his | hers
i like to continually check in with my zero-waste efforts to see if there are further steps i can take as time passes. during the last few weeks, i have been focused on my bathroom.
here are the steps i've employed to keep moving in the right direction:
1. reduce needs and give away excess
2. list everything left
3. evaluate zero-waste-ness of each item
4. research and try alternatives as necessary
5. repeat steps 1-4 :)
1. i try to keep the number of items i use small...that means no q-tips, nail polish, or collections of lipstick for me. i regularly go through the drawers and make sure they only contain essentials. we say no to freebies and samples at the dentist office, hotels, or in stores. the only make-up i usually wear day to day is lip balm, so what i have lasts a long time. i love that all of our bathroom items fit into the drawers under the sink...and that there's no trash bin in the bathroom.
2-4. this check-in involved listing each and every thing in our bathroom (well, not each and every one of his things). :) one by one, i considered if that item was as zero-waste as possible. if there was room for improvement, i tried to address it. i'm so happy with the few changes i made this time around and now feel even better about our bathroom.
here are the steps i've employed to keep moving in the right direction:
1. reduce needs and give away excess
2. list everything left
3. evaluate zero-waste-ness of each item
4. research and try alternatives as necessary
5. repeat steps 1-4 :)
1. i try to keep the number of items i use small...that means no q-tips, nail polish, or collections of lipstick for me. i regularly go through the drawers and make sure they only contain essentials. we say no to freebies and samples at the dentist office, hotels, or in stores. the only make-up i usually wear day to day is lip balm, so what i have lasts a long time. i love that all of our bathroom items fit into the drawers under the sink...and that there's no trash bin in the bathroom.
2-4. this check-in involved listing each and every thing in our bathroom (well, not each and every one of his things). :) one by one, i considered if that item was as zero-waste as possible. if there was room for improvement, i tried to address it. i'm so happy with the few changes i made this time around and now feel even better about our bathroom.
here's what's currently in our bathroom:
teeth:
**toothbrush- brush with bamboo + refuse the dentist freebies
*toothpaste- *baking soda (no coconut oil, because it clogs the drain) or tom's (because we've had some tooth issues + i want to be safe)...but toothpaste tubes, you haunt me
*floss- using what we've got, then trying *unraveled twisted threads from silk fabric (compostable)
shower:
**soap- bulk soap bars
**shampoo- bulk shikai
-conditioner- currently acure repairing, but *bulk shikai for summer when it's not so dry
*razor- preserve recycled + refillable + recyclable handle (trying to work up the nerve to try a *safety razor, because i am the queen of nicks as it is)
**shower curtain- have nylon one that can be washed. if i ever need to replace will try *hemp
**bath mat- cotton + washable
**towels- one for each of us is enough
face:
-face lotion- acure face lotion (the face oil brand i liked disappeared, so i tried *sweet almond oil, but it seemed to just sit on top of my skin feeling oily)...i don't use any once winter is over, because my own oils are enough in warmer weather :)
**lip balm- homemade in reused container
**face powder- homemade corn starch + green clay in reused container
**blush- tiny natural fusions, tried *bulk cinnamon but doesn't work for me
**bamboo brush- for powder + blush
**lash curler- same one i've had since i was maybe 13
-mascara- rarely use
hair:
**comb- longtime companion
-hairspray- use sparingly- tried *lemon juice + water recipe, but did nothing for my fine, thin hair
**hair elastics- reusable for years
**bobby pins- ballet buns have given us a lifetime supply- i reuse the same 2
**hair claw- i've had mine for 20 years!
**scissors- for cutting hair
**hairdryer- i have one but can't remember the last time i used it
other:
**deoderant- *crystal or stronger in the summer
**nail clippers- had forever
**toilet paper- seventh generation recycled + paper wrapped - from our grocery store
monthly:
**tampons- no applicator + organic- i have tried 2 menstrual cups, but can't use with my issues (please do try them though- amazing zero-waste option! i appreciated this video showing and comparing cups.)
**liners- instead of disposable liners, i'm using period panties (or these are organic cotton)
* =lower waste choices
** =zero-waste (or lower waste) choices that i am happy with
- =room for improvement
next steps:
- keep trying to go baking soda only for toothpaste- ask dentist's opinion at next appointment
- floss more + buy a piece of silk to try for compostable floss
- try shikai conditioner + go bulk
- recycle razor handle when it breaks (send back to them) + try a safety razor??
- look for recyclable hairspray and face lotion containers when these need replacing
love,
jane
teeth:
**toothbrush- brush with bamboo + refuse the dentist freebies
*toothpaste- *baking soda (no coconut oil, because it clogs the drain) or tom's (because we've had some tooth issues + i want to be safe)...but toothpaste tubes, you haunt me
*floss- using what we've got, then trying *unraveled twisted threads from silk fabric (compostable)
shower:
**soap- bulk soap bars
**shampoo- bulk shikai
-conditioner- currently acure repairing, but *bulk shikai for summer when it's not so dry
*razor- preserve recycled + refillable + recyclable handle (trying to work up the nerve to try a *safety razor, because i am the queen of nicks as it is)
**shower curtain- have nylon one that can be washed. if i ever need to replace will try *hemp
**bath mat- cotton + washable
**towels- one for each of us is enough
face:
-face lotion- acure face lotion (the face oil brand i liked disappeared, so i tried *sweet almond oil, but it seemed to just sit on top of my skin feeling oily)...i don't use any once winter is over, because my own oils are enough in warmer weather :)
**lip balm- homemade in reused container
**face powder- homemade corn starch + green clay in reused container
**blush- tiny natural fusions, tried *bulk cinnamon but doesn't work for me
**bamboo brush- for powder + blush
**lash curler- same one i've had since i was maybe 13
-mascara- rarely use
hair:
**comb- longtime companion
-hairspray- use sparingly- tried *lemon juice + water recipe, but did nothing for my fine, thin hair
**hair elastics- reusable for years
**bobby pins- ballet buns have given us a lifetime supply- i reuse the same 2
**hair claw- i've had mine for 20 years!
**scissors- for cutting hair
**hairdryer- i have one but can't remember the last time i used it
other:
**deoderant- *crystal or stronger in the summer
**nail clippers- had forever
**toilet paper- seventh generation recycled + paper wrapped - from our grocery store
monthly:
**tampons- no applicator + organic- i have tried 2 menstrual cups, but can't use with my issues (please do try them though- amazing zero-waste option! i appreciated this video showing and comparing cups.)
**liners- instead of disposable liners, i'm using period panties (or these are organic cotton)
* =lower waste choices
** =zero-waste (or lower waste) choices that i am happy with
- =room for improvement
next steps:
- keep trying to go baking soda only for toothpaste- ask dentist's opinion at next appointment
- floss more + buy a piece of silk to try for compostable floss
- try shikai conditioner + go bulk
- recycle razor handle when it breaks (send back to them) + try a safety razor??
- look for recyclable hairspray and face lotion containers when these need replacing
love,
jane
