This article is based on an expert interview with Kathryn Kellogg, conducted by wikiHow Staff Editors. Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. She's the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic.
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Decreasing the amount of waste you produce can seem like a daunting challenge, especially since most essential products in our lives are geared to be disposable. Thankfully, in this video Sustainability Specialist Kathryn Kellogg shows how to swap out some common high-waste household items—toilet paper, period products, and disposable razors—for sustainable alternatives that are financially beneficial and better for your body (and the planet).
Key Takeaways
- Swap out toilet paper with a bidet attachment to produce less waste and save money.
- Try reusable period products, like menstrual cups, reusable cloth pads, and Things period panties, which are environmentally friendly and more cost-effective than traditional pads and tampons.
- Use a safety razor instead of disposable razors to produce less waste and get a better shave.
Video Transcript
1) The bidet attachment. On average, Americans flush 27,000 trees down the toilet every single day. My husband and I purchased a bidet attachment for around $50 at the hardware store and it paid for itself in less than four months. Using less toilet paper is a great way to save money and help the environment. Plus it's just a lot cleaner. 2) Reusable period products. Plastic is a known endocrine disruptor, which means it interferes with our hormones and our body's natural communication system. The average pad contains four plastic bags worth of plastic, so I swapped out traditional pads and tampons for Things period panties, which are environmentally friendly and financially sustainable. But there are many ways you can have a more sustainable period, like menstrual cups and reusable cloth pads. 3) Safety razor. I love my safety razor. It was a bit scary to use in the beginning because I'm very clumsy, but it saves so much money and you get a much closer shave. If you're prone to razor burn, a single blade is much more superior. As a bonus, I don't have to buy and throw away disposable razors anymore.
