Things We Buy Organic

I know that having an organic home and being zero waste aren't directly related. For me, my zero waste journey started in a very different spot than most. You can read more about it here. I really tried to avoid plastic first and foremost for personal health reasons. 

I don't know if you've read Cradle to Cradle*, I highly recommend it if you haven't. The first couple pages detail many of the hidden toxins in our homes from flame retardants in chairs and couches to the off-gassing of synthetic carpets.

There are a lot of hidden and not always thoroughly tested additives in objects we come in contact with every day. 

And, while having a small exposure to these things might not be worrisome, we're constantly bombarded with them and it builds up in our system. Cancer has affected Justin and I both very personally, and we truly believe switching to an organic or safer alternative for some items to be important.

Going zero waste and minimizing our possessions has allowed both Justin and me to save a lot of money. You can read more about that here. It's also given us the opportunity to focus our funds on what we think are important purchases for our health.

mattress:

When moving to our new house, our first priority was getting a new mattress. The mattress we first bought when we moved out to California, was a $100 mattress from Walmart. Most all mattresses are made from polyurethane foam (a petroleum product). Which they markup for an exorbitant rate. This foam outgasses for the first several years, and you're constantly breathing it in. 

We sleep for a third of our lives, and our bed is also our couch in our new place. I knew that we would be spending almost half of our daily lives on this piece of furniture. I did not want it to be on plastic or to have fire retardants.

Fire retardants have polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs which interfere with our thyroids and are very persistent. PBDE has even been found in polar bears! I'm not sure how often polar bears lounge around on couches... so this is alarming. 

We started looking for new mattresses and could not be happier with the one we chose from The Futon Shop. We chose the organic latex moonlight mattress which is four pieces of natural latex. This mattress is so cool. Natural latex will also last a lifetime. They did a study where even after 20 years the latex hadn't budged an 1/8th of a millimeter. I can't wait to report back to you in 20 years to see if my findings support the study. I will also have a full post on this mattress later. 

I feel very passionately about getting a good nights sleep. 

food:

We have always tried to buy organic food or at least stick to the clean 15 and the dirty dozen. When we first started dating we would go on dates to get groceries. We met while living in actor housing. You can read more about us here.

Every Tuesday there was a huge farmers market called Roots. We'd always make a trip and buy our groceries together. We'd cook our meals together and it was so much fun. We still buy most of our food from the farmers market.

It's always really nice to chat with the farmers. Sometimes, it's organic, but they're not certified. Other times they grow sustainably but aren't certified organic. 

Farmers market haul!

A post shared by Kathryn (@going.zero.waste) on Aug 13, 2017 at 10:34am PDT

Buying food can really be taken on a case by case basis. I'd really encourage you to chat with your farmers. This has been one of the best decisions for us because we try to avoid atrazine which is a highly toxic herbicide that has been linked to breast tumors and prostate cancer. 

We also try to avoid organophosphate which is a neurotoxin that affects brain development, fertility and can mess your thyroid. By talking to your farmers, even if the food isn't organic, ask if they use these chemicals. 

sheets: 

Buying an organic mattress is expensive! If it's not in your budget right now, I'd at least look at changing your sheets. Our skin is our largest organ it absorbs everything. You'll spend 1/3 of your life rubbing up against your sheets. It's important that they're comfy and non-toxic.

We wound up getting linen sheets. Linen is organically grown, naturally hypoallergenic, and antibacterial. We LOVE these sheets. Organic cotton is another good choice. But, I would definitely avoid polyester (plastic) sheets! 

Conventional cotton sheets present a problem because the pesticides used in farming like Deltamethrin is a known endocrine disruptor. Parathion, another pesticide, is extremely hazardous lowing red blood cell counts. However, over time and multiple washes, this becomes less of an issue. If buying organic cotton or linen isn't in the budget right now, just buy second-hand cotton sheets (assuming you're not already sleeping on sheets ;). 

Wash the second-hand sheets in very hot water and line dry them in the sun. They'll be good as new! 

cleaning products: 

Better cleaning products are one of the most simple changes to make! Plus it's wayyyy cheaper. Check out some of my favorite cleaning products and recipes. 

• magic tub scrub
• two all-purpose cleaners
• dish soap
• all-natural bleach
• homemade febreze 

skin care: 

I just wrote a huge post on my favorite skin care items. You can read it here. Phthalates and parabens are common toxins found in commercial skin care products. I also make a lot of my skin care products and you can get some of my favorite recipes below. 

• hydrating green tea face mask
• non-greasy lotion
• deodorant
• lip balm
• cleansing clay face mask

cookware: 

When I first went zero waste we donated all of our non-stick pots and pans. These pots and pans use perfluorinated chemicals which can be found in the blood stream of 99% of Americans. One particularly notorious compound called PFOA has been shown to be completely resistant to biodegradation. It will never break down. Even though PFOA was ban in 2006 it will be showing up for generations to come. Exposure to PFOA has been linked to a number of health issues including interrupting the endocrine system and thyroid issues. 

All in all, it's something that we wanted to avoid in our cookware. We now very happily own 2 cast iron skillets*, one enamel coated Le Creuset dutch oven*, and one enamel coated Le Creuset pot*. We happily found all of these items second hand!  Woot woot!

Further Reading: 

• https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/polybrominated-diphenyl-ethers-pbdes
• https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/rmpp_6thed_ch5_organophosphates.pdf
• http://news.berkeley.edu/2010/03/01/frogs/
• http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/carbaryl-dicrotophos/deltamethrin-ext.html
• http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/metiram-propoxur/parathion-ext.html
• https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/teflon-and-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa.html
• https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/programs/endocrine/index.cfm
• https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm

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Have you opted for any organic purchases over buying second hand for your home or have you managed to find any good organic items second hand? 

This post contains affiliate linking. It's denoted with an asterisk. This means if you choose to purchase one of these items I will make a slight commission for referring you. You can read more on my disclosure page. 

Ultimate List of Zero Waste School Supplies

School supplies are everywhere right now. There are rows of overly packaged, plastic pens, pencils, and folders. You can't deviate too much from the provided school supply list in elementary, but things open up a little in middle school, high school, and especially college. 

RELATED: 10 Tips for Going Zero Waste in College

Top 5 Tips for Buying Zero Waste School Supplies. 

Watch it in HD on YouTube.

I read several school supply lists to figure out the most common asked for school supplies. Most lists used the 5 tabs/binder method. I hated the the binder method. I ditched the binder in high school for a folder and notebook system. I was so happy to be rid of the binder and hole punching. I'm left handed. School supplies/desks/scissors - it's tough being left handed. 

I'm going to start this post by saying I'm not a teacher. If you're wondering why you should buy something, just ask. If they ask for glue sticks, buy glue sticks. If they ask for notecards, buy notecards. There will be some disposable items you can't avoid. And, that's OK. 

I'm just offering suggestions for school supplies that should last a very long time and disposable items that have a better end life than the landfill. 

where to shop?

Your own home!

The first thing you should do is to shop your own house first! How many pens do you have lying around? Do you have any leftover supplies from last year? I remember always having leftover school supplies. (I also remember hardly using a lot of stuff on these lists - mini-stapler anyone?)

A Bookstore

You might be surprised if you pop into your local book store. They typically have specialty items and sell them loose. It's where I bought some really high quality notebooks made from 100% recycled paper in the past. It's also a place you can find things like loose pens or pencil highlighters. 

Stationary Store

This place has lots of paper. They typically have loose items like markers, pencils, and pens. It's a little bit pricier than other options, but it doesn't hurt to go check it out. 

Printing Department

If you're in college go check out your printing department. Ours sold blank sheet music a requirement for music theory unpackaged for $5. The also sold notebooks of scrap paper. 

Lastly

If you can't find what you're looking for at any of the other stores, then head to a big box store or shop online. You can ready all about zero waste online shopping here. 

the goods:

I've compiled a list of common middle school and high school school supply lists. I'm doing my best to offer more eco friendly items. 

Backpack or Messenger Bag

This is a school supply that can be used year after year. I still have my backpack from the the 8th grade. It was a very well made Ralph Lauren backpack. I just took it on my camping trip and it's been with me on every flight as my carry-on.

If you're looking for a backpack, messenger bag, or laptop bag lean towards something that has a lifetime guarantee like Kippling* or Jansport*.  

These are great items to find second hand often times they'll still honor the warranty. 

Lunchbag

This is another item you should only have to buy once or twice K-12. In college you don't really need a lunch box. Although hindsight, having a little metal tiffin to keep in my bag would have been a great idea. I could have snuck out a lot of cookies.  

RELATED: How to Pack a Zero Waste Lunch + 10 Lunch Ideas

There are tons of stainless steel lunch boxes on the market these days. Stainless steel is a great option because it's light, you don't have to worry about it breaking, and it will last forever. And, after forever has come and gone it's 100% recyclable. 

I have this eco lunch box*. I like it because it's small and super easy to transport. 

It doesn't hold a ton of food. I can fit a sandwich and a side salad easily.

I also have this metal tiffin from Clean Planetware*. I bought this for Justin. It has four tiers and easily fit snacks, breakfast, and lunch. It has a convenient little handle so you can just grab it and go.   

This lunch box looks awesome for kids. It's called a Planetbox*.

You can change the magnets out so you can have new design each year. I remember being in elementary school and getting to choose the design of my lunch box each year was a real treat. Also, how good does that lunch look?? 

#2 Pencils

Pencils typically come in cardboard. You can recycle it or throw it in the compost.

Eraser

These Paper Mate Erasers* look like a pretty good option. I personally like pens more than pencils. The erasers on top of pencils never seem to work very well making a separate eraser a necessity. 

Plus, with a box this big you should be set on erasers for the rest of your life. These come loose inside of a cardboard box. No plastic - yay! 

Pencil Sharpener

I'm so confused... Do schools not have pencil sharpeners in the classrooms anymore?

Those little ones you keep in your book bag hardly work anyway. I'd just get an electronic pencil sharpener to keep at your desk at home and sharpen your pencils before you go to school. 

Pens: Red, Blue, Black

Colored pens were never a requirement when I was in school.

I was very partial to the Dr. Grip pens. My mom would buy me one at the start of each year.  You could buy refills, but they come with plastic on them. Buying refills is better than buying new pens. 

I recently got a refillable fountain pen*. I was very skeptical being left handed, but the fountain pen forces you to hold the pen differently. You don't run your hand through the ink.

I honestly wish I had a fountain pen sooner.  They are great for lefties! The ink* comes in a glass bottle. Once I'm out of ink, I can recycle the glass bottle. 

Highlighters

They make pencil highlighters* now. These are awesome. You don't have to worry about them drying out and they last years!

When you're done with them you can compost the stubs. You can compost the paper they come in too. 

Markers

I don't know of many zero waste marker options. But, Crayola offers a marker recycling program. If your school doesn't participate you can sign up here.

It's very simple. You just put all of the dried up markers in a box. Crayola will pay for the shipping. They'll separate the markers, melt them down, and use the recycled product to make new markers. 

Colored Pencils

You can buy colored pencils in cardboard boxes*, tubes*, or tins*.

12 inch Ruler

Opt for one that's stainless steel, it should last forever.

Tape

I don't remember ever having to bring tape to school. Maybe for elementary projects? The good news is the refills* come in cardboard

Scissors

These are some quality scissors.* They're 100% stainless steel so they're 100% recyclable. But, they should never need to get to that point.

They can be sharpened and kept forever. They're about $8 more than their plastic friends, but I think these are worth it. They provide a much better cut and have greater longevity.

USB Flash Drive

I don't know how many households don't have hundreds of these lying around. They can be used pretty infinitely if you're diligent in loading and unloading them. 

TI Calculator

I would check eBay for this item. That's where I got my TI calculator. Then after you've gotten through college algebra - sell it. you will never use it again. 

Ruled Index Cards

Some people love note cards; it's how they learn best. They're not my favorite. I like to write a question and answer on a piece of lined paper. Then I use another piece of paper to hide the answer. It's a similar effect. I've only seen note cards wrapped in plastic.

Folders

They make some really awesome recycled folders* now. 

Also, these are a huge bargain! 25 folders that come in a box, for $14. These should last for a couple of years. 

You can throw these in the compost when you're done or recycle them. I'm a fan of just the craft color, but they come in several different colors if you're interested. 

One Subject Spiral Notebooks or Composition Notebook

This is my favorite school supply, and something you'll need to buy every year. I love notebooks. I would use one notebook for two classes. I'd start the first class on the opening page and start the second class upside down on the last page. 

I like this moleskin journal. It's called a cashiers journal*, and it's fairly inexpensive.  A set of three is only $10. I'd buy two which would last me at least the whole semester. It has a pocket where you can store loose paper. The cover is made from paper, and the spine is sewn with what appears to be twine or cotton making the entire book compostable.

People are also saying that ink doesn't bleed through the pages. Which is essential when you're writing on both sides. Save those trees! 

This book is a little bit on the pricier side. But it's so much fun! I had to include it. It's a riff on the traditional composition notebook. It's called a DeComposition notebook*.

The whole thing has darling little doodles. It's printed with soy inks and made with 100% post consumer waste. After you're finished with the book it's completely recyclable. 

This is definitely the most economical of the three. It's a set of five Mead journals*. I've never been a fan of spiral notebooks... probably the left handed thing. I'm not sure if the spine is recyclable or not. I was trying to research what it was made of, but I couldn't find any answers.

The paper is thick so you can definitely write on both sides, and it's recycled made from 30% post consumer waste. You can compost or recycle the pages when you're done with the book. Just hold onto that spine... 

College Ruled Loose Leaf 3 Hole Paper

I don't know if there's really a way around buying paper without the plastic wrap? 

3 Ring Binder or Zipper Binder & Tabbed Dividers

You can find three ring binders* in different sizes made from recyclable cardboard. Some even come with the tabbed dividers*. What's cool is the rings are detachable. So you can cut out your own piece of cardboard for the next year. 

3 Ring Binder Hole Punch

I remember these things never lasted very long. But, I couldn't find any alternative to the classic plastic hole punch*. I guess just hope for the best, and pray that it lasts long enough to use for a couple of years! 

Stapler

Ok, but once again, why do we need a tiny stapler? They only time I can think of stapling a page is to turn in a paper. Couldn't you have stapled it before you went to class? 

If you had to have something portable, I would get one of these cute staple-less staplers.* It makes it easy to recycle or compost your papers.

Book Covers

And, last buy not least - book covers! I remember my favorite book covers from middle school. I had a neon purple one and a cool green and blue marbled one that resembled the nervous system. 

They still make these book covers called book socks! You can use them year after year. I hate that they come individually wrapped in plastic, but I couldn't find many other options.

A couple of readers have suggested wrapping your books in brown paper. If your school will let you wrap in paper, that's a great option!  

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This concludes my ultimate list for back to school supplies! Leave me a comment with what's on your list that I missed and how you're handling it? Or maybe you have a better solution for something! 

This post contains affiliate linking. It's denoted with an asterisk. This means if you choose to purchase one of these items I will make a slight commission for referring you. You can read more on my disclosure page. 

Zero Waste Toilet Paper

The two most popular questions I get asked are, "What do you do about toilet paper?" and "How do you handle your period?" I have talked about periods extensively. Make sure to check out my posts on menstrual cups, cloth pads, and period panties. 

Did you know it takes 37 gallons of water to make one roll of toilet paper!? Beyond the water, think of all the trees it takes. 

Americans use 8 million tons of toilet paper a year. If every US house used just one roll of 100% post consumer recycled TP a year, it would save 423,900 trees. 

Surprisingly, there are a lot of options when it comes to toilet paper. I don't think that there's one right answer here, but finding what works the best for you. 

family cloth: 

Family cloth is a horrible name. It seems like the whole family uses the same cloth. *EW* But, really it's just a whole bunch of fabric swatches* used to wipe. After they've been used, they're thrown into a wet bag* and washed with the laundry. 

This is out of my comfort zone. I know a lot of people make this transition after cloth diapering because it's the same principle, but I'm just not there. 

I personally can't get past the ick factor. We don't have a washer and dryer, and the idea of having soiled rags around for a while gives me the heebie jeebies. 

If you use this method, let me know about it in the comments. Did you get started because of cloth diapering?

RELATED: My Top 5 Zero Waste Shower Essentials

bidet attachment: 

I have said it time and time again, I LOVE my bidet attachment. We just moved and left our OG Brondell* with the house. It was our moving gift to the new peeps. We're changing the world one bidet at a time.

I just got a Tushy bidet for the new place, and I'm really excited to try it out. 

Bidet attachments are great because they reduce toilet paper usage so much! They're also SO much cleaner. We reduced our toilet paper usage by 60%! 

I can't imagine using family cloth without having a bidet attachment, but even with a bidet attachment, it doesn't always get everything. I'd say it gets about 90% though. 

For more information on bidet attachments check out this post. 

RELATED: Magic Scrub to Clean Your Toilet, Sink, and Tub

recycled: 

When buying toilet paper look for toilet paper that contains recycled content. 100% and unbleached is the best thing to look for! 

If you can only find recycled paper in plastic film (plastic #4), recycle the film with the plastic grocery bag (plastic #4) recycling. You can typically find this type of recycling at front of grocery stores. You can also check out this website to find the closest film recycling to you.  

Another option is to buy this type of paper by the case. When you buy a case, it often comes loose in a cardboard box and each roll is individually wrapped in paper. Look at your local office supply store. Here are a couple of the brands, I've found to offer this. 

• Seventh Generation*
• Marcal*
• Green Heritage*
• Tork*
• Natural Value*

RELATED: 15 Simple Swaps for a Zero Waste Bathroom

tree free: 

Tree free is a great way to go a little more eco-friendly in the bathroom. I find tree-free paper to be softer than recycled content and stronger even though the ply is the same. 

• Green2*
• Emerald*
• Nimbus*

If you live in a small house like I do, there are a lot of little companies popping up that sell smaller quantities wrapped in paper and come loose in a cardboard box like Tushy and Who Gives a Crap.   

other ideas: 

I've heard some people have hand held squirt guns* attached to their toilets which work similarly to a bidet attachment. Other people use just regular squirt bottles*, but I'm not entirely sure how that works? 

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Have you used family cloth or a bidet attachment? What's your favorite way eco-friendly way to get down to business? 

This post contains affiliate linking. It's denoted with an asterisk. This means if you choose to purchase one of these items I will make a slight commission for referring you. You can read more on my disclosure page.