Global waste is out of control. But if you’re here, you a) already know that and b) want to minimize your environmental impact. An excellent place to start living the life of less waste is to build a zero waste kit.

While zero-waste is an amazing idea, we believe it’s important to know that “zero waste” is an ideal. Which also means that no one can achieve that ultimate goal, completely. Progress over perfection, right?

Implementing small changes over a period of time matters tremendously. It moves us from one end of the waste spectrum to the other. Once you have a plan in place, sometimes you just need the right tools (or toolkit) to help you be as effective as you can. Think of this zero waste everyday kit as a survival kit.

However, remember to first use what you have already – the ultimate zero waste hack!

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Index: Building Your Own Sustainable Kit

  1. The Full Kit & Kaboodle Jump to section
  2. Reusable Cup Jump to section
  3. Reusable Utensils Jump to section
  4. Reusable Grocery Bags Jump to section
  5. Bamboo Toothbrush Jump to section
  6. Cotton Or Reusable Cloths Jump to section
  7. Reusable Food Wraps Jump to section
  8. Food Storage Container Jump to section
  9. Menstrual Cup Jump to section

The Full Kit & Kaboodle

If you lead a busy life, you can get ready-to-go pre-made sustainable starter kits. They usually have all the basics and are a good option for experimenting with a zero waste or sustainable living kit. Of course, if there’s something in particular you need, make sure the kit has it covered. They all come with somewhat different zero waste tools.

Seasoned zero wasters will probably have their favorite products but our best zero waste starter kit is Spruce and Pine Co as we love their designs and there are so many options to choose from.

Reusable Cup

Zero waste containers of all shapes and sizes are critical. Let’s stop with the single use coffee cups and plastic bottles already!

Eco friendly water bottles and cups are the easiest swap to make, if you haven’t already. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, whatever your poison, this is a must-have item (for anyone, not just zero-wasters). It also makes a lot of financial cents (excuse the pun). Think about it: really good ground coffee costs about $7 per week. Buying coffee out every day, alternatively, would be roughly $30 per week at least. Over a year, that’s like a $5,000 saving! It pays to make at home and use a reusable cup!

And if you must buy out (because let’s be honest, the coffee does taste better), then look out for cafes that offer discounts for bringing your reusables.

We recommend a stainless steel insulated cup because it keeps your drink HOT or COLD, ALL DAY. We’ve tried a bunch over the years, and are big fans of the Hydro Flask as they’re super robust, great for coffee and cold liquids. We’ve used ours for years for everything from camping to days at the office.

My Personal Review of Hydro Flask’s 32 Oz Wide Flex Straw Cap Water Bottle:

“I’ve always been a fan of Hydro Flask because they’re built to last. Unless a landscaping truck decides to take them out (pour one out for my first Hydro Flask), they pretty much can’t be broken. I just upgraded to a wide mouth with a flex straw cap, and I’m loving the flip straw. It’s a bit less leak-proof than the regular caps, so I’d avoid putting it in my backpack, but it’s perfect for sipping throughout the day.”

Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content

Reusable Utensils

Replace disposable plastic utensils with eco-friendly cutlery made of stainless steel or bamboo.

This is all about the habit. Keep a set in your purse or briefcase and never find yourself picking up plastic at the office cafeteria. Or worse, having brought your own lunch but realizing you’ve forgotten the tools to eat (come on, we’ve all been there). If you’re a straw person, don’t forget the stainless steel straw!

Our favorite store is Spruce And Pine Co who make a whole range of zero waste cutlery kits that come in super stylish and handy pouches.

Reusable Grocery Bags

Instead of building up that annoying and environmentally destructive pile of plastic bags beneath your kitchen sink, switch to reusable bags. Even if you’re not going zero-waste, everyone should make the switch. Plastic pollution is rife, including in your house, so it’s a win win.

Chances are, you probably have some bags lying around that will work, but if you have to buy, they’re cheap and available online. DR Hand Knit Goods , for example, makes a stylish recycled denim bag.

Bamboo Toothbrush

On average, one person will go through about 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime. Check out this video on the Life of a Toothbrush if you don’t believe us. It’s horrifying!

Instead of a plastic handle, just swap to a bamboo one, which is biodegradable and sourced from fast-replacing resources. Just be careful to remove the bristles before composting as no bamboo toothbrush (so far, anyways) has truly home compostable bristles.

There are heaps of sustainable toothbrushes available.

If you’re going to get a bamboo toothbrush you may as well tick all the boxes and get zero waste toothpaste and floss to complete the package. Zero waste options for each of these were not so common place until recently. Both are admittedly pretty hard to manufacture in such a way as to avoid any landfill waste.

We’ve written in-depth articles on all the dental poducts. To save you the time, the top picks would be:

  • For toothbrushes, our pick is Brush with Bamboo where the bamboo handle is paired with plant-based bristles made from 100% Castor Bean Oil and is USDA Certified 100% Biobased
  • For floss it’s EcoRoots – their bamboo floss is 100% vegan, cruelty-free and comes packaged in a glass jar. Once you’re done with the product, throw it in your compost and it will biodegrade in 60-90 days. Refills come in a small compostable cardboard box
  • For fluoride-free toothpaste, Etee makes their own vegan, zero waste toothtabs
  • For toothpaste with fluoride, Denttabs Toothbrush Tablets would be the best bet. They’re cruelty free, vegan friendly and are sold in fully compostable bags

Cotton Or Reusable Cloths

These super versatile cloths replace all sorts of every day papers. Wet wipes, paper napkins, paper towel, Kleenex, cotton balls to name a few. Another hack that saves a bomb over time.

Keep a couple with you on the go (one as a hanky for your nose and one to dry your hands) and a few more at home for things like make-up removing and zero waste cleaning. Then just a simple wash is all you need!

You can use old washcloths, cut-up retired t-shirts, or just plain old handkerchiefs, but if you need to buy new and want some fun colors that don’t make you feel like your a Grandpa, have a look at Marley’s Monsters. They’re our favorite and available in a load of different designs.

Reusable Food Wraps

Instead of using foil, Saran Wrap, and zip-lock bags for food and snacks, switch to reusable and washable beeswax wraps. They keep food sealed, fresh, and tasty. And, pro tip – here’s our guide on how to clean beeswax wraps so they last longer. Of course, not everyone will jump on board with these, as they’re not vegan friendly, but they definitely eliminate plastic.

If you are vegan, fear not; you can also buy similar wraps that substitute beeswax for plant-based waxes or just go for organic cotton reusable snack/sandwich bags.

We’ve tested Superbee’s wraps and found they did an excellent job of keeping leftovers fresh. Each one features GOTS-certified organic cotton, sustainably harvested beeswax, organic coconut oil, and tree resin.

Food Storage Container

Zero waste containers can be pretty much anything, from reused jars to even that old stained plastic Tupperware in your cupboard. Just because the zero waste lifestyle tries to minimize plastic use doesn’t mean you can’t continue to use plastic you already own and try to mitigate further waste.

If you want something a little fancier, you can buy plastic free food storage containers in the form of stacking glass or stainless steel bento containers with dividers and airtight lids to keep your food fresh and separated.

Not only can you use at home or for packing in your eco-friendly lunch bag, but you can also bring them to restaurants for leftovers or ordering take-out. You can even use them to do bulk shopping or purchase things at the deli counter. It’s easy to forget this on the fly, so get in the habit of keeping one in your bag just in case.

It’s always preferable to use what you have but if you need to buy new, Caraway has an excellent range to choose from.

Menstrual Cup

We’re getting a little personal here but a menstrual cup is honestly the best thing ever. They last for about 10 years, replacing about 2,400 tampons worth of waste!

This means no more plastic applicator and wrappers. No more synthetic scented cotton. It’s better for you and for the planet. Lots of options here, but we like the look of Saalt, because they donate 2% of their revenue to fund programs on sustainability, education, and women in need.