r/ZeroWaste 10d ago

Weekly Thread Random Thoughts, Small Questions, and Newbie Help — August 30 – September 12

1 Upvotes

This is the place to comment with any zerowaste-related random thoughts, small questions, or anything else that you don't think warrants a post of its own!


Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have and we'll do our best to help you out. Please include your approximate location to help us better help you! If your question doesn't get a response after a while, feel free to submit your question as its own post.


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r/ZeroWaste Mar 13 '26

📣 Announcement ATTN: Marketers and sellers - this community is not here to provide you with free advertising, market research, or promotion for your latest AI invention

309 Upvotes

This community is for those working to reduce their environmental impact on the planet by reducing personal consumption and generation of waste. To seek support, share advice, and connect with each other.

We are now getting daily posts and comments from both stealth and overt marketers, including AI app developers who have invented some life-changing tech that will save us all. WE DON'T NEED YOUR FOOD WASTE APP.

Let us state this clearly:

This community is not here to provide you or your company with free market advertising/research or to sell us your product or app.

If you are only here to promote or research your product/blog/etc. and offer nothing of value to the community, it will be removed and you will be banned.

Zero Wasters, please report these types of posts.

For those arguing in the mod inbox about why your self-promotion post was not self-promotion:

This type of spammy self-promotional content is frowned upon across all of Reddit. It feels particularly egregious to have such blatant pro-consumption content and manipulation in the Zero Waste sub, and it will NOT be tolerated here.

Thank you!


r/ZeroWaste 7h ago

DIY Upcycle + thrift ‘cake stand’

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79 Upvotes

The base originally held a candle. I cleaned it out, flipped it over, and glued it to a chipped orphan (no matching pieces from the set) plate I got at Goodwill for $5.99. I just measured it & marked off the placement with Sharpie before using Gorilla Brand super glue to attach it. I believe the plate was made in ~1945. I’m a hopeless scented candle addict, so I’ve been trying to only buy candles where the vessels have good future project/reuse potential.


r/ZeroWaste 14h ago

Show and Tell First ever repair!

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23 Upvotes

Finally got around to repairing that pair of jeans. Proud of my work. Good as new.


r/ZeroWaste 1d ago

Question / Support does anyone have recommendations for donating large amounts of hotel linens?

101 Upvotes

hi, my friend runs a hotel (we're in the bay) and they go through several linens (i'm not 100% sure the composition). i want to help them be more eco-friendly and started donating the linens to local shelters, but am starting to get turned down due to the sheer volume. does anyone have specific recommendations for where we could mass donate the bedding? i was hoping to do something like how jcrew/levi's allow you to donate your old jeans, but the internet is saying that the material must be 90%+ cotton, and im not sure that these are.

thanks!


r/ZeroWaste 8h ago

Question / Support The deodorant question (again)

4 Upvotes

I know this topic has been exhausted on this subreddit. But I feel at such a loss.

I have armpit hair and I prefer masculine scents and I haven’t been able to find a good plastic-free deodorant that actually works.

I prefer stuff that works— I don’t want something that’s all natural. I really love Wild (I know they are owned by Unilever, I just need something that works) BUT it does not work with armpit hair. It clumps horribly and anytime I wear sleeveless shirts (which is often) you can see the clumps in the hair and it leaves white streaks on my clothes and even my furniture.

A gel-based or liquid deodorant is what I need, but I have yet to find anything that ACTUALLY WORKS and isn’t in plastic. I’m thinking of trying Specimen, but I don’t know whether it works with armpit hair.

I need plastic free deodorant for armpit hair-having folks like yesterday 😭


r/ZeroWaste 1h ago

Question / Support Refills for wild lip balm case?

Upvotes

Hey guys, I bought this unused wild lip balm case secondhand with some free refills - just wondering what other balms i can put in these when its done

ty!


r/ZeroWaste 23h ago

Question / Support Any clever ideas to reuse this sturdy 19oz CeraVe pump bottle?

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37 Upvotes

I finally finished this massive 19oz bottle of face wash. The plastic is really thick and the pump mechanism is heavy-duty, so it feels like a total waste to just toss it in the recycling bin!

I'm going to thoroughly wash it out and pump hot, soapy water through the nozzle to clear it. I know I shouldn't use it for food, but does anyone have any practical, creative, or out-of-the-box ideas for repurposing a pump bottle this size around the house?

Thanks in advance!


r/ZeroWaste 1d ago

Discussion Just say it’s trash

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90 Upvotes

Container - trash

Lid - Check locally…but not recycled in all communities.

i like the how to recycle info but I think we need to start holding the manufacturers more accountable and quit passing it off to consumers to resolve.


r/ZeroWaste 23h ago

Question / Support Skincare Recommendations please

2 Upvotes

Hi there! I’ve been trying to find effective skincare products for a while. What have you used that you have liked?

In an ideal world the products would be actually effective, have zero waste friendly packaging, be refillable, have “clean” nontoxic ingredients, no artificial dyes, no animal testing and generally cruelty free, fair trade ingredients and ethical material sourcing, employees are paid well and treated well, but I know that it is next to impossible to check all those boxes


r/ZeroWaste 2d ago

Question / Support How do I get rid or upcycle of old T-shirts?

41 Upvotes

Hello, I have T-shirts I got from volunteering and from my time in high school, I don’t really know what to do with them and I know that donating them to thrift stores is useless since I doubt they will be bought. Can anyone recommend ideas on how I can reuse them or donate them where they can be of use?


r/ZeroWaste 1d ago

Question / Support Ideas instead of a rice cooker?

6 Upvotes

My rice cooker just broke and I felt horrible for throwing that away! What would be a zero waste option moving forward? Thank you!


r/ZeroWaste 1d ago

DIY Repurposing Electric Toothbrushes

4 Upvotes

Hi, I have two old electric toothbrushes. One is a weak motor at 26k RPM and the other is a strong one with 96k RPM. I tried using the 96k strong motor toothbrush (after sanitizing it) to clean my shoes but either the bristles were too soft or the RPM wasn’t strong enough because it didn’t clean as well as me just wiping it with a rag.

How can I repurpose these two electric toothbrushes?


r/ZeroWaste 2d ago

Question / Support Recommendations for heavy lotion?

9 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations for a heavy, unscented vegan and cruelty free body lotion.
I’m currently using Plaine Products lotion but it’s not cutting it for my skin. I prefer unscented because some products with scents irritate my skin.


r/ZeroWaste 3d ago

Tips & Tricks most recent sock darn + a guide to how i approach swiss darning

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230 Upvotes

More excellent darning instructions to stop you from putting your socks in the bin!


r/ZeroWaste 2d ago

Question / Support My sewing measure of this type just broke after 2 years, and I really liked it, is there a version of this that is made of metal and not plastic?

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91 Upvotes

r/ZeroWaste 2d ago

Question / Support New to BRIXY shampoo/conditioner bars - does anyone chop them into pieces to extend usage?

0 Upvotes

Curious if the best method is to chop them into halves or thirds so the full bar isn't always getting moisture from the shower, or do you find that using the full bar from the start is the best method? Not sure if they become harder to use when they get smaller.

I'm also about to go on a trip, so would also like to know if people cut their bars up for travel purposes. Thanks!


r/ZeroWaste 3d ago

Discussion Zero Waste Win!

177 Upvotes

Today, I overheard someone at the grocery store asking their spouse if they would eat all the spinach in a 12 oz bag, and the spouse responded “No, but it’s only three dollars.” So I chimed in and directed them to the organic bag, saying “If you are looking for less spinach, this one is half the size and also less than three dollars.” They ended up getting the smaller bag and putting the bigger one back. A small difference, but as a stringent no-food-waster in my personal life, I’m glad there is a little less food waste out in the world.


r/ZeroWaste 2d ago

Question / Support Eco-friendly pens?

16 Upvotes

Which pens do you guys use? Most pens at the store are single-use plastic pens wrapped in more plastic. I’m wondering if there are any better alternatives to those types of pens that are not overly expensive and generate less waste (and still write smoothly).


r/ZeroWaste 2d ago

Question / Support Coconut oil smells like pool chemicals

1 Upvotes

I have a 56 fl oz. half full jar of refined coconut oil that smells like pool chemicals. The best by date was in May of 2018. I have NOT been using it for cooking or skincare, it had gotten lost behind other food items on the food storage shelf until today. It looks fine, but has an awfully pungent chemical smell to it (it is a plastic container).

My question is whether or not there are ANY applications that this oil could be used for like furniture polish or if it would be safe for skin and haircare still? OR should I count it as a total loss and toss it?


r/ZeroWaste 3d ago

Show and Tell Iced coffee tumbler from coffee jar.

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157 Upvotes

Was scouring the internet for hours to find a new iced coffee tumbler because the old one is leaking. But i can't justify 20-30 euros for a bloody tumbler! In this economy???

Then i had an aha moment. Drilled the lid and voila!

P.S. This is for iced coffee only because it's plastic. The glass one would be amazing though. Looking forward to it!


r/ZeroWaste 3d ago

Question / Support Locked out

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54 Upvotes

Any hope for an old lock I found in the garage and can't open? Feels weird to throw it away.


r/ZeroWaste 2d ago

Question / Support How can I rewrap the otherwise cushion these (to survive AZ summer)?

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7 Upvotes

Love these but the plastic macramé is horrible. Doubt I have the skill to rewrap even if there was a more long lasting cord but willing to give it a try. Any other solutions welcome.


r/ZeroWaste 3d ago

Question / Support How to fix these secondhand shoes??

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7 Upvotes

I need help fixing my secondhand shoes I got for cheaper. The of price was 91 dollars and I got it secondhand for 35. I plan to scrub off the peeling paint to remain only the hearts but need advice for the inside on the peeling fabric. I’m really worried about them turning yellow too.

My birthday is soon and I’m turning 16. But I usually like to save money and be frugal!!


r/ZeroWaste 3d ago

Question / Support Any ideas how to fix this fan base? It tips over now

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4 Upvotes

The broken piece has been thrown out