2019 was a big year for reducing waste in my everyday life. I made a lot of changes in a lot of different areas of my life that significantly reduced the amount of plastic packaging, single-use plastics, and general waste that I produce. As 2020 has begun and resolutions have been set, I wanted to share my favorite low-waste, package-free, plastic-free & reusable items from 2019.
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Bite Toothpaste Bits
This year I tried reducing waste with my bathroom products by making my own toothpaste, but decided it would probably be best for the sake of my teeth to find a product that had all the good stuff from regular toothpaste but a lot less waste. Toothpaste tabs/bits were the solution. They are a solid tabs of toothpaste that you chew and brush with a wet toothbrush. They’re easy to travel with, work just like regular toothpaste, and have a lot less packaging than traditional toothpaste tubes. I tried the toothy tabs from LUSH a few months ago and loved them, but did not want this to be my long-term solution because the bottles were small and plastic. (Although this is a great place to start if you aren’t sure how you’ll like toothpaste tabs. Test it out, recycle the bottle, and decide it you want to invest in something more long-term.)
During Black Friday / Cyber Monday week I bought the Naturally Whitening Mint toothpaste bits from Bite after learning about the company on Instagram. The toothpaste bits come in a glass container, and, since I bought the subscription service, in four months I’ll get a compostable pouch with another four months worth of toothpaste bits. I love how thoughtful Bite is with their products, packaging, and shipping.
Shop all Bite toothpaste bits here.
Mesh Produce Bags
In 2019 I committed to buying naked produce (aka package-free produce) at the grocery store. According to the NRDC, “the average American family takes home almost 1,500 plastic shopping bags a year” and plastic bags cannot be recycled in traditional municipal recycling systems. I shop regularly at Trader Joes which has compostable produce bags, but a number of studies have shown that compostable bags are still usable after three years of exposure to land, air and sea conditions.
Using mesh produce bags has been key to my package-free grocery shopping routine. I use mesh bags to keep produce like avocados or apples organized in my cart and fridge, and I use them for loose produce items like spinach or green beans from the bulk bin. These specific produce bags – Vipr bags – have the tare weight written on the bag, too, which can save you money when you checkout. These bags are made from 100% organic unbleached cotton and are machine washable. These produce bags were gifted to me by an Amazon seller but I use them every single time I go to the grocery store. This is not sponsored I literally just love them.
Shop my Vipr mesh produce bags here.
Package-free Moisturizer & Body Lotion
In an effort to try more package-free bathroom products this year I bought some naked products from LUSH. The Amazon Primer (a hydrating but mattifying facial oil) has been a godsend. When I’m in LA I don’t need a heavy duty moisturizer because my face seems to stay more hydrated, so I just use the Amazon Primer before heading out for the day and before going to bed. Little Pot of Energy is a full body lotion. It smells citrusy and soaks into my skin quickly. Both of these products are also incredibly easy to use: you just rub the product directly on your skin and rub it in. I love that these products are completely package-free. With the help of these two items almost all of my bath/body products are solid, which makes traveling much easier.
Shop the primer here and the body lotion here.
Safety Razor
Another disposable product I completely cut from my bathroom routine this year was disposable razors. The EPA estimates that 2 billion disposable razors and refill blades are thrown out each year in the United States. Disposable razors cannot be recycled because they they are made of mixed materials (most often plastic and metal) and because razor blades are sharp. Switching to a safety razor has both saved me money and significantly reduced the waste I produce in the bathroom.
One thing to really be conscious of when you’re using a safety razor is keeping it clean and rust-free. I bought this rose gold colored safety razor off Amazon last December but recently had to replace it because I had not been caring for it properly. This safety razor had a twist off top to change the blade, which was difficult for me to clean and keep dry, so I just bought this one on Amazon that is much easier to use, dry and clean. To ensure your safety razor lasts a long time, rinse it after use, let it dry outside of the bath/shower, and change the blades on a regular basis. If rust begins to form, soak it in water and baking soda for an hour or so and then gently scrub off the rusty spots.
Shop my old safety razor here and my current safety razor here.
Stasher Bag
After learning about plastic’s ability to soak up toxins, I wanted to find alternatives for food storage in my fridge. Glass tupperware is great but can get expensive and it takes up a lot of storage space when it isn’t being used, so Stasher Bags have been an incredible addition to my storage solutions at home. Stasher Bags are made from platinum food-grade silicone. They can be frozen, they are dishwasher safe and they are microwave safe. I use mine as a snack bag on the go (an alternative to ziplock bags), I use it to store soups or veggie scraps for veggie stock in my freezer, and I use it to store toiletries when I travel.
Menstrual Cup
ATTN period having humans: a menstrual cup changed my period routine. This year my period routine went completely waste-free thanks to Thinx period undies and my Sustain Natural menstrual cup. After learning about the scary pesticides that are in traditional tampons and witnessing the insane amount of waste with plastic tampon applicators, I decided the most responsible thing for me to do (as a young person with a period) was to make the one-time investment in a period cup. This is one of those low-waste swaps that requires a hefty upfront investment, but will save you money in the long run. I haven’t bought tampons in months – bye-bye pink tax!! – and feel great using a reusable product that is better for my body.
I got my period cup from Sustain Natural, a sexual health company with a female CEO that is dedicated to making products that put your health and the environment first. There are plenty of other companies that make great menstrual cups as well (Dot, Saalt, Cora, Organicup etc.) so find the one that’s best for you.
Shop Sustain Natural menstrual cups here.
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