Zero waste

wort

I use an eco egg for washing clothes, had it years and still not bought any more of the mineral things that go inside, it came with plenty.
White vinegar and drops of essential oils for conditioning clothes.
I have an eco mop, that just uses hot water to clean floors without chemicals.

Citygirl1

The only soap I find OK is the Lush soap (the honey one), it doesn't go gloopy like other soaps and stays solid, it is more expensive but lasts ages. Having said that I have only used it once and then went back to my E45 liquid wash as I have heard that soap is not good for eczema which I have, does anyone else find this?

I have also tried the shampoo bars from Lush and they make my hair look nice but my bugbear with them is that hairs get on the bar and are difficult to wash off so in that way liquid shampoo seems better.

sillyvixen

FrugalWorker wrote: »

For menstruation I changed to using a moon cup years ago for a combination of frugal + environmental reasons and haven't looked back. I've recently got some washable pads to add to it. My favourite thing is that it is more comfortable and I feel far cleaner than using disposables.

Biggest piece of advice, do what you can in small steps. To check the next big item for you to cut out - check out your rubbish bin / recycling bin.

I have used reusable pads for 3 years .. My bigist waste full product seems to be a menstrual cup, I purchased it about a year ago and after 5 months of trying (when I had time to try) never managed to get the thing in!! So it just sits there taunting me - I know I am never going to be able to use it and it will end up in land fill!

pigpen

Shampoo bars from Lush?

sillyvixen.. there is a market for used menstrual cups.. they can easily be sterilised.. no worse than surgical instruments and the ones your dentist uses.. .

laundry gloop is vile.. it doesn't do good for your whites.. plus you use a lot of energy cooking it.. tbh, I'd go with anything with recyclable packaging.. if you can recycle it then it isnt waste.

panagia

We take our recycling to the local recycling point and it's amazing how much packaging we get through. Like you say, OP, there's things you have to buy and there are no real alternatives. Everything has to come in packaging of some kind. The answer probably lies in getting the powers that be to start doing refillable bottles. I can see no alternative to tubes of toothpaste, unfortunately.

MandM90

Some things we have done:

- Switched to a Diva Cup - about 10 years ago. I'm on my second as I managed to lose the first. Imagine I've saved loads of money.
- Switched to safety razor. We got a posh one for about £35. Shaves so much better and I think DH looks sexy lathering up and shaving. We buy blades that come in a cardboard box and then wrapped in paper. We collect used razors in a tin and will recycle when we get enough. No more plastic covered heads, or cleaning fluid for the electric one.
- Lush shampoo bar, as mentioned above is pricey but it does seem to last a loooong time.
- Use soap instead of shower gel in a bottle. If you hate goo, you can buy/make a soap net. The soap hangs so doesn't get scum build up...also the net doubles as a scratchy loofah thingy if you wash with it still inside!
- Bamboo toothbrushes. Bristles are still plastic but I reckon this is still a big step forward.

Haven't had much luck finding toothpaste that contains fluoride in plastic-free packaging!