Sustainable + Zero Waste Swaps That Are Not Worth It
Sustainability and zero waste living are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Making sustainable and zero waste swaps can help reduce your environmental impact, save you money, and make your life simpler. However, not all sustainable and zero waste swaps are worth it. In this article, we’ll discuss some sustainable and zero waste swaps that are not worth it.
Reusable Grocery Bags
Reusable grocery bags are a popular sustainable and zero waste swap, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about bringing your reusable bags to the store, you’ll end up using more plastic bags than you would have otherwise. Additionally, if you don’t wash your bags regularly, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Reusable Water Bottles
Reusable water bottles are another popular sustainable and zero waste swap, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your water bottle, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use a stainless steel water bottle, it can leach chemicals into your water.
Reusable Coffee Cups
Reusable coffee cups are a great way to reduce your waste, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your coffee cup, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use a stainless steel coffee cup, it can leach chemicals into your coffee.
Reusable Straws
Reusable straws are a great way to reduce your waste, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your straws, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use stainless steel straws, they can leach chemicals into your drinks.
Reusable Produce Bags
Reusable produce bags are a great way to reduce your waste, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your produce bags, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use a mesh produce bag, it can be difficult to keep your produce fresh.
Reusable Cutlery
Reusable cutlery is a great way to reduce your waste, but it’s not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your cutlery, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use stainless steel cutlery, it can leach chemicals into your food.
FAQs
Are reusable grocery bags worth it?
Reusable grocery bags are a great way to reduce your waste, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about bringing your reusable bags to the store, you’ll end up using more plastic bags than you would have otherwise. Additionally, if you don’t wash your bags regularly, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Are reusable water bottles worth it?
Reusable water bottles are a great way to reduce your waste, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your water bottle, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use a stainless steel water bottle, it can leach chemicals into your water.
Are reusable coffee cups worth it?
Reusable coffee cups are a great way to reduce your waste, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your coffee cup, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use a stainless steel coffee cup, it can leach chemicals into your coffee.
Are reusable straws worth it?
Reusable straws are a great way to reduce your waste, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your straws, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use stainless steel straws, they can leach chemicals into your drinks.
Are reusable produce bags worth it?
Reusable produce bags are a great way to reduce your waste, but they’re not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your produce bags, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use a mesh produce bag, it can be difficult to keep your produce fresh.
Are reusable cutlery worth it?
Reusable cutlery is a great way to reduce your waste, but it’s not always worth it. If you’re not diligent about washing your cutlery, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, if you don’t use stainless steel cutlery, it can leach chemicals into your food.
Plz plz plz look into Acorn Land Labs I would be overjoyed to see you include them in a topic 🤍⛰️
I actually do find the reusable period pads useful; whether or not they work for a particular person, I think that depends on what style of underwear you prefer, and if you have a heavier or a lighter cycle. If you have a light cycle, favor dark/difficult-to-stain fabrics, and prefer skintight underwear, they're more likely to work. Otherwise, yeah. You might want a different option.
They are also a lot less irritating than disposable pads and don't leave behind any of that sticky glue residue after you're done with them. Just a thought for anyone who prefers pads in general.
Hi Shelbi. Could you do a video on what you do for papertowels, napkins, tissues etc please. All I can find on the internet is the ones to buy. I would love to know all the options and what you use!
Your question about what people use cotton swabs for (I tend to call them cotton buds) makes me guess that you don’t get very waxy ears.
I get waxy ears. It slowly moves out of the ear canal and makes the opening to my ears sticky and gross. My younger kid gets the same as me, but on steroids: like, serious chunks of ear wax around the opening to her ears.
So yeah, we use cotton buds a lot.
Those stupid cotton swabs were the reason I clicked on this video.
I mostly use cotton swabs for cleaning small objects or holes, sometimes I take it apart and rewarp the cotton around the stick to get even more precise. I don't like to waste them so sometimes I'll just take a toothpick and pull apart a cotton pad. Another use would be applying some skincare products if you don't want them all around your face!
WHAT!!! I LOVE!! reausable menstrual pads, love love love them
I have tried powdered toothpaste and I think I will throw away the rest. It makes my gums bleed
Most of these zero waste swaps are, in the big picture, not worth your time when the biggest percentage of people (and slimy greed-centric corporations + politicians) are doing absolutely zilch.
Then, you have to consider all of the poor people that can't really afford to be eco-anything. Let's not forget the do as I say, not as I do crowd that uses airplanes as their main way to get around the world. They have a massive carbon fartprint Soooo, till then, it's all futile
I love my reusable paper towels. They are way easier for my kids to use than having rags and stuff. Were I an adult with no kids, I might would be able to go with you on that journey… but they kinda are a must for kids.
I use cotton swabs to clean up my makeup as I put it on. Cant get a straight line with the brush, need 7 attempts to do eyeliner, also I do facepaint and cleaning up the edges of stencils. Great for taking off product that is in places it shouldnt be. Better to do it right the first time but I dont have steadybenough hands for that.
Not sure if a silicone swab would work because I put water or makeup remover on them.
I like the reusable menstrual pads just as a back up while I'm using my salt. menstrual cup. I can't wait to get period panties!!
Hey! Could you do a dive on lululemon? Not looking to buy from them (not new obvi) but their sustainability page looks really informative and I'm wondering how can you know if it's legit or greenwashing? Thanks!
Making your own toothpaste from baking soda honestly tastes so bad
I like that you're honest without shaming people who DO use these products. Good video.
The reusable cotton swabs would probably be useful for cleaning out bongs/glass pieces 😂
Hi Shelbi,
I’d love a video talking about some of the activism you are doing and that you think are helpful.I know right now the story of stuff has a petition regarding the international Plastic treaty.
I’d also love reviews of things like dish washing products and laundry products! Maybe you’ve done them and I haven’t found the videos I’m still watching all the old ones.
Thanks for all that you do!
Although it sounds beging, you always remind my that repairing and reusing is an option. Thank you 🙏
My reusable cotton rounds are my FAVORITE for eye makeup removal. I’ve had the same set for almost 8 years and they’re going strong!:)
I'm old. I still use face cloths, dish towels and stuff like that. I do buy paper towels, I have old dogs and sometimes you need paper towels. I don't use them much even if they are on the counter, the cloth is right beside them and works like it always did. I would like to stop using plastic bottles. I'd like things to come in refill sizes that don't come in plastic. Going to start making my own laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent. That should cut plastic out a ton. I do use cotton makeup pads to remove nail polish, sorry, I love nail polish. I'll take my carbon footprint lumps in nail polish.
I do use reusable pads on days when my flow is too heavy to comfortably insert a period cup. I do have a pair of period underwear, but it gets STANKY. I had the same problem with disposable pads and I think it has something to do with the lack of ventilation. The reusable pads can also get nasty after wearing them for an extended period of time, but it takes longer than the alternatives.
I love my reusable make up rounds for using things like micellar water- not to take up make up, just for light things like that!
Loved this vid. So sensible!
I've have had the same collabsable shopping bags from Bath & Body Works for like 12 years despite them being discontinued like 9+ years ago. Lots of repairs by now, but I keep getting compliments on the design and how strong they are versus how tiny they compress. But I agree that new newer reusable mesh produce bags suck.
Reusable cotton rounds for makeup removal are one of my FAVORITE items, BUT I had to find the right ones. I even stitched some too out of upcycled tee-shirts, and those were not great… but the ones that have a soft flannel side really DO work. I've been using mine for … two or three years? I had tried a Makeup Eraser cloth but the texture squigged me out, and it did NOT feel like it was effective for me. The right feel and texture of fabric for applying toner or removing makeup will make all the difference!
I love my shampoo bars but absolutely HATE conditioner bars – I cannot find a conditioner bar that exfoliates well and I feel like I end up spending way too much time in the shower trying to get the product onto my hair. Would love some alternatives or some good conditioner bars that don't seem to have this issue.
I feel like I sadly need paper towels in my life. I use fabric cloths for as MUCH as I possibly can. But we have 3 dogs, our towels aren't the best for drying off wet food like lettuce, or bacon grease off bacon. Or cleaning up doggy messes, etc. I try to find a balance. Also I like cotton produce bags, but sadly since 2020 our bulk store doesn't let us use our own packaging anymore, bags or jars, so sad!
I use menstrual cups. Then the reusable pads is just to catch any overflows.
I use à grand that se Have here in Europe. Not top et pensive and éco conscious why allo me to remove make up and clean with only water due to a very qualitative microfiber.
LOVE THIS!
Im a harbinger customer too! So. Many. Things. That Ive loved. Have been discontinued and it sucks sooo much T^T lol
My white whale is Dill Pickle Doritos lol
I tried so many deodorants, but I get sweaty and stinky very easy and the DIY is the only one that's working dir me, even while working Out I don't smell
PAPER TOWELS ARE GOOD FOR GERM REMOVAL.
I use reusable cotton pads and I love them, have no issues at all and just hand wash them
Shel's all ears 😂 8:10 talking about cotton swabs…
I have a really hard time with dog hair/lint on my dish cloths after washing them in the laundry. I've tried keeping them separate from everything else I wash but they still come out linty. I found my Swedish dish cloth won't harbor lint/dog hair because I can put it in the dishwasher instead of the laundry washer.
I used cocoa powder mixed with a type of flour (I can't remember the name of right now) as dry shampoo for a little while. Smelled like a chocolate factory so that was a no 😀
The reusable ‘cotton’ swabs are good for keeping new piercings clean without getting fuzz in them 😊
Thank you
Someone had to say it
Marketing is delusional you guys fr
I will say when it comes to reusable pads, you do have to find some that you really really really really really like and that are very similar to products you already use. So no matter what reusable pad I use I get heavy duty. And I at least get 10 inches or bigger, and I try to buy from the same sellers every time because I know that their products work and their policy and whatever else they may offer. I love this Etsy shop called Padtastic because they are so similar to the normal pads that I used to buy. And I especially love that she has these huge 18 inch overnight pants and I love all the very fun and cool designs. It makes my period a little bit more bearable and fun
The same goes for my panty liners. I get a similar size and thickness!
If you want a zero waste tool for soaking in hydrogen peroxide to clean stuff out, I recommend a little paint brush! I use one for cleaning out my mechanical keyboard and I like it better than cotton swabs (doesn't leave fuzz on the mechanism) and in my experience it works really well
I most often use a cotton swab under my eyes to get fallout or mascara or whatever off to clean up my makeup. I don't know if a silicon version of that would work, maybe?
Just found your channel and loved video. I was excited to hear someone say they had sensory issues and couldn't use a product. Keep up the great content and your hair is so beautiful
I was wondering if you have heard of the quip rechargeable silicone toothbrush and if its eco friendly to get?
period underwear is definitely superior to reusable pads. but the cost difference is insane, and in my experience period underwear takes ages to dry (airdry, i dont have a tumble dryer, i dont even know if you could dry them in there)
I use cotton swabs for first aid (like soaking them in rubbing alcohol, and applying various medicated creams such as antibiotic cream), so having a silicone swab would do nothing for me- plus, I prefer to keep my first aid products completely sanitary, and I feel like a reusable swab would not be the move in that situation lol