On My Zero Waste Journey Off, I Go Part 1
I’ve been busy in June trying out a bunch of new sustainable swaps. Not all of them have proven as good as I had hoped.
But since I treat my journey as a learning curve, I’m flexible about trying swaps, and if I find them unusable or not up to my standards, I’m happy to swap them.
My June swaps included:
- New bio-degradable washing-up sponge, which I love. It took some time to get used to the size and texture, but now I cannot believe I never used it before.
- Beeswax wrapping paper – well, my son doesn’t like having his sandwiches wrapped in beeswax paper. He says that they get soggy, which isn’t entirely true because we have tested it. So instead, we tried wrapping the cheese in beeswax, but it dried out. I need to find an alternative to his school-lunch sandwiches and possibly buy another pack of beeswax paper. Honestly, I don’t think the one I got is that good. (Maybe buying beeswax paper on Amazon isn’t such a good idea. The texture didn’t feel the same as the beeswax paper I found in zero-waste shops.)
- Reusable freezer bags – my hubby used a lot of the cling film to wrap around his sliced meat before sticking it in the freezer. But since I got the reusable freezer bags, he made the transition quickly and easily. The freezer bags aren’t the easiest to wash and dry, but we don’t mind the slight inconvenience if it means less trash.
- I’ve tried to use the Mooncup, but it’s not for me. However, I’ve ordered reusable sanitary pads from eBay and am waiting for delivery. I’ve also used the Modibodi underwear, which I love. I’m planning to order more. It’s on the pricy side, but I’m going to split the costs by ordering one pair of undies a month. The packaging is compostable and arrives by post, so I won’t feel mega guilty about the orders.
- I bought two different shampoos from two different zero-waste shops, and both are usable. That is a big relief because the shampoo was something I struggled to replace for a long time.
- The LastSwab Reusable Cotton Bud – it’s ok, though not as good as the ordinary cotton buds. I plan to try another brand to see if it suits me better. But for now, LastSwab does the job.
- As a family, we finally braved the new world of toothpaste haunting and got a jar from the zero-waste shop called Ben & Anna. Unfortunately, neither of us likes the taste, so we will keep experimenting with other brands.
- I nearly stopped using paper towels altogether and swapped them for biodegradable, washing-machine- and dishwasher-safe cloths, which I love!!!!
- I started buying package-free soap from zero-waste shops. It’s slightly cheaper than boxed soap or plastic soap.
- My husband began using containers to buy meat and cold cuts. He was pleasantly surprised that our local shop accommodated his request. This one activity significantly reduces our use of single-use plastic.
- I also tried the Laundry Detergent Eco-Sheets, but unfortunately, I’m not happy with them. It doesn’t clean kids’ muddy clothes at all, nor clothes washed on the sensitive cycle. Once I’m back from the summer break, I’ll most likely try the detergent from the zero-waste shop. I think the laundry detergent has been my biggest disappointment in June.
- I’ve been shopping much more at zero-waste shops for dry goods than I did last month. I’m hoping this trend continues, allowing us to expand the variety of grains we eat.
I’m happy to report that our waste production has gone down, especially the recyclable portion. Being conscious of packaging is paying off.
Research
I still haven’t done my research on finding a new ethical bank, a composting solution for our organic waste that fits our living situation, and a washing machine filter. However, I hope I’ll have slightly more time to do that over the summer.
Aim
My aim hasn’t changed. I’m determined to leave as tiny an environmental footprint as I humanly can. So, my kids and all the generations that come after will still be able to enjoy Earth’s beauty and generosity. I also want to teach my children that shopping zero-waste and living an eco-minimalistic lifestyle is doable and possible, even on a budget and in the big city.
The next update on my Zero Waste Journey will be at the end of the summer, after I get back from Poland, of course, if we can travel. I want to see how little waste I can create while travelling.
Enjoy your summer as much as you can.
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