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Roommate Series: Going Green


One of my roommates is pretty "go green", save the earth, eco-friendly and so I started recalling some of the many videos I have seen about clever uses for things or life hacks reusable items. Even without a market where you can bring your own containers, fill them, and pay by weight (bulk bin places) you can still make a few changes. There are other changes that can be made like those reusable menstrual cups for women to reduce waste from tampons or pads but in my opinion, that's not as easy of a change to make.
Here are some of the easier ones I've found that require a little effort but will save particularly on plastic, some can even save you money in the long run. Another perk with making your own is that the chemicals used are what you put in them so you can make them more natural if that's also a goal for you. If you are more of a visual person there are links to videos at the bottom. There are so many videos out there but here are a few that I reference.

Instead of...
soap dispensing dish sponges
-You reuse until the sponge gets bad and then we throw them away
Try
Making your own by taking a 4 oz. (or possibly 8 oz. if your hand is bigger) Mason jar, cutting a sponge to the size of the lid (the outer ring, not the insert). Take a nail and hammer and poke multiple holes in the insert. Glue (hot glue works fine) sponge to the outer ring, fill the mason jar with dish soap and use.
-When the sponge gets gross you can scrape it of and glue on a new one and eventually recycle the jar if you need to.

 Instead of...
twist and scrub nail polish removers
 -use until the remover is gone and then throw out the whole thing, unless you add more fluid and then you use it until the sponge wears out.
Try
Making your own with another mason jar (6 or 8 oz.), fold 2 sponges width-wise and place in jar filled with your choice of nail polish remover.
*If you use biodegradable sponges (vegetal cellulose) then you can further cut down on waste.

 Instead of...
Pre-moistened makeup removing wipes or makeup removing eye pads or toner pads
-many times you use multiple at a time and if you wear makeup daily that's lots of pads or wipes+ their containers
Try
Making your own
Get a glass jar, size and design of your choice. Make a solution of facial soap of your choice, distilled water (to keep wipes from molding), and oil (ex. coconut, vitamin E, and/or essential oil). You can omit the oils if your facial soap already has it or if have naturally oily skin. Place absorbent fabric sheets (if you are feeling adventurous and would like to try to make your own or just use paper towel for disposable options, see links for instructions, or just buy baby cloths) in the jar and pour makeup removing solution over them. Let them sit to absorb the liquid.
Notes: The only real difference between the wipes and the pads is the size of jar and the size of what you're using to clean or face with (cotton pads or balls for disposable options).
For toner pads, use the same instructions for the jar and pads but use your preferred toner (witch hazel or apple cider vinegar with the mother and water for a natural alternative)
If you don't want them pre-moistened wipes you can just put the solution in a bottle that you pour on your wipes or pads when you need them.
If you clean and save candle jars you can use those for these. Cleaned food jars would also work.
-After use the pads can be washed and reused

Other small changes include
  • carrying a reusable water bottle, traveling coffee cup, or reusable straws
  • bring your own silverware to fast food places where you would normally get plasticware
  • reusable shopping bag in stores
  • use actual towels instead of paper towels. If you still want something to put on your paper towel holder you can buy (unpaper towels on Etsy) or make your own.
  • use storage containers instead of plastic cling wrap. If you need something along those lines there are beeswax wraps.
  • use dryer balls instead of fabric softener

Links to sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73UOtbApHtY
Reusable wipe/round/ pad tutorials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O562xdatBJU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7fEHTisv30
More eco life hacks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTNUAn37Weo


Peace, Love, and Flowers
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