A lot of people who want to reduce their waste could be overwhelmed by this list. It is not my intention to overwhelm you but to show you how many items that we often consider essential, are really not. All of these are things we spend lots of money on, use, and throw away in the garbage heap. As I like to say – trash I stopped buying.
I’m here to show you, that you don’t need to do that!
If you are feeling overwhelmed, I want you to take a deep breath and then exhale.
Here are 18 things I stopped buying since going zero waste. And you can too!
I’ve always wondered… how much money have I really saved since going zero waste?
I don’t buy a lot of stuff anymore. I don’t buy anything that eventually winds up in the garbage; essentially I’ve stopped paying for trash, that’s all. (I found this article from the onion to be hilarious!)
But, how much money does the average American spend on trash every year? I did some digging to find out. The average American spends almost $5,000 on products that are thrown away! That’s A LOT of money. Hell, that’s a vacation. (3 vacations for me and my low budget hippie mindset)
1. paper towels and napkins:
The average American family would have spent $684.50 on paper products such as paper towels and paper napkins.
This is one of the larger expenses on this list. Thankfully, these paper products are so easy to ditch! And switch to a reusable cotton cloth or kitchen towel.
Reusable kitchen cloth
2. tampons and pads
This number was actually a lot lower than I expected. Feminine care products are always so expensive in my mind, but it was only a $265.00 expense. However, I am so stoked that I don’t have to buy these products ever again!
Read more: A zero waste period.
I never have to make an emergency run to the corner store. Plus, cloth pads and menstrual cups are so much more comfortable.
Reusables save you money, but most importantly they come without all of the not-so-good-for-you-additives like bleach!
Ruby cup ~ my favorite menstrual cup
3. aluminum foil
I used to love aluminum foil. I’d wrap pretty much anything and everything in it. I used to cook with it a lot too. Over the years I’ve saved $60 by ditching it. That’s not too shabby.
Sometimes I love watching Martha Bakes. Really interesting, Martha always advocates being wary of the aluminum foil touching your food and that it should be avoided.
That always gave me pause. I’m glad I’ve ditched it.
If you’re looking for something to bake on try these silicone mats that my mom recommended me! If you’re looking for something to wrap your food in try these beeswax wraps.
4. Plastic baggies
I’ve never been a huge plastic baggie fan. I tried to reduce my exposure to plastic around my food well before I went zero waste. It was pretty shocking at how low this number was.
The average cost of over a year is only $250.
Now I use tote bags or go to the store with a backpack.
5. Trash bags
Trash bags are an expense I never have to worry about! The average American family would have spent $210.
If you’re still creating some trash, switch to a paper liner made from newsprint. Most of the wet garbage you have can be composted.
6. Tissues
Switching to handkerchiefs is one of my favorite swaps. I never have to worry about my nose chafing. Also, I rarely get sick. (had to brag about something in this post)
Whenever they’re dirty, we just throw them in the hamper and wash them with the rest of our clothes. Switching to handkerchiefs will save you $75.
As allergy season approaches this would be a great investment!
7. disposable water bottles
We spend WAYYY too much on bottled water. It boggles my mind. If you don’t like the way your tap tastes, get a filter.
Learn more about ocean waste dumping
Flint, MI is the exception, not the rule. Bottled water is appropriate in times of crisis, but it should not supplement our laziness. Bring a reusable bottle with your when you’re out.
8. conventional cleaners
This BLEW my mind. I was reading this article, and it’s INSANE how much the average American family spends on cleaning supplies. Anywhere from $300-800 a year! I went with a conservative estimate and saved about $1260 over the past few years.
I honestly have no idea what you could possibly buy that would cost that much. Take a look at my favorite all-purpose cleaning spray!
9. Face washes
I used to spend soooooo much money on Sephora face cleaners, washers, toners, etc that promised me a lifetime of clear skin. Well, guess what, it didn’t work.
Now, I keep my routine very simple and very natural.
I use coconut oil to wash any makeup off my face, and shea butter + rosehip oil to moisturize my face before going to bed. That’s all!
All of these, I refill at our local shop here in Squamish ~ Be Clean. No waste. All-natural. Supporting a local store. All of my favorite things, I love it.
On days I am out adventuring, snowboarding, climbing, surfing… I wear a Suntribe sunscreen!
Enter a code “alenka” at the checkout to enjoy a 15% discount + free shipping!
10. plastic wrap
I have never bought plastic wrap. I was always more of an aluminum foil girl. But now I use stuff like beeswax wraps or I simply store stuff in Stasher bags or taperware containers.
11. beauty products
There are SO many beauty products I’ve stopped buying. I’ve realized that I don’t really don’t need a lot of them. I don’t buy makeup “just because” anymore. Most of the products I bought were used only once or twice and never used again.
Now, I just stick to things I know I like and use. I keep it to a minimum and I like it that way. I use makeup made from natural ingredients, support local companies and ones that don’t test on animals!
12. convenience food
This one blew my mind. The average American spends 30-40% of their entire grocery budget on overly processed convenience food. A conservative estimate is $7,215 worth of savings.
I no longer buy pre-made foods. I buy real food with whole ingredients. Not only is it great from a health perspective, but it’s also great from a savings perspective.
If anyone asked me for diet advice, I’d tell them to go zero waste. When you can’t buy food in a package, you’re buying whole fresh ingredients. You control the amount of sugar you put in your meals. No more hidden sugars and fats hiding in boxes and bags.
It’s just real, whole, good food.
13. Baking paper
– Grease/flour the oven tray.
14. Takeaway coffee in disposable cups
I now ask for coffee to be served in a ceramic cup in a café, or I take my own reusable coffee mug.
15. Plastic straw
Metal straws or go without. You are not 4.
16. Gift wrapping paper/bags/ribbon
I use beautiful squares of fabric, or I reuse gift bags and ribbons that we have been given.
17. Milk in cartons or bottles
I make my own almond and coconut milk in the blender and then I drain it. Simple. No bull****.
18. Meat
Stopped buying it. Why? Because the overconsumption of meat is a huge environmental issue, not to mention animal welfare. Not to mention, (yet I am still mentioning it) — how meat affects our health.
I’m a vegetarian now. Huge money save. I feel better, more vital. I have more energy, I feel vibrant!
If you are taking a vacation soon, I’d like to invite you to take advantage of this -65$ off Airbnb discount for your next trip! Enjoy it for me as well.
☽ Follow me on Instagram – @alenkaamali – to see more of my adventures ☽
Trash I stopped buying. Share the article if you find it useful!
What do you think? Share your plastic-free moments with me over Instagram! I would love to share them with my stories. And help me spread the word, by sharing this blog post on your plastic-free Pinterest boards:
And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest too! – Trash I stopped buying.
More about Alenka
“My name is Alenka and I’m a Squamish based photographer. I love using my medium to capture sports, adventures, underwater shots, adventures in the mountains and days on snow! Very simply put, I’m one stoked girl, ready to get up at 2 in the morning and hike for sunrise, go to the airport and take a random flight…you name it!
Photography, web design and digital marketing have been things I’m proud to call my job lately! Very flexible, lots of traveling and even more adventures than when I was a kid. Here, on my website I share tips on photography, spreading awareness about the zero-waste lifestyle and sustainability and crazy stories from my travels. Welcome.”
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