The definition of zero waste is “the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health” (zerowaste.com).

In simple terms, going zero waste means reducing your impact on the environment by thinking of the way a product was created, but also the end-use of the product. Often times when we buy items we don’t consider how it was made, who made it, or what we will do with it after we are done.

As a busy mom, I know it is difficult to think about the circular life of every single product you purchase for your family, however, the more you practice eco-parenting techniques like this, the easier it will be to identify products that are better for the environment and your family.

As an environmental enthusiast, I am so excited to share some of the zero waste products I use every day to decrease my footprint and support my life as a busy working momma. One of the easiest ways for me to be eco-friendly is to eliminate common disposable, single-use products by using more zero-waste products.

Below are items I have eliminated and the zero-waste products I use instead!

Reusable Food Storage Bags

Instead of plastic food storage bags, use reusable food storage bags

Why I recommend it:

Plastic ziplock bags are so convenient and easy to purchase, however, they also contribute to the plastic pollution plaguing our planet. Instead of plastic food storage bags, choose reusable food storage bags instead.

Learn more about plastic pollution in the environment here.

Where to buy:

Cloth Diapers

Instead of disposable diapers, cloth diapers

Why I recommend it:

Babies use thousands of disposable diapers from birth to potty train. This is not only costly but also has a significant impact on our landfills. To avoid this (and save hundreds!) I opted for cloth diapers and absolutely love them!

Where to buy:

Cloth Towels/Reusable Paper Towels

Instead of paper towels, use cloth towels or napkins

Why I recommend it:

Of all the items I’ve eliminated, paper towels were the most difficult. They are so darn convenient! I weaned myself off by incorporating microfiber and cloth towels into our routine before I completely eliminated paper towels. Before long, I found myself using towels more than paper towels.

Where to buy:

Reusable Plates and Utensils

Instead of paper plates and plastic utensils, use reusable plates and utensils

Why I recommend it:

I’ve never been much of a fan of single-use plates and utensils so this was not difficult for my family to eliminate. The pollutants created to manufacture these items as well as the residual chemicals found inside these products were enough for me to easily make the switch to ceramic plates.

Learn more about paper plates and the environment here.

Where to buy:

I hope these 4 easy zero waste products can be incorporated into your busy life!

Eliminating single-use products for zero-waste products is not always easy, but you can start off small. Choose one item from the list above and find a zero-waste alternative. Once you’ve adopted the change into your lifestyle, try to eliminate another item.

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• The 5 Easiest Eco-Friendly Switches That Won’t Make You Miserable
• 7 Free Ways to Reduce Your Waste
• Want to Be Eco-Friendly Every Day? Start with these sustainable products!

Last Updated 12/9/22