People Overwhelmed by Plastic Waste Cycle
53 posts across 16 communities in the last 30 days; 26% from r/ZeroWaste.
“When I have some money left over, I try to stock up on certain non food items. I have a little stock of toothpaste, shower gel and shampoo for example. Any other things you guys would buy in bulk? I was thinking of annoying extra bag of dog food maybe?”
“I feel like i might be able to better get hang on things if i put pre-washed dirty dishes inside a dedicated container. I know its obviously best to wash right away, but so far it's not happening. And I don't like it when there's a mountain in the sink. Is this method working…”
“Ours just exist as unsightly piles under the couch. And why do they come with packaging to be thrown once opened? In fact, so many toys with multiple pieces are sold without packaging that can be used as containers for them.”
People feel burdened by the scale of environmental problems like plastic waste and pharmaceutical disposal, struggling to make meaningful change and feeling frustrated by the perceived difficulty and limitations of individual actions. This leads to a sense of overwhelm and a desire for easier, more impactful solutions.
SOURCES (60)
“Highly recommend the documentary Buy Now on Netflix, about how much waste we products through rampant, never-enough consumerism, arms how the corporations feed this. Both of my sisters love Ridwell, but I'm on the fence. Any thoughts on this? I've done a bit of Googling…”
“Been doing the souper cubes for a few months and currently using ziploc bags that I clean and rinse once empty. Hot soppy water and a drying rack. While this has been great for lunches I am looking for some long term storage options that many use vacuum sealers and plastic bags. With this meal prep working, in the new year I am looking at a larger meal options that a slow cooker or instant pot will handle. all of these recipes use large ziploc bags and I am also looking for an option. I did try”
“I mean in general. Not just with plastic but food waste, clothes waste, overconsumption, etc. a way we’ve started as a family of four to reduce waste is to pickle old vegetables, and donate food. I don’t buy from fast fashion companies but rather higher quality stores. I want to recycle plastic better. I know that the majority of plastic in America ends up in a landfill even if you are “recycling”it so what are some ways I can properly recycle things so they don’t end up in landfills? Note right”
“Hey yall. I can’t be the only one who is averse to growing food IN PLASTIC BUCKETS with all the news about microplastics in our food and bodies. Have yall found a viable alternative? Stainless steel is great but expensive. submitted by /u/GirlPhoenixRising [link] [comments]”
“Has anyone done a study or give an estimate of the amount of water remaining in disposable plastic bottles that aren’t recycled but sent to a landfill. I always dispose my plastic bottles with the caps off. Of course I try to avoid buying them but sometimes you just do submitted by /u/Michigan_Go_Blue [link] [comments]”
“When I have some money left over, I try to stock up on certain non food items. I have a little stock of toothpaste, shower gel and shampoo for example. Any other things you guys would buy in bulk? I was thinking of annoying extra bag of dog food maybe? submitted by /u/Important_Chef_5550 [link] [comments]”
“So my partner and I moved to our apartment in July and our fridge does not have a water dispenser so I have always been buying the big 40 packs of water. I think the two of us go through those every two weeks and they are about $4.50 a pack since I get them from Sam’s. Would it be worth it to just get a brita filter and continue to get the filter replacements or just keep doing water bottles? I know environment wise it would be better and maybe cost wise I’m not sure yet but idk how good our wat”
“Hey everyone. Found these unopened in the trash (presumably tossed by another dormer). No leaks, no dirt, but they are dented. They're canned sardines, so I wouldn't even need to cook them. Since I'm planning to make these my meals for the next three days, I want to double-check if it's actually safe. Any advice would be awesome. Thanks! submitted by /u/theinfiniteecho [link] [comments]”
“Son spilled water on the table and wiped up the water, but just moved the wet bag from point A to point B. Options? submitted by /u/SRKincaid [link] [comments]”
“They didn't put the plastic tie things when I open the bag it's happened. What can I do as then throwing it out? Just don't want to throw it out because of waste of money and plastic waste submitted by /u/Savings_Dog326 [link] [comments]”
“Hi, I am conducting my Master's research on decentralized biowaste conversion techniques (BSF, vermicomposting, and Bokashi) in Europe and Philippines. Before launching the full survey, we are running a short 8-minute pilot test to evaluate question flow, clarity, and technical terminology. Given your background, your feedback would be exceptionally valuable. If you are interested in, please let me know and I will gladly send you the link. Thank you very much for your time and support! Best”
“Tell them not to bring home anymore beans until you eat the ones you have. [re: I have bags and bags of varieties of dried beans that will never be used. What to do with them?]”
“I just pulled these out to clean them. Is there any way I can get these food safe again? submitted by /u/Trick_Assignment9129 [link] [comments]”
“I’ve always been conscious of not being wasteful, even from a young age. This stems from growing up poor and having to avoid waste at home. I’m trying to be even more conscious now for eco reasons but also to save money when diesel is now £2 a litre. What are your favourite things to do? I’ll start. The toilet rolls we buy come wrapped in a plastic bag. I tear gently and then reuse these as bin liners. I don’t buy wipes for household jobs but have them for my baby. If I’ve used one for simply wi”
“I don't know how widespread this is internationally or even nationwide. But, in NYC, we have laws where most aluminium cans, plastic bottles, or glass bottles can be recycled for 5 cents each. There are specific spots where you can recycle for money, mainly near supermarkets. So many people treat it like an embarrassing thing that they're too above to do. Only poor people do it, people who "really need the money". I say, suck it up. It's not that bad. It's frugal if any”
“I always try to clean up after my baby and wipe down the high chair and pick up whatever fell on the floor. I usually end up putting that stuff on the table. Is that gross? I don’t know where else to put it if it’s not a fast casual restaurant there’s not usually bins lying around. The waiters at some restaurants if they catch me will tell me not to worry about it, but I don’t want to be “one of those parents”. At the same time is it unsanitary to leave the dropped trash from the floor on the ta”
“I'm looking for simple and family friendly ways to reuse, repurpose and save money. Please tell me your favorite ways on everyday items. submitted by /u/Middle-Definition106 [link] [comments]”
“I use a Hydro Flask straw lid and I find myself putting off a thorough cleaning because I have to take the straw/lid components apart, clean everything, then put it back together. For people with Hydro Flask/Yeti/Owala/Stanley/etc., what do you actually do? Do you fully disassemble yours every time or mostly rinse it and occasionally deep clean it? submitted by /u/Free_Comedian9092 [link] [comments]”
“I’ve got two dozen of these cups but the lids are an endangered species. They get chewed up, melted by the dishwasher, and lost under car seats. “They’re less than a dollar a cup online,” you say. I’d happily pay 25-50 cents per lid, but you can’t buy just the lid. I even checked the company website. I don’t want 40 cups with 12 lids. Unless my kid is going to get into competitive cup stacking, which remains to be seen. God hep me if the toddler wants a cup and lid that match. “I want a red lid!”
“i keep buying reusable cloths with good intentions and then reaching for paper towels anyway, for meat and quick spills. the cloths get smelly if i reuse them too long and i do clean them but still feel gross about them. has anyone made the switch for good? what made it stick? submitted by /u/Conscious-Bowl8591 [link] [comments]”
“I feel like i might be able to better get hang on things if i put pre-washed dirty dishes inside a dedicated container. I know its obviously best to wash right away, but so far it's not happening. And I don't like it when there's a mountain in the sink. Is this method working well for anyone else? And which container do you use? Something practical, right size, look ok submitted by /u/Lilzvx_ [link] [comments]”
“Hi all, my partner just got a spice rack from TJmax / TK max if you’re in the Americas. She loves it but we found out too late that 5 of the containers are missing lids. Is there anywhere that I can send a lid to online that would send me back some 3d prints that match? The material doesn’t have to match. Just the thread submitted by /u/-w8n-4-a-m8- [link] [comments]”
“At my company we process containers from all over the world, but whenever we unpack shipments coming from India, there's a very specific, intense smell coming off the packaging. The boxes also usually have a distinct, dark yellowish-brown color. I want to make it 100% clear that I’m asking this out of pure curiosity about supply chain/packaging materials, not to be disrespectful to anyone. It’s just something my coworkers and I notice every single time a shipment arrives. Would love to hear”
“Ours just exist as unsightly piles under the couch. And why do they come with packaging to be thrown once opened? In fact, so many toys with multiple pieces are sold without packaging that can be used as containers for them. submitted by /u/taizea [link] [comments]”
“I read on a post that storage bags aren’t always covered by insurance and goodwill sells them for a profit…any suggestions on where I can donate them to someone? Not on any other socials to ask around. submitted by /u/letssettlethiss [link] [comments]”
“I’ve recently moved into a house and we don’t have a green waste collection (paid but have missed the cut off for application for this year) I’m thinking about getting a compost bin for the garden. I’m completely new to composting, so I have a few questions: - What household/kitchen waste can I put in it? - Can I put general garden waste, weeds, grass cuttings, leaves etc. in there? - What type of compost bin would you recommend for a beginner? - Is there anything I definitely shouldn’t”
“for sandwiches, i normally just put them in a reusable container, or a sturdy sandwich bag (i usually wash and reuse them until they break/are too gross). but wraps! they don't usually hold their shape unless wrapped in plastic wrap. are beeswax wraps a good alternative in this case? i tried making some years ago but i think i didn't do the best job and they didn't turn out great. should i just buy some? submitted by /u/angel_of_decay [link] [comments]”
“I used to have 3 black jeans. And then Wore them for 3 days, and then started with the new one. Because they were black, stains and dirt couldn't really be spotted. So I completely understand. I do own more jeans but somehow I still kinda do the same thing.”
“I re wear pants and sweaters/hoodies (but change the t shirt underneath) Even if you think you/they don't smell... you have to be pretty rank to know you don't smell good. Moral... if it touches your skin directly on the traditionally smellier parts (pits and bits), change daily. Otherwise, you can re wear a few times.”
“Lately I have been really trying to buy most things second hand or from local farmers markets etc. With corporate profits soaring and all those rises being passed down to the consumer, I am finally fed up. Not to mention environmental impacts of the profit over quality with planned obsolescence. I have been shopping thrift stores and driving people nuts by asking for second hand only gifts for my kids etc. Like it feels wild it is not more of a thing to buy second hand. I understand there are sc”
“I’m moving in about three weeks and going from a house to a smaller apartment. I started packing and didn’t realize how much unopened food I’ve been hanging onto—canned goods, pasta, rice, stuff like that. I don’t want to throw it out, but I’m busy with work and packing and don’t really have time to haul boxes to a food bank. What do you usually do with extra unopened pantry food when you’re moving? Any easy last-minute ideas? submitted by /u/AaronKKelly [link] [comments]”
“hello! I'm looking to buy something that I can use to store my lunch in that has little to no plastic involved but also cheap, and I've found that lunch bags seem like the right choice, though most ones I've found are made of polyester. Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but is that safe??? Or should I switch to lunch boxes, even if they're not insulated. Also, side note, does anyone know how to clean the lunch bags if they're safe? Thank you in advance! submitted by”
“I’ve been collecting bottles so that one of these days I can turn them into filament. All the gadgets I’ve seen other people make use flat sided bottles to obviously make the most of the bottle. I have probably 200+ bottles saved, half of them being Mountain Dew bottles like this with bumpy sides. I want to make them more uniform, probably through a mix of heat and pressure, pressurizing the inside through some kind of cap adapter to an air compressor while gently heating the outside to shape it”
“I’m trying to cut down on trash, but I’m not great at “perfect” habits. What’s a change that turned out to be way easier than you expected and actually became normal for you? Apartment-friendly tips especially welcome. submitted by /u/Jonathan_D_McKelvey2 [link] [comments]”
“Is there a way to deodorize juice bottles so that they can be reused for cooler ice blocks and drinking water as they melt? submitted by /u/scrinch222 [link] [comments]”
“Looking to get some buckets to store some dry food goods, ad the world is getting pretty scary right now. Any advice on the best value? Saw some on Amazon. $56 for 6 buckets with lids. Anyone have a better resource? Just want to dry ice seal some beans, grains, flours, peas, etc. Thanks!! submitted by /u/norirana22 [link] [comments]”
“I am planning on starting a baking business in my home but I am really struggling with the plastic waste aspect of it, and I don't want it to stop me from starting! The biggest thing for me is gloves and cleanliness - I don't want to be going through probably hundreds of pairs of gloves per month that are going to be in the landfill for the next 500 years. But I also obviously want to be *clean*. Does anybody have any other solution?? Or are plastic gloves really the only answer?? This i”
“Included as many pictures as I could to try and be helpful. Please don’t be mean. submitted by /u/sniffincoozies [link] [comments]”
“Hi smarty-pantses! I want to try grow bags next year, but I'd rather diy them. I'm not interested in anything plastic though. Any ideas? TSMIA!!! submitted by /u/cmcosmos [link] [comments]”
“A while back someone made a post here (or maybe on one of the frugal or anticonsumption subs) showing some reuseable bags their mom had sewn using animal feed bags. I can't find it now, can someone please link me to it? I just thought they were so neat and wanted to have another look. submitted by /u/Snappysnapsnapper [link] [comments]”
“I normally use a toilet roll or cardboard as I go, but half the time I end up having to use rags. What’s everyone doing?! submitted by /u/No-Cellist9760 [link] [comments]”
“I have plenty of cardboard boxes that are still in usable condition. I'm currently trying to give them away in a curb alert I've posted on Craigslist, but I'm not getting any takers. If they're not gone by tonight, I'll have to move them back inside and take down my Craigslist post, because there is rain in the forecast for late tonight and tomorrow. I was successful at giving away cardboard boxes in a curb alert earlier this year, but it took several days for them to go. I&#”
“Me and my partner rent a house with another couple we’re friends with, and I noticed they frequently leave food out. I usually put it in the fridge for them and night because I don’t want it to go to waste, but last night I didn’t, and I was cleaning the kitchen and threw away the old food that was sitting out for at least like 16 hours. They were upset and I was confused until they told me they still eat the food thats left out 😭 I apologized and it wasn’t a big deal but that’s wild to me, the”
“We’d love to make a one-time purchase of food-safe towels, because we’re guilty of using paper towels. I know that any old rags would do the trick, but we want to make sure the fibers don’t shed/bacteria won’t build up after one use. Let me know if you have a brand you’ve bought and cherished! submitted by /u/PaleontologistNo5420 [link] [comments]”
“my counter space is practically non existent and i cook almost every night. tired of my old basket air fryer taking up the only prep spot i have next to the sink, plus the hot plastic smell whenever it runs gives me a headache in a 450 sq ft studio. anyone found a setup or smaller footprint cooker that actually works and doesnt reek? submitted by /u/FloricelaDiaz [link] [comments]”
“If you don’t have a place in your yard to let it decompose/burn.. put it in your normal trash cans or in bags / bins and take to the dump”
“I was saying that it will not be detrimental. They will break down just like any other organic matter in there. Mushrooms aren't parasitic. Their spores are everywhere in the soil and air. The mushrooms we see are just the fruiting body of the mycelium network underground. Think of an apple tree and the apples it produces. Similar concept. Just throw them in your compost bin as natural biomass :)”
“Hi all, I have been on my zero waste journey for about 4 years now. I'm finding that because of how ridiculous the cost of living is I'm being forced to buy more plastic and buy less from my local zero waste store (replacing toothpaste tabs, body care, etc with regular toothpaste and products with plastic bottles) For instance, I'm planning to buy more products in bulk from Costco to save money. Curious who else out there has had to do the same? Is the economy causing you to make cho”
“You can sneak them in with your trash one at a time or take them to a landfill. I have eight contractor bags waiting to go to the landfill next month when it is free for residents as part of the fall cleanup. I detatched and scarified, so the bags are heavy. I also removed some concrete, so it is worth waiting a month to cost me nothing.”
“Oh yeah we're all screwed I know plenty of people that used to just like literally scoop out their cat litter and throw it in the toilet and flush it holy hell! All the way they filter water everything they do and this s*** can still get us! I mean don't get me wrong I know like maintaining long stretches of pipes and how things can bleed in from cracks and Buckles in the pipes let alone from the pipes themselves if they lose their interior coating or if they're made of lead or whate”
“Hey y'all, I'm looking for some advice on this project- I want to make a new lid for this old electric coffee grinder. My main concern is food safety- I'm worried the grinding action will spit micro plastics into the food. What would be the best material to print it in to minimize micro plastics? I saw some posts recommend coating the interior in resin to prevent mold, but would the resin also be susceptible to being stripped away by the coffee grounds? What cheap/easily accessible r”
there has to be a better way submitted by /u/110vv2 [link] [comments]
“Just thought it was funny. My husband hates food waste. He will eat any food I don’t finish which was bad during pregnancy due to my food aversions. He will try and eat any food that is about to expire so he doesn’t have to throw it away. Well, our 1-month-old spits up often and he’s done it on him a few times. And he always says, “Don’t waste food! Sometimes he stops feeding unexpectedly and I’ll be spraying milk everywhere and he’ll say. “If you ain’t eating I can help you finish your meal.” &”
“what could possibly go wrong 🤷🏿♂️ submitted by /u/christopherb1897 [link] [comments]”