20 WASTEFUL EVERYDAY ITEMS // and 20 sustainable alternatives 

If someone told me not to swallow gum because it's *plastic* and not because it would "stick inside of me," I would have quit gum all together a long time ago.

Essential oils are extremely popular right now, but they do present sustainability issues - for example, it takes the rose petals of 30-50 roses to create one drop of rose essential oil. Translated, that means 3500-5000kg of roses to create 1kg of rose oil. It’s far more sustainable to use the raw plants themselves, because we need far less. For clothes scenting purposes, for example, using cloth sachets filled with dried lavender or dried roses would be effective - and with even 20g of herb you could make heaps of sachets for drawers and cupboards! Even more than that, essential oils are known endocrine disrupters. They are surging in popularity right now thanks to MLMs like DoTerra (which is absolutely not an ethical company) but we really don’t know the effects of extensive use of volatile organic compounds like this either. For anybody reading, they should ABSOLUTELY NOT be ingested. No matter what DoTerra tells you.

To those trying to adopt a low-waste lifestyle, please do not get discouraged when you make a low-waste switch, absolutely hate it, and go back to what you were doing before. This happened to me endless times. Like for instance, I tried to stop using aluminum foil to cover my baking sheets in the oven, and bought a reusable silicone baking mat. But after a couple months, it became incredibly stained (which the manufacturer said was normal with continued use), to the point where I didn’t want to use it anymore. I didn’t go back to using foil, but I use parchment paper now, which is compostable. And the same goes for Kleenex. I tried handkerchiefs, and I still use them on occasion, but I just do not like them as much as tissue paper. Now, I use a brand that produces the tissue from bamboo (which is more sustainable than wood) and delivers the tissues without any plastic packaging. It’s not perfect, because there are still resources being used to produce them, and they still have to end up the trash, but it is better than doing nothing. Some of the low-waste alternatives will appeal to you, and others won’t. Just do what you can without feeling deprived, otherwise you won’t be able to sustain the changes you make. My main point is, although these are some great ideas, don’t feel guilted into making ALL of them or feel bad if you aren’t willing to give up something that isn’t sustainable.

I make my own hair ties out of old/ laddered tights! You can make so many, plus nothing is thrown away!

I love these ideas. I never thought of using glass swing top jars in the freezer. I've been desperate to find something big enough for large freezer meals without purchasing new. Now I'll be keeping my eye out for large glass jars at thrift shops and garage sales. I will probably never get rid of my seasonal decor, it really makes me happy. Most of mine is inherited or second hand and if I ever buy anything new it is local, handmade, and meant to last. I also have room to store it all and usually have it up for a couple months at a time.

Also, if you don't live anywhere where lemons grow, pine needles work so well as well!

I’ve ditched plastic bags about 6 months ago and I happy I did! I’ve also have started using a britta to cut down on water bottles and shampoo bars to eliminate those plastics

Ah, yes, the new phone every year. I just had to replace my cell phone, which was over 10 years old, because it quit getting a signal. That's probably on the extreme side of using things as long as possible, but it was worth the confused look when I took it to the phone store for help.

You are such a sweetie and a joy to watch! I often have your videos on in the background as I declutter. You're informative and interesting and your points aren't patronizing and are well worded. Huge hugs from Austria! ☺☺☺

When I started reducing my waste I actually did buy a metal straw even though I never even used straws, but now I really love my straw and use it a lot! The short hair looks great on you (virkelig!)

I would love a pandemic addition. I’ve had such a hard time with the shops not letting me use my bags I’ve brought for veg and totes to take it all away.

Just happily ditched plastic sponges and my mom already thaught me to not use clingfoil or aluminiumfoil if I have an alternative. Also slowly incorporating vegetarian and vegan meals!

you could include teabags in your next video, since there's most times plastic in the bags itself. And of course there are the ones, which are individual wrapped... in plastic.

When I said I wanted to be as close to zero waste as possible I think you help a lot ♥️🌱♥️🌿♥️ Oh and I have some tips. So if you want that special decoration, do what I do and get it in wood. And old clothes can be used as new thinks like re-useable bags.

You are really passionate and seem just lovely. The world needs more people like you!

You always brighten up my days with a new video!! :)

Ditched disposable sanitary pads 2yrs ago, replaced them with menstrual cup and cloth pads. And it's absolutely one of the best decisions ever!

So much great advice here. I even pack a dish wash cloth when I go on vacation so I don't have to use the "plastic" ones that are supplied and thrown out. I failed big time in regards to journals and notebooks. While I buy a lot less they are still a weakness !!

I had a really magical experience seeing you on the underground today! I didn’t want to approach you because you seemed in a rush, but listening to you talk about sustainability live really made my day! Keep up the good work!

Your recent videos are sooo interesting and helpful! Really enjoyed watching!! ♥

Im definetely guilty of owning too many notebooks. They just all look so pretty and i love all of them

Hey, I love this video so much! I've been binging your videos a lot lately because I made a lot of zero waste swaps recently but you always mention something I haven't thought of before and I love you for that hehe :) Also, I love your hair like this it's fantasticcc!

Your best video so far in my opinion. Well done!

Haha - RU-vid recommended tjis today. I am currently in Copenhagen, and picked up 2 hair elastics - will definitely clean them and reuse.

Love your channel! I recently read articles saying glass is much worse than plastic because it’s manufacture is destructive & resource intensive (to then just be thrown away or recycled). The best products are actually tetra pak cartons or cans. Have you done a video on this subject as I’d love to watch it! Thanks for all your great informative videos 👍🏻

Yeah I'm looking forward to part 2!! :D

DONATING STUFF IN THE UK: -When donating your fairy lights, if they have a plug, make sure you donate them to a charity shops with PAT testing, non PAT testing charity shops will just chuck them in the bin as they can't sell them safely :) -Also, any toys that don't have the EU mark on it (on soft toys it's usually on the label) are often not allowed to be sold in some charity shops (some small independent ones may overlook this), so don't cut these off, and donate to friends if they don't have them - although if the toy is made from textiles it can be recycled (so do donate your old smelly stained toys and clothes once you check that your local charity shops recycles textiles)

essential oils are great for laundry. Lavender and tea tree is antifungal and anti bacterial ^_^ We also make our own decorations out of wood, food (like pumpkins) flowers etc. I don't even understand why the plastic stuff is so popular. The vinegar citrus peel cleaner is so amazing and I've saved so much money a year on just that lol! ^_^

Postcards can be a good alternative to tons of small gifts from travelling, and it doesn't take up much space/collect dust when stored, and you don't need to recycle them in that case. But off course it takes unnecessary resources to transport, and it's hard to quickly find the ones which are made of recycled paper.

Vinegar is not good for marble but i think it's ok for the other materials. ~You are my favorite youtuber gurl♡

I have reusable clothes bags and if I forget them I just put my groceries back in the cart and then in the car. Then when I get home I get my bags and bring them in the house. Fabric softener is so toxic. I have asthma and when I smell people who used fabric softener in their clothes I sometimes have an asthma attack. Instead I have wool dryer balls. They fluff up everything and the natural lanolin in them help cut down the static cling. And white vinegar is great in the washing machine to cut down the hard water and a lot less toxic. And I never got gum. And the plastic sponges are so not effective. Natural sponges do a much better job. As do rags. I did janitorial work for twenty years. Most cleaning products are unnecessary. Water is the best cleaner. I use vinegar, baking soda and a small amount of soap. And I always buy last years model for my phone and computer. Much cheaper. And just plain as hoot as the latest thing. I kept them at least 5 years. I never throw them away because I get the hood quality brands and then pass them along to my friends children or continue use them to the extent they still work. If they are still working you can donate to those in need as well. I have bladder incontinence issues and I use washable pads that peoples hand make. So comfortable and don’t go in the trash can yo stink up the world. Thanks for your tips. Keep up the good work

I love all of your videos! But this one in special make me think of one thing I'd like to ask... if the electronics are planned to stop their functions for you to replace, buying them second hand wouldn't make the situation worse? Because you'll be consuming a thing that is not gonna work sooner and then you're going to have to replace it anyways. It's not a critic, it's just because I really want to understand (because I've already heard from others zero-waste youtubers). Thanks! ❤

OMG I STILL don't understand why people use sponges - so gross. My mother in law knits her as well )

As for cleaning supplies, recently I saw wet wipes for cleaning. One type for kitche, one for toilet, one for bathroom etc. It doesnt even make life easier!

One thing I ditched altogether is liquid and powder laundry detergent. I got an ecoegg and I'm really happy with it, just thinking about the plastic and money I'm saving makes me feel better about doing laundry in the first place :)

Love your videos 💕 give me such inspiration x

I go about becoming no plastic in projects. I took care of everything in the bathroom already and now its my kitchen's turn. Every month I have another thing I stop using cause I don't have a lot of money I can't do it all at ones. This month I ditched all my plastic freezer and other container things (which where all recycled from take away already and are going in to the recycled plastic container. and side note, I do not eat take away that comes in plastic any longer, and most of them came from other people) and started using glass. I stopped buying fluid coocking butter (is this correct English?) and am going back to a bar. So less plastic. I know I could buy oil in glass but its too expensive for me. I put all my plastic (WAAY to big) buckets in a box which holds stuff I will take to second hand store and I bought a small bucket and an iron thing which contains household soap for cleaning everything. I already had ditched my sponge a long time ago and bought a wooden brush and crochetted some "sponges" from a natural fiber to clean my dishes with. OH and on the cleaning your clothes. I use washing nuts which come from a soapnut tree. I don't need anything else with that. My clothes are clean and soft!

I told my mom that I like washi tape because it is biodegradable and so she bought me glittery washi tape. I was like nooooo! But she is so sweet, I couldn't say it. I will tell her sometime though.

Tape, glue, and mod podge had been my guilty pleasures... but I think I'm going to start experimenting with wheat paste in most cases. I divide my paper items into things I'm going to keep for a long time (my five-year-journal that I plan to look back at when I'm old, and my dreams journals that I might keep) and things that will end up in the recycling (my regular journal/miscellaneous notebook, and my planner), so I will start with wheat paste in my planner and journal. I realize I'm 3 years late in replying, but thought I'd include my thoughts.

reusable wraps are ofc the best but aluminum foil can still be recycled after being exposed to food. we just rinse it off and put it in the recycling if we ever do use it (which is rare enough to begin with) definitely not perfect but still way better than plastic wrap. also, everyone HATES plastic wrap. it's impossible to use in the first place!! so whyyyyy do we keep using iiitttt

Thank you for the postcard warning!

Your videos make me have so much faith in sustainability and veganism, thank you very much, gittemary! Your videos help a lot:)

I get not using plastic bags just for carrying groceries. I have been fortunate that for the last 10 years my health food store has been using biodegradable plant based bags ( they were way ahead of the times) . So I have been using them as my kitchen garbage bags. And I just use them for a liner. I will use a paper bag ( also from their store) and just have the plastic bag in case something soaks through the paper. So usually I don't even have to change the 'plastic' bag. They are now completely getting rid of the 'plastic' bags and will be charging for the paper bags. I vermicompost as much as I can but I have not got to the point where my worms can keep up with the amount of veggie waste/ scraps I produce. I also collect bags of veggie scrapes in the freezer and in the summer I take to a farm ,in winter I just drive it somewhere rural and dump it. All that to say...I will still need garbage bags....so any ideas as to what to use? Right now all I can think of is that I will have to buy the biodegradable plastic bags that they sell in the store and pay for the paper bags. I would appreciate it if someone has some better solution.

Love this. I do love fake plants though only rescued second hand ones though!

Thank you for this video

Greetings Gittemary- Everything you profess seems reasonable, but could you please leave some links to alternatives? It's harder to find things in some areas of the world then others, especially food related storage - packaging is so over the top that one can't procure products without all the packaging- yikes! Thank you for all you do, it's very helpful/meaningful! ;-)

I never thought about notebooks like that, thank you. Sigh, okay yes I'm allowed to have one, but I have to use it. The only reason I'm getting more is because they're pretty.

You can also buy wooden cutlery! :)

I have several glitter makeup palettes and eye shadows with glitter in my cupboard. I am planning on using them up rather than just disposing of them but I am concerned about how to safely take them off without the microplastics going down the drain? Video idea: have you considered covering the topic of funerals? Caitlin Doughty (Ask a mortician) covered eco funerals quite well and the options for the US, but I think more zero-waste peeps need to consider their burial choices in the EU and don't know their rights (donating organs, embalming, coffins, cremation, aquamation etc). Bit of a morbid one but important to consider :)

ok so for washing dishes i use reusable cloths and things like that but something about not wearing gloves while doing dishes is just something i can’t do. i hate throwing them away when they get holes in them but i’m not sure what to buy instead. is there some sort of eco friendly dish gloves?

I've made the citris vinegar cleaner, but it doesnt work all that well. It's okay normally, but it's very difficult to clean more greasy and gunky surfaces with it. Does anyone know of any solutions for that?

This is really getting into the fact of how you get and spend money(who are the nerves of the world)

I've ditched plastic straws and foil and cling film

what are you using for toilet paper?

Such good ideas! Do you have any recommendations on alternatives for paper tissues when you get sick? I've considered using fabric tissues that I can wash but I'm not home often and carrying around used tissues to wash later seems sort of harmful to the people around me.

I scored pretty well on this list, I lot of things I already do from this list but I do have a question. I stopped chewing gum but I do like to have like gum or like a fresh mint candy in my bag when I go out because I don't want bad breath. Since I don't wanna chew gum I thought I would use these mint candy's but they are wrapped in plastic.. Do you have any subtitudes for this (that are available also in the Netherlands if possible 😅) thanks in advance! Oh btw if you buy a new or second handed phone there are also phone cases that are made noglt from plastic but from more natural products that are actually biodegradable! I haven't tried one yet because Im still using the one I have right know because it still works but once my phone is dead and I need another one I am gonna try a biodegradable one :)

Instead of using fabric softener you can use organic vinegar. It will make your clothes as soft as a fabric softener would

I remember when I first started watching your videos two years ago or so, I accidentally read and thought your name was "Glittermary" - couldn't be further from the truth ;)!

Because of the plastic consumption of 5 grams/a credit card a week: most of it is through drinking water. However in the USA and India the amount of plastic found in water is 2,5 times higher than generally in Europe. There are also differences in the quality of the water. The article i read didn't say if it was only talked about tap water. Cause it you live somewhere where tap water isn't the best and you can afford bottles water. In plastic. Then the whole thing looks different. Second highest contributor is fish that had eaten plastic. Vegans are like ✌ then beer, then salt. So it is shocking but there are huge global differences !

Bruger du også eddike til at rengøre badeværelset?

I don’t buy notebooks anymore. There are so many options you can use electronically now. Plus it’s far less expensive as well. I personally use GoodNotes app as you can create many different notebooks for many different reasons. I still have old notebooks I purchased in the past and I am slowly using them up.

In the city I live in they recycle plastic but not glass. If you have glass that should be recyclable they won't take it, they just throw it away. In that situation would it better to buy products like drinks or tomato sauce in glass or plastic containers? Everyone is welcome to leave their thoughts and opinions!

You should look into Zote soap and it's uses 😍

Has anyone found a bar soap that doesn't flake off and clog the sink?? I have tried so many sustainable bars, but they all do this as well as staining my towels. Dr. Bronner's liquid soap is quite expensive here in Ohio (US) and the bar version, while cheaper, flakes.

I got my phone from my dad and the phone that i had before i got on the same way. So i never had to buy a new phone. This phone i have since 4 years and i will use it till its destroyed or something like that. And then i will use my old phone because its still useable.

After you wash wood, you should add oil to it to help it last

Hi :) I'm not the biggest fan of water or hot drinks- my weakness is sodas, flavoured sparkling water and I buy a lot of cordials....all come in plastic bottles (I do buy cans where possible) and I was wondering are there any cost effective alternatives to these things? Would it be better to invest in a soda stream 🤔 not sure but I've been looking at my waste and what to improve and this is definitely a bad one for me

" IT WAS N O T FINE "

Could you share your homemade cleaning agent recipe?

I have a few fake plants that I've had for years. I swap them out seasonally like my fake lilies in spring. Especially because lilies are toxic to cats so I really couldn't have real ones. It would be more wasteful to get rid of mine than to just keep them and still use them.

I love your hair

Gittermary is there any alternative to aluminium foil like when u use it to cook?

So I have a question about buying second hand electronics that are way older. Like I don't know if there worst for the environment due to the amount of energy they need or electricity or if there not made with the best materials, etc. Do you get my point or where I'm going. This sometimes has stopped me from buying things that are way older at the second hand store because I just don't know if there bad. Thanks!

The only time I still use aluminum foil is when things have to be covered while they bake. Do you have any alternative suggestions for this?

I love your videos so much and they've been really helpful but gal, ALUMINIUM

LaurenMaeBeauty made a really good video about glitter in makeup!

Id love to see videos on vegan recipes. Does anyone have an alternative to hair ties? I never understood the obsession with planners.... all the stickers and coloring in.... I use glass jars that have been up cycled from food I have purchased. I use face washers as paper towel and cleaning cloths. They are washable and last for years! They are also cheap to purchase. I don't go in for all that specially made"unpaper towel" items when you can use things you have at home. I use bees wax wraps and am proud to say I havnt used plastic cling wrap for several years now. I do still use brown baking paper tho.

What would you do if you lived in country, where in the supermarkets, if you buy more than like 3 pieces of fruit or vegetable, you have to use plastic bags because a) at the cash register you have to have it in bag and b) if the bag is not seethrough everybody will start shouting and they just can't open the bag to look what's in there? Our country is trying to get more eco-friendly but only the last max two generations, everybody else just don't want to adapt... I would like to go to farmers markets but as a student, here it is just so expensive that I can't afford it right now

I've heard somebody brew their own vinegar. Have you heard this? Is it easy?

Know any Good used electronic ( cell phone ) sites in the US ? Anyone?

I also pick hair ties but I wash them with soap and freez them. I think boiling them might shorten their lifespan 😕

I ABSOLUTELY ABHOR festive decor that cannot be reused!!! i’m working on my soda consumption because they are my guilty pleasure!!!! but i’ve started buying the big bottles or canned ones as my baby step to stray away from them

You said yourself that electronics come with planned obsolescence. If you buy a 2 year old phone, it's likely that electronic is about to reach the end of its lifespan. I agree with not falling into the marketing of buying the last new thing just cause it's the last new thing, but if you have to buy a new electronic, and for a lot of people it is a serious investment, my priority is knowing it will last as much as possible within what I can afford.

Several things: Fabric softener ruins the fabric over time. The fiber loses grid and washes out leaving a thinned out fabric. It washes out colours quicker. AAAAAND it severely reduces the lifespan of a washing machine !!!! I use washnuts and they make the fabric really soft. I was well surprised. 2. About the cleaning business. If you think about it you're told that you are extremely dirty and you turn everything dirty. The beauty business feeds into that ( shampoo, body wash, hand wash, face wash, fanny wash). But we really aren't. We aren't naturally dirty !!!! 3. I'm going to ditch coffee filters. Once the back is gone. I like filtered coffee but the trees that have to die 😭 so I'm either getting a steel one or fabric ones. Not sure yet. I'm ditching toilet paper. I'm gonna install a shower head to my sink in the toilet.makeshift bidet. Maybe you could emphasise on the fixing of things more. Everything is repairable. Shoes, even with rubber soles, furniture, appliances, tech ( tip: ask online for a repair of non professionals. They often reject a repair or place a leaflet or something on a black board in a (tech) uni. Them kids are smart.) And now I'm gonna sew some towls for drying my behind. Also some reusable tissue and a floor mop. Have a good day ✌

Please can we have a new haircare and makeup routine please

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hair tie on the ground 😄

Hey I love drinking pop lol

can't you just clean the aluminum foil and ball it up to about 2 inches and recycle it?

What do you find most important for the enviorment - zero waste or being vegan? If you had to choose

do I spot a Tardis tattoo there? 😍

How do I keep my cat off the counter without aluminum foil? Also I plan to rinse and recycle the foil when the cat has finally stopped his habit of getting on the counter xD

I don't trust anyone who has fake plants

I don't agree with not having seasonal decor or fake plants. Unfortunately real plants are not an option because my cat eats them. I have and love using my seasonal decor for holidays. All of my seasonal decor and fake plants have either been bought second hand or are hand me downs from family and friends. They're things that I enjoy and I think as long as they're not bought new and contributing to mass production that its perfectly fine to have.

I must, respectfully, disagree with #6. As someone who used chewing gum, as well as so many other things, to quit smoking cigarettes I found gum essential. Even now, I find that having gum, as an alternative to cigarettes, helps me reduce my tendency for road-rage and returning to my nasty ways. Also, Peppermint flavored gum helps reduce my sons' chances of getting car sick. However, now that I think about it, just having a dish of Peppermint/ginger candy might be a better idea. Hmm, I'll get back to you.

I stopped using plastic straws, cutlery, and bags.

You look a bit like the actress Emilia Clarke.

suggestion into part 2: dental floss

I am looking for an alternative to cotton pads! I use pads twice a day, for my skin routine. I tried to switch to a reusable cloth,/towel, but my skin didn't respond positively, so it would be cool to hear what you (or anybody really) suggest! Maybe in the next video on this topic? 😀

Let's talk about WATER. It's Just essential !

No comments to read 😭😭😭😱 Sorry I HAVE to do it: I’m 1st!!! 😂