Here are some of the areas where going zero waste can actually be easy, despite what you may have thought in the past:

So, if you want to get started going more zero waste and living more sustainably, then start with this simple motto:

It's as simple as that (though that doesn't mean throw away all your plastic if it's reusable, still use it until you can't anymore, then replace with a sustainable item).  If that's the ONLY step you take towards zero waste?  Then that's one amazing step!  The idea is that if an item you use regularly is made from or with plastic, then see if you can replace it with something more sustainable.  But especially if you're using disposable plastic?  That's when it's a huge red flag to jump on the sustainable train.  At least for that item.  

But once you've conquered the plastic in your life, then you can move onto the disposable items above and start using reusable items instead.  

So, let's talk about each of these items above in detail.  

Here are some ideas to replacing disposable napkins and paper towels:

We replaced our toilet paper habit with two items.  We got a bidet (well, two, one for each toilet) and use cheap washcloths from Walmart to wipe ourselves dry.  Then I store those washcloths in a small container that I keep on the wall and I throw them all into the washer on hot, with bleach.  Here are the bidets we bought (click here).  There is nothing else I will recommend as most other ways to wipe your butt are gross.  And we do not like gross in our house.  Well, at least not when it comes to hygiene.  You can read about how we deal with this in our house here (link coming soon).  

Scrubbies are made of plastic and wear out quickly.  Sponges are nasty.  Dishcloths get a moldy stink to them that never leave (although, you could try soaking them in vinegar or bleach, but still, that stink always comes back).  So, what's left?  Compostable brushes and loofah!  And, you can even grow your own loofah (click here for seeds).  Although that takes a year, but if you grow enough, the next year you'll have them for many years.  And they're totally compostable, too, since they are totally natural.  Here is a great set to start out with that's not horribly expensive (click here).   It even comes with some loofah scrubbies!  But feel free to find something that works for you :) 

Soap bottles are gone through so quickly.  So why not switch to a metal pump bottle for every sink, and either make your own dish, hand, and body soaps, or refill them with larger bottles you can buy (or go even greener and buy refillable soaps from the company itself).  The biggest bottles I can find on Amazon are these (at $.19oz, that's a pretty good price-I'm purchasing some, so I'll let you know if it's good).  Yes, the bottles are still plastic, but you can reuse these bottles (make your own laundry detergent and store it in one of these), recycle them, or maybe see if the manufacturer will take them back (I have no idea if they will, but call and see and maybe bug them about it until they do).  Laundry detergent is easy to make (check out my recipe here).  Body wash, what I found is this.  And here is a link to my Ultimate List of DIY Home Products that you can use to refill your containers. 

I have a large amount of those HUGE Aldi bags they had for a bit, that they no longer seem to carry anymore.  But I first got these (click here), which are BagPodz.  But you can get reusable bags everywhere.  You just have to remember to take them in with you when you shop.  You can also make your own out of fabric like canvas or fusing plastic trash together with an iron sandwiched between parchment paper (it actually works).  But don't just get shopping bags, make or buy produce bags, too.  When I create tutorials on making produce bags, I'll list them here.  

It's so easy to just grab a Ziploc bag to shove your leftovers in after dinner.  But there are so many better options, as well.  Even if you're using those plastic.  If you don't want to splurge on fancy glass storageware, then save your glass containers and use those.  No, you can't stuff a burger into a spaghetti jar, but you can save leftover rice or taco meat or anything else loose or moldable (like mashed potatoes).  Another thing you can do is also make your own "plastic' wrap by brushing hot beeswax on clean cotton fabric.  Also, I just bought reusable ziplock bags from Aldi for $5.  Though I would have preferred to not buy plastic at all, reusable plastic is better than single use.

Amazon.com: Bee's Wrap - Medium 3 Pack - Made in the USA with Certified Organic Cotton - Plastic and Silicone Free - Reusable Eco-Friendly Beeswax Food Wraps - Medium (10" x 11"): Home & Kitchen (though it's cheaper to make your own)

We get these type of drink containers below at Walmart (Bubba brand) because they are insulated and keep drinks cold.  And if there ever comes a point when they smell moldy or get too much buildup on them (we have hard water), I just pour vinegar in them and let them sit overnight.  We stopped getting single use water bottles AND stopped buying soda in cans or plastic with these drink containers.  I also use a Brita water filter pitcher in my fridge.  You can also buy reusable coffee cups, but I am sure you already know about those.

Bubba Trailblazer 32oz Dragon Fruit Vacuum Insulated Wide Mouth Water Bottle - Walmart.com (though this price is cheaper in store or on Amazon)

Bubba Stainless Steel Growler Water Bottle with Wide Mouth, 64 oz., Tutti Fruity - Walmart.com (this one is not insulated, but it does keep things colder with ice in it)

I make my own out of flannel (you can read my tutorial here), but you can buy reusable items such as cloth pads, a Diva Cup, sponges (to use as tampons), and so much more.  The possibilities are practically endless anymore.  Single use disposable pads for both periods and light to medium incontinence are such a great amount of waste to be throwing in our landfills.  Switching to reusable is the smartest and best thing you can do as a woman.  

This is not by all means a comprehensible list of everything you can switch to in order to be more sustainable, but it's a good start.  Just pick a category and start there.  And, if you have any links to share under these categories on where to buy good reusable items for each, please share them below and I will post them on the page!!