Sustainability & Zero Waste Instagram Inspiration

Some great visual accounts to follow for daily inspiration to kick plastic and live a more mindful, conscious, and waste free life!

Finding Your Sustainable Swaps & Supplies

Looking around and realizing that everything in your house, in your grocery store, and every item you order from your favorite takeaway restaurant is likely touched in some way or packaged in plastic can be a little overwhelming. Once you look around, you might want to cut down… but figuring out where to start can be really hard. I suggest stating with a few easy to change daily items (check out my favorite 6 swaps over here), and then taking everything room by room, area by area. Maybe you look at the shampoo and soap bottles in your shower, or the 50 kinds of sunscreen you have hidden under your bathroom sink. Maybe you check out the cleaning products in your kitchen, or the packaging in your pantry.

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Cutting down on plastic and waste in general is really hard when we are constantly surrounded by products that at first glance are only available in packaging. So take it slow, and consider every small corner, every shelf of change a victory, and move on from there!

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When you find yourself looking for things to swap out, and where to buy them, check out some of my favorites below:


Basic Tools & Plastic-Free Containers

  • Package Free Shop - This gold mine is an amazing source for sustainable products you will hopefully only need to buy once. They work with brands to make sure that regardless of if you shop in store or buy something online, your product will never be packaged in plastic.

  • Life Without Plastic - A great online retailer for a lot of your plastic-free needs.

  • To-Go Ware - I have their bamboo cutlery set that I grabbed at Whole Foods. I bring this everywhere (even on planes) and love always being prepared.

  • Klean Kanteen - My favorite daily water bottle comes from here, I can’t praise them enough!

  • Eco Bags - You have stuff, and you probably need to carry it around. This is a one stop shop for all kinds of eco friendly bags.

Kitchen Items

  • Mason Jars - You can store everything in here. Panty dry goods, fridge items, your water or other beverage to go, even lunch to heat up later since they’re glass. The all-around zero-waste holy grail item - Check Christmas Tree Shops, Target, Walmart, the Container Store, or even most large supermarkets like Whole Foods or Wegmans

  • Silicone Baking Mats - Ditch aluminum foil, wax paper, and the lot. This is your new best friend for the oven that you can just keep re-using.

  • Cleaning Solution - Make your own non-toxic and effective solution in a multi-use, pre-labeled spray bottle. There are recipes for all types of material like tile, glass, even veggie washing. Basic ingredients include things like water, vinegar, castile soap, and alcohol.

  • Cleaning Cloths & Dish Towels - Ditch the paper towels and start using rags or cloths (cutting up old tshirts, towels, or sheets works just fine) for cleaning and dish towels for drying. Just throw them in the wash when you’re done!

Self Care & Bathroom Items

  • Find a local bulk store and get shampoo, body wash, soap, and more in your own jars & containers.

  • Lush Cosmetics - Package free shampoo & conditioner bars, along with bath bombs and a few other bathroom essentials. I also get my deodorant as a bar here, and it’s one of the only ones I’ve found that doesn’t irritate my skin.

  • Plaine Products - Refillable shampoo & conditioner + subscription service

  • Meow Meow Tweet - All reusable / compostable packaging for deodorant, face washes, soaps, shampoo bars, etc.

  • Stainless Steel Razor - Just change out the blades & recycle

    Bamboo Toothbrushes - While I love my Sonicare… all of that plastic just doesn’t go away. These aren’t a perfect zero-waste solution (you still have to toss the bristles or find a place that will recycle them) but the packaging is compostable and the main component is just bamboo which you can re-purpose or compost.

Clothing

  • Clothing production can be extremely wasteful… so whatever we can do to have the least impact when we shop, even if something is new, we should at least be conscious and try.

  • Start to check out thrift & vintage stores for your everyday items. If you have something specific in mind, try Ebay, Depop, ThredUP, Poshmark for more used options.

  • Got a special event? Think about renting that outfit you may otherwise only wear once from Rent the Runway.

  • When you want your own undies… check out Pact: undergarments & basics - 100% organic cotton + fair trade…. all around great. And they carry them at most Whole Foods.

  • For those times you really just want to go new… use the Good On You app - a great resource for seeing the environmental, ethical, and labor practices of various brands.

Can’t find a local store that sells bulk items?

Special Shout Out - the Honest Weight Food Co-Op in Albany, NY

  • I’ve been going to this store for years with my mom and they recently got a bigger, even better location. This place is the holy grail of bulk shopping. You can find everything from oils, flours, pastas, and grains, along with more unusual things like bulk tofu, not to mention all of your bathroom & cleaning essentials. Just bring your own containers up to the front counter and they will gladly tare them all. I don’t get to visit as often as I’d like, but whenever I’m up that way I like to stock up on some of my favorite shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and even lotions. IT’S SO GREAT! (I may have wowed a few of the employees with my overall enthusiasm for this store… trust me, it’s worth it.)

6 Easy Swaps to Start Living with Less Waste

6 EASY & SUSTAINABLE SWAPS FOR “SINGLE-USE” ITEMS YOU PROBABLY USE EVERY DAY

Plastic Bags -> Trade for any other reusable bag (this one is from the Package Free Shop)

You already own them, trust me: Ever gotten a free bag from a store, an event, a cause, a show, or just generally anywhere? Make a pile and use them at the grocery store, the farmers market, or even at target! I keep a set in my car for whenever I might need one.

Single-Use Water Bottles or Boxes -> Trade in for a reusable glass or stainless steel one, and look for water fountains or re-filling stations.

Fav brand: Klean Kanteen - I love these because they come in a variety of sizes, top types, and colors. I use the “cafe top” on my wide-mouth bottle as a combined water bottle and travel coffee/tea mug.

Other greats: S’well, Hydro Flask, Life Factory, Mason Jars (I find all sizes of the jars at Christmas Tree Shops, Target, or any big supermarket like Whole Foods or Wegmans)

For the traveler who worries about filtration: Grayl

Also: If you want to keep plastic but go reusable: Nalgene & Camelbak have BPA options (some stadiums or other event venues don’t allow metal bottles, here’s looking at you Yankee Stadium, so having another option can be helpful for those specific trips).

Plastic Produce Bags at the grocery store -> Trade in for reusable mesh or cotton ones

Fav Brands: purifyou (I’ve had the above set for over a year and they work great, are machine washable, and include a tare weight on the tag) & Eco Bags (for the fabric ones)

Bonus uses: These are great for organizing when traveling (store dirty shoes, power cords, socks, and anything else you want to categorize). Also fill them up with to-go snacks like dried fruit & nuts… or maybe even a cookie.

Plastic Cutlery -> Trade out for bamboo or stainless steel utensils for eating on the go. (You can even take the bamboo knife on the plane!)

Fav brands: To Go Ware, Life Without Plastic

Another option: Just wrap some cutlery from home in a fabric napkin or get a pouch from Vicbay on Amazon and take anywhere (just leave the knife at home for plane travel!)

Single-Use Coffee Cups -> Trade out for reusable glass, stainless steel…. or even sturdy plastic ones. Or better yet, just bring your favorite ceramic mug to your local coffee shop or the office!

Fav brand: I use my Klean Kanteen wide-mouth bottle as a dual-purpose hot beverage holder.

Other Greats: My Byta, Keep Cup, Yeti, Hydro Flask, Mason Jars (there are add-on tops with sips or straw holes!)

Also: Big Brands like Dunkin & Starbucks offer a lot of reusable branded products in stores, so if you’re going there anyway, pick up a reusable option!

Plastic Straws -> Trade for a reusable one… or better yet ditch the straw altogether.

We don’t really need straws…. but if you love to save your lipstick or just like using one, check out these alternatives from Package Free Shop & Amazon: stainless steel, glass, silicone, or bamboo (and don’t forget the cleaning brush… most sets come with one and you need it!)


Photo credit / links:

My Sustainability & Zero Waste Inspirations

As part of the human race, we are the biggest threat to the health of our planet. From the types of energy we use and the pollution we cause, to the waste we make and the food we eat, our very existence is usually really unsustainable.

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Over the years I’ve taken some time to learn a lot about sustainability and the effects even one person can make with their daily choices, both good and bad. As I’ve read and researched, here are the two people that have inspired me the most to live a more sustainable and low-impact life.


My Biggest Source of Zero-Waste Inspiration: I don’t know where I first heard about Lauren Singer… but at this point I think I’ve probably watched every Ted Talk, listened to every interview, and read every article that she’s done…. what can I say. I’m a Trash is for Tossers fan girl. She lives a zero waste lifestyle and has used her voice and her story to help inspire others to reduce their waste as well. What was once just a blog has turned into the inspiration for multiple businesses and a continuing commitment to activism about this issue. Here are just some of the places that I follow her, as well as some of the talks & discussions that have helped me learn more about zero waste.

  • Her Website: Trash is for Tossers - This is a great resources for inspiration on how to go zero waste, and also how to make some of your own products if you’re fed up with plastic packaging on EVERYTHING.

  • Her Instagram: @trashisfortossers

  • Her store in Brooklyn: Package Free Shop - Ever wondered where you can find some great plastic & package free items to help you ditch the single use stuff? Check this out.

    • They also stock her other business, clean laundry detergent under the brand The Simply Co. It comes in a reusable glass container, and you can refill it at her shop, or use it for other stuff.

  • Her Youtube channel: Trash is for Tossers - Check out how-to videos on lots of zero-waste things like how to shop without packaging, to how to make certain products at home like cleaning solution, body lotion, and even toothpaste.

May 2015 - The TED Talk that started it all. This is a great intro to Lauren and her philosophy. Along with her trash jar!

Feb 2018 - An interview with Lewis Howes for the “School of Greatness” podcast.

April 2017 - An interview with conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan for Vox discussing a lot of the effects of waste & pollution.

Jan 2015 - An example of one of Lauren’s DIY videos: How to make your own toothpaste. Others include body lotion, deoderant, and cleaning solution.


June 2015 - An intro to Bea and her family, house, and philosophy

Before Lauren, there was: Bea Johnson of the Zero Waste Home

  • Bea was the original inspiration for Lauren Singer to go zero waste. Bea is a working mom of two in California, founder of a great website, an author, and a speaker. She’s traveled all over the world to help educate people on the benefits of zero waste and provides resources to help others reduce their waste. Check her out in the following places:

July 2016 - a TED Talk focusing on how her family has really embraced zero waste.

Dec 2016 - Another TED Talk, focused on the 5R's (In order: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot)


People I'm Listening To - Volume 1

I love listening to people. Anyone who knows me knows that I love to talk, and for me talking things out helps me to think them through. By talking something through, I can usually get to a better level of understanding. But we can’t live in an echo chamber, just surrounded by our own thoughts and opinions. Sometimes we need to listen to other thoughts and perspectives and opinions so that we can find things in them that we want to agree with, or disagree with, or discuss further, or love so much that we want to adopt them for ourselves. Expressing thought through speaking and storytelling is so powerful, and I love the times that I spend listening to new perspectives and using them to really reflect on myself.

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Here are a selection of people, talks, podcasts, or even just words that have really spoken to me, ones that have really made me stop and think and reflect. I hope some of them can do that for you too.

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This is the first installment. I’ll release new ones periodically when I’m inspired!


Conversation to Listen To: The Liturgists Podcast - Episode 34 - Black and White: Racism in America

  • I first heard William Matthews talking about race on the Unspoken Podcast (see below) and was blown away by his eloquence, but also by the vulnerability of the conversation.

  • The reason that Ruthie & Miles found William in the first place was his involvement in a episode of the Liturgists podcast recorded back in March 2016. I took the time to listen to that conversation and wow. This is such an important, poignant, and relevant discussion for the current climate of our American culture.

  • As a quick disclaimer: I’m not a church person. I was raised in the Catholic church, but there were a lot of things that as I grew and started asking questions… I just couldn’t agree with. So while this conversation does have some roots in the church experience, those parts of the conversation lend to the discussion instead of detracting from it for me. And I think regardless of your religious background, you will think the same.

  • Overall I can’t encourage listening to this enough.


Podcast Shoutout: Unspoken with Ruthie Lindsey and Miles Adcox

  • Finding this podcast was a bit of a journey…. but in a few steps:

    • I started following Sophia Bush on instagram (and just generally in life) because I find her voice so amazing. She is an activist and intellectual who uses the platform that acting gave her to do so much good in the world. Regardless of if she is speaking out for human rights, encouraging others to #adoptdontshop for a furry friend, or just spending time with other great humans to recharge and focus on some self-love, I’m constantly inspired by her.

    • Through following Sophia, I found Jedidiah Jenkins (see below for more), another great source of inspiration.

    • Through both of them, I found Ruthie Lindsey. Ruthie has an incredible story to tell, but it’s not the story that is important (but listen to that too, it’s amazing). It’s how that story has turned her into this wonderful, kind, caring, empathetic person who sees the world in such a beautiful way. It’s how she has taken what could have been the end of her life and turned it into a whole new beginning.

  • Fast forward to Ruthie starting this amazing podcast with Miles Adcox. Before the podcast I knew nothing about him, and am happy to have a change to learn more via this platform. Both of them are sitting down with a series of friends and inspirational people to have honest conversations about life and the thoughts and feelings that too often go unspoken. These are conversations worth listening to.

  • Find them on iTunes Podcasts or Spotify, and or check out some of my favorite episodes so far with Sophia Bush or Eduardo Garcia embedded below.


Oprah Super Soul Session: “First the Pain, Then the Rising” by Glennon Doyle Melton

  • I saw a clip of this talk, the part starting around the 18:00 mark, and when I realized it was part of a longer talk I knew I needed to hear the whole thing.

  • I heard Glennon speak without really knowing who she was, but the words and ideals and messages that abound in this talk are all worth a listen. How to embrace the hard things in life, because they are the most worthwhile. How to support the empowerment and betterment of all peoples because it will empower and better ALL people. And on and on. She covers a lot of ground in 23 minutes, and every one is a great chance to stop and reflect.


Podcast: No Filter with Mia Freedman interviews guest Glennon Doyle

  • After hearing the talk she gave at an Oprah Super Soul Session (see above), I knew I needed to know more about Glennon Doyle. I didn’t know that she was a NYTimes bestselling author, or that she had a hugely successful website, or that she was married to US soccer superstar Abby Wambach. But I did know that to speak so profoundly, her life must have been filled with a lot of pain and sadness. Out of all of that she managed to turn that pain into strength. And it’s clear that after finding her own strength, she wants to help others to find theirs too.

  • I’m not entirely sure how I found this particular interview / podcast, but if you saw the talk above and wanted to know more like me, this is a great discussion and a wonderful look inside the mind of an inspiring individual.


Person to really listen to: Jedidiah Jenkins

  • I somehow found Jedidiah Jenkins on Instagram a while ago, and ever since have been inspired by him on pretty much a daily basis. He is an extremely mindful, thought provoking individual and whether I’m reading one of his lengthy captions on instagram (or watching his usually hilarious stories), looking forward to reading his new book, or finding interviews and podcasts to listen to, Jedidiah finds a way to make me reevaluate how I approach life, and how I interact with other people.

  • Here are some ways I’ve enjoyed listening to / learning from him:


TED Talk: “Do schools kill creativity?” by Sir Ken Robinson

  • There is a reason this is one of the most (if not THE most) watched TED Talk of all time. As the child of educators, I know the hard truth that no one method works for every child. There is no perfect way to make every child succeed, there is no magic formula. But the best teachers love their craft, and they love working with every student to help them in the best way that they can.

  • This talk is a great reflection on what things we prioritize in traditional schooling, and what we might be loosing by leaving other things out.


All photos, videos, audio, or other media above include links to their original sources. I don’t own any of this media, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.