Hello friends! I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far. I took some time off recently to enjoy my holiday in France and have a good rest after a hectic year (being a teacher is SO time-consuming), but I’m back with a new post today all about a zero waste home haul!
Plastic-free July has just ended and I hope you had a successful one if you took part! In that same spirit, I thought I’d share a little zero waste home haul to carry plastic free July into August. I think it can be very daunting to start making changes to habits that you have had forever, but really, all it takes is that first step, that first item you add to your basket to start your journey! Nothing is too little, we all have to start somewhere. I’m hoping this zero waste home haul will give you some ideas of where to start if you’re thinking of making a switch, or ideas of what to do next in your journey!
I recently found this website, The Friendly Turtle, which sells all sort of zero waste, sustainable, plastic free items and I thought I’d give it a go! I got six items, which came to £37.48 including £3.50 for Royal Mail delivery. It came really quickly, and everything was really well packaged. Overall, I’m really pleased with the website!
So, let’s dive into this sustainable, zero waste home haul from the Friendly Turtle!
For the kitchen
Since I started using zero waste home products in the kitchen, I’ve always struggled to find a sustainable sponge good enough to replace my normal supermarket ones. I’ve tried dish brushes, but I’m not a big fan as I find them clunky to use, and at the moment I’m using a minky, which we can agree isn’t what it’s designed for! So, I’ve picked up this pack of 3 compostable sponges, which are plastic free and made from plant fibre and have a loofah side for scrubbing. I thought they were a little bit more on the pricey side, so I hope they last a while!
To go with the sponges, I’ve also bought a solid washing up soap bar. I’ve been using an Ecover washing up liquid for as long as I can remember, but at the minute I am wanting to try something different which is also plastic-free and this seemed the perfect fit. It’s a vegan, plastic free soap bar which is made of natural ingredients and doesn’t harm the environment when it goes into the water. I’m quite looking forward to trying it out!
For the bathroom
I’m definitely happy with all the spray products I’m currently using at home to clean, so my buying these two products is more out of wanting to get rid of plastic than anything else! First thing I got was a glass bottle and spray topper, to use and re-use as much as I need instead of throwing the bottle away when it’s empty. I’m definitely going to buy a few more soon, as I’m looking to make my own natural cleaning sprays! And to go with it, I’ve picked up an Ocean Saver bathroom cleaner. You simply put the solid bar into the bottle, fill it with water and it creates the cleaning spray that you can then use. It seemed like such a good idea, I can’t wait to try it!
related post: 5 eco-friendly swaps I’ve made in my bathroom (for beginners)
Clean beauty
I couldn’t go on a zero waste lifestyle website without combing through their beauty section! I did well by only buying two products, considering I absolutely love spending my money on clean beauty products. First, I had to get a new deodorant – the staple of any zero waste home – and so I got this lavender & bergamot natural deodorant from Kutis. This is a vegan, cruelty free deodorant which is 100% plastic free, and the product is a stick in a cardboard tube that you push up from the bottom. I started using it since I got it, and I have to say I like it so far, hopefully it will be just as good long term!
And finally, I got this 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner for itchy scalps. I’ve been struggling with dandruff and an itchy scalp for a little while now and even though my current ginger shampoo from The Body Shop has been helping loads, I’m trying to find new things to see if there is anything better out there! It’s made from all natural ingredients, is vegan and even more amazingly, was made using 100% renewable energy! I had never heard of the brand Zero Waste Path but their products sound really good, they’re a relatively small brand but deserve to be known!
Have you bought any zero waste, sustainable home bits recently? Let me know!
Em ♥
Amazing post. Great recommendations you have put in this post. Let’s make our earth breathable.
I definitely agree!
I’m dying to try a natural deodorant especially as my eczema seems to be getting worse! Might have to place an order 🙂
If you have eczema then I definitely recommend you purchase a deodorant that’s scent free and made for sensitive skin, I have tried some that have actually burnt my skin because they had bicarb!! The we love the planet deodorant is fantastic x
Thank you for sharing your haul! Looks like some awesome things you picked up! I am especially interested in the Ocean Saver bathroom cleaner. I love the idea of no measuring or mixing liquid or powder concentrated mix!
Me too, that’s why I picked it up! Hopefully it works well!! 🙂
A lovely Friendly Turle haul, I like the products you have shown here! I haven’t heard of this brand before so I’m going to check them out! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Their website is great for anyone who’s trying to buy more zero waste products!! 🙂 x
Ooh I love this! It sounds like you’re having a great summer too, I hope you enjoyed your trip to France. I’ve been looking to buy some plastic free products and I want to start with the kitchen so I’ll be sure to check out the sponges and bar. I also want to try a natural deodorant soon! Thank you so much for sharing x
I did, thank you! Let me know what you think of them or don’t hesitate to DM me if you want some deodorant recommendations 🙂 x
Love the looks of these eco-friendly products! The bathroom drops look especially useful. 🙂
I hope it’s a good one!! 🙂
Ooh, love a good eco haul! I’m very intrigued by the solid washing-up soap bar, would love to hear how you get on. I love the Ocean Saver drops, definitely one of my favourite swaps x
Oh great, I’m glad you like it that’s reassuring! I will definitely do a follow up on these products x
These all sound like great products! I’ve been looking into getting a shampoo bar and some zero waste cleaning products. These are great recommendations to start with. A zero waste shop just opened up nearby so I’m planning to check them out soon! 🙂
I’ve used shampoo bars before and they’re great. Oh you definitely should!! They are great!
Woah!!!! This brand sounds awesome. It has products for kitchen, bathroom, and even beauty. I wish this brand is available in Malaysia. Thank you for introducing me to it.
Maybe you have an equivalent? It’s such a shame you don’t have this one!
By the way I cant return your comment, you comment section is covered my blog posts 🙁 x
Love this post! It has given me some ideas on how to reduce my waste! The 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner bar is such a good idea and I’ll definitely give it a try!
I’m glad it did!! I know right, it’s so helpful if you don’t have a lot of time for a haircare routine! x
Oh these all look brilliant Em! I really love the look of the bathroom solid that’s turns into a spray! I’m sure I’ve seen it before but never really looked into it as I never knew how it worked and thought it would be quite fiddly. That sounds so simple though! I’m glad I’ve seen you share it now, I’d definitely give it a try! Oooo I’ve tried a Zero Waste Path deodorant before. They seem like a good company. I wasn’t 100% on their deodorant but it wasn’t bad! I know of Plastic Freedom and Cor Conscious but I’d never heard of The Friendly Turtle before!
Ellie x
I found out they actually sell them in Tesco too, so you can get an Ocean Saver pretty easily if you want to try it!! Oooh I’ve never heard of either of those, I’m going to check them out, thank you!! x
I don’t think I’ve heard of this brand before but I LOVE what they stand for and the changes their making in world of sustainable items. I’m really trying to make big changes to my life and becoming more sustainable is something I’m proud of. This brand sounds perfect in helping with that. Thank you so much for sharing this with us lovely, I’ll for sure check them out! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Please do, they are so good for beginners! That’s amazing, well done! Good luck on your journey!! if I can help, please pop me a DM on instagram!!xx