There’s no question that sustainability and ethical living are hot topics on social media today. And if I’m being honest, a lot of the times I see environmentally educated people sharing their “sustainable habits” I get intimidated. It’s not irregular to get stuck in the habit of doing something a certain way, especially if it’s convenient, cheap or easy. So, today I wanted to share some of the things I have implemented in my life that make me feel a little bit better about how much waste comes out of my home.

I quickly want to preface this blog post by saying I by no means am claiming to be a perfectly sustainable person and these ten things are just a compiled list of some items and habits that I have worked into my daily routine. I simply want to share some of the purchases and tactics I use that were (for me) little changes in my daily routine that ultimately make me feel a little better about how much waste I create. 

Without further ado, here’s 10 ways I’ve reduced waste in my home with links to items *not from Amazon*! 

1: Reusable Cotton Pads and Swabs 

Reusable cotton pads are super awesome. At first I was hesitant because I figured the white cotton would turn brown or black the second I used them to take of makeup, but I was super wrong. A quick warm or hot wash in the washing machine in their little wash bag and they’re practically brand new (of course this is dependent on your makeup and how long you leave them before washing as well). These are great for makeup removal, toner application, etc. 

Although I bought mine as a 20-ish set from Amazon (before I began my ‘trying my best to boycott Amazon’), I found these super cheap from Glossier and a quick search will certainly find you so many other options! 

Another reusable bathroom item I have is a reusable Q-tip/swab. Sounds weird but it’s kinda amazing. It doesn’t absorb makeup remover if you’re trying to use it for eyeliner/mascara removal as well as a regular cotton swab would, but it washes off very easily and even comes in it’s own little case! Here’s just one example of one. 

2: Reusable Snack Bags 

Ziploc baggies are super convenient but also, most of the time, single use. These reusable (and durable) snack bags have a really strong seal (I swear you could put liquids in them), are really not that annoying to wash (depending what stuff you put in them) and come in all shapes and sizes! Here’s a couple from Stasher check out: 

• Small snack bag

• Larger snack bag 

• Quick Indigo search of Stasher baggies (all sizes and colours!) 

3: Collapsible Containers 

This was definitely more of a habit for when we were actually able to go to school and leave our homes, but carrying around a collapsible mug is a life saver for all hot and cold take-out beverages! Stojo has some great travel mugs and bottles that all collapse. Here’s the mug I have. 

Another set of collapsible containers I’ve bought recently, which will be great one day when we start packing food for work or school again, are these ones. Super convenient to be able to shrink your containers down after you finish eating! 

Another great use for these was when I was working at a restaurant and planning to take food home at the end of the day I would bring one of these, pop it open and not have to take as many take-out containers home. 

While we’re talking take-out, carrying around some re-usable cutlery or a straw is also another great option if you have room in your bag. 

4: Menstrual Products 

Anyone who goes through the monthly joy of menstruation knows the habit and the price of stocking tampons and/or pads. While I’m not one to shame anyone for doing whatever makes them comfortable, as throwing out tampons and pads are not are by far not the biggest environmental issue we have today, I did want to offer some alternative brands and products that I use or have heard good things about! 

Menstrual Cups 

While I personally have never tried one, I’ve heard some real great things about cups! Here are just two of many brands that produce these fabulous, re-usable products: 

• The Diva Cup

• The Saalt Cup 

Leakproof Underwear

I was not trustworthy of these at first until I gave them a try, but Canadian business Knix really came up with some high tech underwear. No more tampons or pads with these undies! Read about them more and grab a pair to try here.  

5: Produce Bags 

If I can get in the habit of carrying these with me every time I go grocery shopping… I’m trying my best. 

I also recently started bringing big Ziploc bags that I wash out and reuse (I’ll talk about this habit more later) when I go to get lettuce because the leafy lettuce I want is always A) soaking wet and B) too wide for the bags at the store anyway.

Here is just one example of where to buy produce bags from Canadian Tire. Here’s another from Simons.

6: Compact Reusable Shopping Bags 

These are awesome. I carry one with me almost everywhere I go. 

You can get them at Ikea or London Drugs and I’m sure plenty of other places too! 

7: Recycling or Reusing Soft Plastic 

While recycling paper, hard plastic, packaging, cartons, glass and cans is something most of us are probably well aware of, soft plastic is something a little more new! Unfortunately, it’s also not a part of most municipal recycling pick-up systems either. However, there are hacks for this. Check out this article on what kinds of plastics can be recycled and where you can drop them off, including some local London Drugs! 

8: Reusing Plastic and Paper Bags  

When you do have to get a plastic or paper bag at the store, there are many ways you can give them a second life. Using plastic bags as your garbage bin liners and using the paper bags as green bin liners can make life a lot easier and extend the life of these single-use products. Paper bags can also make cute wrapping paper if you’re willing to sit down and cut them up! 

Another hack that’s a little bit more time consuming because it involves washing out plastic bags and somehow getting them to dry out properly, is re-using produce, bread and Ziploc bags when I can (if they’re not too gross or dirty of course). 

9: Green Waste 

Now I’m no expert in municipal systems of BC, but if your city does offer a green waste program taking advantage of it can seriously change the way your kitchen works. After all, food waste makes up a huge amount of daily waste, BC Government site page on food waste stating that it can be around 40% of waste sent to landfills! And if you live in Vancouver this article is a great read. 

10: Recommended Vancouver Stores to Check Out

Originally I was going to close this post with a recommendation to visit The Soap Dispensary on Main Street; however I then found this awesome three-shop list of sustainable stores in Vancouver. These include The Soap Dispensary, a place where you can find some awesome kitchen gadgets and get your soap refilled at the same time, Nada Grocery where food packaging is a thing of the past, and Urban Source where bulk art materials are given a second life. 

Article by Genevieve Cheng

Feel free to reach out to me anytime @gen.cheng on Instagram if you have any questions or anything to add to this list as I’m always looking to learn!