The Zero-Waste Swaps that Save Serious Money
Zero Waste Swaps Save Money
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Zero waste swaps benefit the environment; they save serious money, too.
Natassja Cassinerio is a wellness and lifestyle writer who founded Hestia Speaks to demystify sustainable, simple living. Below, Natassja offers her favorite zero waste swaps that also happen to save hard-earned cash.
Grab Natassja’s Ultimate List of Sustainable Swaps here.
Natassja swapped out 40 common items with zero-waste alternatives. Even better? She has generously offered up ALL her behind-the-scenes tricks for free.
Here’s yours:
Save money with these zero waste swaps:
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1. Rags over sponges
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Use rags! Code them by color so you have one colored set for dishes + a second colored set for cleaning.
Natassja purchased white dish rags for countertops + dishes while brown rags are reserved solely for cleaning.
Alternately, purchase a compostable bamboo dish brush with interchangeable heads for cleaning dirty dishes. (Note: This is a low-waste option, as nylon bristles aren’t biodegradable.)
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Money saved: $41.96 per year
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2. Menstrual products
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Invest in a menstrual cup. (Natassja mentions Mooncup in the episode.)
Menstrual cups last up to ten years, are easy to clean + are easily transportable.
Alternately, consider using reusable pads. Invest in a set, or make your own.
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Money saved: $120 per year (or $5,600 over a lifetime).
(Note: Interesting reading on this topic can be found here.)
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“
When I feel particularly tempted to buy something I don’t need, the one thought that always makes me pause is knowing that I don’t buy things with money, but with the hours of my life that I spend working for that money.
”
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3. Beer
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Refill a growler at the bar, which holds 4 pints of beer.
Beer + wine stores with beer on tap also fill growlers.
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Money saved: Savings are probably negligible here, but think of all the packaging you’re going without!
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4. Toothbrushes
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A bamboo toothbrush with boar hair is the only completely zero-waste toothbrush available; however, it isn’t a vegan option.
Consider purchasing a bamboo toothbrush with nylon bristles. Snap off the handle + compost, then throw away the bristles. (Note: This is a low waste option.)
Currently there is no zero-waste option for electric toothbrushes.
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Money saved: If you rely on receiving free plastic toothbrushes at your dental checkups, $0. Otherwise, $16 per year for a family of 4.
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5. Printer Ink
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Almost everything is digital these days. Simply stop printing!
Head to your local library on the rare occurrence that you need something printed on paper.
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Money saved: $64 per year.
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6. Packaged junk food
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Make your own junk food by buying ingredients instead of pre-assembled products, including:
– popcorn
– trail mix
– cookies
– granola
– salad dressings
– marinades
Pre-made food is always marked up. Purchasing staples in bulk means you can make an awful lot of things with the same ingredients (+ you can save an tons of cash, too!)
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Money saved: A lot. An awful lot.
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Notable quotes from the episode:
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“Minimalism has given me so much space in my life. I feel like I can breathe a little easier now.”
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“It’s all about gratitude for what you have right now + not buying new things to fill the emotional holes inside us.”
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“Sustainability starts in the kitchen.”
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“I didn’t understand the level of excess in my life until I stripped it all away.”
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“I used to feel like I need more and more. While I was consuming so many things + spending all this money + producing a lot of trash, I wasn’t really happy; I was actually just overwhelmed.”
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“Once I started reducing my waste I felt like I had a little bit more purpose + also a bit more control.”
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“I save a ton of money, but I also don’t need to make as much money anymore.”
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“All the extra cash i was spending that I didn’t have to spend just represented wasted time that I could have spent creating art or snuggling with my dog.“
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“Money is kind of like voting + I don’t want my money or my votes going to companies that create a lot of pollution + waste. I’d rather my money goes toward companies in line with my values.”
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“Initially, transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle can be extra work, absolutely. But once I had all my systems in place I found that it was about the same amount of time as before, I just had to practice at it.”
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