Most of you know most smartphones just barely repairable if not totally unrepairable. Batteries are for the most part difficult to replace and for most users impossible to replace. iPhone takes it a step farther with parts pairing, and not being able use parts from an identical device to make a repair. This youtube video explains it better than I ever could.

https://youtu.be/sYIX-IEB41I?si=eDn5uO3LzbiAasdt

I don’t use bottled water at all. I got a yeti knock off and I’ve had it for years. I fill my 5 gallon glass bottles up at a local clean cold spring. So my drinking water is all zero waste.

I'm looking for sustainable dishwashing sponges and these are 2 sustainable ones. Which ones do you prefer? I heard that while both are biodegradable, cellulose sponges requires more resources and energy to manufacture, is this true?

Complete greenwashing!!! I have had this product shoved down my throat on snapchat claiming to be “zero waste” because it is sold in a glass bottle. However, I do not usually buy snapchat brands- but I started to get interested in this product. However, I began to watch review videos of this “zero waste” coffee concentrate to see if it was any good. Every bottle is wrapped in plastic bubble wrap inside the cardboard protector boxes they show in the ads! In my opinion, complete greenwashers trying to make a quick dollar off of the sustainable community. I found this infuriating.

Here's the deal: I have a bunch of socks (old and not great quality) with holes in them or missing their matches. I thought to use these socks for washing my face at night as it makes my skincare routine easier to stick to if I have a stack of clean little "washcloths" right there ready to go. However, I wonder if the cheap sock material might not be great for use on my face-- my face has begun to sting a little during/after my routine but I'm not sure if it's the socks or the products I'm using (gentle cleanser using a sock, moisturizer, sunscreen in the am). I feel like I need to use a cloth rather than just my hands to really get all of the sunscreen off at the end of the day.

Has anyone else done this? What was your experience?

I realize this is more a question for a skincare sub but I really don't feel like explaining why I use old socks to wash my face and I knew yall would understand. Thanks in advance for any help!

I just start reading it, so far interesting

I’m looking for a better option for my toothbrush. I currently use quip’s toothbrush and floss pick. Their marketing, in my opinion, is focused on a simple design to improve dental hygiene habits, but their website does repeatedly address sustainability-related issues. (If you’re really interested/suspicious of their sustainability claims, look at their website and decide for yourself. They are honest about it, don’t claim to be perfectly sustainable or zero waste, and try to improve themselves.) Pros to my current toothbrush: It is lower waste than a regular toothbrush. I like that the refills auto-ship in mostly recyclable packaging. The timer has improved my brushing habits. The refill for floss ships with the toothbrush head refill, so the total shipping impact is reduced. Cons to my current toothbrush: The brush head and battery are 100% waste (I’m swapping to rechargeable batteries in my house but also using what I already have first). I cannot remember if the bag that the refill containers ship in is recyclable, but it felt like plastic-y foil, so chances aren’t great. I’m willing to spend more for a sustainable product, but $7 for a toothbrush head is no longer part of my budget. I’ve considered a manual bamboo toothbrush, but having the 2-minute timer on the toothbrush is important for me and my hygiene routine. Additionally, my city has a municipal compost center, but I don’t generate enough compostable material to justify the 20-minute drive. For me, compostable products are not lower waste. However, I will be moving within the year to a city with more accessible compost. Another thought: if I replace my toothbrush, the handle becomes waste, and another electric toothbrush is an additional cost. It’s not immediately a prohibitive cost if I’m reducing the refill cost and waste significantly, but it could be a prohibitive cost.

Wisdom Supply no longer makes folders.

Anyone know where I can get some compostable or truly recyclable folders? Preferably small company before checking amazon.

I lived in a rented apartment in Germany a couple of years ago. The building was made according to passive housing design. It had all 3 pane windows, incredibly thick insulation... One thing that was special about it is that it utilised solar heating during winter. It had big windows to the south side, and there was a balcony above them. The balcony was exactly so wide that the sun hit the windows in winter when the sun is low, and in the summer, when the sun is high, the windows are in the shade. It also had solar pannels on the roof, but that's not connected to house design.

That house is properly designed for the needs of german climate. It provides additional heating in the winter and stops additional heating in summer. It has floor heating and no AC because it is not needed in Germany

Are you familiar with pasive houseing design? What are some other ideas to lower power usage in the home? Could this principle of design be adjusted to other climates and how? Do you have any other ideas for passive houseing design?

Hi all almost finished my non zero waste skincare products what does everyone use for face and body care? Any good brands? i Don’t have a lot of money so some cheeper options would be great please! I been looking at the Nivea tin crème is that any good?

But i am looking for face cream, eye cream, makeup removers, body creams or oils, face gels if possible.

Thanks!

I’ve recently begun upcycling furniture with the intention of giving it a second life and avoiding purchasing new furniture for myself, while still having it look nice and presentable in my home.

While upcycling the furniture is certainly more sustainable than purchasing new pieces, I never considered how much non-recyclable/compostable waste the restoration itself produces in the form of leftover stain, paint, paint and stain cans, polyurethane containers, sandpaper, dirty rags, and dirty sawdust. Does anyone have any tips on how to reduce the waste from this process?

I use a cpap machine. Depending on the relative temp and humidity I can go through a gallon of distilled water in less than a week. Not only do i have to buy gallons of the stuff from the store which is annoying to make a single trip if i dont need anything else- the plastic waste produced can add up.

Is there a machine out there that costs under $100 and reliably produces water without wasting electricity or too much water? Also accounting for replacement of filters and other supplies used.

No matter what I do nothing i recycle is going to the recycling waste stream because other people contaminate the bin. If I lived in a single unit I would just stick to the plastic.

I think that the best way to put an end to pollution is by investing in developing eco-products that can compete in price, quality, value with non-eco ones, that as a mean of prevention, apart from cleaning up the waste that already exist in river, land etc

EDIT: I realized I have a lot of "Styrofoam sheets" packaging material. Could super glueing this to furniture work instead? Any possible downsides?

--

I've always had this idea with my scrap clothing and linen, but I haven't really found a solid resource for the best way to make it or apply it on furniture, basket drawers, and etc.

But has anyone tried to make "furniture felt pads" out of scrap linen or clothing?
Can anyone recommend a method of doing and applying this on furniture?

Some websites have suggested "wool sweaters." I don't think I have any. I really trying to upcycle things like t-shirts and jeans.

I don't want to make the mistake of making "uneven" pads.

Hi, I’m designing an app that would have a marketplace for buying/trading used goods.

Having used online sites myself, I’ve often worried about my safety. So far it’s always been a positive experience!

However, it has me wondering about how other people feel when meeting up with strangers?

Do you have any reservations?

What precautions do you take?

I’d be grateful for any feedback!

Hi!

I'm looking for some inspiration, what can I put in my old cans? :)

To my utter dismay, my mother has rented a large venue for my son’s first birthday (largely a cultural thing), and plans on inviting 200 of her closest friends. If it were up to me, I’d have a picnic in the park.

This event will be creating so much waste, and I need help with ideas on curbing that waste. I’ve already requested that we only purchase compostable plates, utensils, and take home containers. We are using decorations that I found in our local Buy Nothing group, which will be regifted.

As for beverages, I am stuck. How do you serve water to 200 people? Asking them to bring their own water bottles isn’t feasible. Lugging water pitchers to the event is likely more feasible, but doesn’t seem realistic given everything else my family is hauling to the venue (think several different meals, seven types of desserts, and generally an excessive amount of food, etc). I’ve done some research on alternatives to plastic water bottles, like aluminum and boxed water, but those options are certainly not zero waste. I refuse to be swayed by greenwashing/false advertising. Please help!

Has anybody gotten anything from ZeroWasteStore.com? I was thinking about getting their pot scrubber and Dish Block for dishes. Reviews on their website for the dish block are mostly positive but some have said it leaves a film. The company responded saying you have to get past the wax covering

Anyone know of any organization, protest or petition to curb the excessive amount of waste and plastic in airports? If you forget your water bottle it’s nearly impossible to find anything to drink not in plastic. Some airports don’t even have water bottle filling stations. Seems like it would be so easy to offer some beverages in cans and no one would even notice the difference.

What is your go to for zero waste cleaning supplies? Bonus if they’re non-toxic.

I dont have access to a fridge, I could potentially use a neighbors freezer until I move into a new house in a couple months. No dehydrator, but i do have an oven, stove top, and microwave. Any ideas to prolong the life of these would be super appreciated- i was thinking maybe a kimchi but would love to hear any other ideas

I have really severe dandruff that I use head and shoulders for. Bar is not available because I am in the US. Does anyone have a shampoo bar that works for them with really bad dandruff? Tried HiBar for a few months and my scalp got so bad it bled. Thanks for your help!

What's your go to for zerowaste/sustainable fashion companies?

Share your faves and what kinds of designs you look for in dresses, backpacks, swimwear, and purses.

I get monthly prescriptions, and use OTC like anyone. Any tips for reusing these bottles. Medium sized. I’m not crafty, and i know they’re recyclable but looking for different ideas.

EDIT: PILL* bottles lol

I have fully switched over to solid toiletries and want to share my favorite products and experiences!

In the shower I use the LUSH “Honey I washed my hair” shampoo bar. Smells like sweet vanilla. I have naturally wavy hair for context. Then I use the Anihana honey & vanilla conditioner bar. This one lathers really nice. I also use the Anihana honey & peach body bar. This one has a medium to strong scent.

I brush my teeth with a bamboo toothbrush & toothpaste tablets from the brand Kaylaan. I’m really sensitive to mint so for this brand to carry fluoride and non-fluoride flavored options (like strawberry, blueberry, etc) is really great.

Some other products include the Hey Humans solid lavender deodorant. Anihana Raspberry & Vanilla solid moisturizer. Raw Elements SPF 30 (plastic free) sunscreen.

I don’t really wear makeup other than pencil eyeliner, but it’s compostable. To takeoff my makeup, I use reusable makeup remover cloths by the brand Face Halo. They are reusable, washable, and great for travel. Only need water to activate and they work amazing.

If anyone has any recommendations, questions, or want to share their experiences with these products, share your thoughts!

I heard this question on the radio a few years back and been thinking about it off and on ever since. Most garbage bags are made of single-use plastic, so even if you are using as little disposable items as possible, when you go to throw something away that you know will easily break down, it doesn’t matter because it’s surrounded by this plastic bag! What would you suggest to use instead?

My local refill shop is selling products made by the company Ruut. I couldn't find much information about the ingredients on the website. Has anyone tried using this company and what were your thoughts? I'd like to reduce my carbon emissions and I would like to possibly try the mouthwash tablets for my next refill. Thanks!

Can someone explain this to me? Is there types of poly that work for sustainable/ethical/organic production? Because all I can see online is how bad it is in virtually every way.

For clarification, I am talking about polyester in the clothing industry.

I guess this is more of a rant than a discussion. My 7-year-old kiddo recently went on her school field trip to visit some local caves and wildlife center. I did not know until the day prior to the trip that the kids had to bring their lunches and snacks in plastic disposable baggies and their waters in plastic, disposable bottles. I was almost that parent and almost told the teacher that I wasn't going to send anything in disposable plastic, but I didn't. Just angry and disappointed that plastic disposables were a requirement :(