How has your Plastic-Free July been so far? If this is your first try, it might not be so easy. But, as they tell us over and over again, there is no such thing as a failure in this movement. The goal isn’t to do it perfectly, but to get as many people as possible to make an effort to cut down on plastic. In other words, if you’re joining this challenge at all, you’re already winning in life.
Now, if you missed it, last week I shared some zero-waste essentials for when you’re out and about. I believe it is when we’re constantly on-the-go, that we use the most plastic. That being said, sometimes our enemy lurks within our home too. So, today let’s talk about switching our self-care items for plastic-free, eco-friendlier options. Here are my personal essentials and where you, too, can find them.
How has your Plastic-Free July been so far? If this is your first try, it might not be so easy. But, as they tell us over and over again, there is no such thing as a failure in this movement. The goal isn’t to do it perfectly, but to get as many people as possible to make an effort to cut down on plastic. In other words, if you’re joining this challenge at all, you’re already winning in life.
Now, if you missed it, last week I shared some zero-waste essentials for when you’re out and about. I believe it is when we’re constantly on-the-go, that we use the most plastic. That being said, sometimes our enemy lurks within our home too. So, today let’s talk about switching our self-care items for plastic-free, eco-friendlier options. Here are my personal essentials and where you, too, can find them.
Bamboo Toothbrush
This is probably the first zero waste item I’ve ever bought. The thing about toothbrushes is that you need to exchange it for a new one every few months or so. Unfortunately, if it’s made out of plastic, all those old toothbrushes will either pile up in your house or wash up on a beach somewhere.
I think switching to a compostable bamboo toothbrush is one of the biggest favours you could do for mother earth. The bristles can be made out of various materials too—I’ve tried the charcoal and wheat ones—although some cannot be composted. Because it’s made out of natural material, it can change colour over time. You can buy one for yourself from Cleanomic, Zero Waste Indonesia, Warung 1000 Kebun, Green Mommy Shop and Ekko Store.
This is probably the first zero waste item I’ve ever bought. The thing about toothbrushes is that you need to exchange it for a new one every few months or so. Unfortunately, if it’s made out of plastic, all those old toothbrushes will either pile up in your house or wash up on a beach somewhere.
I think switching to a compostable bamboo toothbrush is one of the biggest favours you could do for mother earth. The bristles can be made out of various materials too—I’ve tried the charcoal and wheat ones—although some cannot be composted. Because it’s made out of natural material, it can change colour over time. You can buy one for yourself from Cleanomic, Zero Waste Indonesia, Warung 1000 Kebun, Green Mommy Shop and Ekko Store.
Bar Soap (+ Shampoo)
Even before I started switching to a zero waste lifestyle, I’ve switched to a bar soap for years. The initial reason, for me, was financial. You see, I believe bar soap is so much friendlier to my wallet, as it lasts longer than liquid ones. Environmentally speaking, it has a smaller carbon footprint as it usually comes with paper packaging—or none at all.
It wasn’t until I looked into the zero waste lifestyle did I realise that there’s a bar that works as both soap and shampoo. Although I have bought one of those 2-in-1 bars before, I’ve never actually used them as shampoo. I’ve heard great reviews from those who have, though. You can get one of those from Cleanomic, Zero Waste Indonesia, Warung 1000 Kebun and Green Mommy Shop.
Even before I started switching to a zero waste lifestyle, I’ve switched to a bar soap for years. The initial reason, for me, was financial. You see, I believe bar soap is so much friendlier to my wallet, as it lasts longer than liquid ones. Environmentally speaking, it has a smaller carbon footprint as it usually comes with paper packaging—or none at all.
It wasn’t until I looked into the zero waste lifestyle did I realise that there’s a bar that works as both soap and shampoo. Although I have bought one of those 2-in-1 bars before, I’ve never actually used them as shampoo. I’ve heard great reviews from those who have, though. You can get one of those from Cleanomic, Zero Waste Indonesia, Warung 1000 Kebun and Green Mommy Shop.
Bamboo Cotton Buds
One of the things I keep reading on zero waste support groups is that cotton buds are basically the devil’s work. Unfortunately, I’m one of those people on earth who uses them frequently. Not to get too TMI, but my earwax is of the more liquid kind, which requires cotton buds. When my ears get itchy, I find comfort in sticking one of those buds in there.
It’s a controversial practice and I honestly don’t give a damn. All I know is that I need cotton buds in my life. Luckily, I have found a compostable alternative made out of bamboo. One of my friends reckon I could even DIY them, but, personally, I just don’t have the time. Feel free to get them for yourself from Ekko Store, Cleanomic, Warung 1000 Kebun and Green Mommy Shop.
One of the things I keep reading on zero waste support groups is that cotton buds are basically the devil’s work. Unfortunately, I’m one of those people on earth who uses them frequently. Not to get too TMI, but my earwax is of the more liquid kind, which requires cotton buds. When my ears get itchy, I find comfort in sticking one of those buds in there.
It’s a controversial practice and I honestly don’t give a damn. All I know is that I need cotton buds in my life. Luckily, I have found a compostable alternative made out of bamboo. One of my friends reckon I could even DIY them, but, personally, I just don’t have the time. Feel free to get them for yourself from Ekko Store, Cleanomic, Warung 1000 Kebun and Green Mommy Shop.
Menstrual Cup
A controversial purchase, perhaps, but hear me out. Switching from disposable menstrual pads to one menstrual cup has been incredibly life-changing for me. Do you know that menstrual pads—as well as tampons—are almost impossible to recycle? They’re made out of various synthetic materials and laden with numerous bacteria, that it’s near impossible to recycle them.
Menstrual cups, for me, are so practical and it helps me calm down about my period. You can read all about my experience and thoughts here. But, if you’re still not convinced, there are also such things as reusable menstrual pads. You can get them both from Ekko Store and Zero Waste Indonesia, and menstrual pads from Green Mommy Shop.
A controversial purchase, perhaps, but hear me out. Switching from disposable menstrual pads to one menstrual cup has been incredibly life-changing for me. Do you know that menstrual pads—as well as tampons—are almost impossible to recycle? They’re made out of various synthetic materials and laden with numerous bacteria, that it’s near impossible to recycle them.
Menstrual cups, for me, are so practical and it helps me calm down about my period. You can read all about my experience and thoughts here. But, if you’re still not convinced, there are also such things as reusable menstrual pads. You can get them both from Ekko Store and Zero Waste Indonesia, and menstrual pads from Green Mommy Shop.
Organic Deodorant
Okay, time for a confession: for years I’ve never used deodorant until December 2018. That was around the time I started my internship at my current office. It was pointed out to me, kindly, that I might have been emanating a less-than-pleasant odour. Just like that, I realised that I need to buy zero waste deodorant.
I’ve seen a recipe on how to DIY my own deodorant, but since the materials felt either quite expensive or hard to place, I’ve never gotten around to actually making it. In need of a hasty solution, I decided to just buy one. Mine is more of a paste, but there are the solid and liquid variety too. You can buy one from Cleanomic, Green Mommy Shop and Dimanja Bumi.
Okay, time for a confession: for years I’ve never used deodorant until December 2018. That was around the time I started my internship at my current office. It was pointed out to me, kindly, that I might have been emanating a less-than-pleasant odour. Just like that, I realised that I need to buy zero waste deodorant.
I’ve seen a recipe on how to DIY my own deodorant, but since the materials felt either quite expensive or hard to place, I’ve never gotten around to actually making it. In need of a hasty solution, I decided to just buy one. Mine is more of a paste, but there are the solid and liquid variety too. You can buy one from Cleanomic, Green Mommy Shop and Dimanja Bumi.
• • •
Sometimes we are so fixated on taking care of ourselves that we would do so at a cost to the environment. But, you know what, you can do both at the same time too! These are, obviously, only a small portion to all the changes and alternatives you can use that are free of plastics. You can take a look at all the products and tools that you tend to use around the house, and perhaps come up with a plastic-free solution yourself. God knows I still need to work on that. Again, feel free to check out my Instagram story highlight to find out more stores where you can get zero waste products.
Let me know how you’ve been taking care of yourselves without plastics!
• • •
Sometimes we are so fixated on taking care of ourselves that we would do so at a cost to the environment. But, you know what, you can do both at the same time too! These are, obviously, only a small portion to all the changes and alternatives you can use that are free of plastics. You can take a look at all the products and tools that you tend to use around the house, and perhaps come up with a plastic-free solution yourself. God knows I still need to work on that. Again, feel free to check out my Instagram story highlight to find out more stores where you can get zero waste products.
Let me know how you’ve been taking care of yourselves without plastics!