#averagezerowaster

[averagezerowaster]

Zero Waste Advent Calendar

Being vegan and zero waste makes it VERY challenging to find an advent calendar. The traditional ones are cardboard on the outside and have a big plastic holder in the middle. And they're single use!

This wall hanging calendar came from Canadian Tire and I will reuse it every year now! Every day there is a pocket with one chocolate covered coffee bean for me and a chocolate covered almond for my partner (both vegan). 

I am sure there are lots of tutorials out there with patters to even make your own! The thrift shops would have lots of fabrics for a project like this. 

[averagezerowaster]

Getting back on track with zero waste lifestyle

Hi everyone! 

It has been quite a while since I have posted here. I wanted to add a quick update before getting back into posting zero waste stuff. 

I definitely feel like I have fallen off my zero waste track since March (when the pandemic started). Bulk barn stopped their “bring your own jar” program which is how I did a lot of my zero waste grocery shopping. Also, I moved across Canada to the east coast (NOVA SCOTIA!!) in May, aka the height of the pandemic. 

It was very difficult to shop sustainably with thrift stores being closed at the time and being nervous about buying on Marketplace or Kijiji because I didn’t want to interact with people I didn’t know. 

All in all I wanted to reiterate that this blog is called AVERAGE Zero Waster. We all have moments where we try our best and it’s just not good enough. Or we are stressed with life and forget our sustainable values. I wanted to let you know that that is ok and as a community we are all here for each other no matter what! 

Anyways, glad to be back on track and hoping to make lots of new posts in the coming months, starting today :) 

[averagezerowaster]

How I stay warm during freezing Canadian winters ❄ 🇨🇦

Last night it snowed 15cm...

I keep my house at a balmy 16 celcius (61 farenheit) all winter long. I live in Canada in a small town 40 mins outside Ottawa. Heating the house excessively wastes resources and is not sustainable. So how do I stay warm??

LAYERS

On top I wear a long sleeve shirt, sweater and a thicker sweater or house coat. On the bottom I wear long johns (warm tights / base layer), sweatpants, thick socks and slippers. I use a hot water bottle when I am in bed or curled up on the couch. Flannel sheets and a thick duvet are also a must.

BONUS: I love hot tea and curling up with my hot dogs, both of which keep me extra warm and cozy :)

@ me if you have more sustainable ideas for keeping warm in cold weather!

[averagezerowaster]

Zero Waste Grocery Haul 🥗

[averagezerowaster]

How do or where do you get your vegetables and fruits without plastic packaging?

Thanks for the awesome question! I live in a small town in Ontario, Canada. I shop for my produce mostly at big chain grocery stores like Walmart, Superstore, Foodbasics. Sometimes Farm Boy if I'm in the city. During the summer I shop as much as possible at the farmers markets.

I never use the plastic produce bags. Most of the time I just leave the produce loose or I'll use a mesh produce bag (I was just given some really cool cotton ones that came from the store Indigo!). I also use the app Flipp to find the best deals and to pricematch to save a little $$.

Hope this helps :)

[averagezerowaster]

Storing my spices in zero waste style. I absolutely HATE those little plastic bags of spices at the store. Opt for putting spices in jars at a bulk store like Bulk Barn ♻️

[averagezerowaster]

Tips for Zero Waste Pets 🐈🐕

My cat and dogs are the loves of my life and I don't think I could ever live without an animal companion. My dog is curled up on my lap as I write this!

So here are a few ways I try to be zero waste with my pets:

Compostable, plant based dog poo bags. This brand is made of corn and I buy them at walmart.

Wheat based cat litter which I buy at Pet Smart. I am lucky enough to have a back yard that has a treed lot so I just throw the poops and cat litter into the forrest when it needs to be changed 💩

Wellness brand pet food bags can be recycled through TerraCycle! Check out their website to see what else you can recycle that you normally can't at your local municipality ♻️

I buy dog treats at bulk barn in a reusable jar, and they LOOOOVE the treats. I also sometimes buy bones package free.

I buy any other things at the thrift shop or on kijiji (second hand) like harnesses, leashes, food bowls, toys, blankets, towels, nail clippers, etc.

Got questions about having sustainable pets?? @ me in the comments!

[averagezerowaster]

Ditch single use Kleenex ❄

Zero Waste Swap!

The cold weather is here! Well, at least it is in Canada where I live...

That means I have handkerchiefs in every pocket because I'm constantly blowing my nose!

Switch out single use Kleenex for a handkerchief that can be washed and reused. Even better, take old clothes or fabric and cut them into squares to make your own! It's cheap and a good way to use up old clothes/fabrics that would otherwise be thrown out ♻️