Zero Waste is a movement that encourages the “Reduce and Reuse” part of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” adage. For too long, we have largely ignored the first two steps and have emphasized recycling. But now, we are awakening to the fact that we still have a major global plastic problem! In National Geographic’s recent “Planet or Plastic?” article, they state that “A whopping 91% of plastic isn’t recycled.” So as this Zero Waste movement grows, we can learn how to refuse plastics, what alternatives there are, and how to reuse what we already have.
One place in our homes that accumulates the most plastic is the bathroom. If the product isn’t plastic, is the container or packaging plastic?
Trade in This for That
- Plastic toothbrush –> Bamboo toothbrush
- Toothpaste –> Tooth powder
- Hair and body wash –> Refill bottles at places like East End Food Co-op; or
try shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars - Lotion –> Coconut oil from a glass jar, refill lotion at the Co-Op, or try a
lotion bar - Disposable razors –> Safety razors
- Cotton balls –> Washable and reusable cotton pads
To learn more, check out GoingZeroWaste.com.