MORE THINGS I DON'T BUY AS A ZERO WASTER (things I no longer buy as a minimalist pt 2)

[@mariethedicedragon5977]

I love that you brought up the fact that people with disabilities may not be able to avoid pre-cut fruits and veggies. I tend to get frozen instead of just the fresh pre-cut stuff, because my arms often get too sore due to my EDS and my ADHD forgets fresh things that I have in the fridge. Same with microwave meals: I keep a few on hand for those times that I really dont have the energy or am in too much pain to make food. As much as I try to be more sustainable, I love cooking too much, and these things allow me to still make all the tasty foods.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

you're gunna LOVE this video I have planned for May then, it's allllll about eco-ableism! It's so important to remember that disabled people and people with all sorts of needs and abilities exist and it's okay to consume some plastic if you NEED to especially! I know many who feel guilty for plastic they NEED and that is what's wrong with the zero waste movemnt

[@360shadowmoon]

I have ADHD too and I can only have canned, frozen, or prechopped ingredients, otherwise it goes to waste. I also sometimes rely on premade seasoning and sauces too for really bad weeks, though I try to make these whenever I can. FWIW, ADHD also makes me a minimalist in other ways. Long before minimalism became a trend, one of my coping strategies for ADHD was to own as few things as possible to make it easier for me to keep track of them and organize them. I’ve always only owned a few clothing items that all match because I don’t have the attention span to plan a new outfit everyday lol. So hopefully both aspects of my ADHD cancel each other out. I’ve also given up meat to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Also, less food goes to waste.

[@julietannOsfan1972]

Microwave meals are great, especially when you live on your own. I can buy a ready meal for about £1.50. Much cheaper than making it myself.

[@mariethedicedragon5977]

@@julietannOsfan1972 that too. They are also lightweight for the most part, so now that I no longer get fed at work, I can bring them without adding too much weight to my wheelchair.

[@lm9753]

An older lady friend of mine, taught me when shopping and feeling impulsey.....to put the item in your basket and run around the store with it a while. Then see if you're ready to put it back. Works like magic.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Oh wow that's a great tip!

[@PixieStixx]

I have an old German cookbook printed as a 2nd Edition in the 1950's that was a lifesaver when I loved to the US. It used to be my Grandfathers, my Grandmother gave it to me as he past, now I gifted it to my daughter as she starts her own family. The reason its such a great cookbook is because it taught me how to make everything from scratch, including things i would have not been able to but in the US.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

that is so cool! cookbooks can certainly be special

[@ChewonThat]

I love that being sustainable is not only good for the earth, it also saves money!!🤑

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

For sure!! I made a video a longggg time ago about the money you can save in a year by going zero waste but I need to remake and add to it!

[@karinhart489]

On not buying books… the obvious answer is to check books out of the public library, which is free. When I hear or read about a book I might be interested in I add the title & author to a page in the “notes” app of my phone. Then later I see if any of the libraries near my has it. If they don’t, I can request it from Link+, a statewide inter-library loan platform. It usually takes a few days for it to get to my nearest branch. I also checkout audiobooks to download & listen to on trips, in between listening to podcasts. I do make sure the audiobook is completely downloaded to my device so it doesn’t suck up my phone plan’s data allowance. . Many of our local libraries have a branch where you can checkout tools 🛠️ so you don’t have to buy or rent tools for a one time project.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yessss to libraries!! they offer so much!

[@karinhart489]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist, a big PS is several Bay Area libraries started offer sewing workshops once a month and a few branches have sewing machines you can either reserve for an hour or two, or take home on checkout for a week or two. I’m old enough that I had to take home ec in middle school, plus my mother taught ALL of her kids how to sew/ use a sewing machine. I love the idea of not having to buy/store a machine that would sit idle most of the time.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@karinhart489 oooh that is so cool!!

[@caytlinparker6371]

Thank you so much for the acknowledgment with the food that some of us need the microwave meals or the precut food because we are disabled and don't have another option or can't always have the other options. I have seen people be really angry about it and say they are stupid, but for some of us we need things like that to ensure we actually are able to eat properly as not everyone has access to also get help. So I really appreciate you mentioning that but suggesting it for those who can change those :) You are the best

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

i always try to be mindful of everyone's wants and needs. we are all different and i don't want zero waste to just be for the wealthy and able bodied :)

[@peachettte]

I can't understand people buying a bunch of decor for each season, most of it being plastic.. just ugh. And then they get dingy super fast. My new game is window shopping - but never buying! Then being super proud how I've managed to rationalize why I don't need to buy anything. Sometimes it takes a week, sometimes a month or even more, but it's so interesting to notice how marketing influences us. Also, are you going to pot up that pothos? :P Video on zero waste plant tips&tricks if you got any, pls!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

RIGHT!! That is a good practice for sure. I think I'm going to leave him in water since I'm going to have to rehome them soon (we're moving in June). But, that sounds like a great video idea! It might have to wait til we get settled at our next home but keep an eye out for it :)

[@effytraveler6155]

I love my halloween doormat, my skeleton, my one santa cloth ornament, and my witch figurine. When I went to buy them I thought about items I would keep all year round. It seemed such a shame when after the holidays I see the items on the street for trash pick up. So much waste to make and then to go in the trash. My skeleton has turned yellow and doorjam one arm broken, but it is living its life on my doorknob.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@effytraveler6155 that is awesome!

[@candicesihite9479]

Stumbled across your channel a few days ago and gave been binging all your content, loving how accessible and simple you're presenting sustainable living to be! I live in Indonesia and so awareness of how our lifestyle choices can impact the environment is very apparent and you reminded me that its important enough to me to tweak some of my lifestyle habits. Keep up the great videos :)

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That seriously means the WORLD to me!! Thank you, Candice!! I'm so glad these videos are becoming world-wide. Thank you for your support :)

[@deericcio3379]

You can buy spices in bulk with your own jars to tare , or buy organic brand in glass jars also growing herbs and spices is also fairly easy , I have basil, oregano, thyme and sage growing right now

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yes but only if you have access to a bulk store which at the time I did not! they're not that common and now I live in an RV and don't have land or space but we make do!

[@CocoShin]

Sometimes refraining from shopping feels like swimming upstream because it's every where and society seems to be built on it (strip malls everywhere, teenagers having nowhere to hang out except the mall.) I don't buy meat anymore!!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I feel this so much!! Even going to the thrift store makes it hard to pass up a deal, ugh! oooh yes meat!! I think I included that in part 1 but I can't remember haha!

[@effytraveler6155]

I agree with nowhere else to hangout but at the mall. I do feel better about not having the next season of clothes or fashion when I think why was shopping for new clothes always a thing? To be bullied for having the same old clothes shouldn't be a thing.

[@CocoShin]

@@effytraveler6155 I think it's because there aren't a lot of other things for young people do do if they want to just hang out with their friends or pass the time.

[@effytraveler6155]

@@CocoShin That is the reason and don't want or can't have others over at their homes.

[@CocoShin]

@@effytraveler6155 Lol yeah, imagine if you were a teen and your parents are just watching you the whole time!! Teens need more cool, safe places to just hang out and be teens without having to spend money.

[@jovankakhadra8978]

For decades I have used an old large plastic bottle with a pop up top, for washing my bottom.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

perfect free option!

[@everising4999]

Great idea!

[@StephanieGiese]

Thank you for talking about reusable period products. We are big fans in our house! Not only are the underwear great from an environmental standpoint, but they are easier for young people with periods. My middle schoolers don’t want to be singled out taking a pouch to the bathroom at school, or worrying about running to change a disposable option between classes. And they are more accessible for people with disabilities. My middle daughter has an intellectual disability, and they were a huge game-changer in allowing her to be more independent and allow her more dignity around her body and her period.

[@ourfutureismars8965]

I never realized how easy it is to pickle stuff... I should totally try that!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

It is SO simple and so delicious and if I want pickles I can make it real quick vs driving to the store haha

[@Highfrequencytraveler]

San Antonio is my hometown! So cool they have that second hand craft store 👌 hometown pride for me there

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

that's great!

[@winterspring3402]

It was funny to hear you tell us we can slow it down. I watch in 1.75x speed XD I love your tips! I want to become more zero waste and save money!!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

ugh i just can't please everyone haha

[@saltyflour]

I still buy mints! It’s my greatest challenge because I’ve always been very insecure about smells even though I have never been told that I smell bad.. it’s always the opposite! I live in England, and I buy smints which come in little tins that I reuse for cotton buds for travelling or for emergency bags, little hair grips and other small things! I try my best as a young person to reuse but I’m trying to cut down because I also know they’re not exactly the best for your own system… never liked chewing gum though and I’m so happy that I wasn’t a fan

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

i buy them sometimes for nausea so i feel you!

[@carofco885]

Me and my bf give each other cards and i have kept them all. We write really sweet things i love reading them from time to time 🥰

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I think they can definitely be really special! What I mean mostly is the ones with generic sayings and are only signed!

[@rachels9598]

I get cards, stickers from thrift store or yard sale. I write to penpals handwritten letters. One of my favorite hobbies. I reuse the best cards, cover text with blank label for letters. I turn envelopes inside out to reuse sometimes.

[@mariakilson5851]

I enjoyed seeing this video, even if I buy a lot of the things you mentioned, but I noticed that, even if I buy them, I don't have a 'throw away' mindset. If I buy it, I'll use it. Especially art supplies and stationery, even flyers I get on the street, if there's even I color I like, I'll keep it for a collage (maybe it's bc I'm an artist, but I do see others who are artists too and throw things out WAAAY to easily). And if I know I won't use it until it's bad (like paints) or until it gets yellowed (like paper), my first impulse is hanging on to it until I find someone who wants it. And believe me, artists are poor, they'll want it.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

definitely don't have to throw them all away! I love the upcycling mindset :)

[@mariakilson5851]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist I did find some issues with these products though, some of them have refils, and some even right on the package says that it's refillable, but nowhere on my country you find the refils, even on th company's websites you can't find it! And I find absurd that they don't make it available to us, that you have to throw a perfectly good pen body away because they don't sell here the ink refil. Even worse is reading that it's refilable and not being able to buy refils.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@mariakilson5851 how interesting!

[@effytraveler6155]

I reuse the huge ovalish gelato containers, and used it to store seafood from the market or my burritos I made. I know it is freezer safe. Hikers use the small circle taleni ice creams for cold soaking their food during trips. It is lightweight and sturdy. Others use it for granola yogurt parfait mixes they food prep for the next day.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

amazing!! yessss we follow many thru hikers and that seems to be the theme which is awesome!

[@jturtle5318]

I use the Talenti jars in the garden shed for seeds, fertilizers etc. They're easy to handle and resist breaking if dropped.

[@ahutton49]

I use the plastic wrapper from the toilet paper for small trash cans. If you open the package from the side it fits a trash can perfect. Put a rubber band around the top to keep it in place.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

that's genius!

[@kateg9437]

I enjoy window shopping/browsing stores. I find that I almost never buy things without it being something I specifically wanted before. I am just naturally a saver

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That is great to hear! I feel like I'm in that place now (self-control wise) but now a few years ago ahah. I would impulse buy allll the time but also grew up in a frugal family

[@culinarygurly987]

You don't need milk for it, you can use either the no salt added canned garbanzo juice from the beans or your bean cooking liquid and that helps make veg mayo. One of our stores we go to have compostable produce bags and we reuse these even. We do the huge bags of things when we have to buy them ( the nuts always end up in the freezer either way).

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

i'll have to try that!

[@jturtle5318]

I chew Pür gum due to dry mouth, it comes in a pouch that's the right size for a side pocket when making totes from heavy plastic bags. Cut the "zipper" off the top, sort them by size or style, butt the edges together and use the widest zigzag stitch. I sew other bags into the bottom so the tote bag has a flat bottom, and that does require some manipulation to get the corners square.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

love the upcycling!

[@jan1babs]

There are a few things I still buy that you don't. I love books including cookbooks. Cookbooks often have more than just recipes. However, I have usually borrowed them from the library first and have fallen in less 've so will look for them at thrift shops or ask for them for presents. Well also have some fake succulents. They were found second hand and sit on a dim, unreachable shelf. Other than that, I'm with you completely :)

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yup everyone is different!

[@BB-wl8qr]

There are a few exceptions in areas perhaps where people are primarily older. However on the whole if people stopped buying pre cut foods they are buying only for convenience it could lower the demand to a point where stores are likely not to do it. It is another spot on the shelf and barcode item to maintain. Just mentioning when we stop doing something it has pros and cons and often the cons aren't discussed. You're not really saving them for them people that need them.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That is a fair point!! Very good things to think about for sure. Maybe I will expand on it in the future!

[@flourishplantman]

"If you find I talk too fast" I watch videos in 2x speed no exceptions and I can understand you perfectly.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

you're my kinda people hahahha

[@buckeyedav1]

Flushable Wipes.. they are absolutely horrible. I worked in property management and there were several occasions when tenants called us toilet stopped up and when they snaked it they found pounds of flushable wipes in the lines tenant had to pay for the plumber because of it. They are not biodegradable at all. We aren't up with the Bidet but I make and use cloth Toilet Paper so much better on the environment and my body too. Husband isn't on board with it but guys use so much less toilet paper than us girls do so we are still doing good eco trade. I only use for #1 right now but plan to get a sprayer to wet cloths for use of #2. I wash them with my whites and use bleach for sanitizing. I buy the material at thrift stores flannel pillow cases and sheets so cost effective and recycling. Anna In Ohio

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

it is so insane what they can do to pulmbing!

[@buckeyedav1]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist Yes. I saw a you tube video a few weeks ago at a Sanitation place where all our water waste goes and she was showing the big bulk of those wipes that should not be there. I truly wish everyone would be better at taking care of our planet instead of the government taking that control out of our hands in 2030. Anna In Ohio.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@buckeyedav1 it's so sad for sure!

[@erintannehill]

Loved all of the things you shared and would love a part three! I used to be a big fan of gum, but gave it up years ago when I heard that most gum is made with plastic in it. No thank you! I realize we consume micro plastics everyday without knowing it, but if I know it for sure has plastic in it, I avoid it completely. 😝

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I'm already brain storming for a pt 3!! If you missed part 1 check that one out for 100 more things ;) My thoughts exactly around gum!! CRAZY!!

[@jturtle5318]

I chew Pür gum, made with xylitol which my dentist loves, to cope with dry mouth. Not producing saliva will cause cavities and gum disease.

[@evaastoul8160]

Great video, would love a part 3!! I also love how you find everything for your home second hand, that's amazing!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I've already been brainstorming for part 3 ;) ALSO I'm going to be filming a house tour in a few weeks :)

[@evaastoul8160]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist Yay, can't wait for that one! Also, will you bring us along with you prepping for the big move to Vegas? (the decluttering, the packing and all that) :) By the way, congrats on the 2,000 subscribers, this is huge, you truly deserve it!!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@evaastoul8160 For sure! I've already started filiming the declutter and will film the packing process when we get back from our trip :) So excited to share this process! Thank you SO much, Eva!! You're so kind :)

[@evaastoul8160]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist Oh I can't wait to watch it all!! Have a nice trip in Japan :)

[@lorainemacdonald517]

When I buy large packages of bathtoom tissue,l open one end ,than the bag makes a tidy waste basket liner.we have to take reusable bags to the store.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That is what I do too! What a good idea!!

[@acciocreativity]

i live in san antonio and i didn't know we have a secondhand craft supply store!! that's AWESOME! thank you for sharing that info! i will have to go explore it because i love crafting

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I hope I got the city right haha it MIGHT be Austin, sorry! Did you find anything out about it yet?

[@Anya18138]

We have different taste, but I also try not to overbuy. Trips to the mall? I still do that or going to the thrift store from time to time. I can not never ever buy. Lol. But every little bit helps. Perfection is impossible. Trying to eat out less, but gosh I already don’t eat well after my kids growing up and leaving the house. All you say is true though. Things do depend on where you live and how much is there to do or not. Lol.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

:))

[@mollycluff943]

Love the onslaught of ideas!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you so much, Molly!!

[@JuliethArenas]

You are too good, doing most of the things you do already. Great! Thanks for sharing your lifestyle

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Aww, you're too sweet! Thank you so much!!

[@RD0204]

I'm a huge paper book fan and collector, but I am also a huge fan of buying books off ebay second hand because its often Way cheaper, but I don't give a shit about having matching series covers and stuff like that. I have a rule that if it was published over six months ago, buy second hand. One of my favourite franchises is Caleb Carr's "Kreizler Series", which the TNT/ Netflix series "The Alienist" is based on, I watched series one in 2019 and by the time I got to episode 3 I was on ebay trying to find the books second hand. I bought the three (book 3 is kind of more a modern 'Kathy Reich' style thriller as opposed to the first 2's 1890s setting, but I was curious) books from different sellers and lucked out, big time. The first 2 books are first edition paperbacks (which look much better than the current covers in my view) and the third one was a New York Public Library ex copy. I live in Northern Ireland (which is officially part of the UK but shares a land mass with Ireland) and the seller was in England, I have zero clue how that book Atlantic hopped but I think its really cool to be able to trace a book's provenance like that. I re- read those books CONSTANTLY and have loads of highlighted passages and pencilled annotations and sticky notes in them because Carr has some amazing attention to detail and I love looking up which places and people existed in real life and making notes of it in the book. Speaking of highlighters, I discovered "Pilot Frixion" highlighters when I was in school and they are amazing for textbooks that you might want to donate or sell as you can just erase the highlighted sections (my local university has a 'buy back' scheme in their bookstore, but will pitch a fit if they are annotated, I never went to Uni but my friends swore by the highlighters and the pens in the range for annotating since they could just go through and erase when they were done.) I also had a rule when I was in school and was given a school-owned textbook or novel for English class to return them in BETTER condition than I received them when possible. This often meant using sticky backed plastic to protect or repair the covers, but otherwise I used the inside of cereal boxes to reinforce them and scrap paper to cover doodles and previous 'owner' names so it would last longer. At the end of the year I would keep scrap paper and a glue stich in my bag and paste a scrap piece of paper over my name so the next user had a clean space to write their name. I volunteered in my (chronically underfunded) school library so I picked up a lot of ways to repair damaged books and to protect existing ones from being damaged and ending up in landfill. I also picked up a lot of free books that way as the volunteers always got first dibs on any books being 'weeded' out and since the school librarian was a judge on a major children's/ YA book award for a few years and also ran a book blog, she got a LOT of free publisher PR, which if we couldn't put in the library (using custom barcodes cut out of 'weeded' books and re stuck in the new ones) we'd often call dibs on what we wanted, saving the books from landfill. Speaking as an autistic individual with a lot of clothing related sensory issues. I often find 'sustainable' clothes to be made from a rougher fabric from 'normal' clothes (most people say the opposite, but my brain does not interpret it that way) and my need for sameness and routine means that I can't shop second hand (I literally buy 2 weeks worth of the same outfit and have done with it, by that I mean 14 inners, 2 bottoms, 2 tops, 2 bras, 14 days of underwear and socks, 2 sets of sleepwear 'top' and bottoms. I sleep in the same T-Shirt I wore that day and sleepwear bottoms, then wash the 'top' (which I use if I'm cold) and the bottoms once a week and the T-Shirts after one wear as that's where the most dirt or sweat accumulates. Doing the same with the 'main' outfit and spraying anything that is worn again with fabric refresher made from baking soda, water (boiling at the time) and a few drops of essential oil) But I will only replace the item if it is worn out and cannot be donated, in which case its often cut up for something else. If my household won't use it, my car fanatic uncle will as he can just dispose of it when it gets too oily to be used again. He's heavily involved in the 'car rally' scene and his wife works for a 'busniess centre' (essentially a building that provides retail and manufacturing space for small businesses alongside support with the more complicated aspects) so they get a LOT of branded PR T-Shirts, Hoodies etc, when they are worn out they get cut up and used as car cloths or as cleaning cloths. Something that is quite specific but also handy and free. I live with my mum, who is a domiciliary care worker (going into peoples homes and helping them with toileting, personal hygiene, dressing and undressing, medication management, food preparation/ feeding, repositioning if bed bound, hoisting, dealing with stomas/ catheters, incontinence products etc) and she, for obvious reasons, goes through a lot of company provided disposable PPE, including gloves, masks and aprons, but also visors if a client is covid positive or just came out of hospital because some idiot decided that domiciliary care providers cannot be told if one of their recently de hospitalised clients has covid or not. This results in a lot of odd gloves sitting around our house because one of a pair ripped/ fell on the floor/ fell out of a pocket and the next box is a different colour, they 'expired' and cannot be used, they were the wrong size and all they had (apparently it wrecks havoc on the adhesives on incontinence products if your gloves don't fit properly) or they were a mis size (she wears a 'small' gloves size and recently brought home a box of 'small' gloves that fit more like a size 'large') we save and use for the really icky cleaning jobs that would usually warrant gloves anyways, for gardening, for using with lotion or petroleum jelly (bad for the planet I know, but we can't find a 'natural' moisturiser that is as good on over washed hands) or for picking up dog mess (our council says that dog waste cannot be put in the 'food/ garden waste' bin even if the bag is compostable, so everything goes in the 'general waste' bin), where it doesn't really matter if they're too big/ different colours/ expired and it means that if they have to go to landfill, they were not sent to landfill unused, we'll also use misshapen aprons (missing a tie or a head hole) to pick up dog mess and just tie it around it since its the same type of plastic as plastic bags anyways. Another thing I do with the hand sanitizer that her company provides is use it for disinfecting make up brushes between 'deep cleans' as it not only stinks worse than cheap vodka to the extent that clients actually complain when they use it, but is so ridiculously drying on your hands (which are already prone to dryness due to the amount of handwashing) that nobody in her company actually uses it. They have to take at least one bottle a month or they get in trouble, but her and her colleagues all buy their own. (I've tried adding glycerine or aloe vera to it to make it less drying but nothing works, but essential oils do help the smell somewhat) To avoid it going to waste I use it to 'spot clean' my make up brushes since most ones you would buy are basically water and alcohol with some fragrance anyways, or use it on a cloth or tissue to disinfect baskets or shopping carts in the supermarket since the stuff the supermarkets provide is basically the same thing and they're always empty or have a massive line. Her company buys it in massive bulk bottles so you have to bring your own bottle anyways (in our case an empty plastic shampoo/ shower gel/ conditioner bottle) and it just gets diluted into an old setting spray bottle of mine and used that way, or in an old mini body spray bottle to keep in handbags for supermarket use. So many of her colleagues just empty it down the sink or throw it away, but I don't understand why you wouldn't use something that was free if you can use it. If we end up with too much we give it out to friends and family, who do the same with it. A family friend actually uses it to disinfect the 'bed' for her reflexology business since most commercial disinfectants are alcohol based anyways, she just adds some essential oils to it to help the smell.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

i love second hand books! love eveyrthing you had to add :)

[@buckeyedav1]

Microwave meals.. I buy once a year at Aldis' 15 packs of plastic containers with lids $5.00. I don't throw away just continue to stock but I'm pretty well done now. Anyways when we make meals we always have leftovers which I put in those containers and freeze. I have Chili, Vegetable Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, etc. easy to thaw and heat ( I use vintage Corelle or Pyrex stoneware ) in the microwave or you can use stove top. The plastic containers are square and fit nicely in my deep freezer. So while yes I use plastic it last a long time several years so far. I use freezer tape to label the containers so I know what is in them. Cookbooks.. sigh I have a lot I love cookbooks. I rarely buy them new 95% of mine are bought at thrift stores or given to me. Something else I buy used at the thrift store are magazines 30 cents each yes they are older but I enjoy and then redonate. I've also found brand new 90 cents adult coloring books there. I keep these kind of things for power failures no power no entertainment. And of course reading books I buy for reading in the winter months and then share with my neighbor who also shares her books with me. Summer time I get all my books and DVD's at the library. In the winter I try to not go out as much as possible in the snow, cold or ice. I have a well stocked pantry I am a canner so I can everything I can vegetables, fruits and meats. Anna In Ohio.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

what a great idea!

[@Luckysevenxp]

Love the information and your realistic style, thank you!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Aww, thank you, Grace!

[@emilymiller40]

The sock hoarder drawer felt personal 🙈 lol I realized I had a problem so I haven’t bought socks in a long time.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Glad I'm not the only one hahahah! This was my first sock purchase in like 4 years. I still loveeeee cute socks but learned to limit myself lolll

[@buckeyedav1]

What I don't buy? I can't think of much except Egg Noodles. We make our own we use to buy Reames brand all the time till I figured out I can easily make them at home. Pickle Relish. As a Canner I make Zucchini Relish and Can it. I don't buy fabric softener or dryer sheets. I have some still from the last time I bought it about 2 years ago? The sheets every so often I'll put in a storage tote with blankets or sheets just for a nice smell when I pull them out next season. I don't buy blankets or sheets at least not new I buy them in the thrift store.. we have 4 dogs two of which are small dogs and for some weird reason they like to chew little holes in the blankets sigh.. I sew patches on them but eventually they pull enough stuffing out that they have to be thrown out. Bad doggies!! Anna In Ohio.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I've always wanted to try making my own noodles!

[@buckeyedav1]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist Its so easy and I'm sure you could find a substitute for the egg part. I've sometimes forgotten to put it in and though they were a little tougher they were still eatable. It's milk, flour and egg that's it. Mix roll and I use a pizza cutter to cut them in to squares though you could do long noodles just by going in thin lines with the pizza cutter, that is a game saver for sure. Anna In Ohio.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@buckeyedav1 defintely need to try!

[@hlobisilenhlapho4800]

You could also try mending your socks using embroidery...Unless your socks are beyond repair

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I'm not sure how to embroider! I just use a simple darning technique

[@everising4999]

First the awesome: I love all your videos and the fact you are making others think as well. I have implemented quite a few of your ideas. 😊 Now the other side: the internet is not a guaranteed thing, either down temporarily , natural disaster or humans messing it up etc. If not a cookbook than some favorite recipes (especially baking since you can’t fudge as much) sauces too, should be written down or printed. Bring back the old hand written recipe cards in a box 😃. I’m also gluten free grain free so I really need those measurements. All the plastic you are reusing to store your food is low quality leaching into food! The older it is, the worse it does it. And NEVER put anything hot like your broth in it that hasn’t cooled down completely first. Use the glass you’re recycling for everything you can, much safer 🙏🏼 for your health. I freeze raw in Mason jars (even homemade cookies) you just have to leave a little room for expansion so that it doesn’t break the top. I actually use the ones that are straight up and down for 15 years now 😊 Hanks and Keep saving the planet 🎉❤ 🌍

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

that's fair! it's not for everyone :) i do use glass :)

[@TheSmileyKayla]

My library has an ebook option on the Libby app. It has saved me so much money!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yessss I love Libby!!!

[@SteelRiderCarl]

I don't buy firewood! When I see somebody getting their trees trimmed or cut down, I come with my saw and grab a few bundles, or I stay on the lookout for dead fall.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

geniussss!!!!

[@shaunaburton7136]

i Have bought sugru, hot glue, liquid rubber, simple sewing supplies, A good stain remover and some other simple things and been able fix a lot of things.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That is awesome and such a good way to live more sustainably!!

[@shaunaburton7136]

I am starting to really like the way my patched up clothes look, I hope it becomes a trend

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@shaunaburton7136 me too! !

[@sustainablediamond7042]

I have been following you on Ig for awhile. Lovely to see you here on KZbin too. And the hummus and mayo is something I need to do. But I found hummus is glass and it is better than my own made and I got glass with plastic lid jar for mayo. Definitely things I should do more myself

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Oh hey! Welcome to the YT fam! I love trying to make more and more food products at home to save waste!

[@sharonshmuel3386]

Hi this was so good ! I always learn so much from you !! & I am only 62 🥺years young 🤣

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

AWw thank you Sharon!! Glad anyone and everyone can use these tips :)

[@dalladi]

I’m trying to learn (the hard way, apparently) how to be wealthy and what wealth means to me AND ITS SO HARD OMG I swing from manic feast to miserable famine but I know it part of the process. All my relationships have blown up because no one from my “old life” gets what I’m doing or are just “Facebook fake friends” so don’t know what I’m doing anyway.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

you got this!

[@sparky9839]

Great list! I do almost all of these things except for the used clothes, definitely something to work on! If anyone cares about the environment or treating others fairly, going vegan is the number one thing they can do. Animal agriculture is the most destructive industry on the planet by every metric that we care about. ✌🏻💚

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

great advice!

[@jturtle5318]

Flushable wipes are definitely not flushable. There are some very enlightening videos on YT of plumbers dealing with them.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

right which is why i stopped

[@brittanywalker5079]

Could you elaborate on your cleaning bar concentrates? I tried to Google it and came up with zilch. I'm trying to make the switch and have looked into branch basics. Wanting to look into these as well! Thanks!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yeah i think they went out of business but i do have a full video on them already :)

[@sustainableteacheryt]

I'm guilty about nail polish XD Well I olny have one, but I love painting my nails XD But besides that we do very similar things for the rest of the video!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I used to buy SO MUCH nail polish!! Thank you so much :)

[@dalladi]

So what do you do now that you’re not going to the mall, window shopping, browsing online or whatever? Did you find something to substitute for them so to speak? Such as a hobby or something?

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

i mean i was never a window shopper. I find it a waste of time. I work two jobs so I don't really have free time anyway

[@valgarcia7011]

My phone have 5 years and works perfectly 💕

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That is awesome!!! It's all about taking care of what we have!

[@everising4999]

What is the company for your cleaning bars? Tried to google concentrated bars but too much comes up and I didn’t see it in your links.Thanks 😊

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

awww they may have discontinued but it's spelled "concentr8ed"

[@Autisticheather]

I do not buy any single use paper products. Including tp!! I have a bidet and a basket of small cloths. I used to use SO MUCH TP EVERY DAY!! AND wipes. I use cloths and rags instead of paper towels. Cloth napkins, hankies. I have saved so much money it's ridiculous!!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I need yo get on the cloth game now that I have a bidet, it is SO practical!! Disposable paper products are a SCAM!

[@IAmSherry12]

I've searched for the brand concentrated that you mentioned. Nothing comes up. Well amazon has all kinds of garbage that comes up but nothing by that brand name. Do you have a link? Thank you

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yeah they no longer exist :( this video is veryyyy old haha

[@jillmcaleese6514]

You are a pro!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

haha thanks!

[@buckeyedav1]

Oh I am so darn bad with the holiday themed mostly 4th of July though I do buy it mostly at the thrift stores but last year I found a really good pair of Old Navy tennis shoes and yeah red white and blue so I guess I better get those out and start wearing them now leading up to 4th of July. I did get them for $5 but still..and we won't even go in to all the jewelry I have for holidays all thrift store other than a pair I was given for Christmas by a friend about 15 years ago. And OSU jewelry lol. Anna In Ohio

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

thrift stores are a great option for holiday decor!

[@buckeyedav1]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist Oh yes they are I would never buy any of that stuff new except my Molded Snowman and that was only because I searched and searched and could not find one. He will last forever and be passed on to others some day. I love the vintage mold Christmas things that you sit outside. Not those new things made out of nylon that has to have electric going to keep them blown up all night those for me personally are awful and a waste of electricity. Anna In Ohio.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@buckeyedav1 Yes those are seriously the worst!

[@StrollingThroughLife]

I LOVED this video!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you SO much , Kristen!!

[@taylortsakopulos1216]

Gum is also made with plastic

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Isn't that crazy?!

[@Easy_n_Fun]

Hi, I can't find any second hand sportswear. I need something to go to the gym. Any advices pls?

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

My fav is Girlfriend Collective if you don't mind buying new, they're made from recycled plastic! But, tons of thrift stores have athletic sections if you haven't found that yet OR try online thrift shopping so you can search for exactly what you want :) girlfriendcollective.pxf.io/AobeJ1

[@Easy_n_Fun]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist oh I live in a town in Vietnam and am trying to get something local. :)))) but yesterday I decided to wear my t-shirt and my loose shorts. :))))

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

unfortunately i do not know any local stores to you :( that's great! best of luck finding items! I suggest looking at second hand stores :) @@Easy_n_Fun

[@jturtle5318]

I'm not pushing nail polish, but you can find that for giveaway too.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

what?

[@jturtle5318]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist people give away nail polish, just like anything else. Maybe not as often as some things. My sister and niece have a lot, and they periodically sort them out and give away some of them.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@jturtle5318 i dont have any though

[@thesmallstepper8740]

Can you do a vedio on lastswab

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

For sure! It's a product I've been wanting to review for a while now!

[@rh7968]

fixed, TY

[@sheilagarrett7540]

Darn your socks. It is easy and will make them last for years

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

already do :)

[@KASC92]

What's a no-buy group?

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

a group where you don't buy anything, trading!

[@karinhart489]

Around here it’s called Freecycle. You post what you are trying to get rid of & people reply if they want it.

[@Warrrkotka]

You don't have mayo in glass jars? Is that not a thing?

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Never seen that before! Even then, though, it's single-use and making it at home is SO easy!

[@Warrrkotka]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist as a hoarder of jars who use them to pickel things and never found good recipe for mayo I diseagree ;) maybe you can share yours on fb page?

[@HeidiDream]

Have you found a plastic free makeup brand. Cruelty free as well that works!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

I haven't tried any for myself but my friends Coco Shin and Kristen from Strolling Through Life have talked about them before as well as Shelbizleee and Gittemary all found here on KZbin :)

[@HeidiDream]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist thx!

[@christine-my3gd]

I dont know if zao is sold where you live

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@christine-my3gd is that a makeup brand?

[@christine-my3gd]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist yes it is plastic free and has refills. Its sold in Europe but im not sure its sold elsewhere

[@edenmatthews7266]

I can't find the brand of consontrat bars she talks about

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

they no longer are sold :(

[@edenmatthews7266]

@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist awww I love bar soaps and concentrates

[@janicemorris6466]

Onions are acidic and are harmful to worms hope this is helpful and if I've got it wrong sorry

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Nope you're right! I don't have a worm bin though, but good for others to note :)

[@xochilguevara3429]

👍👍👍

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

thank you!

[@juliaisagoodwitch]

😀😀😀

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thanks, Julia :)

[@MELINDASSIMPLEBLESSINGS]

Can u use an electric razor on your underarms , does it work good enough

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

oh yeah for sure i don't see why it wouldn't work

[@MELINDASSIMPLEBLESSINGS]

I been looking into them

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

it's great and last a long time!@@MELINDASSIMPLEBLESSINGS

[@tinycomedian]

Where can I buy the concentrate bar?

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Here's a link :) concentr8ed.co/collections/all

[@tinycomedian]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist this is brilliant I forgot you are in 🇬🇧 this shipping cost is too high for me but I will look locally for one like it thanks

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@tinycomedian I'm in Japan actually!

[@tinycomedian]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist The Japanese are often more environmentally conscious but I have always wanted to go to Tokyo

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@tinycomedian more than Americans, yes, but only slightly. You'd be surprised at how wasteful the culture is. Check out my video about wasteful things I hate about Japan ;)

[@caroldolan1485]

Flushable wipes are not not not flushable. Stop by your local water treatment plant if you want the 411 🥹

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

yup!