A Beginner’s Guide to Low Waste Living

Starting the journey

Let’s face it, we’ve seen the shift these past couple of years on zero waste and sustainable low waste living. Everyone will approach sustainability differently. I started my low waste journey back in 2015, I was overwhelmed. I think part of the struggle, in the beginning, was having to spend an exorbitant amount of money on food and other sustainable items. Fast forward to today, there are endless online shops and even local shops offering sustainable products in bulk. I personally love Package Free ( an online shop that sells sustainable, green, eco-friendly, plastic-free products to help you live a zero-waste, minimalist, and low-impact lifestyle).

What worked

I started researching and watching Youtube channels, blogs, reading books about low waste, and came across the founder of the zero waste lifestyle movement Bea Johnson @ZeroWasteHome, and implemented her 5 R’s.

• Refuse what you do not need.
• Reduce what you do need.
• Reuse by using reusables.
• Recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse.
• Rot (compost) the rest.

I found what worked for me was adapting small habits that I can sustain. Stop aiming to be perfect and just take the first few steps. My new mantra became “small changes, big impact”. 

Here are 10 items I was able to swap and implement on my journey to low waste living. There is a huge list of things you can do to be a low waste, this list is just easy everyday lifestyle changes or swaps. Every day I’m a little more conscious and I add to my list and strive to do better. There are times where I choose convenience versus zero waste. I am a busy mama with 3 kiddos, it’s ok not to be perfect. At the end of the day, It’s not about perfection; it’s about making better choices. I love that waste reduction is becoming more mainstream.

1. Reusable Water Bottles 

My first evaluation was the number of sparkling water bottles we consumed at my house. Sometimes, we would go through an entire case by the end of the week. I went to REI and invested in a couple of Hydro Flasks. Hydro Flask is known to keep water or coffee cold or hot throughout the day. You can buy a Sodastream for the sparkling water. Nowadays there are cheaper options and you can get some really nice stainless steel bottles for a few bucks. Using a reusable water bottle will help reduce your carbon footprint and your low waste living significantly.

2. Reusable Grocery Bags

Back in 2014, California became the first state to enact legislation imposing a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at large retail stores. It’s a 10-cent minimum charge for recycled paper bags, reusable plastic bags, and compostable bags at certain locations. (Source: NCSL) Bringing your own bags to the grocery store is a simple way to reduce waste. That’s why I designed these totes for you to remember to bring them. Low waste living can be simple, just start with the easy stuff.

3. NO to Plastic Straws

I walk into a coffee shop and see a lot of people with straws for their frappuccinos, smoothies, etc. Just purchase a bamboo or metal straw and leave it in your car, purse, or backpack. They even sell that collapsible straw you can attach to your keychain. Big coffee chains like Starbucks even offer a different lid for the cold drinks.

4. Reusable Coffee Cups

If you are an avid coffee drinker like myself this one will be a breeze. Some places offer a small discount for bringing your own coffee cup. I have one in my car and I leave one at the office. If you do end up forgetting, I know some coffee shops offer a ceramic mug if you drink your beverage at the store.

5. Waste Less Food

Believe it or not, I didn’t realize the amount of food I was throwing away each week. Being conscious about my food consumption, I now make a list to keep track of my groceries. I started freezing my fresh produce like bananas, blueberries for smoothies or vegetables, and making broth. Try to buy at your local farmer’s market if you can or if you can buy in bulk to reduce the amount of plastic. Whole Foods are a bit more expensive and you can bring your own jars/bag to buy beans, rice, nuts, and many more items. Check your city to find places that sell bulk items.

6. Dryer Balls / Detergent

Dryer balls shrink the amount of drying time by almost 30%, they decrease wrinkles less ironing time for tired mamas (ya!). Replace your detergent with eco-friendly and fragrance-free Earth Breeze these sheets dissolve within seconds in hot or cold water.

7. Reusable Bento Box

It’s worth picking up those bento boxes for your kids and myself. We have saved a lot of money and feel good we are doing our parts by not purchasing extra stuff on the road. I make a sandwich at home and wrap it in pretty beeswax which is washable, reusable, and even compostable.

8. Toothbrush/Toothpaste

Don’t just toss your perfect plastic toothbrush into the trash, wait to purchase one. We can’t recycle the plastic toothbrush, they just end up floating in the landfill or the ocean forever. Be sure to dispose of the bristles in your household waste or contact your local recycling facility. It is estimated that 400 million toothpaste tubes are discarded every year in the United States only. On the global level, that number raises up to 1.5 billion discarded toothpaste tubes. I like Bite a no harsh preservatives or chemicals pill you chew (ditch the tube) BOOM!

9. Books

I love books! I go to the local Library and check-out books. I’m one of those weird people that read about 30 plus books a year and I need to feel the pages (I know you know what I’m talking about haha). It’s been 5 years and with 2 toddlers at the house, I have been opening up more and listening to books on audible. It’s actually not as bad as I thought it would be. Remember if you love a book just buy it or try to find it second-hand.

10. Biodegradable (Q-Tips)

Ditch the plastic q-tips, make sure to order the biodegradable cotton swabs. You can easily order these on Amazon. talk about an easy low waste living swap.

Hope this list was helpful to you and your family. Here are a few more items if you are up to the challenge. Go ahead and tag me on insta @pinkcreativestudio or comment below and let me know which ones you found were easy swap.

• Deodorant
• Aluminum Foil
• Stainless Steel Razor
• Menstrual Cup
• French Press Coffee Maker
• Reusable Jars
• Shampoo/Conditioner Bar

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