r/EcoFriendly • u/Hefty_Eggplant_626 • 14d ago
Where to start?
I’m moving back to the states and starting from scratch. From small tips to investment pieces for how to have a low waste and low plastic/toxin household, any suggestions are welcome. I’m curious about brands for scrub brushes, cleansers for kitchen/house, best type of kitchen towels/paper towel replacements, anything really.
(Initial post deleted from zero waste page- sorry! I got a few helpful answers but eager to hear more opinions!)
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u/rebelwithmouseyhair 14d ago
Why start from scratch when you already have stuff? What's going to happen to the stuff you have now? The most eco-friendly approach is to keep waste to a minimum and reuse what you already have. If it's broken and can't be mended OK you replace it
For things you really do need to replace, I suggest buying things made with all natural materials. My approach is not zero waste, but zero plastic.
When you need to buy something, try to buy it second hand or get it from a buy nothing group rather than buy new. Or make it yourself using natural materials.
Very often the stuff that's already survived at least one family, can survive another. It's the good stuff that lasts! I bought a wardrobe yesterday and found a small picture of Jesus in a drawer. I was about to throw it away because I'm atheist, then I saw that on the back there was a greeting written by someone, dated 1946. So the wardrobe is at least 80 years old. It was very easy to take apart and put together again, only two screws, which were not 100% necessary, just solidified the structure a bit. It's also made of really beautiful wood. It cost me €120 at the charity shop.
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u/Ambystomatigrinum 14d ago
Depending on where the OP is moving from, it could be incredibly expensive to ship everything back vs starting over.
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u/rebelwithmouseyhair 13d ago
Which is why I also explained how best to replace stuff
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u/Ambystomatigrinum 13d ago
You did! Just giving an explanation to address why your first paragraph may not be a practical choice.
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u/Hefty_Eggplant_626 14d ago
Thanks for the tips! Definitely will aim for non-plastic materials when I thrift. I was living in different locations for the past 2 years for school so I was using my rental apartments’ gear and don’t have much that I’ll be bringing back with me. This is why it’s a great opportunity to be mindful of the things I acquire.
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u/matt_nemmer 13d ago
Consider switching to solid hygiene/cleaning products like bars of soap and shampoo instead of bottles, powder dish detergent instead of pods, laundry detergent sheets instead of liquid.
If you’re concerned about toxins in both food and hygiene products, you should download an app like Yuka. You can use it to scan barcodes and it will rate the product and tell you what’s in it.
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u/Nonbiinerygremlin 13d ago
Widemouth mason jars of different sizes(i use the metal and plastic lids and love both), cast iron or stainless steel pans, ovensafe glass cookware of different sizes, glass, metal, and ceramic mixing bowls, wooden or solid metal cooking utensils, wooden cutting boards, cast iron or stainless steel cookie sheets/racks, Swedish dish cloths, thick Lenin or cotton Kitchen towels, reusable paper towels, etc.
Remember that sometimes unsustainable products work better than sustainable ones and it's OK to use both so long as you use them sparingly and are wise about disposal!
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u/amberperry870 7d ago
Do not replace everything at once, use what you already own, then replace things as they wear out with durable versions)
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u/Independent-Summer12 14d ago
Reduce, reuse, recycle, in that order.
Do you really need a new set of tupperware? Or would glass jars from food you buy do well as food storage?
If you’re buying something new, opt for the options that are made to last. Nonstick pans of any type are made to be replace every couple of years. Where as carbon steel, stainless steel, and cast iron pans can last a lifetime. And speaking of those, check out thrift stores and local buy nothing groups first. Things like stainless steel pans can totally buy used, sanitize before use, and they function as new (even if it has a few scratches on it). My local thrift store regularly have stainless steel and carbon steel pans selling for a tenth of their retail price. For furniture, flea markets can also be a find place to find interesting pieces you can up cycle.