There are a lot of great and really useful zero waste swaps out there! One that can significantly help you reduce your waste. But what if I told you that buying these swaps new isn’t actually the most sustainable option? You see buying something, even something that is sustainable, or plastic-free free still creates waste. When we don’t buy something no resources need to be spent to make them. Therefore, no extra waste or demand is created.
There are actually a number of zero waste DIY projects that you can make yourself using supplies you just might have already laying around the house! This won’t only save you money but help you to reuse some fabric or craft supplies you may already have and reduce even more waste! It’s a win-win all around. Whether or not you’re a crafty person, there’s sure to be something on this list you can make with ease!
Zero Waste DIY Projects:
1. Cotton rounds
Whether to apply skincare or remove makeup, cotton rounds are a staple (and quite wasteful) tool. But before you go out and buy a new pack of reusable cotton rounds, you may have just what you need to make your own!
Supplies:
- Scrap fabric – I save all my scraps when hemming or altering clothing or when a piece becomes too stained or worn to wear. In this tutorial, I’m using an old sweater but I have also make cotton rounds out of an old towel. usually, a softer material is better as you’ll be using this on your face!
- Scissors
- A jar or something round to trace
- A marker/pen
- Needle and thread or sewing machine
- Start by laying your fabric out and cutting it if need by. I cut the back out of an old sweater for this DIY.
- Using a jar or another round object, trace circles on the fabric with a marker.
- Cut out the circles.
- Hem along the edges of the circle so the fabric won’t fray over time. You can do this using a machine if you have but I just hand-stitched them using this method.
After the edges are sewn, it’s good to use! Once it’s dirty, simply wash it and use it over and over again.
2. Tea Bags
Most tea bags contain plastic meaning that for every cup of tea you drink, you’re also getting a dose of plastic. Not only is this bag for you but for the planet as well and these microplastics will end up in our landfills. Switch to loose leaf tea AND make your own reusable tea bags!
You can find the full tutorial from happiestcamper.com, here!
3. Produce bags
Those thin, plastic baggies at the grocery store for your fruits and veggies drive me crazy. They’re the worst kind of plastic, in my opinion, most other plastics can at least be reused in some way, these ones? Nope. Skip them altogether and make your own!
These are so fun because they can be made from any material you have lying around which means they’ll be all sorts of fun patterns and colours! I made mine out of an old floral pillowcase.
Supplies:
- Scrap fabric
- Needle and thread or sewing machine
- Twine/shoestring or some other kind of string
- Bobby pin or safety pin
- Place two pieces of fabric of equal size together with the patterns facing each other. Sew along 3 sides leaving the top of the bag open.
- While the fabric is still inside out, fold over the side we left open on either side to form a pocket. Making sure to leave a hole open, sew along the edges of the fold so there is room for the drawstring.
- Using a bobby pin or safety pin, attach it to your string of choice.
- Using your pin feed the string through the tunnel you just created until it comes out on the other side. Then tie the two ends of the string together and flip your bag right side out!
To see a visual tutorial, check it out in my Youtube video here! This DIY starts around the 2:41 mark!
4. Beeswax wraps
Beeswax wraps are AMAZING at keeping your food fresh and avoiding plastic wrap. Buuut they can be a tap expensive. Making them is a lot cheaper and a TON of fun! I made mine using the same pillowcase I used for the produce bags.
You can find the tutorial I used on abeautifulmess.com!
5. Dryer Balls
Dryer balls are a great way to reduce waste in your laundry routine. They eliminate the need for dryer sheets completely. The best part is they’re reusable! The not-so-great part? they can be a tad expensive. But making your own is actually incredibly easy!
See the full tutorial I made, here!
6. DIY scrunchie
What a great way to use leftover scrap fabric! Scrunchies are so easy to make yourself. Plus if you’re hemming or altering a piece of clothing you can use the leftover material to make a matching scrunchie! How cute is that??
See the full tutorial from thesweetersideofmotherhood.com!
7. Unpaper towels
Paper towels are such a wasteful invention. Wiping up a spill once and then throwing it away? It just doesn’t make sense. You can use any sort of rag to wipe up a mess or you can make some fun unpaper towels!
Pollybarks.com has a super easy tutorial using ANY scrap fabric you may have laying around!
Making your own zero waste DIY projects can be super easy and fun! Not to mention by reusing items you already have around your house, you’re reducing even more waste!
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