5 Everyday Carry Zero Waste Additions You Should be Using
Keys, Wallet, Phone… The holy grail of daily carry essentials. While this trinity has served use well over time. We have limited ourselves to only these items to carry most of the time. However, adding in these 5 items below to our repertoire for running errands, and being out and about will save us money and time. Now these are not technically “zero” waste since you may need to buy some of these, but the intent is to have these everyday carry items that will reduce you needing to get single use packaging when you are out, and hopefully make life a bit easier.
1. REUSABLE BOTTLES
STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLE
I don’t need to remind you that drinking water is good for you health, skin, and energy. Just reusing old plastic water bottles isn’t ideal as they become a breading ground for bacteria. A reusable bottle makes a great addition at the gym as a way to reserve your bench while you run to get weights. Plus they keep your water cold, which who doesn’t want that, unless room temp water is your thing.
REUSABLE SMOOTHIE/JUICE BOTTLE
I’ll be the first to admit that have used my fair share of plastic smoothie cups and straws. I love smoothies so that just came with the territory. Until I started to bring my own insulated cup with me. I haven’t had any issues for places accepting my cup. Just make sure you get a size big enough for the size of smoothie you want. A 20 or 24 oz should do fine. On the upside if you get full halfway through or just want to save some for later, having an insulated cup makes it last much longer.
2. COFFEE CUP
I’m not a big coffee drinker, but do need the have the occasional afternoon coffee and cream. If I don’t drink it all in one go, having an insulated cup is great for not letting it get cold. Also make sure to get one that has a sliding lid so if you tip the cup or knock it over it doesn’t spill everywhere.
3. METAL STRAW
This is great to have if you like using straws or bobba tea. I personally don’t use one often, but the metal or metal with silicon are easy to use and clean. Make sure to get a kit with a case and cleaning brushes. There are also glass options which people say is better for not getting a metal taste or burning your lips with a metal straw if used with a hot coffee. The bamboo ones look cool, but are harder to clean then metal of glass.
4. REUSABLE UTENSILS
If you go out to eat at one of those fast casual restaurants, they likely only have single use utensils or only a handful of metal ones. They may say they are compostable, but unless they go to a compost bin instead of the trash then its not much better than plastic utensils. I bring my own silverware from home. Trying to cut something with plastic silverware is a pain and its easy throw the used silverware in the dishwasher and grab the next set for tomorrow. Or you could opt for a wood style utensil. Make sure to have a case for the utensils to keep them in for after use since you likely can’t rinse them off until you get home.
5. REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS
If you don’t want to carry a bunch of bags out the grocery store or you are a one trip kind of guy. As you should be, it should all be done in one trip or less. Then a reusable bag is a strong secure way to carry your groceries to save to grocery bag tax ( if your state has that) and to not worry if your paper or plastic bag will break as you walk out the store. I would also recommend getting some cloth or mesh product bags while you’re at it so you don’t have to hassle with those thin plastic wraps which are very wasteful and unnecessary.
