Five Free Zero Waste Swaps That Make Sustainability Simple

Alaina Lightfoot
5 min readApr 10, 2019

By now you’ve probably heard about the Zero Waste movement. Whether it was a YouTube video, an internet article, or your weird hippie cousin who also won’t shut up about the phases of the moon (guilty), somebody has opened your eyes to the insane amount of trash we are sending to landfill every year.

You want to help, but at every turn you feel bombarded by insta-perfect feeds of minimalist, zero waste layouts, and you don’t know if you can live without your morning latte let alone use Apple Cider Vinegar as a deodorant. I totally get it.

Don’t worry y’all, your fairy godmother is here. I’m about to make five very common household trash items you produce every day disappear with a wave of my fabulous reclaimed driftwood wand. Let’s freaking do this!

1. Say No to Water Bottles and Yes To…

A cup!

Listen, I know everyone and their mother has told you how bad disposable plastic water bottles are for the environment. According to Earth Day Network Americans purchased 50 Billion (yes BILLION with a capital B) water bottles last year! Even if you recycle every water bottle you ever drink from (which we don’t), plastic can only be down-cycled, meaning eventually it reaches the end of it’s lifespan and winds up in a landfill.

Photo by Jonathan Chng on Unsplash

If you can’t afford a totally rockin’ reusable water bottle that fits your aesthetic right now, allow me to suggest a method that I got straight from one of my favorite college professors.

I had a professor (who I regard as a role model to this day) that would come to class every day with a 16 oz. plastic cup that she drank her water from. At first I couldn’t understand why anyone would do this. I mean, did she even know how many cute water bottles there were out there just waiting to be purchased?

The more I’ve walked the sustainability journey, the more I’ve come to realize that she was doing exactly what we should all be attempting. She was using what she already had to make a positive impact on the waste stream.

So if you’re just starting your zero waste journey and not in the position to buy yourself a completely adorable water bottle, get a non-breakable glass out of your kitchen and try taking that with you instead.

2. More Plastic Bags! (Wait, huh?)

You read that right! I know I wasn’t the only kid whose parents kept a bag of plastic bags under the sink or in the pantry. To this day I don’t know why they did it. Aside from trash can liners, I can’t think of a single time those bags were ever used.

There’s lots of stores that sell reusable bags, and some stores even require you to bring your own. However if you don’t have the money to shell out for a bag collection right now, just grab a few of the plastic bags you’re holding on to and bring them with you to the store.

And on that note…

3. Kiss Produce Bags Goodbye!

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

This was the first swap I made when I started my sustainability journey! A lot of produce comes with a wrapper from nature, but I promise even things like peppers and tomatoes will be okay if you just set them in your cart.

I know, I know, for some people there’s a serious ick factor associated with the thought of this one. If you’re one of those people, try bringing a few plastic bags to line the bottom of your cart and keep the produce from touching it.

My one exception to the rule is leafy greens, which I will put in a simple t-shirt bag. Just find a t-shirt you hate (you know the one, your great aunt got it for you, it’s two sizes too big, and she swears it can just be a ‘sleep shirt’) and cut the sleeves and collar off that bad boy. Now all you have to do is tie the bottom of it up in a knot (or use a hair tie) and turn it inside out. Voila!

4. Ditch The Straw

This one is the easiest swap on the list. Swear off straws! Unless you have a legitimate need for straws, just say no! “No thank you”, “I don’t want one”, “Thanks but no thanks”, “Straws are for turtle killers”. Okay, maybe that last one is a bit harsh, but however you say it, say it loud and proud baby!

No. Damn. Straw. Thanks. So Much. Bye.

5. Doggy Bag Eco-Style

You’re at a restaurant, you’re so full you’re considering if your top is long enough to cover you if you unbutton the top button of your jeans, and you couldn’t take another bite if somebody paid you. You ask for a box and the wait staff ushers out some damn Styrofoam nightmare that will virtually never decompose.

*Cue Horror Film Screams*

But, you can be Mother Earth’s hero if you’re prepared with your own handy dandy to go kit!

Seriously, keep a Tupperware container with a fork, spoon, and knife inside (just in case you want to smash on those leftovers before you get home) on you at all times. Put it in your purse or your car and make sure to wash it and return it to those places after use.

Photo by Laura Mitulla on Unsplash

The point of Zero Waste is not to be perfect. Take your time and make little switches where you can. You don’t have to make a perfect effort to do something that is going to positively impact the planet.

Now, go forth and reuse.

Thanks for talking trash with me today!

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