Your trash can be more than just a place to toss out old packaging. It can actually be your guide to living more sustainably. By simply paying attention to what you throw away, you can discover the small changes that will make a big difference in your journey toward zero waste.

In this blog post, we’ll show you some swaps for things you might be seeing a lot in your trash lately. But remember, it’s all about starting small, being mindful, and finding simple solutions to reduce the number of things that end up in the trash. Take your time with each change, follow your journey, and celebrate the small wins along the way. Every step counts!

Plastic packaging

Prioritise fresh produce that is not wrapped in plastic. Skip the pre-washed salad greens and individually packaged produce. Instead, try buying whole fruits and vegetables and washing them at home. Reusable produce bags are also a great addition to your grocery runs. They help you carry and organize your fruits and veggies without adding more plastic to your cart.

Paper towels and napkins

Replace paper towels and napkins with reusable cloth alternatives. Cotton or linen are great fabrics for both cleaning rags and napkins. You can easily repurpose old t-shirts or fabric scraps as cleaning cloths. If you want to buy new, look for natural fabrics like cotton or linen when shopping for napkins, as they’re the most absorbent and eco-friendly.

Cling wrap

Swap out plastic cling wrap for beeswax wraps. They’re reusable and work well for covering food, wrapping sandwiches, or storing leftovers. If you’re into DIY, you can make your beeswax wraps with cotton fabric, beeswax, and jojoba oil. For store-bought options, Bee’s Wrap has a wide range of sizes and patterns to help you find the one that works best for you and replace plastic wrap for good.

Coffee pods

The easiness of selecting your beloved coffee pod and having your coffee ready in a couple seconds does not necessarily need to equal creating a ton of waste. Before considering changing your machine or being sad about enjoying your daily morning wake-up drink, check if your favorite brand has its own recycling program or if your local recycling plant accepts them. If you’re ready to cut out pods entirely, consider switching to a moka pot, French press, or AeroPress.

Disposable razors

Safety razors are a fantastic minimal-waste alternative to disposable ones. By only swapping out the blade, you can reuse the entire body of your razor indefinitely, drastically removing the amount of trash generated from only wanting to have smooth skin! New designs, such as the one in Leaf Razor, now allow all metal handles to have tilting heads, ensuring smoother shaving and less cut-prone. A dream. For body hair removal, consider homemade sugaring or other natural waxing methods to avoid plastic waste from waxing strips.

Dental floss

We love that you’re flossing! Keep up at it. But, if you’re still using traditional floss and trying to cut out plastic waste, consider switching to a sustainable option made from silk or bamboo. The Humble Co. offers compostable floss, which is a simple swap. Another option is using a water flosser, which can be more effective and eliminates the need for disposable floss. However, there can be higher upfront costs when buying the machine.

What do you see a lot of in your trash that you’re ready to swap first? Let us know!