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Health and Wellness

3 Ways You Can Go Waste-Free

Though many items are recyclable, a majority of our one-use items are tossed away and rarely recycled. Here are a few ways you can cut out waste all together. *These tips and tricks are from my own experiences.

Stefania Tibor

Jul 10, 2019

University of Southern California

MENSTRUAL CUPS AND PADS

beautyindependent.com

This one is for our ladies! For our entire lives, we've lived under the impression that "Diva Cups" are "gross", pads are for little girls, and tampons are the womanly way to go. Unfortunately, not only are pads and tampons incredibly wasteful and expensive, the wrappings cause extra waste and the chemicals in the cotton are incredibly harmful to our bodies! Not to mention the cotton in tampons is extremely drying. Menstrual cups from brands such as CORA (a supporter of providing organic feminine products to impoverished areas) and Saalt are made from medical silicone that mold to your internal shape and become lubricated as they settle in your body. These are a one-time purchase and can last you up to 10 years! Wear the cup up to 12 hours a day, dump them out, wash with gentle soap and warm water, and then re-insert! Sleep, run, drive, surf, they won't budge and they won't hurt your wallet or the environment.

Reusable Food and Beverage Containers

Using a re-usable coffee mug can help you in more ways than one. First off, in order to truly be waste-free, you have to order at the register and hand over your own cup. With all of the drive through or mobile ordering options, using your own cup with these efficient methods is no use—the company will prepare your coffee in a plastic cup, pour it into your cup upon arrival, and then toss the plastic. In this case, it's almost worse to use your own because the plastic gets wasted even faster. With this rule of thumb, it will force you to get up earlier, get ready faster, and be on time. And if you don't have time for your morning coffee, maybe it'll motivate you to save a few bucks and make your own at home!

Zero-Waste Beauty Tips

It's time again to break the conventions of hygiene. A majority of our soaps and cosmetics are not only held in plastic containers, but they also contain products that have either been tested on animals or even made out of animals. Many lotions contain sheep fat, while other cosmetics do the same. In going waste-free, many of these products go hand-in-hand with being cruelty-free/vegan. A win-win! You can make many cheap swaps such as going from hand/body soap to soap bars, shampoo/conditioner bars, and using DIY methods for toothpaste, deodorant, and body scrubs. These natural items will have longer shelf lives, will give you peace of mind to know what exactly you're putting on your body, and they won't hurt the animals or the environment. Simple Truth is a great soap bar brand that has recyclable cardboard packaging. Toothpaste and deodorant can be made out of baking soda, essential oils, and 1-2 other ingredients. Check out reusable cloth makeup pads too—they work as cotton rounds to be paired with makeup removers and toners and can be machine washed and used again!

These small tricks will make an incredible impact on the planet!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

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Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

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Recommended for you

3 Ways You Can Go Waste-Free

Though many items are recyclable, a majority of our one-use items are tossed away and rarely recycled. Here are a few ways you can cut out waste all together. *These tips and tricks are from my own experiences.

MENSTRUAL CUPS AND PADS

Reusable Food and Beverage Containers

Zero-Waste Beauty Tips

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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