Buying boba at tea houses has got to be one of the biggest ways I use plastic. Between the cups and extra large straws it adds up quickly. Finally they had boba in bulk at my local Asian market after not having it for months. They’re still packaged in plastic but one bag is still less than the waste I’d make from buying it at the tea house. Now I can get back to making them at home in glass with a reusable straw using other ingredients I buy in bulk and plastic free!

I recently made some liquid soap for myself to refill my soap pumps! I used a soap bar I had been gifted for the holidays that wasn’t something I was interested for in the shower. I grated it on my box grater on one of the finer sides so the soap flakes would be smaller. The smaller ones seem to dissolve better when the hot water is added. I put the flakes in a bowl with a spout and added some boiling water. I mixed it until there wasn’t anymore discernable bits in the mixture. I then poured it into this growler I thrifted recently. Overnight it’ll set into a pourable liquid soap. This way I can refill any of my soap pumps as I need them. If you can’t get liquid refills that aren’t plastic free it’s a great option. You can make as much or little as you want. My favorite part is that you can use any bar soap to make any scent you’d like. This process also gives good perspective into how much water goes into liquid products. Being able to add the water yourself saves money as you are avoiding paying for all the water weight. Has anyone else tried this? I want to try it with a solid conditioner soon as I couldn’t get it to run through my hair effectively. Send me any tips y’all got!

solarpunkism:

While the easy answer to cleaning up the earth may be “Just recycle!” unfortunately, it is not that simple. Many areas do not have recycling plants available or nearby. In my own neighborhood, to be part of the recycling route, you have to pay a monthly subscription, which not everyone can afford. 

Because of this, I have found myself becoming increasingly creative in the ways that I reduce waste. Below are some of my most practical tips.

1.) Containers!

Containers are very easy to reuse–whether its a glass jam jar upcycled into a trendy coffee cup, or an old mayo jar being reused as a craft supply holder, containers are my favorite reusable item. I have washed out plastic ice cream tubs and used them as flour/sugar containers and as planters. Tin cans become cute pencil holders and planters with a coat of exterior paint or a ribbon. I have used vitamin/pill bottles as bathroom organizers for Q-Tips, tweezers, and make up brushes. Cutting a milk jug in half and covering the exterior with a colorful cloth makes a handy sock/underwear organizer. The possibilities are endless!

2.) Paper Goods!

Instead of throwing away paper, look for ways to reuse and donate! Many cat shelters use newspapers for their litter box liners and are glad to take the newspapers off your hands. There are DIY tutorials online about how to make a pet mat with newspapers and fabric, also a great item to donate to shelters! Make sure to call and check with the shelter to see if they need these items before beginning any project, though. Paper can also be reused to make fire starters, beads, decoupage material, and paper mâché. You can shred it and use it as small pet bedding, as well.

3.) Plastic Bags!

It is incredibly sobering to see so many photos of plastic bags in landfills, in oceans, and around the necks of our wildlife. Easy to make and easy to throw away, plastic bags are easily a castaway product that is easier to use and not think about. After seeing my own plastic bag usage, I realized I needed to make a change. I cut plastic bags into loops, connect, and roll them into balls of “Plarn” (plastic yarn). I have been crocheting the plarn into containers and reusable grocery totes. While the prep work is a bit time consuming, making plarn is still a lot of fun, and its the perfect fidget task for me while I watch movies.

4.) Clothes!

Clothes are one of the slower biodegradable items, with the plastics of common day production making breaking down difficult. Instead of tossing out a shirt with a rip in it, or a pair of shorts with a stain, look for ways to repair it first. Sewing a flower over a stain, or using a cute stitch to seam up a tear is a great way to add character and longer life to your clothes. If clothes no longer fit or are too damaged to repair, many thrift stores (or craft clubs!) will accept them. I like to donate clothes to smaller, personally owned thrift shops before large chain shops, but any type of donating keeps clothes out of landfills! If there are no thrift shops that accept donations, churches, benefit clubs, and homeless shelters often accept items into their closets so they can give them to people who need it directly. Sometimes food kitchens will collect clothes so when visitors get a free meal, they can also get a free shirt if they need one.

5.) Electronics!

Electronics are easier to donate, if recycling is not possible, with many pick up locations by large stores or busy areas. If there are no pick up/drop off electronic places, local high schools, trade schools and the like will also accept electronics (working or not) for the students to tinker with. Women’s shelters and assisted living centers also accept (working) electronics, even if they are older. Many occupants need devices or tech related items to help them apply for jobs or learn new skills, and often these places don’t have enough to go around. Depending on what electronic you are trying to dispose of, you could use the frame (like a computer frame) as a cute planter or quirky garden decor, or paint it into an artistic piece. 

These are just a few of the tips I have picked up along the way! Happy reusing and recycling, SolarPunks! Let me know what you have reused or how you have recycled it.

photo credit to graphicsandgrain on instagram

I had to stop plastic free July due to health issues. I am still trying my best, but please be respectful that not everyone was born with a functional body.

Ways I can still reduce waste

->being mindful of NEW things I bring in. Do I need it? Does this bring value to me? What are the environmental impacts?

->embrace the second hand economy. People love hoarding. You can find a lot of stuff at estate sales and second hand shops. Even craft supplies and home improvement stuff! No need for buying new :)

-> Clothing. Face it, you probably have enough. Personally, I have about 20 items of clothing I wear year round(I would be more than happy to share :) ) you don’t need to be perfect to others, only to yourself. Know yourself and know what you feel good in!

-> stop bringing in random junk that’s a maybe. It’s not worth it and causes mental stress

——–

Places I draw the line

-> medical devices, medical supplies. I need them, sorry they are plastic. It’s not my fault that the system is messed up. I am aware I have a lot of medical waste and I feel guilty about it, but it’s necessary to my survival

-> food to go. I need to eat, like everyone else. I will get Clif bars for going out places(hiking mainly, I feel alive) and sometimes I will get take out from restaurants. Unfortunately, my area has a lot of styrofoam, so I have contributed 2 containers this year, which sucks. I am trying to find ways to use styrofoam though, so I will compile a list of things to do/ways to reuse styrofoam in the future

-> my limited food packaging. I have Celiac’s, so gluten tries to attack me. I unfortunately live in an area where gluten free crap only comes in packaging. I buy large quantities of items, but still, it’s always in plastic. I do not have the convenience of a bulk store and sometimes I just really want to make a cake, you feel me? I am not wasting my quality of life

Failing at Plastic Free July

I promised myself I would no longer hate myself for my slip ups, so here is a good reminder it’s okay to try and fail

I have created waste

• 7 Clif bars wrappers
• 2 sour patch kids pouches
• 4 plastic water bottles(I know I’m the devil, I went somewhere with bad drinking water)
• 2 salsa bottles
• 2 dried fruit plastic bag containers(bulk)
• Tile spacers(we are redoing our bathroom, it was literally falling apart)
• A lot of medical waste(do not feel guilty about your medical waste, this stuff keeps you alive and out of the hospital!)
• Gatorade (my lover got too drunk and it was bad. You need to replace electrolytes after vomiting)
• Condoms
• 1 Almond milk tetrapak

I am aware this is a lot of waste, but I don’t want to lie about the waste I have produced. I will continue to be 100% transparent about this plastic free July journey.

Day 1 of Plastic free July went alright.

I went through the fridge and did an inventory check. Using food you already have is super important, even if it makes my plastic free July imperfect!

I found 2 half empty salsa containers and ate some chips(bulk, wrapped in plastic) with salsa

I also made some juice out of produce that was going bad. I don’t have a juicer, I just have a blender, all you do is strain produce smoothie through a towel/cheesecloth and boom! You made juice!! Juice is my favorite way to get a good use out of old nasty looking produce. You can use the pulp to make crackers if you so please, it alternatively use it in the compost bin to make ultra rich soil.

Overall. I spent no money and created 2 waste items: 2 plastic salsa jars

Total plastic count:2

P.S. yesterday in my life away from zero waste was super rough. I lost a cat and took a lot of time to be gentle with myself. I do usually eat more than chips and salsa and green juice.

Also, its never too late to start tracking your waste :) whether you’re a “perfect” zero waster or an imperfect cognizant/ low waster, the less you produce the better. You don’t have to go to extremes, just do your best :) 1 less item of plastic per week becomes 52 less a year and so on! You can do it!!!

I’m going to be doing plastic free July on here publicly, 100% realistically, and 100% mentally sustainably for me. I’m not going to lie, I’m only low waste now, but I do what I can. zero waste made my OCD go out of control and is not something I can do, but low waste is, and I believe everyone can reduce their waste :)

Covid 19 has led me and my boyfriend to buy tetrapaks of almond milk(ngl, the convenience is great, even though the package is problematic) and we buy in bulk to avoid trips(so, plastic) and we are imperfect! I do grow some food and we do live 20 miles from a farmers market, so it’s not impossible to get packages free food(my garden is of course the simplest) but the current reality is that I don’t have enough to sustain us and I have plastic.

Thus, I want to show what my plastic free/low plastic July is like. It’s probably not going to be child friendly since we do have sex and use condoms, but I want to show what a normal couples low waste journey looks like :)

There will 100% be plastic waste because I have medical issues and don’t leave the house often, but I’m excited to show you what our realistic low waste life looks like :D

If you have any questions in sustainability, shoot me a question and I will respond. Have a lovely day and see ya tomorrow