How Can Low Waste Changes Impact Our Daily Lives?

Hello. As a minimalist and low-waste advocate, I strive to make choices that reflect my values. Yet, I am human and have preferences and expectations for the products I buy and use. I also have to adapt to the evolving product landscape. Unfortunately, in sustainable and minimalist living, products I love and rely on often get discontinued, become hard to find, or too expensive. Like most people, I don't have unlimited financial resources, and there's a price point that isn't feasible for me to maintain using a product. These situations often prompt me to look for a new replacement product. Additionally, as more people embrace the sustainable/minimalist movement, products that previously didn't meet my needs become available, prompting me to consider a change. Today, I want to share some changes I've made since I first shared the low-waste products I love.

Lotion

First on the list is lotion. At the beginning of my journey, I decided not to switch from Cerve. I appreciated Cerve for its moisturizing properties, as well as its scent-free and non-greasy nature. Lotion bars didn't suit me. I received a lotion bar from a local vendor and was intrigued by the idea. However, the base moisturizer left an oily residue on my hands and skin, which often transferred to my clothes, leaving greasy marks. That's not the look I want when going out. Another issue with lotion bars was the scent. Many contain lavender or floral fragrances. Lavender is my least favorite scent; it's too overpowering, especially in products. I prefer scent-free personal care items especially for my skin. So, I continued using Cerve. However, after hearing some concerns with ingredients in Cerve I started looking for a cleaner option.

While searching, I discovered a bottle of Everyone 3-in-1 soap at TJ Maxx and found that

Everyone Unscented Lotion

unscented lotion was available at my local Whole Foods. I looked it up on EWG and Everyone was a EWG certified product. As they say, the rest is history. According to the Evnironmental Working Group (EWG) Everyone unscented lotion meets EWG's strictest standards for healthy and safety. It avoids any of the ingredients on EWG’s “Unacceptable List” and provides full transparency of ingredients, including fragrance.

I love and will continue to use Everyone unscented lotion. It meets the needs of what is important to me and also moisturizes well. The only downside is that it comes in a plastic bottle. I plan to reuse the bottle as a soap dispenser in my bathroom and possibly gift my own handmade hand soaps in future bottles. One thing that low waste is teaching me is to not only consider the product itself but also to plan for the end of the product.

Safety Razor

Leaf Triple Blade Safety Razor

I've had a very basic safety razor that I shared in a previous post. It did the job, however, I nicked myself often. My husband also did not like the safety razor he used for his head because it didn't curve with his head. Two strikes out. Maybe we shave the wrong way. Maybe we use to much pressure. Whatever the shortcoming may be, we were dissatisfied with our shaving experience. I turned to waxing for a while but wowie the pain. My husband went back to plastic disposables with a pivoting head. Not ideal but it worked.

During this period, my daughter began dermaplaning. Another plastic, disposable product entered our lives, and I knew I needed a better solution. That's when Leaf safety razor ads frequently appeared on my YouTube page. I chose to try Leaf for several reasons. First, the safety razor was mounted on a spring, allowing it to glide smoothly over curves, and being a triple blade, it provided a closer shave without clogging. My old razor required multiple passes for a close shave. Leaf also offered a dermaplaner that only needed blade replacements. During the holidays, I usually try to gift a sustainable/low waste version of a disposable item, and that's what I decided to do with Leaf products. I gifted the safety razor to my husband and myself :) and the dermaplaner to my daughter. We are all very satisfied with the razor's shaving performance, the weight and handle, and the beautiful color options available. My only downside is the learning curve with installing the blades, but hopefully, that will become easier over time. I will update our opinions in the future.

Deodorant

Raw Sugar Deodorant

I adored Raw Sugar deodorant. It was ideal for me. It came in a cardboard tube, had a fragrance I loved, and didn't smell strange when mixed with my body odor. It was also reasonably priced compared to other natural/sustainable brands, and I could buy it at my local Target. Unfortunately, good things don't seem to last forever for me. I noticed Target stopped restocking it and frequently discounted it until one day, Raw Sugar deodorant disappeared from my Target store shelves. Finding a replacement product can feel overwhelming for me. So, like many people, I reverted to old habits and gasp went back to Dove. Convenience, price, and familiarity prevailed.

Wild Deodorant

It's important to be kind to yourself and I remind myself of this. I didn't cause the problem with harmful ingredients or excessive plastic. I'm just seeking alternatives for both. Until sustainable, low-waste, and clean ingredients become standard, I'll keep searching for products that suit my needs and make compromises when necessary. That's just how life is.

You'll be pleased to know that I have discovered Wild Deodorant. It was recommended by a few YouTubers (The Simple Environmentalist and Shelbizlee) and met my requirements for fragrance, sustainability and price. They also offer a version for sensitive skin. My underarms react to baking soda-based deodorants so I appreciate an option that is made without baking soda. What I appreciate about Wild so far is the metal, refillable container. It's lightweight and makes using a paper cartridge simple. I also enjoy the variety of scents and sensitivity options available. It works effectively, is reasonably priced, smells wonderful, and is conveniently delivered to my home. So far, so good. Hopefully, they maintain their excellent work, and I won't need to search for another solution ever again. :)

Pan Project

The final change on my list is joining the pan project. This initiative encourages you to use up an entire product until only the bottom of the pan or container remains before buying a replacement. It promotes using what you already have and being creative with the use of products instead of keeping several half-used versions of the same item. Over time, I've gathered more lip gloss, hand lotions, and other beauty products than I prefer. Although I don't have a large amount, I do have several items at different stages of use. I aim to reduce my collection to just a few essential makeup items and a small eye palette for occasions when I want to look more glamorous. I also don't need multiple nail polishes, perfumes, or hair products. I'm not using them. I gravitate towards my favorites naturally.

The pan project does not have to be restricted to health and beauty products alone. I'm extending the idea to various aspects of my life and home, such as cleaning products, party supplies, paper, notebooks, picture frames, food, and much more.

At the moment, I'm focusing on using up the cleaning products I already have and replacing them with more eco-friendly alternatives. I often find myself in odd cycles where I exclusively use cleaner products, but then impulsively buy a random chemical-laden product. Eventually, I realize my mistake, stop using the chemical product, and end up with another half-used item. I'm striving to adhere to my principles regarding harmful cleaning products and aim to be more deliberate with my purchases to minimize impulse buys. Additionally, I'm working on recognizing the triggers for my impulse purchases.

My goal is to host social gatherings that depend less on single-use products and decorations. Over the years, I've significantly reduced the scale of my parties and the decorations I use. I've stopped planning around a theme or color scheme and have begun reusing items I already own. One challenge I face is with paper plates and disposable utensils. After a party, whether large or small, I find that I don't want to wash dishes, scrape off food, or clean tablecloths. I enjoy the convenience of simply throwing everything away. However, that's no excuse to continue creating waste, and I am capable of making a change. For my last gathering, I bought wood and compostable plates, cups, and utensils. It's not the best alternative, but it's a small step in the right direction. I will use those items until they're gone and then incorporate more reusable options.

I'm focusing on cutting down my food waste by buying less and planning more effectively. Additionally, I'm transforming leftovers into burritos and storing them in the freezer for convenient meals and snacks. I've named this meal plan "everything in a burrito." This approach motivates my family to eat more meals at home and helps decrease our food waste. I'm taking steps to care for the planet, manage my finances, and improve my family's overall health. Minimalism, low waste, and sustainability are some of the strategies I use to support my lifestyle.