Must-Have Items for Your Zero-Waste Kit

Massive amounts of trash result from normal daily conveniences modern life affords. Yet compiling a zero-waste kit helps reduce reliance on wasteful single-use plastics through reusable alternatives. Simple swaps eliminate piles of plastic bottle and food packaging waste over time. Read on for must-have reusable items to stock your own low-impact zero-waste kit for home and on the go. Small lifestyle upgrades here collectively shrink landfill piles while saving money too.

Reusable Bags

Single-use plastic bags top the list of easily eliminated daily waste. Stock reusable tote bags by the door and in your vehicle so you never leave home without them. Maintain bags in multiple sizes; lightweight ripstop nylon folds up tiny for produce while roomy canvas totes handle bulky items. Search thrift stores for quirky bags that spark joy if new ones bore you.

When shopping, bunch loose produce straight into bags without plastic baggies and utilize available cloth bulk bins. Say no to paper receipts to avoid associated BPA liner waste. Just keep a few bags on hand and suddenly no more excess plastic rubbish accumulates from routine errands.

Reusable Straws

Plastic straws seem innocent, but Americans trash millions every day. So reusable straws earn their spot in any zero-waste kit. Stash stainless steel straws in your purse, car, backpack or even desk drawer to avoid disposable plastic whenever thirst hits.

Silicone options work too, but frequent high heat washing deteriorates them faster. Clean your reusable straws properly to avoid buildup of gross gunk with pipe brushes and odor eliminators formulated for the task. Then sip your beverages plastic-free for years before replacement becomes necessary.

Reusable Food Wraps

While certainly less damaging than plastic, even wax paper and foil generate waste. So reusable food wraps that mimic cling wrap make another must-have for low-impact kits. Beeswax coated cotton wraps block air exposure to cover leftovers and half-eaten produce. Reusable silicone food wraps are a great alternative to plastic bags.

Hand wash, dry and reuse these endlessly for years, reducing the piles of baggies and foil clogging up trash cans after each meal. They quickly pay for themselves in cost savings and waste reduction.

Natural Tooth Products

Most mainstream oral care brands package toothpastes and floss in loads of plastic. So swap them out for plastic-free natural options like toothpaste powder, bite-sized paste tabs or bamboo floss that come with less packaging. The people at Ecofam recommend carrying a small tin of tooth powder or natural toothpaste tablets to use in office bathrooms or on trips where you lack your regular toiletries.

Pass on travel-size disposable paste tubes, flossers and mini mouthwashes sold in blister packs. Using nature-derived tooth cleansers with biodegradable fiber floss nurtures teeth without trashing the planet.

Reusable Napkins

Paper napkins feel harmless but still clog landfills and require tree harvesting. Maintaining a stash of reusable cloth napkins provides a handy standby that folds up compactly. Use them for outdoor dining, picnics, spills in the car, and other unforeseen circumstances you’d normally grab disposable paper products for.

Small enough to squeeze into purse or pockets, they take up minimal space while preventing loads of future paper waste. Choose darker hues if staining concerns you over light colors. Just run used napkins through laundry routinely.

Conclusion

You need not become a radical zero-waste monk to help spare landfills a bit of stuffing. Simply stocking reusable essentials described here cuts existing reliance on plastic bags, cutlery, straws, containers that easily switch out. Toting your own durable goods around leads to significant accumulation of disposables avoided over time. The planet and your wallet will thank you for making small upgrades towards plastic-free living.