Resources

This page is a living list of resources to help you begin your zero-waste journey. This is in no way a complete list, just things I’ve come across and found interesting or informative. It’s still worth doing your own research to find the best products and actions for you.

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Zero Waste Checklist

Little changes, big difference.

This is not a strict set of rules. Only try changes you’re comfortable making, but remember you can’t really lose anything from trying.

Remember to use up what you currently have in before switching to any of these options – the carbon footprint has already been made. It’s worse for that to have been for nothing.

Food

• Have at least one vegetarian meal a week.
  Vegetarian food has come a long way since its first concept, and many vegetarian meals I’ve had are so full of flavour that I’ve not even missed meat. In fact, I’ve found more foods I like. Give it a try! You can always add meat to your dish if it’s not working for you.
  
  
• Meal plan.
  Before you shop, decide what meals you want for the week, and create a list of each ingredient you’ll need. Try and stick to this list. If you’re a pro, you can also plan meals around ingredients that stretch further than one meal. For example, we like ricotta on puff pastry pizza, but it’s sold in large tubs, so we plan to add some to salads or pasta sauces too.
  
  
• Check produce seasonality.
  If a fruit or veg is available when you think it shouldn’t be, there’s a good chance it’s imported, adding all that additional carbon to your plate. Here’s a handy seasonality calendar to help you figure out what’s grown when.
  
  
• Look for local zero waste shops.
  Zero waste shops can significantly reduce plastic waste and can even cost less than supermarkets. It’s unlikely they’ll sell everything you need though, so check out what they stock before you shop, and weigh it (heh) against the time you have available to visit multiple stores. Find your local zero waste store here.
  
  
• Look for items in recyclable packaging.
  With the exception of fruit and veg, many products come in a choice of packaging. If there’s a cardboard or glass option over plastic, it’s better, but if it’s too expensive or not the right one for you, don’t feel obliged.

Kitchen

• Cleaning products.
  You don’t need as many cleaning products as you think. One general purpose cleaner can usually handle the kitchen and bathroom. When you rinse cloths clean of products, they enter the water system and pose a threat to marine life. White vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are magical cleaning ingredients. Combine these with water, add lemon juice for a fresh scent – or keep your current spray bottles and switch to chemical-free refill tabs.
  
  
• Storage containers.
  Save jars and takeaway tupperware if you’re hoping to start shopping at zero waste shops or make your own sauces, stock and the like. Instead of sandwich bags, you can try beeswax wraps, but if you’re adamant that sandwich bags are the best way to keep your lunch fresh, try washing out and reusing them as much as possible.
  
  
• Washing up.
  Zero waste shops stock refillable washing up liquid, so hold onto your last empty bottle of Fairy. You could try a dishcloth instead of a sponge, as these can be machine washed and last much longer. There are also bamboo alternatives to dish brushes.

Bathroom

• Shampoo and conditioner.
  Shampoo and conditioner bars aren’t for everyone, but you won’t know unless you try! Like liquid shampoo and conditioner, each one is different, so try a couple to find one that works for you. If you’re dead set on liquid shampoo and conditioner though, try looking for sustainably made products and even refill options.
  
  
• Body scrubs.
  A washable cloth, natural sponge or scrubber is better than a plastic shower pouf, not only for the environment (microplastics wash down the drain), but also for your skin (they retain bacteria).
  
  
• Towels.
  Avoid polyester or nylon towels, as they shed microfibres when washed, which can be harmful to wildlife.
  
  
• Shaving.
  Metal safety razors are a more sustainable choice than plastic as the blades can be recycled easier. They may seem daunting, but you get used to them. You can also switch to packaging-free shaving soaps.
  
  
• Dental.
  The standard swap here is a bamboo toothbrush, but you can also get more sustainably made electric toothbrushes and replacement heads. You could try switching to dental tabs to avoid plastic tubes, although they may not be to everyone’s taste. You can also buy refillable silk floss in glass containers.
  
  
• Toilet roll.
  Several toilet roll companies are springing up with more eco-friendly alternatives. Who Gives a Crap offer bum wipes made from 100% recycled office paper, and Bumboo plants a tree for every 100% bamboo toilet roll order they receive. Oceans paper is made from virgin but EU-based trees. All of these brands are 100% plastic free.
  
  
• Periodwear.
  Many women swear by menstrual cups, but not everyone will get on with them. There have been many recent developments in biodegradable towels and tampons, but these are sometimes uncomfortable or significantly more expensive. I personally get on best with reusable period pants and organic cotton tampons. Ultimately, use whatever you’re comfiest with.

Personal Items

• Clothing.
  Do you really need something new every season? (Hint: the answer is no!) Try to curb your inner fashion demon. Chances are you already have some beautiful clothes in your wardrobe. Take them out for a spin! If not, put them on Vinted or take to a charity shop so someone else can admire them. If you really need new clothes though, look for sustainable brands such as Rapanui, that use eco-friendly materials like recycled cotton or tencel.
  
  
• Makeup and styling.
  Brands such as Zao offer refillable makeup in bamboo casings. Although on the slightly more expensive side (to me, at least!), they may be worth it for their sleek appearance and environmental positives.
  

Waste Management

• Composting.
  There is a surprising amount of household waste that can be composted, from hair and toenails to egg cartons and scrunched paper. There are also a surprising number of uses for scrap food before you go dumping it straight in the garden.
  
  
• Reusing.
  Got an old T-shirt you were going to throw away? How about making some cotton makeup remover pads, or spare cleaning cloths instead? Something should always be reused before it’s recycled where possible.
  
  
• Recycling.
  Recycling is a strangely difficult topic. There are so many misconceptions around what can and can’t be recycled, and it’s often seen as the ultimate solution to waste management. It isn’t. Several Zero-Wasters describe recycling as the last resort.
  What can be recycled in your waste pile also depends on your local bin collection and the tiny symbols on the bottom of packaging.

Other

• Online.
  Did you know that even browsing the internet uses carbon? Limiting your social media scrolling will not only be better for your mental health, but also for your carbon footprint. Unsubscribe from mailing lists (except mine, I don’t post often!) to reduce this and keep your inbox nice and tidy.
  
  
• Email retailers.
  Do you love a particular product or brand, but hate the amount of plastic they use? Try emailing them to express your love of their product and express the ethical dilemma they put you in. Do your research first: do they have a sustainability statement? What have they done to make steps towards better practice? Research packaging alternatives or similar brands that do it better to provide examples. Of course, one email won’t change process in a worldwide corporate entity, but if enough people raise concerns, it might get them thinking.
  

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Shops and Recipes

The where and how for change.

Clothes Shops

• Rapanui.
  I love Rapanui. Not only can you make your own custom designs, but their own products are gorgeous too, including products from BBC Earth and Ecosia. This site is beautifully honest about how their products are made, their full journey from cotton to delivery.
  
  
• Tentree.
  Offering an absolutely gorgeous range of designs, Tentree only make clothes from sustainable materials including Tencel, organic cotton, and hemp. They plant not one, but ten trees per order (hence the name), and you can even track the trees planted from your purchase! They offer 10% off your first order, however are a little on the expensive side.
  
  £3.95 delivery • 10% off first order with newsletter subscription

Kitchen and Toiletries Shops

• Friendly Turtle.
  Based in London, Friendly Turtle sell a range of products which primarily aim to reduce environmental impact. They sell everything you need for your kitchen and bathroom at a reasonable price.
  
  £3.25 standard delivery • 10% off first order with newsletter subscription
  
  
• Acala.
  Acala is also based in London, and sell all types of eco-friendly personal hygiene products. They offer 10% discount for first orders, but are fairly priced anyway.
  
  £2.99 standard delivery • 10% off first order with newsletter subscription
  
  
• Boobalou.
  Boobalou are an all-rounder eco-friendly shop, selling products for the kitchen, the bathroom and beyond. This Essex-based shop offers a points system for customers and plant a tree for every order placed.
  
  £2.95 standard delivery • 10% off first order with newsletter subscription
  
• Shop Zero.
  I wanted to give my local zero waste shop a shout-out for being awesome. Shop Zero in Nottingham sells everything from refillable washing up liquid to spices and bamboo socks. Shop Zero’s creator Sarah regularly updates the local Facebook community and expands the range based on what they want. There are also regular eco events to help bring change to Nottingham.

Cleaning Recipes

• Disinfectant spray.
  Combine distilled white vinegar with water to a ratio of 1:1, which can be used to disinfect all kinds of surfaces. To reduce the vinegar smell, try infusing the mixture with natural scents such as citrus or herbs.
  
  
• Oven cleaner.
  Combine one part water to two parts bicarbonate of soda and a tablespoon of washing up liquid. Paint the paste around the inside of your oven and leave for a minimum of thirty minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Food Recipes for…

• Old bread.
  Save stale or end pieces of bread and turn them into croutons for salads and soup. All you need is some olive oil, salt and pepper, and any flavouring such as garlic granules.
  
  
• Vegetable scraps.
  Freeze the trimmings from vegetables until you have enough to make a stock.
  
  
• Check out the Zero Waste Chef site for more ideas on how to use leftovers and scraps.

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Additional Reading

Get educated!

Zero Waste Lifestyle Books

• Six Weeks to Zero Waste by Kate Arnell. This was a great resource for starting my own zero waste journey. Kate leaves nothing out in her six week plan, and it opened my eyes to several areas of waste I hadn’t considered before. Plus it has a great resource list, which partly inspired this one!
• How bad are Bananas? by Mike Berners-Lee. This book explores the carbon footprint of everyday things. A brilliant and insightful resource you can refer to regularly.

Waste Statistics

• WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Programme) – the go-to place for sustainable resources and waste management statistics.
• Web Waste by A List Apart – an insightful article explaining the wastefulness of the internet.

Composting

• How to compost – RHS Gardening.
• 100 Things you can compost – Small Footprint Family.

Other

• Plunge in carbon emissions from lockdowns will not slow climate change – National Geographic
• How does Climate Change Cause Extinction? – A study by Abigail E. Cahill, et al.
• Effects of Climate Change – The MET Office
• Carbon Footprint Calculator – WWF