The BEST zero waste swaps from beginner to advanced

This video was inspired by my zero waste New Year's resolutions 2024 video (linked below) and I wanted to expand on my FAVORITE zero waste swaps for beginners, intermediate, and advanced zero wasters. This is THE list of eco swaps for living zero waste in 2024, thanks for watching!

Videos mentioned/recommended:

Timestamps:
00:00 - The inspo
00:32 - Beginner zero waste swaps
9:15 - Intermediate low waste swaps
15:05 - Advanced eco swaps
21:30 - Bloopers

SHOP MY FAVES!

SHOP MY GEAR

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[paigalina]

Recycle tip: Hydro flask has a lifetime warranty. My hydro flask was bumped and banged so bad it wasn’t keeping cold. I did research and hydro flask recycles and replaces your hydro flask. Make sure it is clean (remove stickers) and remove the lid write the address on the hydro flask and send it as is. Yes, send a hydro flask in the mail. See their website. No need to EVER throw one away. Great video as always Emma!

[paulas_lens]

19:00
•Waiting for hot water to arrive before your shower? Collect that cold water in a bucket.
•Be careful with your detergents if using dishwater on your plants - even "bio" ones can hurt them. Rotate which plants get the water.
•When I wash out bottles before recycling I put *that* water onto plants.
•If you collect rainwater, watch for mosquitos breeding. Covering is best, but a fountain keeps the water moving or I have even heard that adding a bit of cooking oil into the water prevents them from laying eggs.

[tamaraking]

I cut an old, torn flat sheet into 40cm squares and serged the raw edges to make napkins and hankies. Doing this saved the sheet from going into landfill and gave me ‘free’ hankies that I don’t have to worry about losing if I misplace them when out of the house!

[ReikoDBS]

I have a yeti double insulated water bottle and I love it. The opening is big enough for me to fit my hand in and that's KEY to make sure it lasts so I can clean it properly.

[anaalves]

So for people that don't own a tumble dryer or don't want to use one, we bought a spindle when our daughter was born, we cloth diapered her, didn't own a dryer and didn't want to buy one, the spindle was amazing, you just pop your washed clothes in it and within a couple of minutes it has spun the clothes at such a high speed that most of the water comes out, then we just hung up the laundry in a metal indoor clothes drying rack and it would dry much faster. We still have and use the spindle machine. We moved countries and we now also have a dehumidifier, we don't use it a lot but it helps to keep the indoor humidity levels down, when the water reservoir is full i use that water to flush toilets, soak pots and pans and for cleaning bathrooms and floors. Having a bucket in the shower is the best way to not waste the perfectly good water that is running out of the tap before it's at the correct temperature, we lived through a massive draught and are very aware of water waste.

[MomIrregardless]

so lucky i am!! i live on a small hobby farm, raise my own eggs, chicken, pork, beef, and goats and milk. so if i could only get over my 'black thumb' and get a garden going!!

[flowermeerkat]

During COVID I bought some old fashioned hankies. I keep a hankie in my pocket and an extra one in my purse. They are softer and much more absorbant that tissues.

[Monsterfiend]

I think the big ones like using your car less, and using less water and energy, are the most important. I tend not to sweat the deodorant packaging as much but taking public transit whenever I can reduces a lot of potential carbon emissions. Great video!

[karinhart]

Another wonderful video. Oh, a few years ago my church asked people to adopt “Meatless Monday” and donate the money they save to the local food bank. That was a great motivator.

Good news here, the “free bench” next to mailboxes in each of 5 buildings debate caused the HOA board to create & recruit volunteers for a “reuse/recycling” committee to handle questions and issues that have popped up. They recently sponsored a big complex freebie swap meet at the “clubhouse” meeting room that was very successful. It’s great that the HOA decided to be supportive on this. It starts with asking HOA to do something, and help them get volunteers so the board doesn’t have to do everything.

[ReikoDBS]

My bidet totally changed my life and watching your video on it is what finally pushed me to get one. THANK YOU

[LewisTurner-cj]

Switching banks was something I didn't think off until recent. Turns out the 2 banks I was with were found to be the worst for investing in fossil fuels.

[danielsellers]

I have a silicone cooking mat I got from Wirksworth zero waste shop; I really love it & got Mum & Dad one as well!

[calicofloof]

I am a former barista and I have SO MANY feelings and opinions on reusables. At the moment, the 16 oz Stojo coffee cup has been my ride and die for over 5 years now.

[SalsaNube]

On buing second hand-when/where possible it's great to join or create a swap/sell group. It not only savers the environment, one can also get to know neighbours and other citizens. In my town, on some sundays, there are gatherings at the open market squares. As the regular sellers are not working on sundays, the rents the space, and everyone that want to sell is putting in some cash for it (usally appr. 1-3 dollars), and can sell/swap/donate whatever they have laying around at home, or without any fee come and buy/take what the want and need. It started as a swap, now it involves lots of people. You can meet friends there, you can get to know new people, and it helps both the environment and the citizens from being alone and to get to feel part of a community, as well as to get some cash or spend not much for something. I like that this seems to be a bigger trend as now malls are trying to mimic this and invite ppl to do such gatherings inside (but then only swaps are allowed), when the other stores are closed. I think it is most probably so that the restaurants and cafe will have some customers even on a day, when the regular shops are closed in the mall, but anyhow, it is nice, that they noticed this trend and are willing to follow a nice habit. And whatever is being left after the swap, goes to charity.

[lyndacrossley]

Tote bags kept in my car or a few 'bagu' sized bags in my handbag, is a real easy thing to do.

[kjm]

I've been using a Kleen Kaneteen for years now for my coffee, and a larger one for water. I receive so many free reusable water bottles and coffee mugs from companies through my work. I just keep them all amd don't know what to do with them.

I use bidets in my upstairs amd downstairs bathrooms and you got me onto the reusable toilet paper with them! You are correct, it is super easy to use.

Other swaps: reusable napkins, paper towels and tissues, diva cup, lunchbox and silverware for work, electric water distiller for humidifier, reusable air filters for furnace, stasher bags and glass storage containers, wool dryer balls, bulk laundry powder.

Would love a video on making beauty and skincare more eco-friendly

[HolisticTake]

I've been thinking as of late how cool it would be if a law was passed forcing companies how to dispose of the items including environmentally friendly options or if it's trash the environmental impact. I wonder if people would think twice before buying it knowing it cannot be recycled or it's a one time use or it will end up on the landfill somewhere. I have items I need to dispose of and I don't know the best way (environmentally friendly) of doing it : (

[samiko]

Thank you!!! I get such odd looks putting veg straight in the basket

[VeganMangoQueen]

Magnesium balls for laundry. Try searching Japanese magnesium laundry routine.

[aliyahs]

I was binging your older videos before the new year and started composting!! I realized how big my backyard is and I was like wait… this is actually very easy…. lol so thank you!❤