Earth Week Tips: Low-waste Bathroom

Part II: Sustainable Bathroom

Now that we’ve covered the kitchen, let’s move onto health and beauty. What do you think of when you consider sustainability in the bathroom? Where do you create the most waste and how can we tackle those issues? I get that in the bathroom in particular, we have to consider hygiene and cleanliness, but let me reassure you that these swaps are hygienic, practical, and sustainable!

Zero Waste Swaps: Bathroom

Bar Soap

The first and easiest swap in the bathroom is to swap to bar soap. It’s a cheap, plastic free option that is also easily accessible. You can find great natural bar soaps that are not only good for your skin and healthy for your body, but are actually better for the environment. Bar soap can often be found packaged in cardboard boxes which can be recycled or even package free, which is awesome!

Things I recommend:

• Bar Soap: Public Goods (get 15% off your Public Goods order with the code CANDICEPGA), Unscented Co.

Shampoo & Conditioner Bars/Refillable Shampoo & Conditioner

Shampoo and conditioner bars might take longer to adjust to and find the right bars for your hair type and to find one to your liking. These are used essentially the same way as traditional bar soap. You lather up the soap in your hands with some water and then you apply it to your hair normally and rinse it out. 

If shampoo and conditioner bars aren’t for you, you can opt for bulk refillable shampoo and conditioner.

Things I recommend:

• Shampoo/Conditioner Bars: BKIND, Unscented Co., Public Goods

• Refillable: Unscented Co., Bare Market, Public Goods

Menstrual Cup/Other Natural or Reusable Period Products

This was another challenging swap for me that took a little while for me to get used to. But honestly once you get the hang of it, it reduces SO MUCH WASTE. The cup is a swap for all disposable period products. If you want to learn more about my menstrual cup journey, you can see the two links below:

• How-to: Have a Low Waste Period

• Answering your FAQ about my Zero Waste Period

I also get that the cup is not for everyone and that’s okay! Maybe you could try period underwear, or organic/natural products, or reusable pads. There are other options out there for you!

Things I use:

• Diva Cup

• Knixwear Leakproof Underwear

• Hannah Pads

Reusable Cotton Rounds

This is a relatively new swap for me because instead of continuing to use cotton rounds, I just cut them out completely. I just didn’t find that I needed to use them that often because I apply toner with my hands and I also usually use an oil makeup remover. However, I wanted to try out this DIY and also have a few on hand for when I did want to use cotton rounds.

There are reusable cotton rounds out there that you can purchase if you don’t want to make your own. But you can actually repurpose an old t-shirt and sew your own reusable cotton rounds! Reusable cotton rounds and used like normal cotton rounds and then I keep them in this small delicates bag and toss them in to the laundry when I have a load to do. So simple, and so effective!

Safety Razor

I only recently switched to a safety razor because to be honest, I was scared of the blades. However after switching, I realized it’s actually quite simple to use and it is a lot more space and cost efficient. There is a tiny bit of a learning curve to get used to the process and feel of handling a safety razor, but once that’s covered, you’re good to go! A sustainable swap to disposable razors!

Things I recommend:

• My razor - Well Kept

Sustainable habits in the bathroom

And now for some general tips! Here are just a few ideas to keep in mind to be more intentionally sustainable in the area of the bathroom and health and beauty.

• Take shorter showers!

  • This one is so easy and everyone can take part in this. Simply shorten your showers to save water and energy.

• Don’t wash your hair as often

  • Related to my first point, try not washing your hair everyday. Not only is it better for your hair, it’s also better for the environment. This will help you out with point number one!

• one in, one out

  • With beauty and self-care products, it can be tempting to hoard products to try. I’m definitely guilty of this and am working on sticking to this “one in, one out” rule. Finish your products before you swap them. If a product really sucks, try to find a different use for it to use it up or maybe you have a friend or family member that likes that product. For example, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has tried a shampoo or conditioner that just does not work. Instead of tossing it out, use it as a shave cream. Try to think creatively to make the most of products you do have.

I hope that these simple tips have encouraged you to make some changes in your bathroom and hair and beauty routines. This is definitely not an exhaustive list of sustainable tips, if you have more, I’d love to keep learning and know what you do to live a more sustainable lifestyle!

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This post is not sponsored but may contain some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and my Instagram. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

Earth Week Tips: Low-waste Kitchen

Part I: Sustainability in the Kitchen

This week is Earth Week 2020! It’s looking a bit different than the Earth Weeks we’ve had in the past because we’re all staying indoors. Because of current state that our society is in, I’ve also found it more challenging to be plastic-free in certain areas that I was refusing plastic and also not being able to use reusables where I could previously. If you’ve felt discouraged by this, I hope these posts encourage you to continue pressing on and just doing what you can!

I’ve always found that Earth Month is a great way time to encourage people and get people thinking about how to live more sustainably and take care of our planet. Although we’re staying home this week, I wanted to share some of my favourite swaps and sustainability tips in 3 different areas of our life and home…starting off with the kitchen!

If you take a step back and consider your own kitchen, how much waste do you create? For me, the kitchen was one of the most wasteful areas in my home, so even making a few changes has helped me reduce significant waste. 

Zero Waste Swaps: Kitchen

Here are some of my favourite kitchen swaps.

Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps were a swap that I had heard of early on when I first started learning about sustainability and looking into different swaps I could make. They are an excellent swap for traditional plastic cling wrap. I’ve gone 2+ years without cling wrap now and can tell you that you really don’t need it. Beeswax wraps are great for reducing food waste and preserving your food so that it lasts longer.

I typically use the wraps directly on my produce or over bowls to store leftovers. You use the warmth from your hands to mold the wrap over whatever you are covering and then pop it into the fridge — works like a charm!

Things I recommend:

• Abeego

• Ten and Co

Reusable Silicone Bags

Next up — reusable silicone bags. I believe these were the first sustainable swap I had ever purchased. They are a swap for plastic sandwich bags and can be used the same way. I personally use them for freezing things, storing leftovers, and for on-the-go snacks.

My personal favourite are Stasher Bags, because they are made of 100% pure platinum grade silicone, a standard even higher than food grade silicone. This standard passes all U.S. safety requirements and European standards. They are extremely durable and have lasted me for 2+ years. They are also a certified B-corp, which means that their factories and suppliers must maintain very good and responsible practices.

With the rise and “trendiness” of sustainability, sometimes the rush to make sustainable swaps can be even more harmful. I bring this up because, particularly with reusable silicone bags, I see a lot of cheap alternatives that are being sold everywhere, and while I think it’s great that everyone is wanting to make more sustainable changes, I think it’s also important, when making these swaps, to consider the product carefully. What is it made of, how was it made, and what are the conditions these products were made in?

Things I recommend:

• Stasher Bags

Compostable Brush/Sponge

Many sponges these days are made of synthetic material, which means that they can’t be composted. A simple swap for this is to switch to natural, compostable sponges or try a compostable dish brush. 

There are a variety of options out there, like pot brushes with a wooden handle and natural fibre bristles, there are coconut scrubbers and also natural plant-based loofahs. Choose one that best fits to your liking and make your swap! 

Things I recommend:

• Natural Fibre Pot Brush

• Compostable Sponges

Refillable Dish Detergent/Dish Washing Block

This is one that I’d say I’m still in the process of experimenting with. Currently I use a solution of Castile soap and water to wash my dishes, which my husband and I have been doing for a few years now. The only complaint we have with this is that sometimes it’s a bit too liquid-y and is not as grease-cutting as we would like it to be. So now, I’m currently exploring other options like using a  refillable dish detergent from companies like Unscented Co. or Public Goods. Another plastic-free option is a dish washing block, which I find fascinating, but it may require a bit of convincing in my household.

Things I recommend:

• Refillable Dish Detergent: Unscented Co., Public Goods (you can get 15% off your Public Goods order with the code CANDICEPGA)

• Dish Washing Block: No Tox Life

Making my dishwashing solution of 1 part Castile soap to 10 parts water — so simple and quick!

Old Rags & Swedish Dish Cloths

This swap can be a simple upcycling project or you can spice up your kitchen with some cute Swedish dish cloths. These are a great swap for paper towel in your home to wipe up spills and quickly clean up countertops.

If you’re wondering, “what about paper towel for food preparation”, as many people use paper towel to dry off meat or fish before cooking it. This is something that I’ve been thinking of and currently don’t have a “swap” for, but I think, if you really have a need for paper towel in your life, just be more mindful about what brand you purchase from and how much of it you purchase and what the paper towels are made of. Maybe choose something that contains recycled or post-consumer content. And even if you simply reduced the amount of paper towels you use, is already a great step towards reducing your waste.

Things I recommend:

• Swedish Dish Cloths: Ten and Co

• Paper Towel: Seventh Generation

Look how absorbent this cloth is!

Sustainable Habits in the Kitchen

Now that we’ve talked about the swaps, let’s consider a few things (that don’t cost a thing) to keep in mind and be a little more sustainable in the kitchen.

Food Waste

First, food waste. Did you know in Canada, more than a third of food produced and distributed never gets eaten?* Food waste in the home is actually a huge environmental issue and can be reduced at the consumer level with a few changes. 

To reduce food waste:

• Make a list, and buy only what you need

• Learn how to properly store food to prolong its life

• Eat those leftovers!

• Reuse food scraps

*National Zero Waste Council, 2018. A Food Loss and Waste Strategy for Canada.

Upcycling

The kitchen is a wonderful place to upcycle. My favourite things to upcycle in the kitchen are old jars and containers. You simply clean them out with hot soapy water and reuse them! They make pretty vases for plants, they can be restored into a DIY candle, and they can simply be used for more food storage. Take things like old t-shirts and cut them up into small squares to use as rags.

Garbage/Recycling/Compost

Learning to properly dispose of, compost, and recycle things at the end of its life is really important. As I started to learn more about sustainability, there were so many things that I thought were recyclable or compostable that actually are not. Not recycling or composting properly can often contaminate an entire batch of recyclables or compost material, so that’s why it’s important to learn how to recycle and compost properly. Check out your local city’s guide on recycling or composting. There are often great resources on what goes where and how to properly do these procedures.

As you can see, by simply taking a look at the kitchen, there are already so many changes we can take on to be more sustainable. Don’t be overwhelmed and don’t feel the need to tackle everything all at once. Pick one and start from there.

And as always, I'd love to hear from you and your kitchens! What kind of swaps have you made? What are your best sustainable kitchen tips?

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This post is not sponsored but may contain some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I may make a small commission that helps support this blog and my Instagram. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!

How-to: Have a Low Waste Period

So you want to reduce your waste in your period routine but don’t know where to start? Trust me, I’ve been there before and I can’t wait to share with you my current zero waste period routine, how I got there, and my thoughts on some of the swaps I made. It’s not a perfect routine by any means, it’s just what I’m currently doing and my personal first experience with menstrual cups and reusable pads.

Pre Low-waste Routine

Before we get into the current state of my routine, I thought it’d be interesting to show the progression of how I got to where I am now and also share my pre-zero waste routine. Growing up I had always used pads and not tampons unless I absolutely had to. I personally felt the most comfortable with pads and it’s how I had always gone about my routine. Pretty simple — BUT the more I dove into learning more about sustainability and trying to change habits here and there, I was determined to change some of my period products because I started to see how much waste I was creating each month in this one area of my life. For me it made the most sense to take the plunge and go straight to a menstrual cup instead of a low waste tampon or reusable pad. So if you’re thinking if it will be hard to switch to a cup if you’ve never used or rarely used tampons, you can definitely do it!

The Early Stage

Stage one of making my swap to a menstrual cup began with finding a cup. The most accessible one to me and the one that I had heard the most about at the time was the Diva Cup. After some convincing from friends and some more reading online, I went and purchased the Diva Cup from my local drug store. I still had some disposable products that I wanted to finish up before diving into the world of cups so I spent the next few cycles finishing up some of those products, but I also saved a few for “just in case” or if the cup didn’t work out for me. If you are wanting to immediately explore menstrual cups but have a lot of extra disposable products, I would consider using them up first or also finding an appropriate local charity to donate them.

The Trial Stage

The next thing I did was to start using the cup, but I started by only using it at home or on the weekends. When my time of the month came I slowly tried the cup for short periods of time from the the comfort of my home and on weekends where I knew I would have quick and easy access to a private bathroom. Insertion did take a bit of practice and was a bit difficult at first, but I did a bit of googling/youtube-ing and found what works best for me. As my period came each month, I slowly attempted to wear the cup for longer periods of time. I also had a bunch of disposable liners leftover that I was still finishing up at this time, so I used them in addition to the cup as extra protection. After 2 to 3 cycles, I finally got the hang of the cup and also finished up all my disposable products, including the liners. Unfortunately the cup that I have still leaks a little so I now have reusable cloth liners that I use with my cup on heavier days. I’m still troubleshooting this part of using a menstrual cup, but it could also be that this particular cup is not the best fit for my body, so I would highly recommend taking this quiz to narrow down some cups for you before purchasing.

Current Routine

With the help of reusable pads and a menstrual cup, I have now gotten my routine to be completely zero waste. Here is my current routine! On my heavier days, usually day 1 and 2, I use a menstrual cup and a reusable liner as back up protection. On lighter days, I wear just a cup with leakproof underwear or just a pair of leakproof underwear. At night, I prefer to sleep with a reusable pad which I clean in the morning. It took a few cycles to get to where I am now, but it’s such a great feeling to know that my period does not produce any disposable waste! Although it’s not the perfect routine yet, I’m quite pleased with where it’s at and would love any and all tips for cup leakage. I’ll share more about the specific products I use and my experiences with them below.

My Product Line-up

The Diva Cup

I am currently using the Diva Cup - Model 1, which for me was easily accessible at my local drug store. I love that it is chemical free, relatively simple to get the hang of, and it’s made in Canada. Of course as I mentioned above, I’m still figuring out if it’s the best cup for me because I do experience a bit of leakage, but I wanted to get the most out of this cup, so I will continue to use it until I find a solution to my leaks or find a better fitting cup.

Hannah Pads

For reusable pads, I use Hannah Pads! Hannah Pads are unbleached and undyed, made with certified organic cotton. The snaps on the pads are recyclable and the pads also have little silicone feet on the pad to prevent it from slipping around during wear. They are biodegradable and can be thrown in the compost at the end of its life with the snaps removed and thrown in the recycling. I also use probiotic soap to wash the pads and I’ve found that the soap has really helped clean the pads and easily lift stains.

Knixwear

Finally for leakproof underwear, I like the leakproof boyshort from Knixwear. They’re great for light days and are quite comfortable to wear throughout the day. It’s made to absorb up to 3 tsp of liquid and protect against leaks. The only con for me is that I’ve found that the smallest size runs a teeny bit large for me and they don’t offer anything smaller than a size S. However, the sizing does go up to a XXL. If you’re on the petite side, you may want to try a different brand for a better fit. There is also THINX, which I’m sure many of you have heard of, but I actually have not tried any of their products yet. I did notice that their size range is a bit more comprehensive.

That’s a wrap on my journey so far in exploring zero waste periods. I hope it gave you some insight as to how I slowly transitioned to a zero waste period routine. It definitely wasn’t over night and did take a few cycles to get it to a point that I’m happy with. This post was more of a little peek into my own personal story, but I do want to tackle more specific and practical questions as well to help you on your way (perhaps in a video format so it’s easier to explain), so if you have any particular questions for me, please leave them below!

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This post is not sponsored and does not contain affiliate links, but does contain some gifted items.