Living a low waste lifestyle shouldn’t mean having to spend more money to make an environmentally-friendly choice or going without because there isn’t a plastic-free alternative. While everyone should take a level of personal responsibility for the waste they cause, there is only so much we can do as individuals to change a system that is designed to cause waste.

I believe it’s important everyone has ‘zero waste non-negotiables’, a list of things they can’t or won’t live without regardless of how it comes packaged. These non-negotiations will differ from person to person and can vary depending on a variety of reasons such as lifestyle, financial, social, or health reasons. I’ve tried DIY-ing, switching to sustainable products, and going without certain items before realising there are things I can’t live without, plastic or no plastic.

I can’t tell you what your non-negotiables will be. It might take a little trial and error to discover what works for you and what doesn’t. After a couple of years of trying to reduce my waste, here is what I’ve discovered to be my personal zero waste non-negotiables:

Medical Supplies

Our health is more important than the waste we cause. I take supplements because my body can’t absorb iron properly and I occasionally get migraines, which require heavy duty painkillers. I'm accident prone and I bruise easily. All these things require medical supplies that often come packaged in plastic. If I ever need to heal a wound or treat an ailment, I don’t hesitate to purchase whatever is necessary to fix the problem and I don’t believe you should either. Some of us are in better health than others and find it easier to go without painkillers or supplements, bandages or ointments; many of us need them to sooth aches and pains or deal with health issues, and we shouldn’t feel guilty about the waste we cause because of that.

Sun Protection

I’m aware there are DIY sun screen recipes but I would encourage anyone thinking about making their own to reconsider. Sun care is not to be messed with. It’s so important we protect ourselves against the sun, I just don’t feel it’s worth the risk to avoid causing a small amount of plastic waste. There are zero waste sun protection options, however, the majority of them are not vegan-friendly and the ones that are aren’t always readily available in the UK. If you can find an animal-friendly, low waste sunscreen option (that isn’t make-it-yourself) then by all means, make the switch. I’ve yet to find a low waste sun protection option I trust so I’ll continue to use what I know.

Oral Hygiene

Aside from the fact it’s a struggle to find low waste and vegan-friendly alternatives, I’m not convinced that DIY toothpaste and other oral hygiene products are an effective or safe as conventional products. I don’t want to risk my dental health with homemade recipes found on the internet; I’d rather not risk damaging my teeth and instead prefer to stick to what I know works and keeps my teeth and gums healthy. The products I purchase create very little waste and although there are a couple of low waste products I will be making the switch to once my current ones have run out (vegan floss!) I’m quite happy to continue purchasing the ones I already use for the sake of my health.

Beauty and Skincare

I’ve simplified my skincare routine and downsized my beauty products as far as I possibly can. I’ve given up wearing foundation and streamlined the products I use on a daily basis to a point where I can count them on one hand. Skincare is therapeutic and a form of self-care for me, it’s an enjoyable indulgence and my routine is already incredibly simple. I don’t want to stop wearing makeup altogether and only need to replace products once every 6-12 months. My habits cause little waste and there isn’t any way to reduce further it without giving up personal care altogether so, for me right now, beauty and skincare is a non-negotiable.

Foods Items

There are some foods that I enjoy eating yet are unavailable to me in plastic-free packaging. Tofu and tempeh or treat foods and snacks are all food items that I struggle to find low waste alternatives of. Of course, there are ways to avoid relying on the purchasing of pre-packaged goods; I cook from scratch, avoid processed foods and drinks, and rarely eat snacks but occasionally, I want a treat! So while I’ll try to head to the local bakery for a package-free treat or make my own at home, sometimes I’ll buy something ready made. Other foods like tofu simply aren’t available plastic-free and I’m not happy to just stop eating it. All we can do as consumers is push for brands to opt for environmentally-friendly packaging instead of relying on plastic for all their products.

What are your zero waste non-negotiables?


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A round-up of the week in links.


I'm featured in this month's Blogosphere magazine!

Links

  • A capsule wardrobe for autumn/winter

  • Finding stillness as an introvert

  • Eating a plant-based diet decrease environmental impact by 42-84%

  • Make your day a little easier

  • There's plastic in your beer

  • A recipe to help you waste less food

  • When it's so easy to buy stuff online

  • Books and podcasts on making and keeping friends

  • These biscuits look delicious

  • Saddled with guilt

  • Earth at risk of entering ‘hothouse’ state

  • Rising heat will cost the poorest countries

  • We need more diversity in sustainability

In Case You Missed It

  • Packing Like a Minimalist Traveler

  • Books For Plant Lovers

Over the past few years, plants have become a real passion of mine. Tending to the houseplants I own, tracking down new varieties, and propagating cuttings has become a hobby I indulge in on a daily basis. I now own close to 100 different species and many more individual plants!

Houseplants have become a way for me to decorate my apartment while reaping the air purifying and mood boosting benefits. If I’m not caring for the plants I already own, I’m either trying to swap cuttings or reading about them! Here are some of the best books for plants lovers:

House Plant Expert by D.G. Hessayon

This is the ultimate guide to keeping plants at home. It’s packed with information on plant species, living conditions, pest control, and propagation. It’s an old book yet not at all outdated; while it would be lovely to have a modern update to include some new species, this is still an absolute must-have for plant enthusiasts. I refer back to this book whenever I’m struggling with a fussy plant and I always find the answers I’m looking for. The Expert Series by Dr. D.G. Hessayon also includes The Indoor Plant Spotter, a great book for identifying houseplants.

Plant Love by Alys Fowler

A useful book for modern houseplant owners, packed with plenty of information on how to care for your plants including light conditions, propagation, and in-depth plant care. If you're new to plant collecting and have some of the more popular species of houseplant, this serves as an excellent guide to making sure you're doing things right. It has a beautiful layout with clear instructions and stunning photography making it easy to tend to your houseplants successfully.

Living With Plants by Sophie Lee

This book goes beyond plant care into the realms of home decor and DIY. With gorgeous photography, you can learn how to not only care for your plants and style them in your home but create plant pots, hangers, and terrariums to grow them in. It’s a beautiful looking coffee table book that’s super useful and interesting to read; written by Sophie Lee, founder of Geo Fleur.

RHS Plants From Pips by Holly Farrell

If you’re keen to expand your houseplant collection into a little bit of windowsill gardening, this book is useful to have on hand. It shows you how to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables indoors from the pips and seeds you’d usually discard. It contains lovely illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, which I’ve used to successfully grow a variety of plants.

The Plant Hunters by Carolyn Fry

This is an absolutely gorgeous book for true plant enthusiasts taking you back through history to tell the stories of plant hunters who explored remote and uncharted lands in order to discover new plant species. Within the pages you’ll find a mix of photographs and illustrations alongside reproduced original documents from the Kew archives.

The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean

This was the book that made me realise my love for plants. It’s the true story of John Laroche, a convicted thief, America’s orchid subculture, Florida’s swamps, and an obsession with a rare and endangered ghost orchid. It’s such a wonderful book about people and their passions; what it means to love something deeply and then let it go.

The Plant Messiah by Carlos Magdalena

An absolutely thrilling read about the botanical horticulturist Carlos Magdalena and his ability to bring plants back from the brink of extinction. Awe-inspiring and unbelievable, it’s a phenomenally good read especially for anyone interested in rare and exotic plant species. I couldn’t put the book down and once I’d finished it, I wanted to read it all over again.

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