Zero Waste
On this page you'll find info about how I'm trying to lower my waste production and environmental impact as well as support companies that help people and animals. I'll be going room to room to highlight products and tips. All products are vegan-friendly. While I say that cardboard packaging is recyclable, it is also compostable.
This page is a constant work in progress as I find new things.
This page is a constant work in progress as I find new things.
Recycling
We recycle as much as we can, following the guidelines set out by Clean Up Australia. We also Redcycle our soft plastics and take them to the local Coles. This leaves us with very little to put in the bin. It does mean a lot more 'prep' as we have to rinse out (or completely wash out) a lot of the bottles and cans, and store bottle caps and similar items until we have enough to fill a bottle (see more here). But it's worth it as recycling uses a lot less energy than using new materials. There are some unusual things that you only need to get rid of every now and again, so I've put together a short list here of where to take them.
- Prescription Glasses - Donate them to Personal Eyes
- Printer Cartridges -
- - - Kitchen - - -
Bokashi Buckets
I've bought two Bokashi buckets to try and compost all my food waste, as well as things like shredded paper. I have two because then I can use the second one when the first one fills up and is still turning to dirt. The cheapest I've found them is on websites like OO and DealsDirect. Made in Australia |
Safix Scrub Pad by Inovex Enterprises
We use this when washing up. It's compostable, and made from coconut fibres. We have a seperate one for cleaning the kitty litter trays, and for the bathroom. I've found it at Biome, Vegan Online and Made in India |
Compostable Sponge Cloths by If You Care
We use these for washing up, with the help of the Safix Scrub Pad. They are made out of cellulose and unbleached non-GMO cotton. I've only found them at Biome. They come in compostable packaging. You can also use these as cleaning cloths if you want, instead of the Chux (further down). Made in the US |
Recycled Aluminum Foil by If You Care
Compostable, recycled, recycleable Not only can you recycle your aluminium foil, you can also buy recycled aluminium foil. We prefer to place things in containers straight away so we've had a roll for over a year now. Once we've used it up though, we'll be switching to this. It's also packaged in cardboard, which you can also recycle. I've only found it at Biome. Made in the US |
Tupperware
Secondhand is always best, but if you can't get to op shops, then there's these: |
- - - Cleaning Products - - -
Forest Friendly Paper towels by Who Gives A Crap
If you're like me and have not yet managed to stop using paper towels, these seem to be the best option so far. They are made out of sustainable sugar cane and bamboo. You can only buy them in lots of 8 and I suggest saving on any shipping charges there might be and buying some of their toilet paper and/or tissues at the same time. 50% of their profits go to WaterAid. Made in China (labor conditions are monitored) |
Biodegradable Absorbent Cloth by Chux
I've been trying to use these reusable and compostable wipes instead of paper towels but it's a learning process. So far I use them to wipe down surfaces, but not for spills. It looks like you would need quite a lot of them for accidents, and you'd have to be willing to rinse them before washing, which you might not be comfortable doing if it's something like cat poop or vomit. I've been grabbing these from Coles. Can bulk buy through Washroom Accessories. Made in USA/AUS. Owned by Clorox. |
Multi-Purpose Spray by Natures Organics
This cleaning spray is really handy for various spills, as well as general cleaning of surfaces. I have no complaints about its performance. It is made from ingredients that are Grey Water & Septic Safe and the bottle is made out of recycled plastic. You can recycle the bottle again. Made in Australia. Owned by Natures Organics. |
- - - Bathroom - - -
Environmental Toothbrush
This toothbrush is made from sustainably farmed bamboo from small farmers. The handle is compostable. It seems to be cheapest buying it from the supplier. The packaging is recyclable cardboard. They are fair trade. Bristles are made from a BPA free polymer (plastic). Made in China |
Simply Gentle Organic Cotton Buds
100% organic cotton buds on FSC paper stems. Compostable, with recyclable packaging. 200 pack Available from Shop Naturally, Organic Buyers Group and Vegan Online. Made in the UK |
VeganFloss by Eco-Dent
This tooth floss differs from most other tooth floss in that it's not covered in beeswax nor is it packaged in plastic. Unfortunately it is still made of plastic though. It comes in two 'flavours'; mint and cinnamon. It is available from Uproar, The Cruelty Free Shop and Made in the US |
Soaps
There are a huge variety of vegan-friendly Australian-made soaps on the market. My favourite is the Musk soap by Tilley (picture includes Tilley soaps) - it smells like Musk Sticks! I also enjoy the Rock Star and Sexy Peel (pictured) soaps from Lush. Both of these companies seem to be trying to reduce the amount of packaging that is used in their products. Some other brands to check out include: |
Bamboo Cotton Buds by Go Bamboo
These are compostable and biodegradable. Packaging is recyclable. There are 200 in a pack. Made of cotton and bamboo. Available through Biome, Going Green Solutions and Shop Naturally. Made in (waiting to hear back). |
Toilet Paper by Who Gives a Crap
This toilet paper is 100% recycled. It comes wrapped in paper (recyclable and compostable) and packaged in a giant cardboard box (I bought the 48 pack). 50% of profits go to Water Aid. Made in China - labor conditions are monitored |
Hand soap by Thank You
If you're not one to leave a block of soap on the sink (or you have cats that will try to eat it and get sick), Thank You might have the hand wash you're looking for. They are a social enterprise that uses the money they make to fund projects around the world that help people; providing clean water, setting up health and food projects and more. I buy it from Coles. Made in Australia |
Shampoo & Conditioner
For shampoo and conditioner, I head to Lush because it's all 'naked' (i.e. no packaging) so I just get to use it and not worry about any 'waste'. They have a whole heap of options, most of which are vegan. My personal favourite for the hard shampoo is Jumping Juniper. When it comes to conditioner, I've only tried Jungle Conditioner so far and my only complaint is that it ran out faster than I expected. Made in Australia |
Hair Gel & Cosmetics
I get most of my cosmetics and similar from Lush, because they take back their containers to be recycled. It's also easy to tell if their products are vegan and they are apologetically anti-animal testing. The regulars that I get from them are: Dream Cream, Grease Lightning, Dirty Hair Styling Cream and their liquid foundation. I also use the facial and beard wash Kalamazoo quite a lot! Made in Australia |
Antibacterial Lemon & Lime Hand Sanitiser by Thank You
As above with the hand wash, this is a great vegan friendly product that helps people around the world. The cool thing is that you can also track your impact as each bottle has a number on it. I buy it from Coles. Made in Australia |
Rad-Pads, reusable cloth menstrual pads
These pads can seem pretty pricey at first ($112 for a 6 pack), but when you consider the cost of 'normal' disposable pads that menstruating people have to buy every darn month for about 38 years (about $4,560 at a low estimate), it's actually a good investment if you can handle the washing. If these aren't for you, maybe the JuJu cup (Made in Aus) is more your deal. Made in Australia by Yumaro Industries |
- - - Cats - - -
Oz Pet Kitty Litter
This kitty litter is made from plantation waste. It's compostable and biodegradable. We were just throwing it in the bin to go to landfill but we're now putting it in the large compost bin out the back. Note: kitty litter compost should not be used on plants you intend to eat. The bag can be Redcycled. Hopefully in the future they use cardboard boxes for distribution. Made in Australia |
Dog Bags by Bio Bags
While we tip the kitty litter that's soaked with urine into the compost bin, we need to scoop out hard waste from the top first. I have yet to feel comfortable composting cat poop (it takes a long time and requires a very well run composting system), but at the very least we're not putting a lot of plastic into the environment. On the composting poop note, check out the Bokashi EnsoPet system. It looks like a pretty great system. Made in (waiting to hear back) |
Furs Gone
The Furs Gone is a long term buy once product. It's solid and sturdy and will never run out. They are shipped in from the US. It's good for use in your car, on your carpet, couches and on cat trees. I personally wouldn't use it on my cats, clothes or blankets, but it is advertised as being able to be used on these surfaces. It's very rough, like a pumice stone, so be careful. Made in the US |
Sticky Buddy
The Sticky Buddy is made of plastic, but it's a reusable version of a lint roller. This means that you can use it pretty much indefinitely as all you have to do is wash off the fur (which is a bit laborious I will admit) Made in |
Happy Cat Enclosures
I'm renting, so I can't have one of these at the moment. Thus, my cats are purely indoor cats. Cats have a huge impact on native animal populations. |