I got so many questions about the phone case so I thought I'd make it easier for you to see it. --▸ Get 15% off a Compostable Pela Phone Case with code "Shelbi" bit.ly/2qCUdEg Remember, don't throw things out to replace them!!
What most don't really understand is that Tupperware is a brand - most people are talking about are Plastic Food Storage Containers. There are good, bad & awful food storage containers. You can get 1 container for $10, and you can get 100 containers for $10. Don't really expect a 10¢ food storage container to be good quality and then complain about the fact that it is crappy.
If anyone does feel the need to get a mason jar or two, always check thrift stores! My Goodwill is loaded with all sorts of sizes and way cheaper than a new pack of jars!
That's where I got nearly all of mine. I did need to get new kids & rings for most of them, but at least the Korr ones they sell in my Kroger just come in a cardboard box.
Ugh I'm actually so sad about the Mason jar situation at my local thrift stores. Because many thrift stores around me are businesses, and because of how trendy mason jars are, buying them used is actually more expensive than buying new ones in bulk! I saw small jars for 2 bucks each.... When I can get a dozen for $8
We get our plates/bowls/mugs from Goodwill because we have a toddler and people are prone to being clumsy in our house. (Spending more money on these items aren't logical) and there are so many options at secondhand stores. 😎 We also use our jars that are reused from food jars from the store.
Or ask your grandma! Chances are your older relatives have mason jars on some dusty shelf in their basement or attic that were originally used for canning. Ask around, it’s plenty easy to get free jars if you let people know to hang onto them for you.
Same! I've probably bought one new one because it came with a lid and a reusable straw to go into the lid. Other than that, I always reuse the old ones
if you have disposable period products you don't need anymore because you switched to a cup or cloth pads, donate those products to a local homeless/women's shelter! And always keep a small stash in your bathroom in case a friend comes over and needs something. :)
Yesss, this is what I did and honestly I love the fact that I know anytime a woman comes over I am prepared for them so they don't have to have the horrible situation of being caught with nothing (and chuffed to know good for first aid too). Changing to reusable pads and a cup has been on of my favourite/best desisions ❤️
As someone who isn't yet old enough to live on their own, I love watching these videos because I haven't bought anything yet, so when I go to buy things I now know what to get and what to avoid.
i’ve been living on my own for 4 years, moved 5 times, and i’m so jealous that you’re ahead of the game! i wasted so much money buying useless things when i first moved. now i am much more intentional with what i allow into my space
She's great. She keeps it real and doesn't hide of parts of living sustainably that aren't as cute/pretty. She also is like, a real person? I swear most of the other RU-vid personalities talk like there's a baby sleeping in the other room and have at least seven things in their videos that are rose gold or millennial pink.
Just got my first bamboo toothbrush but I always used my old toothbrushes to clean around the house ( shoes, around the taps and small corners that are hard to reach.) until the bristles fell off
I left one of my old cleaning tooth brushes out in the bathroom after cleaning one day. A guest thought I had eaten my brush or something she had never see such a abused looking tooth brush
I like them because I know the lids will fit universally. I already have enough hassle keeping Tupperware lids in hand. But mine are almost all second hand. I also use them as drinking glasses because we never had actual glasses. We had coffee mugs, but sometimes you just want to drink 4 cups of water without running to the kitchen constantly.
And also if you want to pickle or ferment things in them they are perfect. You can freeze them and put them in boiling water which you cannot always do with other jars. I am buying most of my ones second hand too tough.
I’m with you SmallFry. Pickle jars are my favorite cuz of the wide mouth. Also the coconut oil from Aldi is actually a mason jar, same lid size. Now I have to remind myself I don’t have to keep all of them 🤣
I let my boyfriend borrow my reusable coffee cup (from starbucks so it was kinda pricey) and his mum THREW IT IN THE BIN. like she thought this hard plastic cup was just a throw away cup, this is the same woman who THREW AWAY a 3 month old rug cause it 'didn't quite go with the room' Honestly our parents generation is the worst for this stuff
Possibly its just these people and not a whole generation. My Mother is a make do and mend type person we never ate anything store-bought and I don't recall having anything with a lot of plastic in it as a child. To this day I still have and use daily items that belonged to my mothers mother. I am from the UK though so maybe its just the European way not to waste.
I had a babysitter (my parents’ age) throw away my wax clothes and a reusable coffee cup. I got her at the fourth piece, when she casually asked that that’s trash, right? 🤦♀️ the first three she just threw away without even asking!
I never understood why some people go out and buy a lot of stuff when they go zero waste and get rid of everything else. This never made sense to me. Maybe it's because I grew up in a poor family, so I was taught to use even the last milligramme of things up. After one year of 'zero waste' I'm still using up some beauty products people gave me years ago for Christmas or my birthday but I'm feeling totally fine with it. My home doesn't look like a zero waste home, but that doesn't matter to me.
Yeah, same here 😊 I learned to use things up completely or until they literally fall apart because we did not have the money to get new stuff all the time 😀
I with you on this. On any given day I'm wearing at least one item which is at least three years old. I have clothing that has seen decades and I just patch up tears and keep wearing it. My three Rs are re-use, repair and regift.
I'm struggling with this a little. Im overwhelmed with stuff, but I would feel guilty getting rid of the years of gifted body washes, etc. I'm just trying to use everything and not buy new stuff. On the other hand, some of the shampoos don't get along with my hair, so I'm keeping them around because I feel guilty about throwing them out. :/
I'm new to the low waste journey, and I learned that you should go through all of your things before buying new ones. It's hard because you want to buy all the shiny new things, but it makes me feel good whenever I finish something wasteful/plastic.
I couponed a stock pile i have been using up. Will be almost 2 years before buying any bath, kitchen, cleaning supplies. Part of me wants to donate all of it and get sustainable but i cant justify the financial aspect.
Naturally Mermaid Just think to yourself. You are responsible for what you consume( buy) It makes you think twice about whether you actually need something.
Okay so the Tupperware you guys have in the US is sooooo different from what I know in Germany, like my mum has Tupperware that is like 20 years old and has been in the dishwasher at least a 100 times 😅 and it is still good to use. She bought me a lot of Tupperware for my first Appartment and I want to use it for the next 30 years at least (because it is so expensive)😂😂
The actual name brand Tupperware is very high quality products. Here in America we usually refer to basically any food containers as "tupperware" even if it's cheap single use containers.
Agree. I still have one I used in primary school and I’m 36 now. My mum recently send a 30 year old salad bowl to them because the lit did not close anymore. They send her a new one! I must say, the old lids were better!
I have a whole lot of old sour cream and plastic takeout containers to wear out before buying metal or glass food storage. 😂 Anyone who opens my fridge thinks I have 5 containers of sour cream going at any given time.
@@Shelbizleee yes! My husband always gets annoyed about every six months when I buy a huge container of butter. (It's going to take us six months to go through all that!) In 6 months I have a new xl Tupperware container. *Shrugs*
When I started using cloth pads, I donated the disposable pad stash I had to woman's shelter when I knew I did not care to use the disposable ones anymore. I felt like it was the better solution for me and it benefited other people in the process. I don't keep them around and my friends and family are well aware.
Yeah that's what I'm doing. I'm slowly switching to period undies and whatever disposables I'm not going to use, I'll give to friends or leave in my work bathrooms for whoever needs it
When I was considering going low-waste put tons of things in my online shopping cart (I call it fake-shopping). Then I went over each item and considered which items I already have and what I can replace once they are used/broken, which items I could create from what I already have, what I could do to replace things to make my life more efficient. I think an important thing for people to remember is that anything you do is helpful and just because you can't do everything you want to do overnight doesn't mean you aren't apart of the movement for a better Earth.
A very dumb thing that I’ve seen people do in their videos for zero waste though go buy shampoo and conditioner and plastic bottles then the refill their glass soap dispenser with it then throw away the bottle instead of recycling it:
Oh gosh, and people who buy bulk things and bring them home in those plastic bulk bags to dump in a jar! That's not being zero waste, that's trying to look trendy :( ughhhh those people drive me crazy!
I once ate takeaway and felt bad After seeing How much plastic i wasted so since then i take the plastic spoon from this takeaway with me haha (im cleaning and desinfecting it dont worry)
I either use plastic utensils from takeout, or I pack silverware from yard sales, so if it strays, I don't get upset about my nice set that never leaves the house.
Because I don’t want to break up the set that’s at my house because I like everything to match and 2 it’s very convenient to have the fork spoon knife straw and brush in a case so I can leave at my desk. DONT BE AN ASSHOLE YOU JACKASS
Loooove these tips and the message behind them. "Voting with your dollar" is SO important. My zero waste lifestyle is definitely not Pinterest / Instagram perfect but it works for me!
@@totalrandomness4543 Do it one item at a time. Start with one reusable shopping bag. Then next time you get paid get a washable scrubby cloth for dishes. Next paycheck buy ... whatever is about to run out. It's how I'm doing it and they only way I can do it. I crochet and I'm buying all cotton yarns and I've crocheted myself shopping bags and several scrubby yarn washcloths and bath/body mitts.( two sizes for my hand and one for hubby). Like with anything you just start small and eventually it will get easier and larger and soon... you're where you want to be.
I still have Tupperware brand things from 30 years ago, which I purchased as a teenager. It was expensive but I think we can all say that I got my money's worth. I also have my mum's Tupperware from the 1960s, and it's still going strong. We're not zero waste but consider ourselves reduce wasters, so we totally agree with you that throwing away what is functioning fine is no good.
The old Tupperware was sturdier... They were constructed with thicker sides and a better top the new ones even here in Germany are oftentimes flimsy...
When I first started going zero waste, I bought a bunch of those reusable ziploc bags. I wish now that I hadn't; as it turns out, I almost never need a ziploc bag and can just use tupperware or beeswrap or whatever. If you're looking to reduce waste, sometimes wait before buying a new product that will supposedly help you. Maybe you do need reusable bags, maybe you don't. But before buying them, see if you can just cut out plastic bags altogether.
On the mason jar note, my mom didn't like the metal lids she had bc they rust easily; she ended up buying white plastic ones but I showed her you can use peanut butter or mayo lids from those plastic jars if that's something you already buy. If you don't already have mason jars but really want them, there are sooooo many lidless ones at the thrift store.
ash I have a lavender colored one for my iphone 8 plus. I love it. I drop my phone a lot at work and constantly touch my phone because I need to call customers at work and it hasn’t worn out after 8 months. It hasn’t ripped yet. It has discolored a tiny bit but it’s perf. totally worth investing in. (:
Been reusing my ziplocks for a few months now. When they fall apart I will toss them, but so far they've lasted. I just rinse them with warm water depending on how dirty the bag is
Yeah same. They're the best for cleaning grout and toilets and stuff. I didn't know not everyone did that until I got married and my husband was like ??????
Who drinks out of a mason jar? I have glass cups. I just use old salsa jars and things to take my muesli or food to work sometimes but I rarely drink out of them again because I have cups
I drink ice water out of Mason jars (that I did save from products lol) because they're much bigger than regular cups, but I understand that they're a little big and cumbersome for most people
I do because we never really had proper drinking glasses to begin with. We have maybe too many coffee mugs (because I'm a sucker for a neat mug), but sometimes you need something that will hold more that 10 oz of liquid.
I use mason jars as drinking glasses for two reasons - 1. I already had so many from the jams my grandmother makes & gifts to me along with pickles she cans. 2. They are much more durable than regular drinking glasses. I can also pop the lid on & go 👍
I like the fact that you encourage people using up things they already have. Throwing away still good things and replace them with zero waste alternative is not really zero waste, because it generates waste with still usable products
This is such a straightforward and logical explanation for zero waste it blows my mind. Thank you for this, I feel like most other zero waste channels don’t actually explain the theory behind it, they just say you should go zero waste and show off the things they have already done and don’t explain the process well enough.
This video has some great honest points. In my home, we've always kept our old toothbrushes (we did switch to bamboo, but we still have a bunch of old plastic ones). They are great for cleaning around faucets and molding, scrubbing small things like jewelry, and even work great as paint brushes! Reusing is a big part of sustainability that I think gets ignored.
When I first clicked on this I was expecting to be spanked for dropping $150 on my new zero waste products and supplies that I have been thinking about buying for about a month. But then everything you said not only resonated with me but it was exactly what I did not buy. I was running low on things and considered my options after praying LOL and honestly this video was like a pat on the back. I bought sustainable stuff for my period, the bathroom (bidet, cloth wipes), scrub brushes that I don’t currently have, essential oils I ran out of, reusable vape 💨 pods (judge me), supplies for working at home like a headset, etc. thanks for letting your light shine sis I enjoy learning from you. Your home is goals and God is working on me. I’m excited about the future and I have a room full of stuff I can’t wait to get rid of. I’m turning 29 in 2 weeks and it’s gonna be a good year 😩🙌🏾❤️😘 Love from Delaware
Preach sister! I'm so glad you emphasized the necessity of "needs" and not wasting what we have. We've been trained since babies to consume and it's so hard to break the habit. It also doesn't help that we are trained to get the best deal when in reality we often are buying low quality products that do not last.
Shadow Hunter Case in point: Vegemite jars (downside: plastic lid). Small ones work well for carrying raw sugar or a portion of loose leaf teas. One time I was at the supermarket looking at those little jars; one slipped, fell and miraculously stayed intact, no cracks!
Hi. My name is flodnak, and I am old. When I was a kid in the 1970s, jam and jelly companies still packaged their products in reusable glasses that had designs on them, like flowers or cartoon characters. It was a brilliant idea and I wish they still did that!
Yup perfectly good items sometimes with tags that can be returned, sold or donated. In my apartment dumpster I've found tagged clothing, baby items/diapers still in packaging unused, a barely 1 yr old laptop that just needs a new battery to not have to be plugged in to stay on, an Alexa new in packaging. Nonperishable food in packaging. That's not counting less expensive but still usable used stuff! What gets me too is when people throw away water bottles still with water.....at least pour out the water in the grass next to the dumpster! One time I found 10 freakin bottles that only had SIPS taken out ! My plants were happy.
C BR don’t demonize or insult them for it most of them have good intentions and want to get started right away living a sustainable life so they want to rid themselves of everything then deem to be unsustainable they just don’t understand quite yet that this is counterintuitive. So they’ll move to fast and try to do everything at once instead of a slow lifestyle transition. It’s an honest mistake and I’m glad people like Shelby are giving tips to helps people.
Nicole they might. Either way no need to be an ass. Many zero waste people in their “zero waste mistakes” videos like the RU-vidr sustainably vegan for example, genuinely just make an honest mistake and didn’t fully think things through. So a lot of the times it’s really just an honest mistake
Can I just say? I LOVE you! I am so over these crunchy granola holy-than-thou hippee chicks lecturing me when I'm just looking for information and inspiration. My new fave on RU-vid - thank you for being a real person with real info
Excellent point on using what you have until it wears out, and how our spending supports either environmentally-responsible companies or environmentally irresponsible ones. Thanks Shelbie!
I have a large Bottle of bath and body works body wash that I got two years ago and just started using. It will probably my last me until I get to college
My favorite jars to repurpose are large pickle jars :) they have a big opening, so they’re easy to fill with food, scoop it out, clean, etc. And you can fit a lot of leftovers in there 👍🏼
I dunno if microbeads are still legal in other countries like the USA (they're banned in the UK now - I think/hope), but I'd say don't use up products with microbeads in, you're better off throwing them away because it's better that the plastic is in the rubbish bin than mixed with the water. That said, I think more research needs to be done, so this is mainly my opinion. However, absolutely agree with everything else.
I agree I think the microbead products are an exception to use up before you buy something reusable, pretty sure they shouldn't be introduced to water sources
I mean... if you want you could squeeze the contents into a non-recycleble container, bin that, then recycle the bottle the microbead facewash came in, but I can understand why people wouldn't bother, sounds like a faff.
Remember, ALWAYS try to shop the things you do want or need from thrift stores! I’ve been in a slow transition into zero waste for about a year, so as to not overwhelm myself. If I need something new, whatever it is, I look in thrift stores before I go to buy it brand new. For example I really wanted a spice rack, didn’t really need one but wanted one. So instead of buying one from Ikea or whatever, I found a beautiful handmade wooden spice rack from my local thrift store! Same with Mason or other types of glass jars, I found two big ones, like the 1-2 liter ones, for one dollar each! I have my own thrift store along with some friends so whenever I feel like throwing something out I put it up for sale there instead. If you want to make a quick buck you can sell your things instead of donating, many thrift stores offer you a table or shelf to rent where you can sell your own things.
I’m watching this before I move out, because when I start buying things for myself this is the lifestyle I want to have. I’ve been interested for about a year or two now.
I’m buying all stainless or glass Tupperware even though we have plastic because I’m moving out of my house in 3 months and I know I’m going to need Tupperware there so I’m stocking up the good stuff now
ariana's makeup that’s what I’m doing! I’m moving into my first apartment and since my family needs their Tupperware still, we’re buying glass over plastic!
@@WriterOfMany it can go in the freezer, fridge or the oven. Usually its a bit harder wearing than glass, good for cold lunches to take to work, I just keep a thrifted plate at work and decant my lunch onto it to eat if it needs heating (we only have the microwave at work). I prefer glass but my Fiancé drops everything so he gets the stainless or a reusable silicone bag lol. probs good for kids lunches also
Using up for me is harder, because I got a lot. However, I can give any excess to others who need it and this will help me declutter as well as start my journey to becoming a minimalist.
I don't get the mason jar thing ... in france we all have regular glasses. Coffee cups. tea mugs. We don't need jars to drink anything. Same for straws. I bought a few glass jars though to stock my food in my pantry after an insect attack and as a single person i don't buy big jars of any food i would use after (my food is 90% homemade from fresh ingredients) I agree a lot on the epidemic of throwing away and buying new stuff. Maybe a mix of Mary Kondo and aesthetic based minimalism ?
Most in the US use regular glass cups at home too. The mason jar buyers want the minimalist design aesthetic, I think? Still don't understand the desire to buy metal straws though. I prefer just drinking from my beautiful thrifted glasses anyday
withelisa i use my metal straw at home mostly when drinking iced coffee since I drink coffee a lot and don’t want it to stain my teeth. Or when drinking smoothies since they’re so thick and icey it irritates my sensitive teeth
With regards to plastic containers (tupperware) I usually have a couple of plastic containers for my daughter's lunch box because the glass might break (she is in prep). So until she is old enough to make sure it doesn't get broken, I'm happy for her to have the plastic container but I bought good quality ones that she has used for a couple of years now from daycare to school.
I wanted to mention another tidbit about Audible. My Audible subscription is my number one personal enjoyment (just for me) splurge. I didn't realize until a friend pointed it out to me that you don't have to pay full price for every Audible book. If you purchase the credits (3 at a time for $35.88) then regardless of the price or length of the book, it's only ever the price of one credit ...approximately $11.96.
People need to donate instead of throwing things away. Obviously hygienic items are beyond iffy and gross most of the time to donate, but many plastic toothbrushes and other things are actually what animal rescues love due to what animals they care for (reptiles rescues usually). And it gives those who dont have the means to pay more than a few dollars to be more zero waste as well. Definitely love this video and agree with what she says. Very on point and well said! 💕
Loooove this. I see others talking about this topic but it’s very brief. I love how you go into more detail. I’m surprised I haven’t really seen anyone else go into more depth on using up what your already have. When I first started this lifestyle, I used up what I had and there are some things I’m STILL using up. Great info! 💜
I love how you described the meaning behind zero waste. Using what you already bought is better than just throwing it away. It’s about not repurchasing single use (or any) plastic products.
What I love about your channel and the reason I subscribed is that you are constantly updating us on new things you do and giving us your honest opinion while having the average person in mind. It never feels like you're telling us that we are wrong, you're just letting us know our options and make us feel welcome to the zero waste/ low impact lifestyle
I am trying to use up my shampoo and conditioner in the plastic bottles. So I can try the shampoo bar and conditioner bars.(for the past two or three months this bottles are huge😂)
When I changed to washing my hair with soap I didn’t use the last bit of shampoo as shampoo (my head didn’t like it) but for cleaning and as laundry detergent.
I have seen wooden/bamboo hair brushes in zero waste shops. For me it also seems kind of pointless item to replace unless parents are buying those brushes for their children. Of course it is easy to forget such personal item in a hotel/beach/sports club etc and then you really need to get a new one. I use my plastic hair brush / comb since 2007 and i will continue to use it for many years in the future. :)
Thank you for the “you cannot to all the good the world needs but the world needs all the good you can do” statement. I know so many of us can feel like we have to be perfect and do everything right but in the society we’re in it can be so hard for us to have low waste options available or even to afford some things (why must package free produce be so EXPENSIVE) and it can be easy for people to give up because they get overwhelmed
I love that you try so hard to make sure people know zero waste can be cost friendly. I don’t think a lot of influencers think about that. Thank you so much❤️❤️
Great video! There are many things to be mindful of when you’re trying to go in a more sustainable direction. I think sometimes when your eyes get opened to new sustainability methods it can be hard to make yourself continue to use and keep the less sustainable alternative items. Just have to remind ourselves why we do what we do.
I'm not zero/low waste nor my family, and still we try to buy our products in glass, because they are theaaa besssst, there are soo many uses for them, I am obsessed with glass jars, each one is unique and beautiful in their own way, I clean them, and use them to store homemade food, and most importantly to propagate plants on them and they look amazing... Its kinda of weird and sustainable hobby
Thank you for reminding us to use up what we have first before buying. It helps me feel that I can start without buying anything, but just be mindful when I do need a replacement. This is such a feel-good video no matter if we can afford zero waste products or not at this moment in our lives.
While the zero waste lifestyle isn’t a bad idea to incorporate into your life, will you address capitalism in one of your videos? It’s pretty ridiculous to make regular working class people to bare the responsibility of waste and climate change when majority of it is caused by the 1%. 100 companies are responsible for most of it in fact, and no amount of “voting with your dollar” is going to fix that. There needs to be an entire restructuring of society, which means to do away with capitalism and the neoliberal mindset that our society can be saved if we just be “good” consumers. Even with vegan, non-cruelty free, zero-waste products, the companies’ livelihood requires the system of capitalism, and overconsumption to exist. If we all decided to severely reduce our consumption, then all these products will be discontinued. The more we focus on the consumption of people with no power in society, the more likely the real culprits of climate change and pollution get away with it.
Woah this is really interesting and true, but I'm not that knowledgeable on this subject so don't hold it against me. Also your name just made thirsty haha, I could do with a good cup of tea.
she might not talk about it, because she might not know the actual facts of it. I can talk a big game about how it shouldn't be the consumers' fault (even though we are what products are in demand???) and place blame on corporations, but I would have to actually research it to have a leg to stand on. also, I find it interesting the exploitative nature of our country. So many companies now sell reusable straws or some other iconic reusable symbol. like we do not need more of them from every company. A makeup brand I know sells reusable straws and it's like why? it just seems so exploitative of the pollution epidemic.
taylor you do realize that corporations have the ability to create demand right. Everything from marketing, to making it mandatory to own in order to work, people are force to consumer certain products. Any market solution is just that, a bandaid that never addresses the real problem, other than to make people think they’re making a difference when they’re just consuming. The marketing trend nowadays is to make people believe that products are aligned with people’s values and lifestyle.
I’ve been going low waste for several months now and I still have ziplock bags,paper napkins, 500 dryer sheets, etc. I’m glad there are people like you and SedonaChristina who support the movement beyond the aesthetics
I am thoroughly obsessed with her!!!! she really punctuates the fact that zero waste/sustainability in general is more about doing what you can and making alterations in your life rather than being perfect!
Great video! This topic has been on my mind. I’ve recently moved into a ‘pre loved’ apartment (people move in and out and leave the country all the time) There are items such as paper towels, plastic bottle hand soap, and laundry detergent here. My thought was use it till it’s gone. Would you agree ?
I just got started zero waste three days ago and I have to say this is the best how to get started video I've ever seen. I encountered all of these issues in my first week. I was so tempted to throw out my Ziploc bags Tupperware cling wrap xcetera but I knew the damage had already been done like you said and I should just look into buying sustainable actions once these run out. Although it's super hard cuz seeing all this plastic and waste around me is triggering, I know throwing it away right now isn't going to do any good thank you
I noticed some walmarts have different products the one in the next town has so many "eco friendly"(despite it being in plastic) products compared to mine. Is it the same in other places? Also I've noticed the lower your income the more ecofriendly you are. Maybe it something in the south. Drinking from jars, drinking from reused takeout cups, keeping anything that can hold things like sour cream containers to store food, not using plastic wrap or ziplock bags cause theirs a container for that ect... reuse = save money
Reusing other containers once the food or whatever is gone, is def a lower income and immigrant family thing. My family has done it and we are both haha (lower mid class and my mom is an immigrant)
Lovely video. I am glad you're pointing this out. I believe that you are right with that some people throw out their perfectly fine items to replace it. I used to live at another home where I was able to use the stuff that was already there. I now have my own place, and I just now started purchasing more sustainable items. Making use of what you already have is so important.
I recently ordered a stasher sandwich bag for my father when he used up his Ziploc bags, and he said that he was glad for my suggestion because it saved money and it's machine washable! It feels nice to sprinkle my lifestyle into my family.
I had so many pasta sauce jars and really wanted a little tumblr cup for when I go get coffee I just found some reusable straws that came with mason jar lids with holes for the straw for 3$ and my fiancé used to drink a lot of tea that came in glass jars with lids so those are my little water bottle and coffee cups
when you first learn about minimalism and sustainability it can be overwhelming because you immediately want to make all the right swaps. what has helped me is making a long list of my “bad” products and what i want to swap them out with. i can refer back to the list when the product is nearing its end.
Trying to reduce my waste has helped in a lot of ways. It's helped me to stop and think about whether or not I actually need something. It's helped me save money. I have discovered some amazing local brands and stores. It was hard using everything up before buying new stuff at first, but now I'm more conscious about what I do but when I need things.
If you have 'real' tupperware - do not throw it. I have had some of mine 30 years and the freezer containers never break, I never had to replace them. I am not selling tupperware and I do find them VERY expensive now but most of mine have saved so many plastic and freezer and zip lock bags they were worth it.
You should make a video about how you keep all those plants alive. I only have 2 windows facing more apartments, so barely any light. I always kill my plants:(
Try a Mother In Law Tounge, also called Snake Plant. They did amazingly well in my friends unlit hallway, covered in dust. I would come over every few months and give them a water and dust them off, they survived really well. They look like long smooth cactus spears, great look for minimalist homes, and are tolerant if you forget to water them for a week or two.
I think it's also worth noting that there are lots of zero waste products that you probably don't even really need! I personally don't even reach for my reusable produce bags because my veggies are just fine loose- they have skin to protect them and I wash them before I eat them anyway! I have a Stasher bag, but I find that it's easier to just use my other food containers. We definitely have become accustomed to having specialty items for every little thing, when things like a simple repurposed pasta sauce jar can do a dozen different jobs. We forget things don't have to be so complicated. If I have the desire to buy some cute new zero waste products because I "need it", I challenge myself to live without it for a month. Usually, I realize I don't need it after all.
I love this. It's definitely a transition and not just a switch. Use what you have first!! I know I have piles of spaghetti sauce jars, olive jars, cream cheese containers, butter containers, etc. I also love my reusable straws! I support getting rid of plastic straws but I despise paper straws so metal is the way to go.
I am so glad that people are talking out this. I started to to change my life to be more eco friendly I did this exact thing. I feel so horrible for all the plastic I didn't use and threw away. It is so easy to look the part, but better to live the part. Thanks for the video. Just subscribed and have been binging hard.
Hi. I went zero waste and I did a few tricks. I had a cleaner bottle for all purpose cleaner. So when it ran out I just made my own all purpose cleaner and use the same bottle for 2 years now. Same with the glass cleaner The point is to keep reusing the same bottle over and over. When you care for your things you can make them last for about 20 years or so. My mom has a makeup case made from an old umbrella material that made it from 1964 and its still being used today 2020.that thing even made it to Chicago and back to our country Here, there are a lot of abondoned houses with a lot of jars and old milk bottles. I take those when I need some for my projects. My jars filled with my plastic trash will be cemented in my new barn addition so my rabbits will be safe inside. I just thought I drop you a note to tell you going zero waste is fun challenging and very rewarding. Not to mention I became very Frugal at the process. Greetings from the mountains
I use the jars I get from some stuff like pickles for storing stuff like salt, oatmeal but also cat treats because they keep out moisture and keep in the smell. Never thought about buying special ones when I get them in many different sizes while buying other stuff.
I dont think produce bags are that necessary unless you buy a lot of little loose veggies (like green beans). I just put my veggies in the bottom of my basket and it has to get washed later anyway. My must have (other than reusable coffee cup) would be linens. Most zero wasters give the tip of cut up old ragged towels.... but my towels are still nice. I but second hand whenever possible but buying 10 washcloths and like 10 dish towels (most were wedding gifts) have set me up well for zero waste cleaning! (Also reusable napkins! They also have the perk of people thinking you're fancy)
I have a ton of Rubbermaid Brilliance containers, and I love them. I’ll actually be bummed when it comes time to replace them because I’m not a fan of how heavy glass is (I’m also a klutz), and I don’t like stainless steel because you can’t see what’s inside. If you hand wash your plastic containers, and never use them in the microwave, it really extends the life of the plastic containers you may already have.
I have had the same plastic containers for like 6 years... the whole set, and they still are all like new. IDK what these people are doing to their containers.
Such a great topic, thank you!! I've been on my zero waste journey for almost a year now and I'm still working on using up stuff I purchased beforehand such as tupperware, bulk packs of dish sponges, household cleaning products, etc.
