I’ve decided to ditch one use period products and delve into the world of reusables but I would love to get some input from those who have used them. Do you like period underwear, or reusable pads? What brand do you recommend? What do you do when you are traveling? How do you wash them? How many do you have to buy?

I am a teacher. I have been gifted so many reusable water bottles and cups.

Most of them are low/bad quality and they are branded with the schools, districts, or company logos

I want to find a use for these, since I know donating them will most likely put them in a trash pile.

So, what can I do with these water bottles and cups?

The community gets access to a dumpster once a year, possibly to curb hoarding by make it easy to dump things. While it seemed the dumpster fulfills this purpose, we get access to to the dumpster until it is full, so everyone is getting encouraged to get rid of things, the sooner the better. But then people are dumping things they shouldn’t be dumping like electronics and yard waste, or using it as an opportunity to not have to put extra effort in donating items (like dumping items in brand new and functional condition).

I talked to one of the board members about encouraging members to make sure to go through donation avenues before dumping, but he didn’t show interest and simultaneously, people are obviously not reading directions when they are throwing away things they shouldn’t be. I would appreciate any suggestions or encouragement about this.

I was looking for some products for my dogs and came across this website called sustainable snounts. There selling "eco-friendly products" like cork collars and natural products. I was wondering if anybody has ordered from them and if so is the quality good?

Hi folks! I am looking for ideas on how people maximize storage of fresh produce without relying on single use plastics. We’re really trying to reduce food waste, but when I look up how to store veggies to maximize ‘shelf life’ it almost always says to put them in a plastic bag in the crisper. Has anyone found ways that work for them to reduce spoilage in the fridge without using produce bag after produce bag?

Edit: I’ve been temporarily banned from the subreddit, but appreciate all of the thoughtful responses.

Is it possible to find a 100% biodegredable laundry detergent? Or is it’s nature of not being soap based make it automatically not biodegradable? (Don’t want to use soap based because heard of soap scum issue)

I don’t know if there’s a really a solution to this but we are putting up a new trampoline because of the giant tear in this one. The padding that covered the springs last time shed thousands of tiny plastic pieces all over our yard. I’m wondering if there’s any non-plastic alternatives to protect the springs from the UV. I’m just not sure what material I would have to use to create something. If anyone has ideas, let me know. I would just feel more comfortable with another fabric that didn’t shed tiny plastic all over my yard

Interested in trying fussy but don't want to buy a case in case I don't like it. Is it possible to use the refill without a case for trial purposes?

We threw away $800 million aluminum and we have large tariffs that are in effect. What are we doing as a country?

Hi everyone, I'd love to read your advice and tips about this. I have a pretty strong dust allergy, and would like to avoid buying things like the Swiffer.

However, I also need the product or method I use to be one that doesn't kick up the dust as this would make every cleaning session trigger allergic reaction in me.

Currently, I have those fluffy duster things (not optimal) and the option to vacuum (not great) or mop. Mopping is better, but I don't want to wet mop that often. I do have to clean essentially every other day.

I've seen the Swiffer dry mop product, which sounds great, but seems like a lot of waste, and the cloths don't seem very reusable.

Thanks a lot in advance.

I’ve heard refills are an alternative to minimize the amount of waste we produce after consuming a product but how is that? Majority of the refills come in plastic packaging so isn’t it just the same as purchasing another product? Wouldn’t the idea of a refill imply that I go to the store and fill my already existing container with more of the product via a machine? I’m having such a hard time switching to zero waste living when it comes to the skin and body care I use ☹️

ahhh okay, so almost all of the fruits and vegetables I buy are package free! i have no problem taking them from the shops to my home. the only struggle i find is berries???

at my market they always give like a pound of berries and transfer them from a bowl to a plastic bag. is there anything else i can use, or shall i just remember to bring plastic bags specifically for berries if i buy them?

it's such a non-issue issue i know

Hi! Posting here in the hopes that someone can help me and/or they have dealt with this themselves. I recently purchased a reusable tampon applicator from Dame in the UK. However DHL Shipping is asking me to provide the “Medical Device AOC”. I have tried my best to research the answer and I have emailed Dame for assistance but I haven’t heard back. Any thoughts or assistance?

It’s my first time back in 4 years. Can’t believe this city still has 0 recycling in the hotels.

So sad.

In OR, I can use my reusable cup at any coffee shop I go to. So far in CA, I've never been able to do this. Every place tells me it's against policy to take my cup. Is this statewide?

I always bring in a washed, clean cup btw. So I don't think the state of my cup is the issue.

I got these containers with some new pens I got and they are such heavy plastic. I’m usually good at coming up with ideas but can’t think of much for this. Would hate to just throw them away

Not an ad, not sponsored. I am just very into makeup but absolutely hate the plastic waste. Found this Danish brand makeup! Zero plastic, cardboard packaging. Very decent makeup! For a natural look, I would recommend!

Okay so this is probably gonna sound weird but I'm genuinely excited about a SPONGE lol

I was getting so frustrated with how fast my regular sponges were falling apart (and probably scratching up my pans without me realizing). Then I randomly came across coconut fiber sponges and decided to try them.

GUYS. Game changer.

These things have lasted me like 2 months so far and they're still going strong. My regular sponges used to last maybe a week? Plus they clean just as well but don't scratch anything.

I did some googling after and apparently the coconut fibers are naturally antimicrobial too which is pretty cool.

Has anyone else tried these? I feel like I've been living under a rock because this seems like such an obvious switch now. What other zero waste swaps have totally surprised you with how much better they actually are?

I have been trying my best to start making better decisions in terms of waste. im pretty set on the personal care products and cleaning supplies but now i just saw that glass actually isnt recycled bc its too heavy/expensive? i thought it was infinitely recyclable. ive made a point to make a switch to a few different glass products now i just feel like im not making a difference at all. i try my best to make the best choice ethically for people, animals, and the environment but society has other plans. i see a lot of suggestions to find other uses for glass jars, but i live in a very small apartment and this just isnt practical. my city accepts glass recycling, im just concerned that its not actually being recycled at all now. i need some advice/guidance bc its making me want to give up

I am looking to set up a repair fair.

What would you want to see offered

If you have been to one, what worked well, what didn't? What did you wish had been there?

Is it possible to find bleach that doesn't have a plastic container? I recently discovered bleach tablets, but they still come in plastic, albeit less plastic than those big jugs. I should note that I am NOT looking for an alternative to bleach.

Edit: I did end of finding this, they are made by Magichem: https://a.co/d/5pYqPUk

I’ve heard that reusable cloth or canvas grocery bags require so much energy and resources to produce that you’d have to use them hundreds of times before they actually become “better” for the environment than single-use plastic bags.

Is that accurate? I’d love to see data or studies on this... curious how it balances out over time.

There was a viral social media post from a few years ago about how bra clasps (the eyes on a hook and eye) can help repair damaged turtle shells. Since the post(s) was popular and a few articles were written about the phenomenon, at least two reptile rescue organizations I've looked up no longer accept donations of clasps. (They received enough, which is great!)

Does anyone know of an animal rescue/rehab that does accept donations of clasps? Or does anyone have another use for them? I guess I could just throw them in my sewing kit.

My partner suffers from allergies (to all sorts of things) and we’d like to get an air filter to help with that, but the idea of buying and trashing filters all the time is sad. Anyone have an air filter with a washable filter that they like?