Take a look at your daily routine. What do you use every day that could be swapped out for a better option? Where are some areas where you could reduce your waste? The first place for me was my bathroom routine, which snowballed into my entire daily routine. I compiled a list of the 12 most used items in my everyday routine.
reusable water bottle
I have been using the same water bottle every day for seven years! My trusty 32 oz Hydro Flask, otherwise known as my emotional support water bottle. I take my water bottle with me everywhere! Even for a short car ride to the store and back, you bet my Hyrdo Flask is next to me in my cup holder. I love that it’s insulated stainless steel which means it’s durable, non-toxic, and keeps my water cold all day.
bamboo toothbrush
This is a swap that has become non-negotiable for me. I will never use a plastic toothbrush again. The bristles are made from castor bean oil, making it easy on the gums, and no risk of ingesting microplastics while brushing. When it’s time for a new toothbrush, this one is completely compostable. I get mine from ZeroWasteStore.
toothpaste tablets
This is another non-negotiable item for me. Don’t get me wrong it was very strange at first and felt so unnatural to chew my toothpaste, but now I can’t imagine using anything else. I use huppy toothpaste tablets which came with a reusable tin for the tablets on my first purchase. These are very travel-friendly as you don’t have to worry about liquids, and I love that they are made with all-natural ingredients that clean my teeth well. These tablets are fluoride-free, instead using an ingredient called nano-hydroxyapatite that works naturally to restore and strengthen the enamel.
shampoo and conditioner bars
I was gifted my first shampoo bar and was very skeptical at first because it was different from traditional bottled shampoo and conditioner. Once again, I will never go back to using anything else. I felt like the bar did a better job of cleaning my hair, and it lasted much longer than one bottle of my old shampoo ever did. It did take some patience to test different bars until I found one that worked the best for my hair type. Zero Waste Store has a variety of shampoo bars available for different hair types. Shampoo and conditioner bars are also great for the planet because they are made from all-natural biodegradable ingredients and there is no plastic packaging.
Swedish dishcloths
I have a confession to make with this one. I do still have paper towels in my house that I use occasionally. However, 90% of the time I reach for my Swedish dishcloth which is a reusable paper towel. They work just like regular paper towels, being used wet or dry depending on the cleaning need. They dry super fast, which prevents any bacteria from growing and allows you to use them many times before they need a deeper clean in the dishwasher or laundry.
water filter
This is a more recent change that I have made. I use it every day and have been loving it! Most tap water is contaminated with PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, chlorine, fluoride, pesticides, microplastics, and more. PFAS specifically are associated with health problems such as infertility, increased cholesterol, cancer, learning and behavioral problems in children, immune system problems, and more. Drinking water free from PFAS and all the other contaminants gives me a lot of peace of mind and I have noticed feeling more hydrated and energized than before. I use a reverse osmosis filter from AquaTru. It is important to add minerals back into your water with revere osmosis as it removes the minerals in the filtering process. This is why I chose the alkaline version of the filter because it adds back the minerals for me.
bamboo toilet paper
This one may seem a little strange but it is better for you and the planet. Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on earth, making it a great alternative to trees whenever possible. Bamboo toilet paper is also free of chemicals such as bleach, formaldehyde, and BPAs that are used in traditional toilet paper.
dishwashing soap block
I have loved this swap! There are so many chemicals and artificial ingredients in so many dish soaps, which then sit on your dishes and that residue ends up in your food. For my own peace of mind, I decided to switch to a non-toxic dish soap block. I have found that it removes grease and cleans my dishes just as well as the previous toxic dish soap I was using.
biodegradable dish brushes
I bought some bamboo dish brushes and luffas to go along with my dishwashing soap block. The fibers are all-natural and when they are at the end of their life they are biodegradable. We produce so much waste as humans, so reducing that whenever I can feels good!
glass tupperware
The best option is always to use what you have if it still works, but when my old plastic tupperware needed to be replaced I opted for glass instead. I reheat leftovers for lunch at work every day, so the glass was a better choice for me rather than stainless steel. Plastic containers leech chemicals into our food as well as microplastics. We can’t avoid these chemicals and microplastics all the time, but we can help our bodies out by reducing the amount we are exposed to.
silicone straws
Every morning I drink either a glass of bone broth or a large glass of water with collagen in it. Rather than using plastic straws that leech chemicals and microplastics, I reach for my silicone straws. Microplastics and chemicals aside, I enjoy my silicone ones more because they are easier to clean and they are fun bright colors!
pela phone case
Pela cases are made from plants so that they can return to the soil when they are no longer needed. I was shocked at not only how many different styles and designs of cases Pela offers, but also by how durable and protective their cases are. We all use our phones every day so why not use a case that’s better for the planet?
Let’s chat!
It’s not hard to make slight positive changes to your daily routine, it just takes a little more intentionality! Let me know what changes you have made or are going to make to your daily routine. Do we share any similarities?