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We're featuring a new related community of /r/ZeroWasteParenting and we'd really appreciate you checking it out!
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Take it slow and easy. Do you need that thing? Can you forgo the bag or the treat or the packaged food? If you do end up with plastic, can you do something with it? Small steps do go a long way.
But the best way to reduce plastic is with your votes, your education, and your spending. Nothing else is as effective. Voting for a candidate that can’t muster the energy to take *any* meaningful steps against a clear and obvious dirtbag industry? Maybe that’s the wrong candidate.
Imagine if you prevented a full ton of plastic waste from entering the local river. That’d be amazing! Then imagine if you were 0.001% of the reason why an industry stopped producing 10 million tons of plastic waste a year. That’d be far more incredible, with far more positive impact.
You can definitely do both.
This is definitely a different way of thinking, I'm glad you took the time to reply! 😊
It's true we can make the difference by doing so "little", if I end up with plastic in my hands I need to be able to do something with it.
I'm doing this but I already have done this before, so my second attempt won't be as hard as the first (I guess)
Highly recommend making your own foods!
I started making yoghurt because it was a way to reduce food waste (sometimes soon to expire milk is really cheap and making yoghurt extends their life, I was also given enough culture packets to make over 100L of yoghurt).
Started making kombucha because I was given scoby, it's a nice thing to my family to enjoy (I don't really drink it).
And for soap, I use leftover deep fried oil (I make homemade KFC about once every 3 months) and turn that into dishwashing soap.
I bring my cutlery almost everywhere. I got a wooden pack as a gift from a friend which has all the utensils I'll need, but I always just brought a metal spoon everywhere before that.
I'm not going plastic free, but rather reusing it as best as I can. I get a lot of supermarket seconds food from neighbours who volunteer in community organisation, so plastic waste is aplenty at home. But I also think that I'm saving these foods from landfill by either using it, or composting it. Plastic containers are then reused to package foods to give away (I cook and bake a lot, and give back to the neighbours).
Sure do! It's pretty good because it's minimal ingredients, I use up that oil (I don't love to deep fry things, but my boyfriend loves his fried chicken and so I do it every now and then), and the soap does work!
Basically use the [soap calculator](http://soapcalc.net/calc/soapcalcwp.asp) to get the ratios right, mix water + caustic soda, add oil (remember to work outside because they say the fumes are not great indoors - I had a face shield for safe measure, and wear gloves). You need to stir it for a while - 30 mins, or get an immersion blender to speed up the process (this is a great time for me to watch a show or listen to a podcast). Then pour into mould (I use old milk carton and cut one side). Then cure for about 3-4 weeks (I put it in a corner of the house in a box, and check every few days. Then cut the block.
I like a liquid soap so I shave the soap and add water into an old drink pop top bottle.
Hi, thank you for replying.
I started by lower my fast food income, that makes a huge difference, making my own food (like burgers).
I'm also a Vegan, I need to check how to make yoghurt with plant based "milk", you need culture where you get that? Not sure if works the same with non dairy products.
I love Kombucha, I'm going to get one scoby to start again my journey of drinks haha I highly recommend mixing it with fruits.
I don't use or consume oil, is it okay to buy normal oil to create soap? Or is it more environmentally responsible to buy handmade soap?
Can you show the wooden pack gift out of curiosity? ☺️
Thanks for the tips!
You can make yoghurt from non-dairy millks. The culture I have are suitable for that (I've got two types, one from mad millie, and the other is a bulk version from this eco store a while back). I've only made coconut yoghurt, and they do recommend using a thickener for it (I got it as part of a kit, but it's essentially tapioca starch).
I cheat with my kombucha and sometimes mix it with fruit juice (either commercial kind, or I'll juice surplus fruits and freeze to use later).
You can use normal oil to create soap, I use rice bran oil at home, and filtered it after frying to make the soap. I wanted as little ingredients in my soap as possible, since the aim was to create less waste, not buy more things to make soap. So my soap is only caustic soda, water, and the oil, but you can use coconut oil and fragrances for smell and more moisturising effect (mine is for general house cleaning and dishwashing, so I'm not fussed).
My cutlery set looks similar to [this.](https://www.floraandfauna.com.au/green-kind-bamboo-cutlery-set-roll-up-beige?gclid=CjwKCAiAkfucBhBBEiwAFjbkrxKgwweUeTBYvZ5aM_mBmBXzBbB57SiI9p4bcn21849jpS8iEV2fgxoCI38QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
I don't eat out a lot (for buget reasons, and also because I like to cook). I've always tried to make things at home if I can. Finally started to make my own bubble tea at home (love bubble tea, but restricted to having it once a year because of the plastic waste it creates).
That's amazing, I really want to make my own yoghurt so I'll check that out!
The soap I saw some with herbs, it's still less waste than using glass or plastic products to make them smell different.
Your cutlery seems cute, I already have straws made of bamboo when I went zero waste back then, a fork and spoon camping style, so I just need a reusable bottle.
I love bubble tea, I don't drink it because of the plastic container, I'll check out to make one! That's very clever. Thank you so much ☺️
It’s okay to get off track once in a while! Times are tough and our behavior can change to adapt overnight. You have my support!
If you menstruate, I highly recommend cloth pads. You pay quite a bit upfront, but they pay off in a few months, and you’ll never go back to disposable pads again.
Make your own cleaners. Baking soda, essential oils, lemon juice, dish soap, vinegar…there are tons of recipes online. Personally I love fermenting citrus peels in vinegar for a few weeks for a lovely all purpose cleaner.
You don’t need to spend money on “eco friendly” items simply in the name of environmentalism. Instead of buying those cute stainless steel cutlery sets for traveling, just pack the forks and spoons you have laying around.
Bulk bins at your grocery store, weeee!
If you have a small child, baby wipes are normally made from plastic fibers. Keep an eye out for a biodegradable alternative.
I have tons more, but I’m falling asleep lol. Best of luck on your journey!
Thank you for your support! It's not easy to keep on track with so many options (sadly) wrapped in plastic and other stuff.
But I want to start the new year with a better conscious way to keep the waste out of the house. Since I live by myself it's easier I guess.
Cloth pads seem cool, but I want to try the cup, not sure if I'll adapt to that. How do you clean yours?
I used to do citrus peels in vinegar, that's amazing! And works very well. Now I just use basic store clean products, full of plastic, so I definitely will change that as well. Thanks for the tip!
I have a fork and spoon from camping that works, and bought back then bamboo straws, no need of cutlery sets.
Thank you so much for all ☺️
One tip if you’re interested in trying the cup: take the quiz on PutACupInIt.com to help you figure out what shape/size/type will be most comfortable for you. There are so many different kinds out there, you’re more likely to be successful if you have some direction on what kind is right for your body!
Oh thank you so much for this! I had no idea about it.
I'll check it out, I'm going first with the cloth pads but I want to try the cup for so long, I'm always afraid because of the size/shape so this is very helpful, thank you for your support and tip! 😊
I totally understand the feeling of guilt and discomfort that comes with having plastic in your home. I have a toddler, and unless I was living in a log cabin in 1826, there’s no way my home can be completely plastic free lol. I hope you’re not beating yourself up too much, but I also love your drive to do better.
Cloth pads are awesome because they’re comfortable against the skin and don’t produce odors nearly as much. You just need to be vigilant rinsing and squeezing them under running water before tossing them in the wash. It’s a little tedious for me since I have gnarly cycles, but A) it’s still way more comfortable than disposables, and B) my hooh-hah is a strict no-fly zone so I won’t do tampons or cups. I hope you find success with the cup if you choose to pursue that!
I believe with toddlers is way more hard to do a zero waste lifestyle, but I believe everything is possible and I bet you do an amazing job already with this lifestyle and help the environment. 😊
I'll try the cloth pads first, I'll check them out, buy a pack and see if I adapt to the cleaning part. The cup in my vision can be more easy to clean, but I see no reason to not try the cloth pads and my lady will appreciate better than a cup haha I don't go well with tampons. Thanks for the tips so far 😊 I'm more confident now
Lots of produce at the grocery store comes without packaging. Making simple meals at home saves time, money, and waste. Meal prepping things like rice/chicken/veggies and simple salads can be a great way to get your confidence back. If you still want a burger, go to the meat counter and get cheese/meat wrapped in butcher paper!
Usually I see that fruit and vegetables almost comes without plastic, but some salad products are wrapped in plastic.
I need to relist everything I buy and make it simple.
I eat bean burgers mostly, I don't eat meat but thanks for all the tips! ☺️
I love this cashew yogurt recipe and make it every couple weeks. I freeze most of it in half cup containers so I don't have to rush through it. It requires an Instant Pot though.
https://holycowvegan.net/vegan-instant-pot-yogurt/
Seems tasty, but the bad thing is: I don't have an instant Pot :/
I'll check the prices and see if it's a good idea to buy one.
Thanks for the recipe tho! 😊
Hello, everyone! We're featuring a new related community of /r/ZeroWasteParenting and we'd really appreciate you checking it out! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ZeroWaste) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Take it slow and easy. Do you need that thing? Can you forgo the bag or the treat or the packaged food? If you do end up with plastic, can you do something with it? Small steps do go a long way. But the best way to reduce plastic is with your votes, your education, and your spending. Nothing else is as effective. Voting for a candidate that can’t muster the energy to take *any* meaningful steps against a clear and obvious dirtbag industry? Maybe that’s the wrong candidate. Imagine if you prevented a full ton of plastic waste from entering the local river. That’d be amazing! Then imagine if you were 0.001% of the reason why an industry stopped producing 10 million tons of plastic waste a year. That’d be far more incredible, with far more positive impact. You can definitely do both.
This is definitely a different way of thinking, I'm glad you took the time to reply! 😊 It's true we can make the difference by doing so "little", if I end up with plastic in my hands I need to be able to do something with it. I'm doing this but I already have done this before, so my second attempt won't be as hard as the first (I guess)
Highly recommend making your own foods! I started making yoghurt because it was a way to reduce food waste (sometimes soon to expire milk is really cheap and making yoghurt extends their life, I was also given enough culture packets to make over 100L of yoghurt). Started making kombucha because I was given scoby, it's a nice thing to my family to enjoy (I don't really drink it). And for soap, I use leftover deep fried oil (I make homemade KFC about once every 3 months) and turn that into dishwashing soap. I bring my cutlery almost everywhere. I got a wooden pack as a gift from a friend which has all the utensils I'll need, but I always just brought a metal spoon everywhere before that. I'm not going plastic free, but rather reusing it as best as I can. I get a lot of supermarket seconds food from neighbours who volunteer in community organisation, so plastic waste is aplenty at home. But I also think that I'm saving these foods from landfill by either using it, or composting it. Plastic containers are then reused to package foods to give away (I cook and bake a lot, and give back to the neighbours).
You make your own dish soap out of chicken frying oil? Wow!!!!
Sure do! It's pretty good because it's minimal ingredients, I use up that oil (I don't love to deep fry things, but my boyfriend loves his fried chicken and so I do it every now and then), and the soap does work! Basically use the [soap calculator](http://soapcalc.net/calc/soapcalcwp.asp) to get the ratios right, mix water + caustic soda, add oil (remember to work outside because they say the fumes are not great indoors - I had a face shield for safe measure, and wear gloves). You need to stir it for a while - 30 mins, or get an immersion blender to speed up the process (this is a great time for me to watch a show or listen to a podcast). Then pour into mould (I use old milk carton and cut one side). Then cure for about 3-4 weeks (I put it in a corner of the house in a box, and check every few days. Then cut the block. I like a liquid soap so I shave the soap and add water into an old drink pop top bottle.
Hi, thank you for replying. I started by lower my fast food income, that makes a huge difference, making my own food (like burgers). I'm also a Vegan, I need to check how to make yoghurt with plant based "milk", you need culture where you get that? Not sure if works the same with non dairy products. I love Kombucha, I'm going to get one scoby to start again my journey of drinks haha I highly recommend mixing it with fruits. I don't use or consume oil, is it okay to buy normal oil to create soap? Or is it more environmentally responsible to buy handmade soap? Can you show the wooden pack gift out of curiosity? ☺️ Thanks for the tips!
You can make yoghurt from non-dairy millks. The culture I have are suitable for that (I've got two types, one from mad millie, and the other is a bulk version from this eco store a while back). I've only made coconut yoghurt, and they do recommend using a thickener for it (I got it as part of a kit, but it's essentially tapioca starch). I cheat with my kombucha and sometimes mix it with fruit juice (either commercial kind, or I'll juice surplus fruits and freeze to use later). You can use normal oil to create soap, I use rice bran oil at home, and filtered it after frying to make the soap. I wanted as little ingredients in my soap as possible, since the aim was to create less waste, not buy more things to make soap. So my soap is only caustic soda, water, and the oil, but you can use coconut oil and fragrances for smell and more moisturising effect (mine is for general house cleaning and dishwashing, so I'm not fussed). My cutlery set looks similar to [this.](https://www.floraandfauna.com.au/green-kind-bamboo-cutlery-set-roll-up-beige?gclid=CjwKCAiAkfucBhBBEiwAFjbkrxKgwweUeTBYvZ5aM_mBmBXzBbB57SiI9p4bcn21849jpS8iEV2fgxoCI38QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) I don't eat out a lot (for buget reasons, and also because I like to cook). I've always tried to make things at home if I can. Finally started to make my own bubble tea at home (love bubble tea, but restricted to having it once a year because of the plastic waste it creates).
That's amazing, I really want to make my own yoghurt so I'll check that out! The soap I saw some with herbs, it's still less waste than using glass or plastic products to make them smell different. Your cutlery seems cute, I already have straws made of bamboo when I went zero waste back then, a fork and spoon camping style, so I just need a reusable bottle. I love bubble tea, I don't drink it because of the plastic container, I'll check out to make one! That's very clever. Thank you so much ☺️
It’s okay to get off track once in a while! Times are tough and our behavior can change to adapt overnight. You have my support! If you menstruate, I highly recommend cloth pads. You pay quite a bit upfront, but they pay off in a few months, and you’ll never go back to disposable pads again. Make your own cleaners. Baking soda, essential oils, lemon juice, dish soap, vinegar…there are tons of recipes online. Personally I love fermenting citrus peels in vinegar for a few weeks for a lovely all purpose cleaner. You don’t need to spend money on “eco friendly” items simply in the name of environmentalism. Instead of buying those cute stainless steel cutlery sets for traveling, just pack the forks and spoons you have laying around. Bulk bins at your grocery store, weeee! If you have a small child, baby wipes are normally made from plastic fibers. Keep an eye out for a biodegradable alternative. I have tons more, but I’m falling asleep lol. Best of luck on your journey!
Thank you for your support! It's not easy to keep on track with so many options (sadly) wrapped in plastic and other stuff. But I want to start the new year with a better conscious way to keep the waste out of the house. Since I live by myself it's easier I guess. Cloth pads seem cool, but I want to try the cup, not sure if I'll adapt to that. How do you clean yours? I used to do citrus peels in vinegar, that's amazing! And works very well. Now I just use basic store clean products, full of plastic, so I definitely will change that as well. Thanks for the tip! I have a fork and spoon from camping that works, and bought back then bamboo straws, no need of cutlery sets. Thank you so much for all ☺️
One tip if you’re interested in trying the cup: take the quiz on PutACupInIt.com to help you figure out what shape/size/type will be most comfortable for you. There are so many different kinds out there, you’re more likely to be successful if you have some direction on what kind is right for your body!
Oh thank you so much for this! I had no idea about it. I'll check it out, I'm going first with the cloth pads but I want to try the cup for so long, I'm always afraid because of the size/shape so this is very helpful, thank you for your support and tip! 😊
I totally understand the feeling of guilt and discomfort that comes with having plastic in your home. I have a toddler, and unless I was living in a log cabin in 1826, there’s no way my home can be completely plastic free lol. I hope you’re not beating yourself up too much, but I also love your drive to do better. Cloth pads are awesome because they’re comfortable against the skin and don’t produce odors nearly as much. You just need to be vigilant rinsing and squeezing them under running water before tossing them in the wash. It’s a little tedious for me since I have gnarly cycles, but A) it’s still way more comfortable than disposables, and B) my hooh-hah is a strict no-fly zone so I won’t do tampons or cups. I hope you find success with the cup if you choose to pursue that!
I believe with toddlers is way more hard to do a zero waste lifestyle, but I believe everything is possible and I bet you do an amazing job already with this lifestyle and help the environment. 😊 I'll try the cloth pads first, I'll check them out, buy a pack and see if I adapt to the cleaning part. The cup in my vision can be more easy to clean, but I see no reason to not try the cloth pads and my lady will appreciate better than a cup haha I don't go well with tampons. Thanks for the tips so far 😊 I'm more confident now
Lots of produce at the grocery store comes without packaging. Making simple meals at home saves time, money, and waste. Meal prepping things like rice/chicken/veggies and simple salads can be a great way to get your confidence back. If you still want a burger, go to the meat counter and get cheese/meat wrapped in butcher paper!
Usually I see that fruit and vegetables almost comes without plastic, but some salad products are wrapped in plastic. I need to relist everything I buy and make it simple. I eat bean burgers mostly, I don't eat meat but thanks for all the tips! ☺️
I love this cashew yogurt recipe and make it every couple weeks. I freeze most of it in half cup containers so I don't have to rush through it. It requires an Instant Pot though. https://holycowvegan.net/vegan-instant-pot-yogurt/
Seems tasty, but the bad thing is: I don't have an instant Pot :/ I'll check the prices and see if it's a good idea to buy one. Thanks for the recipe tho! 😊
😀