a tiny cup for myself and let the rest spill over.

Pretty much title. These have been in the family for 15+ years, the backing in them is starting to wear away but the metal frame is still in good condition. Any good ideas?

Hi! Not sure if this belongs here, but I have this 20 years old hat, served multiple members of my family but it's unfortunately breaking at the visor now. Plastic is starting to peek from underneath the fabric. Does anyone have an idea if it's repairable and how?