That’s awful though... I know she probably just thinks it’s a gimmick or something, but she could at least support what you want to do as your own person?
Same! anytime I mention we could easily swap something with no effort and waste less plastic, electricity etc. they get upset and I get called a "f*king ecologist"... even when I told them about reusable grocery bags
This is when you appeal to other reasons sustainable swaps are great. If mom doesn’t want to be a hippie, maybe she’s more health or budget conscious. Swaps will usually help with one or both of those things.
Oh, I have an added bonus for the soda stream! Instead of buying new CO2 cartridges, Staples actually has a refillable program for soda stream cartridges! You can bring them back and keep swapping them out!
Target also swaps out cartridges. But, since my husband drinks about 3-4 bottles a day, he built his own and we now use a 75 gallon refillable gas canister and keep the Sodastream as a backup. It’s a bit of money to make your own kegerator but it totally pays for itself over time.
When Walmart had the soda stream, they had a refill program as well. I was the department manager of housewares at the time so the Soda Stream and the refills were my responsibility.
I’m in a mommy group, and another mom was asking ways to live a more eco friendly life. I referred her to your channel, and she said she is loving your content!
I love collapsible coffee cups! It also acts as “tupperware” since I can almost never finish my portions when I eat out and it’s lighter than metal or glass. Plus if you get a good quality one they’re leak proof which is perfect for food with sauces.
Ohh I’ve always wondered another way to use them besides just drinks (cause most places where I live don’t accept reusable). But using them for extra food after a dinner out is a good idea.
It's so cool that this vitamin company uses completely compostable packaging! I would love for more pill brands to do something like that. I get chronic migraines that I need medication for and so far I haven't seen any low-waste/zero waste swaps for that.
I live in Barcelona and all air cooling systems bring a reusable filter, I mean you only have to clean it before summer season and that’s all! I never thought that this weren’t reusable jaja
I haven’t had any ads on this video yet... Hoping this one didn’t get demonetized too?!? I love the editing where the camera is racing to follow your hand gestures, it seems manic, but in a fun way. Also loooove this top, it’s so cute on you! My favorite swap is the cordless phone charger. My s/o is a tech by profession, so we have about a hundred chargers around the place. That seems like a life saver!
My sustainable sex video tanked as well because RU-vid demonitised it and age restricted it because under 18's aren't having sex... And therefore aren't allowed to have safe sustainable sex info! Urrgjjjj xxxxxx
I find that hilarious since there are literally commercials about condoms and contraceptives. Like do they think that people under 18 don’t watch tv...? Lmao. It’s bs that they take down sex videos that are actually helpful lmao.
Not Me I love that i can charge my phone a small amount many times a day, when i only had the cord options I rarely hade a full charge, now with a wireless charger i can take up my phone make cal and walk around if i need to do something while I talk and then put the phone back on the charger ^^ And if you use the same output for both headphones and charger the lifetime of that port is shortened :( But it’s good that there are both options ^^
My late husband had a cordless charger and it was so touchy and unreliable (and it wasn’t a cheap one). Also, all types of chargers become obsolete in time.
Do they work for old phones? Like 2006 dumb nokias? I have saved my old phone as a spare phone in case something happens to my newer one, but I lost the charger so it's useless. 😂 I actually lost at least two chargers, the one that came with it and another my neighbour donated to me after I borrowed hers. Also I didn't know that about using your phone while charging it, that's good to know.
Does anyone talk about handkerchiefs? It may seem so small and irrelevant but I see so many people using 2 or 3 tissues everytime they need to which is fair enough but why not just use a handkerchief and wash it? They can be made out of old fabric too! Edit: especially since alot of tissue packets are plastic with the tissues inside so it saves money and plastic too
jamie close I think thats a great idea ^^ However, I have the problem that I need to use like ~2-3 packs of tissues when I go out because i have a hard working nose xD (allergies in spring and summer then usually sick during winter 😬) so I think I would need one bad for clean ones and one for dirty ones xD But yess! I think Im going to “steal” a couple from my grandma and use them at home ^^
I was thinking the same thing! I bought some a few months back and I love them. In addition to lowering waste, they're easier on the nose. Someday I will get ambitious and make my own but not there yet.
I use hankies! If you get through a lot of tissues, make or buy large ‘men’s’ handkerchiefs, and carry them in a handkerchief case made of fabric. They don’t take up much space.
I started watching your videos around 6 months ago and you have completely changed my life. I started living a more sustainable life and still have a long way to go but I have spread what I am doing to a lot of my friends and family and they are doing a lot more of the basic steps as well! Today my roommates started composting!! I don't own the house and because of that a lot of decisions aren't mine to make but because of my efforts they started making their own and decided without me even knowing to start composting! I am so excited I know it is a basic step but for the people in my life its not. Just wanted to let you know, you are making such a big difference in this world thank you!
Same in Estonia but we made the switch to reusable batteries. Prisma has really good VARTA charger for AA and AAA. Saves us a lot of money as well since we use battery operated (Christmas) fairy lights as night lights in the kiddos rooms ;)
Germany too, every Aldi, Lidl & Co have those boxes, as well as drugstores like Rossmann or dm. Some bigger supermarket chains have containers for light bulbs and led lights.
Yup, I never bought air filter, because having AC is considered super luxury where I live and I never owned one. I'm also not sold on collapsible cup, but I can see how many travelers would benefit from them immensely! Thank you for making your videos Shelbi, they were super inspirational during my less waste journey. Greatings from Poland :)
Actually with the current situation some coffee shops have refused to accept your mug and are using only disposable. Right now the only option is to make your own at home to avoid disposables or get one from outside in a disposable cup, but I’m sure it will be temporary. Stay safe.
Some cafe's are using compostable disposables. Others in my area will only accept reusable cups without the lid, a lot of them may put it on a plate and/or pour into it only from one of their mugs to minimise contact. I live in an area that's full of cafe's and has a lot of businesses and residents who are conscious of environmental issues.
SodaStream for the win! Got one for a wedding present and it is amazing! In addition to the decreased waste, it also makes a huge difference in the carbon footprint of shipping because it is so much more effecient to transport a bottle of syrup that can make 30 liters of soda than shipping the actual 30 liters of soda that is mostly water anyway...
Talking about Soda Stream I have one and loved it but the actual soda cylinder is empty. Do anyone know if I can get it filled up instead of buying a new one?
Could you please review the tru earth eco strips if you haven’t already? I keep seeing ads about them, and they look like a cool product but I’m not sure if it’s just green washing.
I' m using them now. They work as well as any other laundry product I've used in the past. My laundry seems to be softer. I've given some to my DIL to test on very dirty clothes, but no report from her so far.
Didn't know about the reusable air filters. Thanks! Have you anti-hauled tea bags as well as those individually wrapped? The materials used in those bags are toxic. We should only be buying loose leaf tea in tins or bulk.
No-cost swap. Bringing your own containers for carryout and for leftovers when dining at a restaurant. Even fast food places serve dine-in items with a ton of waste and they will allow it rather than throwing away the paper and and cardboard containers at the end of a meal. Obviously that doesn’t apply this exact moment with covid-19 concerns but I would call ahead when getting takeout and just ask if I could provide my own clean dishes and I haven’t been refused yet. I started doing this after watching your videos and trying to be more conscious of my waste and realized most of my trash consisted of stuff that held food.
Honestly collapsible anything is awesome! I personally love collapsible dog bowls to take on hikes with my doggies. I haven’t heard of a lot of these, or thought of them as lower waste swaps, but I’m loving this series!
I know you don't have kids but alot of people give their kids pouches of apple sauce and other veggie/fruit combos. But it is so easy to make your own kid purees and package it in reusable pouches!
Living on a farm in a very small rural town, there isn’t many zero waste options. However, I do make the best of feed bags by reusing them as trash bags when I clean litter off the roads. We also reuse old hay string to fix all kinds of things, and my mom smiths old horse shoes into different decorations.
I have a nice swap: I had old plastic bowls that i didnt want to use anymore because the released plastic particles into the food. I bought a set of stainless steel bowls. They are amazing. They stack into each other (minimal space) and the come with matching (plastic) lids. I reduced my accidental plastic consupmtion, my cling foil usage and the space the take up in my kitchen! :) So cool! Another GREAT TOOL: French press. People use it just for coffee, but I use it for tee (no more tea bags), fruit infused water and nut milk. Love it!!!
Shelby I use my e-lighter every day. I've had it for two years. I charge it with an USB cord. Lighters are not curveside recyclable and BIC sucks as a company. Their pens and lighters are truly effing up the planet.
I never hear people talk about cloth handkerchiefs, and they are such an essential to me, they are always in my hand bag, I couldn't live without them! I don't know were to buy them, though, as I use the ones my grandmother had... I put them in the washing machine and, honestly, they have lived at least 50 years now, and they still work!
Hey, I'm from Belgium. We don't have air filters here. In my family, we use rechargeable batteries and there are boxes in public places (schools,...) where you can put your old batteries.
The reusable filters must be a big money saver. I live in a place that really hot in the summer and gets below freezing in the winter. So unless it's about a month in the spring or fall we are using a filter year round.
I’m from Alaska (near Anchorage) and no one really has AC / air filters because most houses were built a few decades ago. It gets hotter here every summer though, and last summer there was about a month of 90+ degree weather. That may not sound bad, but consider no one has AC, there were hazardous levels of smoke in the air, and it doesn’t cool down at night because it’s sunny over 20 hours a day. All that combined actually is quite dangerous, and we’ve been wanting to install and AC unit.
I loved all of these soo much! We were actually just talking about needing to buy an air filter, so thank you because I’m definitely getting a reusable one!
I've used rechargeable batteries for forever, my dad used them for as long as I can remember. I found out about soda streams when visiting friends in germany, I think they're more common there? but there you have to buy those ampules(?) with gas. and since it's not as common where I live, I don't really know where I'd get those
you can get them at Home Depot’s! And if you live in the west coast, certain Fred Meyers will take them back for recycling, it’s been a while since I’ve taken one there but if I remember correctly, you also get credit for turning it in!
Hey Shelbi!! A great zero waste swap is reusable HAND-WARMERS!! I received those as a gift after moving to the East Coast (so cold 🥶) and it has changed my life. Thank you so much for your videos~!!
My husband and I use our soda stream every day for seltzer water (we don't use the flavorings)! We swap out the canisters at the Target customer service desk and they're $15 instead of the new ones that are $30. Doing the canister swap is really the only way it makes financial sense, but worth it no matter what for the environment, in my opinion. We used to buy the store brand seltzer in cans and this has saved us so much money and so much packaging.
Shelbi sometimes I swear we've lived the same life!! Over the years that I've watched you, I've related so much to how you talk about your parents/upbringing. My mom loves to shop, constantly buying things we don't need. She also often buys me clothes I didn't ask for or gets me unnecessary items for gifts during holidays. We have so many cars and after I got a new car, my parents kept my old car. My dad also drinks diet coke EVERY SINGLE DAY! As soon as you said that i was shocked, just something else we have in common. Anyway, my lifestyle and views regarding the environment and producing less waste has made little impact on them but hopefully over time that will increase. I have to also thank you because I'm so glad I found your channel years ago. The videos I watched from you planted a seed in my brain and I've been getting more and more into environmentalism and zero waste ever since! I have since broken free from the wasteful and consumerist practices I was raised around (thank god!)
Late to the party but a swap I’ve made is LED lightbulbs! They might not last forever, but they last for years and years longer than filament bulbs! I have moved twice since getting them and have just unscrewed them and brought them with me. They’re still going strong!
I’m definitely getting that air filter! I looked at mine just today and thought - ugh, another thing going to the landfill. NOT ANYMORE!!! Thanks, Shelbi!!!
i'm not much of a coffee drinker, but the collapsible coffee cups are super great for backpacking trips! they're light, and don't take up much space :)
additional tips if you have a soda stream or thinking about getting one: 1. There's a version with glass bottles instead of plastic ones (the plastic ones expire) 2. You can make your syrups at home (even the zero sugar ones -> with erythritol) 3. To save money, buy a large CO2 canister and refill your smaller CO2 bottles yourself (you'll need an adapter)
It’s so frickin cool to me that the vitamins company you anti-hauled, finally came around and met the needs of zero/low waste consumers with compost able packaging. That is so awesome! If there was ever enough of these situations that would make an awesome positivity video to see what companies have come around to more eco-friendly packaging and ethical sourcing.
Hey Shelbi! I just ordered a few zero waste things from EarthHero because of you! I used your 10% off code, and I am so grateful. By the way, I got an ad from a sustainable company just now. Pretty cool!
I did not grow up zero waste or anything like that but my dad definitely uses the reusable air filter.. more for laziness and not wanting to continue buying filters. They definitely are easy to clean and go longer in between cleanings than a traditional disposable filter
One that I have seen a lot in the Netherlands, but I have never heard anyone outside of our country talk about: whiteboard notebooks. It's a notebook, but it works like a whiteboard and you can just wipe everything away when you're done. We have a few different brands: Bambook, Greenbook, Correctbook... And it's also possible to refill the whiteboard pencils.
There are a few ways to extend the life of a charger. If you have a ballpoint pen which is empty, take the spring out and gently wrap it around the end of the cord near the lightning plug. You can also use embroidery string/friendship bracelet making string, and use the basic friendship bracelet stitch (you essentially make a 4 with the string, tuck the end through, pull tight) to wrap the cord. Start at the top, and repeat until the entire cord is wrapped. Significantly extends the life of apple chargers. I did this to one of my apple phone chargers back in 2015, and the charger is only now starting to break.
Mary Jennings Handkerchief cases aren’t new. I’ve always carried handkerchiefs in a case, which can be easily made from 2nd hand fabric rather than silicon as with LastTissue.
So my husband has extremely bad allergies and has a lot of trouble sleeping because of it. I finally gave in and got an air purifier for our bedroom, but I found one with permanent filters that I can wash!! Yay!!! I had never heard of an air purifier with reusable filters before. And it was an instant improvement for hubbies sleeping.
I love your selections of zero waste swaps! ❤️ I use the SodaStream for years now, and you can get the refills of the CO2 gas tanks at the Bed Bath and Beyond for a very discounted price. You just bring back your current CO2 gas to the store and get the already refilled bottles. It saves me money and able to reuse the gas tanks unlimited times.
We are campers so we own collapsible coffee cups but only use them when we camp as they don’t take up much room as you said but using them for every day use is a great idea( instead of just once a year).
and a tip for soda stream-- we have a larger CO2 tank and a fish store refills it for us (i don't know why fish stores need CO2). that way we don't have to buy a new tank every few months, and they fill it for like $5!
Someone told me once that SodaStream bottles have an expiration date, and you run the risk of them exploding if you use old ones! Turned out mine were way over the date! Just something to keep in mind. Regarding rechargable batteries, I'm surprised some haven't heard of them, I've been using them for at least fifteen years. They can always be found at Ikea.
One more swap that I had created a lot of waste from was lint rollers! I have three cats and cat hair is just a fact of life. I have a velvet lint brush that I am now using in place of my old lint rollers. I am newish to your channel/ this lifestyle so I am not sure if this is something you have talked about in the past or not! I love your videos and I can’t stop watching, thank you for all the great education! - A San Antonio Friend
My husband and I take collapsible coffee cups to gigs. I also give them to friends who enjoy gigs. Hopefully, it will stop a few plastic cups being discarded into landfill!
I was actually in the process of designing a new collapsible coffee cup for my manufacturing class at uni - unfortunately we couldn't finish it with school closing down and going online but I'm super happy you mentioned it!! It's such a cool swap AND much harder to design than you would think!
Dang I totally forgot rechargable batteries existed. I grew up with them but I got so used to single use ones in the work place I forgot an alternative existed. Thank you for sharing this!
I would love to see a video explaining how to safely dispose of certain things (like old phone cables, lightbulbs, batteries, etc.). I know sometimes it depends on the area where you live, but any kind of help knowing what to do with things you do need to dispose would be awesome!
I'm part of a community that meets on daily basis for meetings and uses styrofoam coffee cups. Makes my heart heavy thinking about all of the cups in the landfill.... Never even thought about it until started watching your videos. Thanks for the opening up of my eyes.
We're actually getting more rechargeable batteries soon, since my boyfriend has been here on an extended visit, we are going through them a bit faster than normal. Another great video as always.
Only downside to reusable collapsible cups is that they're hard to clean. A teacher of mine left hers in a computer closet office at the school I was attending and it got moldy so I soaked it overnight in the hottest possible water in my room and told her that she needed to bleach it because that was the only way to get it clean. I have rechargeable batteries but four out of the (i think i got sixteen) of the ones I got stopped working so even though I use them I only use them for my camera, which I rarely touch, and remote controllers and idk where the charger for them even is right now because I just never touch them which is really sad because I was so excited to get them.
Don't know if anywhere else has these but in the UK we have designated recycling collection bins (like inside the supermarkets). They are then made into new batteries. Great content as always, thank you Shelbi
I would LOVE to see a zero-waste food storage episode! Specifically with produce😁 my husband and I get Misfit Market delivered to us every other week, and have been struggling to find ways to store some of this without plastic (specifically lettuce or leafy greens). Thanks so much!
In countries outside of the US, central air conditioning is much more uncommon as it's significantly cheaper and eco-friendly to only cool/heat the room that you're currently in.
I just got a sodastream because I love seltzer. They have a recycling program for their CO2 canisters! You even get a discounted price if you mail in your old empty containers to Soda Stream for recycling.
I am shocked I am so so SO GLAD you mentioned the vitamin careof!!! I keep seeing ads from them or a similar company but thought it was so wasteful so I’m so glad you brought to light that it’s compostable! Love this series so much thank you!
I actually heard of all of these. It's funny how being frugal can lead to being more zero waste. I brought everything second hand because it's just cheaper than retail price. I like my wireless charger but it does take longer to charge. Thank you for sharing :)
Also, as someone who worked in a kitchen supply store, I know that you can exchange the CO2 cartridges that the Soda Stream uses and they'll ship them back to the company to be refilled. I think some places even have a discount for the exchanges, I'm not sure.
You should talk about compostable Kitty litter made from wheat or grass if you haven't already. I have two cats who pee A LOT and the smell is so much less with wheat/grass litter compared to scented clay litter.
Repairing a charging cord is also an option. Check out Sugru. It's a moldable putty/glue that hardens to a flexible, heat/cold resistant silicone rubber. Fixing keeps stuff that still have life in them out of the landfills. 🙂
That's so awesome that the care/of vitamin packets are compostable! I definitely thought it was very wasteful whenever I see "influencers" promote them but I'll def check them out once I finish the vitamin jars that I have currently!
My sister has one and makes things like homemade coke and root beer from herbs and stuff. It will make you never want the brand name ever again. It takes time, but is fun to do sometimes.
I’ve been waiting for you to give us an update on your air filters. I’m trying to convince my husband to buy them. Also, rechargeable are getting really hard to find nowadays! Also, you’re top is so cute!!
We didn’t use air filters in Oregon but we do in Texas. I used up all the disposable filters that came with our house when we bought it then got reusables as soon as they were used up.
Oh my... been watching your videos for so long... (dumpster diving days..) just realised I wasn’t subscribed 🤦♀️ fixxxt I absolutely love your content ❤️ it’s so nice that you respect that everybody starts at different levels and not everybody can use the zero/low waste alternatives Wanted to say that i love using an wireless charger! Usually forgot to charge my phone when i needed to plug it in, now i can jus put it down and voila its charging ^^ My old phone didn’t have that function, so when it broke i “needed” a phone with that function ^^ (Sorry if my English is a bit bad.. not my native language) have a nice day! ^^
Still not found anyone in the UK as good as your videos wish I had the time to research all the different eco friendly swaps and the best eco friendly products and companies there are over here like you do...so tempted to order off the sites that you mention but most are from the us and none here in the uk which defeats the points of being environmentally friendly when shipping overseas and at the moment can’t get too much delivered. :/ Absolutely love your videos so so many tips I can’t keep up at some point will watch them all again from the beginning. The best thing Iv got to date from your videos is the pela case!! Would recommend to anyone! Thank you
You should look into Norwex cleaning products. I have the cleaning rags and the baby rags (that I use to remove my makeup). They are awesome because you never need to use a cleaner, you only use water!
I have never before considered rechargeable batteries as a low waste swap. But i think its a great idea, and I have decided to swap after using the last disposable batteries I have left. Thanks fore the idea :)
Years ago I used to regularly buy batteries for my bicycle lights. When they broke, I wanted to replace them with something of higher quality. I was surprised to find out that there’s ones that can be recharged with a USB cord. Now I only have to remember to keep them charged ;)
About the charger cables and cordless chargers. I have both, the cordless one is great to have on my table so the phone can charge while I’m doing something else. Now I don’t know about your nearest IKEA, but mine had long braided charger cables that are resistant to bending and tearing. There were definitely Apple ones, MicroUSB and USB-C charger cables for a great price of around 10€ I believe. It’s still in great condition almost 2 years later and considering I otherwise needed a new one every month or so, it’s very durable.
A swap I found recently: tofu cat litter. It's not perfect as it comes in a ("recyclable") plastic bag, but the pee/poop can be scooped out and flushed down the toilet, and when time comes to completely change it, the rest is compostable (my city accepts it at least), unlike regular cement litter that must go to the landfill! (I know some people train their cat to use the toilet, but I heard it's not good for them, plus my cat was adopted at adult age and I live in an appartment so we need a litter box)
I've read in many places that cat excrement can mess up septic systems, since it's set up for human excrement specifically. I've always been intrigued by the idea of flushable litter, but the internet seems to think the cat poop itself shouldn't even be flushed. You might want to research around to double check.
I have a stojo collapsible cup that my company gave me (no money spent!) and even though I don't use it regularly (I have another cup also gifted to me I like better) I must say it's amazing for when you travel! It fits everywhere, it's easy to clean, easy to store and so practical!
I’m just starting my zero waste journey, primarily propelled by your very informative videos. Just by chance, I actually own one of the collapsible bottles - I like to have a water bottle next to my bed and I carry another one wherever I go. But I travelled a lot last year and found it bulky to travel with 2 Camelbak water bottles. So I hunted around & found the collapsible one. You do have to learn where you can grab it or you will squeeze the liquid all over. I really appreciate your videos and look forward to hunting down the last one that I missed.
I bought a portable charger from them years ago and they give you a bag to recycle your electronics with them as well 😊. I have also used reusable batteries for years because it saves money.
So my biggest problem with my reusable coffee cup is it's not that big, but when I have a small purse, diaper bag, infant car seat I'm carrying and chasing around my 2yr old and 3yr old I have no hands for a coffee cup. I didn't know they made collapsible ones! I could totally fit that in my purse! And a reusable air filter?! Yes I need to look into this!
for coffee, my Quetsch insulated steel bottle, the small one 260ml (big ones are too heavy and too big) is the best, as they stay hot forever, don't leak, and fit in your bag fine. I mention the brand, as the quality is better and the lid is pure stainless not just the bottle
Nintendo has rechargeable Wiimotes many people don't know about. The old consoles are still popular, so it is good to know that you can use it without buying (and throwing away) batteries all the time. Ikea started selling rechargeable batteries with higher power lately, so they last longer and Energizer has rechargeable batteries that are made of recycled materials.
