Zero Waste Basic Equipment – 20 Essential Tools to Avoid Waste

You are looking for the ideal Zero Waste basic equipment? Then you've come to the right place! Plastic waste in the environment is one of the greatest ecological challenges of our time and costs the lives of millions of animals every year. Our health is also at risk as the plastic ends up in the food chain. In addition, mixed plastics in particular are difficult to recycle - not to mention the high energy consumption involved in recycling.

More and more people are therefore making a conscious effort to avoid packaging waste, as well as food waste and other waste. The Zero Waste Lifestyle has ultimately developed to create natural Conserve resources.

In this article, I would like to introduce you to the things and tools that are part of the absolute zero waste basic equipment because they make waste-avoiding everyday life so much easier. Whether you're out and about, shopping, in the kitchen and bathroom or cleaning. Let's go!

On the go: What is the best zero waste basic equipment outside the home?

Away from your own four walls it is sometimes difficult not to make garbage. So here are a few items that make it extremely easy for me personally, even when I'm out and about, Avoid plastic waste.

1. Drinking bottle

Let's start with the reusable Stainless steel drinking bottle or glass. You can just get them fill up with tap water before you leave the apartment. You can also fill them up in many cafés and restaurants so that you no longer have to buy packaged water in plastic bottles.

This water bottle* I use it personally. I can only highly recommend it.

Tip: You are also welcome to check out the Drinking bottles comparison view in which I have identified the best reusable bottles.

2. Reusable cup

With an insulated reusable cup you avoid above all Endless amounts of waste from disposable CoffeeToGo cupswhich is a real symbol of our Disposable society are. It definitely belongs in every zero waste basic kit.

This reusable cup* I can warmly recommend it to you.

3. Backpack

Forget the paper and plastic bags and just throw on a durable backpack when you go out. For example, you can use it for (spontaneous) shopping without packaging waste or for Prepared meals filled in lunch boxes are easier to transport.

This backpack from GOTBAG* I have had for many years. It is super sturdy and is made from marine waste. That's why I can recommend it in both senses of the word.

Tip: You can learn even more ideas for on the go in the Zero Waste Journey Article know

Kitchen: What is part of the basic zero waste equipment in the kitchen?

Now it's time to go home again! Plenty of scope for waste avoidance offers the kitchen in particular. The following tools are extremely helpful.

4. oilcloths

Classic oilcloths make it easy to say goodbye to aluminum foil and cling film. Because you can use them to keep food wonderfully fresh. Rinse them briefly after use so that they can be reused forever.

These oilcloths* we have been using in our kitchen for a long time.

Good to know: Incidentally, beeswax wipes are deliberately not included in my personal zero waste basic kit because they are not vegan. Why vegans:inside avoid bee productsI explain in the linked article.

5. Tea strainer

Disposable tea bags also create a lot of waste and are not always biodegradable. By investing in a Stainless steel tea filter you avoid this waste, as you can simply add your tea Boil with loose leaves simply by following your heart.

This tea strainer* I have been using it myself since I started consciously avoiding plastic waste.

6. Reusable straws

With reusable Stainless steel drinking strawsglass or bamboo wood in the kitchen are Disposable straws (plastic or paper) suddenly superfluous.

You can of course also take along on the way and use it whenever possible. In any case, there are hardly any other disposable products with so many environmentally friendly alternatives.

This stainless steel drinking straws* are part of my Zero Waste basic equipment.

And if you prefer to sip from glass straws, I can offer you this classic from HALM* recommend

Tips: Further advice and Ideas for a kitchen that is as plastic-free as possible apart from these zero waste tools can be found in the linked blog article.

Shopping: What is part of the basic zero waste equipment for waste-free shopping?

The plastic free shopping is always so difficult for you? Here are a few things from my Zero Waste basic kit that will help you to Making it much easier to buy food without waste in future be

7. Stainless steel boxes

In practical Stainless steel lunch boxes dry snacks, but especially moist meals can be safely stored and transported. If you prepare your food at home, for example, you save yourself the to-go waste at the snack bar during your lunch break. The tins are of course also ideal as a replacement for cling film.

These two stainless steel lunch boxes* I've been using it ever since I started trying to live as plastic-free as possible.

8. preserving jars and containers

Classic Preserving jars (and other containers with lids) are among the most important zero waste tools, because they both protect the Purchasing as well as the storage of dry goods (e.g. oat flakes, pulses, pasta or dried fruit).

This set of many glasses* makes it much easier for you to get started.

9. fruit and vegetable nets

To avoid the waste caused by the free, thin plastic bags at supermarkets and organic food stores, reusable Fruit and vegetable bags from organic cotton ideal. They are light, can be knotted and last an eternity.

These fruit and vegetable nets* I can highly recommend it from my own experience.

10. Cloth bag

Classic fabric bags or carrier bags are also "unbreakable" and make shopping at the bakery or the weekly market, for example, much easier. For example, bread rolls, bread and co. can be easily placed and transported inside, making short-lived paper or plastic bags even more superfluous.

These jute bags* I can recommend them to you. They are particularly useful if you are only doing a little shopping or are not out and about for too long.

11. Shopping basket

A traditional shopping basket is not only a visual highlight, but also allows you to store your Transporting purchases waste-free. This makes it much easier to buy food without packaging - and you can also do without plastic bags.

This shopping basket* We always use a wicker basket because it can be compressed to save space and is not as rigid as a classic wicker basket.

Body care: What does the ideal zero waste basic bathroom equipment look like?

Now we come to personal hygiene in the bathroom, where, as we all know a lot of single-use plastic waste is produced every day can. With the right basic equipment, you can get ahead of the Zero Waste Bathroom but much closer. I would now like to show you which things should not be missing.

12. wooden toothbrush

For the conventional plastic toothbrushes, there is the Wooden dental busts (mostly from fast growing bamboo wood) is a green alternative for avoiding plastic waste. After disposal, the style can be reused as a climbing aid for plants, for example.

Dhese wooden toothbrushes* I can really recommend it to you, since I use it myself.

13. solid soap for skin and hair

Bar soap belongs in every zero waste basic kit, as it saves an incredible amount of Avoid waste from plastic shampoo and shower gel bottles can be used. The solid soaps are easy to use and can be stored, for example, in a soap box or hanging in a Soap bag dry and transport.

This hair soap from NICAMA* is my personal favorite. (see Hair soaps comparison)

For skin care, I have been using this natural soap from Meina*.

14. Reusable cotton pads

Disposable pads are probably one of the biggest sources of waste in the bathroom. But whether for skincare or make-up removal, washable, reusable fabric pads are the ideal waste-avoiding alternative.

These cotton pads* are absolutely recommendable.

15. Metal razor

Reusable Stainless steel razor plane have a long service life and reduce the waste in the bathroom caused by Disposable razors and their razor blades is created. A real must for anyone who wants to avoid plastic waste.

This razor* I can highly recommend it to you, for example.

16. Dental floss

Also Nature dental floss in a refill pack is one of many important utensils in the Zero Waste lifestyle. Plastic dental floss in the plastic packaging can be saved wonderfully.

This dental floss* I can recommend to you.

17. Menstrual cup

For women, the menstrual cup in particular is part of the basic zero waste equipment, as it is a Inexpensive and ecological alternative to disposable products such as sanitary pads represents. It is comfortable, discreet and can be used for many years.

This menstrual cup* is one of the best and arrives plastic-free.

Cleaning: What are the basic zero waste cleaning and washing items?

Experience has shown that a lot of waste is also produced at home when cleaning and washing. For example through Plastic bottles from cleaning agents, from dishwashing and cleaning sponges or from disposable cloths.

Here are some things that will also give you the Zero Waste Cleaning significantly easier.

18. baking soda, curd soap, washing soda, citric acid and vinegar essence

It only takes a few household remedies to make an entire drugstore and lots of plastic waste superfluous. These include, for example Citric acid, Baking sodacurd soap, washing soda and vinegar essence. The combination of the means is extremely helpful in the project "Zero Waste".

Here you will find my recommendations, as well as practical application examples:

• Curd soap* (e.g. against stubborn stains on surfaces or in clothing)
• Citric acid* (e.g. as a descaling agent, fabric softener or pot cleaner)
• Washing soda* (e.g. against blocked drains or as a toilet and upholstery cleaner)
• Vinegar essence* (e.g. as a descaler or to remove fly dirt).
• Baking soda* (e.g. as window, drain and toilet cleaner or odor remover).

19. cloths

Cloth wipes are versatile and are a sustainable and Waste-avoiding alternative for countless disposable paper products.

In particular, it can be used to purchase the typical Avoid kitchen paper on the roll in plastic wrap. In addition replace Cloth napkins the familiar paper napkins to throw away and Cloth handkerchiefs the classic paper tissues for blowing your nose.

This cleaning cloth set* I can fully recommend it to you. In addition, for example these handkerchiefs* and these organic cotton napkins* a good choice for your basic equipment.

Tip: You can also make your own cloth towels relatively easily from old T-shirts or shirts and thus avoid even more waste.

20. wooden dishwashing brushes

With the help of durable Beech wood dishwashing brushes replace the cheap plastic brushes that often end up in the garbage can. Brushes with natural Union and fiber bristles last much longer. And if it stops working at some point, you can simply replace the rinsing head and continue using the style.

By the way, the following also count for me Bottle brushes to the Zero Waste basic equipment, because I can wonderfully use my Rinse out the drinking bottle and can clean.

These wooden dishwashing brushes* and this bottle brush* I have been using for a long time.

Know the ideal zero waste basic equipment and use it to avoid waste

Whether on the road, in the bathroom, cooking or cleaning: With the right basic equipment, you'll not only make it easier for yourself Start as a zero-waste beginner much easier to avoid unnecessary waste.

In the end, the Switching to long-lasting reusable alternatives not only the environment, but also your wallet.

"What we do today will determine what the world looks like tomorrow."

Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, writer (more at Zero Waste Quotes)

Do you have any questions or suggestions? Which items do you think should be included in the basic zero waste kit? Just write me a message in the comments.

Stay clean,

PS: In another article I gave you a List of my best Zero Waste tips compiled. I'm sure that many of them will help you to make even less waste. Good luck!