Category: Zero Waste On The Go - HAPPY YELLOW STUDIO

January 9 • Coffee/Tea on-the-go

1/9/2018

One more #zerowasteessential for #lifeonthego. This is another item that is not in my #dailykit, but I know for many it’s a #musthave item. And if you must have #coffee or #tea on the go, this is a switch that will divert an incredible amount of single use trash from the waste stream and landfills. Chances are you already bring your own container. If so, awesome! Or I’d bet that most of you already own a reusable container and have fallen out of the habit of keeping it clean and ready to go. This was definitely the case for me when I was a daily visitor to Dunkin’ Donuts. 😬🙈 I quit my daily coffee habit about three years ago and have most of my tea at home in ceramic mugs. More on that in a later post. If you are not having tea or coffee at home and don’t have time to sit at the coffee shop, please bring your own container or mug! If you’re in the market for a reusable coffee cup, there are so many great options. Mason jars work well, too, and they make cozies for them. Of course, you can never go wrong with a ceramic mug from MudWorks Pottery 😉.

January 8 • Cloth napkin

1/8/2018

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?

January 6 • Water Bottle

1/6/2018

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. 🤪💙💦

January 5 • Food Storage

1/5/2018

This is my beloved stainless steel tiffin, also from To-Go Ware. I’ve had this as long as I’ve had the utensils so about ten years and it still looks brand new, not a drop of rust. It’s a two tiered piece, but only the top can fly solo, the lid does not fit on the slightly larger bottom section. I usually have this (at least the top tier) with me at all times. I will definitely throw this in my purple bag if I am going out to eat in case there are leftovers to bring home. I spend a lot of time hiking, biking, and kayaking when it’s not winter and this little baby holds quite a bit of food. What’s with the rubber band, you ask? Well if I’m not holding it by the handle, the handle clinks around and it was driving me bonkers on hikes and bike rides. Easy solution. Of course, there’s no need to run out and buy this particular piece or brand. I know plenty of people that have found ones in second hand shops. ECOlunchboxes is another brand I see a lot of people talk about, but I’ve no direct experience. Of course, any old Tupperware will do while establishing this new habit. It’s not plastic that is the main issue, but single use plastic that has gotten out of hand. Any step away from disposables is a good step. I’ll share some more about this piece in my stories.

January 4 • Straw

1/4/2018

From yesterday’s post, you may recall I took my chopsticks out of my To-Go Ware and in their place I’ve put in a stainless steel straw. This is something I use all the time and right now since I’m in full on hibernation mode, I’m using it daily at home. I find I drink way more water throughout the day with a straw. I don’t know why and I haven’t taken the time to sort through the psychology of it. Whatever works. In the second photo, you’ll see some bamboo straws. I won those from Just Grab Bits for picking up litter. I don’t use them, but I’ve gifted some to friends and I keep some around for visitors. There are also glass options, that don’t appeal to me, but you might like them. If all else fails, and you are able-bodied, refuse the straw and use your lips. 💋

January 3 • Utensils

1/3/2018

Now that we’ve got bags covered. Over the next few days, I’ll share the essentials that are in my daily bag, starting with my To-Go Ware utensils. This is a bamboo set I’ve had for over 10 years, before the term #zerowaste was even a thing. We used to sell them at MudWorks Pottery back when the gift shop carried other things besides pottery. I like them because they’re lightweight, durable, and live in this cute holder that snaps closed. This is the brand I always recommend, but of course, you don’t have to run out and buy anything new. You can create a to-go set from odd cutlery you may have at home or create a mix and match set from any you might find at a thrift store or yard sale. One simple switch will save so many single use utensils from entering the waste stream.
*Edited to add: My brother reminded me, these sets also have chopsticks in them! I never use chopsticks so I’ve taken them out and completely forgot about them. But if you enjoy chopsticks, you’d be covered!

January 2 • Cloth Bags

1/2/2018

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.

January 1 • Everyday bag

1/1/2018

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!