Are you ready to say goodbye to plastic tubes of toothpaste? Seems an obvious next step after the bamboo toothbrush. This is also a nice throwback photo from summer 2015. When I decided to make the switch to #zerowastetoothpaste, I asked Momma Mud to make me a container for it. I described what I wanted and she made exactly what I envisioned. Look how cute it is!! This is still what I use, but this photo is much nicer than what I could take today inside on this overcast, winter day. When I first made the switch, I used this pretty standard recipe for #diy#toothpaste, but didn’t care for it. At all. I didn’t care for or need the peppermint essential oil. And I didn’t like that the coconut oil could fluctuate between liquid and solid depending on the temperature. I tend to be a pretty simple, bordering on lazy, zerowaster which makes me a great minimalist. 😂😂 I now use plain baking soda. No complaints from my dentist so far. 😬 If you’d like to give the coconut oil version a try, I posted the recipe. I did enjoy making it and you might love it. If you try it, let me know how it goes! Or maybe you already make your own? I’ve seen some other recipes floating around with activates charcoal, but have not experimented with it. I’m quite happy with the plain baking soda and my cute ass ceramic pot to hold it. 💃🏻❤️ There are also tooth powders that can be purchased in sustainable packaging if making your own does not sound appealing. And I recently saw a post with Toothpaste in a metal tube that could be recycled. Lots of options besides plastic! Also I feel the need to state I’m just sharing what I do and what is currently working for me. I’m no doctor or dentist. If you have questions or concerns, ask your dentist. |
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Ok gang, we’re heading into the bathroom. It was a tie between bathroom and kitchen so I chose bathroom for a few reasons. 1. It’s where most of us go first thing in the morning and Americans tend to spend a lot of time in there. Forget the actual statistics, but you can look it up if you like. 2. It’s where I started when I kicked it into high gear two years ago. 3. It’s where I feel more comfortable. I’m still working on solidifying my kitchen habits. 4. I desperately needed to change out my current toothbrush for a new one. No, that is not my toothbrush on the left. 😂🙈😝 5. Every plastic toothbrush that was ever made still exists. When I first heard that and wrapped my head around it, I immediately switched to a Brush with Bamboo toothbrush and have never looked back. That was two years ago. The toothbrush on the left is just one of many I’ve picked up over the years on various trash walks. My trash picking friends that live by the beach pick up way more. It’s overwhelming. This little switch will keep plastic toothbrushes out of the waste stream, the landfills, and our oceans.
Not usually in my #purplepatagonia #bag, but many people carry a cloth napkin as part of their #zerowasteessentials kit so I thought I’d mention it here while we’re going over the basics. Yes, these are technically vintage tea towels from my Great Aunt Nancy’s collection, but I prefer their texture and absorbency over traditional cloth napkins. It’s another easy, lightweight item that will help you reduce waste throughout your day. While I may not carry one with me all the time, I don’t remember the last time I bought paper napkins for my house. It has to be close to ten years. I have a kitchen drawer full of these towels instead of paper napkins. Toss in the wash with everything else as needed. That bright one in the middle is my absolute favorite. I’ll show them off one by one, because they’re cool and deserve to be shown off. Do you use cloth napkins?
I’m sharing this now, because I said I’d start off with showing you what’s in my #purplepatagonia bag that I #usedaily. And wallet & keys are two things I hardly ever leave home without. These two items fall into the category of when it’s time to buy new, look for #sustainable, #plasticfree options. My previous wallet was also cloth. I’d had it since college (I just turned 40), but the zipper had been broken for years and it was looking ratty and was no longer a set up that fit my needs. It was time for a new wallet. Instead of running out to the store, I turned to #Etsyand started to search for #handmade, #clothwallets. It took a couple of days to find what I wanted, but as soon as I saw it I loved it. I messaged the maker, Sarah, because what I really wanted was this wallet, but in the anchor material. She messaged me that she was out of that fabric so I chose this red one and when the package arrived, she had gifted me a keychain in the anchor fabric that I loved! This was about year ago (maybe two?!) and I still smile when I look at either item. They’re holding up extremely well. They were handmade in Maine. I’ve tagged the photo if you’re in the market for a new wallet or keychain. ❤️❤️
A #reusablewaterbottle will save so much time, money and energy, and keep tons of single use plastic out of the waste stream. This is a #simpleswitch with a #hugeimpact! If you only make one switch this week, this would be a great one! The bottle on the left I found during a trash clean up in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. I brought it home, cleaned it up and added it to my assortment. The one on the right is Coleman U.S.A.and I’ve had it forever. If you don’t own any and are in the market, I recommend Klean Kanteen. If you live in an area with safe tap water, there’s really no reason to go to the store and buy bottled water. And having a reusable with me at all times keeps me from buying bottled water while out and about and helps me drink more water throughout the day. I hardly ever drink enough. 🤪💙💦
Yes, another post about bags. I said we’d start off simple. This is another super, easy switch that will eliminate a lot of single use plastic. My daily bag is there, the purple one, bottom right corner. I really use it everyday. The others are the bags I take when it’s time for the farm, the farmer’s market, or the grocery store. Top right are small bags I use for produce or items from the bulk section. The ones on the left are much larger and fit just about everything else. My mom made all of them except the bottom 3. They’re bright, fun, practical, washable, and I enjoy using them. Just the sight of them makes me happy. Get yourself a few reusable bags and you’ll never need a flimsy, single use plastic bag again.
Who’s ready to #reduce #singleuseplastic and #landfillwaste this year? I’m going to try and post one hint or tip every day this year, no promises. We’ll start with really easy, simple switches that will quickly add up to reducing waste and go from there. This is number one. Doesn’t get much easier than this, my all purpose, everyday bag. I’ve been using this bag daily for years. I never leave home without it. I used to carry it like this and use it to carry home any leftovers, or small items purchased during the day. These days I use it as my main bag. It’s lightweight and roomy enough to carry my wallet, keys, phone, and my #zerowaste #essentials. More on what’s in my bag over the next few days!
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