I'm looking for a non tablet option for toothpaste. I'm ok doing the tablets but my spouse won't. I'm looking for a plastic free option with fluoride that is not tablets.

Preferably in a tube. I could do a glass jar.

Finally using up the last of my bottled lotions before purchasing from our local refillery and this bottle has been a straggler since it's glass and the remnants are refusing to move. Had the idea to reuse the straw when a relative got a slurpee from the gas station.

Although I'm straw free, I learned that the slurpee straws from 7 eleven are rated for home composting.

I see many reviews for the best bio degradable garbage bag but I can’t find any solid reviews on the environmental impact of the production of the bag. Most of them seem like green washing rather than an analysis that includes CO2 emissions, byproducts of the production, etc. in addition to durability of the bag. Any idea where I might find this?

Thanks in advance!

Hey all,

Without giving a ten paragraph backstory, I'll simply say this: I'm feeling so deeply discouraged. "You cannot do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good you can do" doesn't seem to cut it anymore.

When you get down to it, being more environmentally friendly is a less cost effective lifestyle that includes more hassle than a typical consumer's lifestyle.

What is the point when our next US president is going to "drill, baby, drill", when every company offering an affordable product uses child labor, doesn't pay living wages, or downright dumps so so much waste onto our planet?

From my viewpoint, we're doomed. Clear cut and simple. We aren't going to be able to make the large changes needed to save our planet, not unless companies stop lobbying which will never happen. Thousands of us could write lengthy letters, or peacefully protest, but what good will it do? Trees will still be cut, oil will still be stolen.

The consumer can only do so much, and without getting all consumers on board, these companies who are really responsible will not change.

What is the point in going through the hassle, in spending more money, when in a couple decades we will be screwed?

Need some advice, please.

Every year I make Mulled Wine as a gift for my close friends. I normally buy 2/3 cup mason jars but this is now year 6 and it seems so wasteful and expensive. I know I could ask them for them back but before I do or before I add that as a tradition this year thought I would ask does anyone have an alternative that maybe is compostable so it removes ‘stuff’ that people have to store and is not damaging to the environment?

As title says, I’ve got a bunch of shirts from high school that I don’t wear anymore. I’m hesitant to donate them because they’re all pretty specific and don’t know if they’d even be something other people would want. I have plenty of sleep/cleaning shirts and more than enough rags, so I genuinely don’t know what to do with them. A couple examples of the shirts I have are honor society shirts, shirts from theatre shows, and some organisation shirts.

Looking for something to give the women in my family for Christmas that is low waste. I have made a bath scrub before. I enjoy herbs and I've been thinking about making a pot pouri or bath bombs or something along those lines, but none of those options feel right. Maybe a fire cider? Does anybody here have any good ideas along those lines?

I was wondering if anyone knew if these dog chews would still be ok after their best by date being Jun 1 2024. Thank you!

hi! I have a handful of old earrings that I don’t really wear. these aren’t nice earrings (think basic studs from years ago bought at random clothing stores). I feel bad throwing them away but I don’t really know what else to do with them. any ideas?

Hiii I’ve had my eye on a few low waste products but I’m hesitant to use some as I find essential oils and heavy butters can be irritating to my scalp. Although I have a coily texture and thick hair, my actual strands are fine and prefer lighter/water based hair products.

Does anyone have suggestions OR maybe another 4B/C friend can point me in the right direction?

I have a ton of text books from high school. When I was in school, we had to buy them ourselves. They started to provide them for free right after I graduated. I’m happy that kids get free books now. I’m also annoyed that right as they made the change, they also changed the curriculum. So I probably can’t even donate them, since they’re all essentially expired and worthless. All I can think of is a fire starter, but I have a LOT of books.

I Crocheted a blanket to get rid of some scrap yarn I didn’t want anymore instead of tossing it, but it’s kind of ugly and I really don’t want it anymore. It takes up space I don’t have. What do I do with it? I don’t want to throw it away, or for it to end up in a landfill. (And no, it is not compostable— as someone who knits & crochets people randomly give me synthetic yarn they have for no reason and I try to repurpose it.)

Hi everyone,

I’ve been wondering if we’ll ever see a widespread, closed-loop reusable packaging service that’s easy, convenient, and genuinely reduces carbon footprints. Imagine a system where you can get your groceries, takeout, or products in reusable containers, return them when you're done, and just trust that they’ll be cleaned and reused without hassle.

It sounds ideal: no more waste, no need to manage piles of single-use plastics, and it feels good to know you’re making a sustainable choice. But is it realistic to expect such a service to be present everywhere?

Let’s discuss!

I was actually thinking, since cats love laying on paper what if I shred the reciepts & stuff them in something like a pillowcase for my cats to use as a bed?? Or is that NOT a good idea since receipt paper is generally loaded with chemicals?

OR: what if I stuff the shredded reciepts into a plastic bag to add a layer of protection from the chemicals and then stuff the bag into the pillowcase? 😂 I would hate to just throw them all away lol

I'm trying to improve my Zero Waste living. I know that there exist bulk stores in which you can bring your own packaging. Is it actually comfortable, how do you organize?

Hey all,

Bought the razor base and floss container from Public Goods in an effort to be more sustainable. However, purchasing refills from the site is no longer the most cost-effective option.

Anyone have suggestions for other brands’ razorblades which would fit the public goods base? Appreciate it.

Is anyone aware of a mail in silicone recycling program? Eco USA only deals with companies and Simple Ecology only accepts the products they sell for recycling. The Hefty Renew program does not accept silicone.

I always try to gift things people will find useful. It's usually not experiances, becouse there is no opportunity for that. I spent a pretty long time thinking what to buy my sister. She is currently a student who doesn't want and/or doesn't like to cook. I have decided to buy her a lot of finished pasta sauces in jars. There is zero waste there because, once she uses the sauce, she will return the jar to me (I make my own elderflower juice, totato sauce, pickles..., so I use basically all jars I get). My mother is getting a blender, since her old one broke. Last year, my grandma got a fruit basket. Giving christmas gifts is my favourite thing about Christmas and it is definitely worth paying atention and giveing people what they need. I found that people appreciate those gifts significantly more!

My wife has never been on board with my zero waste efforts. She'll tolerate them, but doesn't like to participate, meaning that she's fine shopping at Walmart and hates using reusable bags. It's usually not worth the tension in our marriage to keep bringing it up, especially since zero waste is a LOT harder out here in the boonies of Kansas, but lately Walmart must have changed something because every time she comes home i find her grocery bags stuffed full of these unused sacks. They aren't being used as wrapping, they aren't crushing any fragile, they're just stuffed in with the cereal and other groceries. I HATE it and they aren't even single use plastic, they're NO use plastic.

I'm not really looking for advice, just wanted to gripe to people who would understand. Though, if you know the reason WHY this is happening i would be thankful.

In my family generally these stems go to the dustbin / compost. Currently I cannot compost as I am residing temporarily in other city. Can I use the Fenugreek stems in any recipe? I reckon it's bitter... And is it edible?

Hey all! If you were to gift an experience as a Xmas present what would you gift? Looking for some ideas. My goal is to not gift any physical items this year. Do you have any similar goals?

Thank you 🤗

Edit: for adults

I am looking into getting some period underwear. What are your recommendations for brands available in the UK? Ideally I would like some with as high as possible cotton content.

Yoplait Oui glass jar, “single use only” so can’t really be used for food products I’m assuming

Need ideas of how to use it since I’m bad with that

Hello zerowasters! I am sort of new to sustainable shopping and would very much like to hear about your biggest challenges with sustainable shopping and how did you overcome it? What aspects of sustainable are most important in your opinion (environment, ethically produced etc)? Thank you!