Ok, this is from an old baby boomer raised by depression era parents. I have always cleaned with vinegar water, used rags for cleaning, wax paper instead of plastic wrap, a stack of dishcloths instead of paper towels and real cloth napkins. It is not that hard, just a different way that what you're used to. Yes I have used my share of paper towels, napkins etc but I always go back and get in the routine I learned from my family. You ladies always make me smile! Thanks.
I often think of my grandma, who lived through the depression on a small prairie farm with no modern conveniences. She is my inspiration for living simply and reducing my waste. I feel so connected with her ❤️
Maybe not make tshirys but patches instead. The clothing industry already uses up so much water. A patch can work on any shirt. Especially if they are just sewn or ironed on. Just an idea. Might be cool to put on your backpack or reusable shopping bags ;)
If you're going to bring your own straw, also bring your own silverware when you go somewhere that uses plastic ware. Like fast food. Zero wasters often use bamboo sets because they're a sustainable material, and lightweight for carrying in your bag. And yeah, thrift as much of your fabric as possible. And watch Annika Victoria's videos on using leftover fabric scraps.
I just bought a set of reusable silverware online. It came with a fork spoon and chopsticks now I just have to buy a little knife to fit in the case. 😀
if you know you're stopping at your favorite coffee place, why just bring a straw? Bring your own cup too. The cold drink cups are usually plastic and the lids for the hot cups are always plastic.
The only thing about the paper towel thing is that washcloths exist already and usually have a better tooth for picking things up. You don't even have to wash it after every use, you can rinse it out and reuse it.
Cat is the wasted fabric, electricity to run the sewing machine, cost of the fabric (which btw, the cheapest terrycloth comes is about $6 a yard with a coupon), time and then the energy put into washing them worth some flowers? My rags don’t match my kitchen at all but I use bar rags for everything and they’re infinitely more absorbent than anything I’ve ever made with terrycloth.
Nissa Revane I get your point and it’s a fair comment, but be a little gentler in explaining, some people are new to sustainability and being conscious to the environment so they are unaware of the trade off you explained, so don’t discourage them.
Just an idea, if a person packs two or more straws, perhaps the straw case can have two pouches, one for the clean straws and once you use it, then put it in the used/dirty side. Also, perhaps the pouch could be water proof? Thanks for another amazing video!
Haha the struggle is real. I need to remake my pouch for dirty straws. But usually I ask for a cup of water and take a few sips through it. A small challenge is getting a less porous fabric for the dirty straws
@@alexandrahuang7731 love this idea because i was wondering about the drinks residue caking in the straw and being difficult to clean after this promoting bacteria growth.
This was soooo cute!!!! With the reusable cotton pads you can also soak it in peppermint oil or citrus essential oil and throw that in your fridge to get rid of food smell!!!!
BONUS ECO TIP!! Keep ahold of all your fabric scraps! Even for the reusable cotton pads or paper towels when they're falling apart! Shred everything up real finely and use it for stuffing in homemade pillows, plushies, or anything that requires stuffing! Just be sure to wash the fabric before using it for stuffing, you could even toss a few essential oil drops into whatever you're making. Also for a merch idea, using recycled fabric!
That also sounds like a really good fire starter DIY for camping. Do you also save the lint from the dryer for fluff too? Fabric that is made of organic matter, cotton, linen, hemp, etc is also compostable. If you happen to own several large bags of fluff...*sigh*
yeah i don't own a washing machine (have to pay for a laundromat) or a dishwasher (we hand wash everything) DIYing everything that would need to be taken to a laundromat a bunch of times a month just seems like more expensive over all.
These are great, but I would like to point out that consumer waste is a VERY negligible part of overall waste! I like to be eco friendly myself, but it doesn't mean anything unless we protest huge corporations and factories that produce way more waste than us as a society could ever produce on our own. We should do both, is what I'm saying. There's no reason for the media to make it seem like individuals are mostly at fault, when there's a bigger issue at hand :(
I was thinking about this but hopefully by becoming more and more sustainable on our own we as a whole won't rely on big companies and they will lose our money anyway. So boycotting by proxy. I do my best to sign petitions when I can but it's something that the whole world needs to get on board with
That’s true, but the corporations are supplying the consumers with what they want. If consumers weren’t so eager to buy something new every 35 minutes, they wouldn’t feel the need to neglect and speed up their production process. Everyone has some responsibility in the mess.
There is a cool company called pyramid 7 that markets there period underwear to all gender because all genders get periods and they are in a boxer briefs style. So they are extremely comfortable and for transmasculine people they could help with dysphoria because they aren't in a feminine style and no need for a tampon.
BECKY the irony of you drinking from a plastic cup with your stainless steel straw UGH! Do yourselves a favor and switch to mason jars! They make lids for them with straw holes too. No more plastic anything!!! Love you guys so much
Why's everyone gotta use a Mason jar lately?? What's wrong with a normal glass 😂 (btw I totally agree with what you said here, so I'm not attacking you lol)
I don't think I've seen a cafe in the last 5 years that won't take your own cup, and most even sell reusable ones! And they usually give you a discount. Obviously don't bring a dirty mug but otherwise there's no reason not to use your own :)
I asked the cafe to put the frozen drink in my reusable cup and used my stainless steel straw with it. And they were even happy to rinse my reusable cup afterwards because I didn’t have a waterproof reusable bag to put it in and it would have made my handbag dirty. It’s always worth asking and most people are happy to help!
You can buy glass Keepcup (or similar brand) or plastic one that is more light weighted. They have a lot of cute color options. I have plastic one for few years now and still in perfect shape, I don't want glass one because it too heavy and I already have glass water bottle. Starbucks will give you 10% off for bringing your own cup. I have seen a lot coffee shops that give you discount for bringing your own cup.
Omg the straw case, so cuuute. I love making vinegar sprays and it's also a good odor neutralizer when you're cleaning out the fridge, garbage can or sink!
Heather Ho the vinegar smell actually dissipates pretty quickly, more so than harsh chemicals and I'd rather smell vinegar for a small amount of time. But as far as neutralizing goes, if you place it in a smelly place (for me it was a closet in my house where the previous owners used moth balls) a bowl of it will absorb all the bad odor and basically provide a neutral blank slate. It's pretty awesome 👍🏼
Honestly I mean no harm but viniger smell makes me gag and want to throw up. So i would probably skip that one. Besides soap is biodegradable so its a good option too
Ka eL we don’t need one person doing zero waste perfectly, we need millions doing it imperfectly. Sometimes it’s not feasible for people to be 100% waste free, but you should always do your best to be more conscious of your choices
@@kaydenrowe8118 Yeah they do but those are usually still plastic so it's better that disposables though not by much. There are also bamboo ones they sell, though I rarely see those at Starbucks. Also often when I see people bring in their own cup, the workers make the drink in a disposable and then pour it into your reusable cup. I think its something to do with health and safety policies
I love this video!! I have two suggestions :) 1. For the straw case, what if you sewed an inner lining out of a water resistant fabric? That way your purse or pockets don’t get sticky or wet from your straw 😋 2. I am ~all about~ the better human concept/merch, but how about we modify it to #BeABetterHuman instead? That way it’s all inclusive, empowering 💪🏼 , and encourages others to join the movement? Otherwise someone may interpret #BetterHumanClub as “We’re better than you kbye 🙃” 😂 You two inspire myself and countless others on a daily basis- keep up the good work!
Loving all these hacks! Stainless steel bottles are also a great investment for water! Fill it up with cold tap water (chilled in fridge) in the morning and it can still be cold by dinner! Get a size that fits your handbag so you bring it with you always!
I'm starting my own indoor garden, I already have a thriving basil plant, some parsley that still needs some work, some garlic that is getting a little out of control, and either today or tomorrow I'm going to plant some strawberries. And this all started out with just wanting a bit more green stuff in my room :D It's pretty dang cute, I must say
It's so much more useful than non-edible plants, and can smell amazing. I recommend adding an aloe plant if you have space because they are very low maintenance and really useful for minor burns.
Outstanding! Brilliant way to do the reusable pads. Love the reusable not-paper towels. The wax wraps need a sticky element (non-toxic tree sap/resin) and an oil to make the beeswax pliable when wrapping (jojoba seems to be used a lot; maybe coconut oil would work?). The straw bag was inspired! 💚💚💚 More like this, please.
Other ways to be more eco friendly: Use a shampoo and conditioner bar Take your own cutlery and containers places Buy things in bulk with jars instead of plastic Bring produce bags to the grocery store (another thing you can DIY if you wanted to)
Thank you for also including small businesses as your buy options! As an Etsy seller this makes my heart happy to see! Love the video. And I would definitely get that shirt!
I use cloth menstrual pads that I absolutely love and are cheap/easy to make! There's a tutorial and free pattern for them on my channel for anyone who wants to make their own. Btw rotary cutters are amazing! Try rolling it away from you instead of toward you, works even better.
I'm sad that they talked about the thinx that not many woman can afford... when making your own pads can be free. And so much more absorbent than store bought. I'll be checking out your channel!
Have you seen those adorable crochet cotton pads?! I want to learn to make those. I also love my reusable straw. Now going to add a pouch thanks to your DIY
Can you do DIY bulk containers? I'd like to make bags to get my chocolate chips from the bulk food store instead of having a zillion jars but I can't figure out what fabric, how to seal the bag, etc.
Kenna Norder I would probably use a glass jar for this because the idea of transporting chocolate in a fabric bag only to have it melt then having to wash it is kinda gross to me
I used a basic cotton fabric with a cotton drawstring as a closure and it works perfect, for things like chocolate chips you should put them in glass when you get home so they don’t melt in your bags
I've made reusable bags out of torn-up old pajama pant legs and then used a ribbon or braided yarn or other scraps for the drawstring closure. I've also used an old T-shirt, but it was a really stretchy one, so it isn't my favorite bag that I've made.
Thank you!! The reusable cotton pads are so smart, I've been thinking about this one lately. And (lame excuse, I know) I haven't been using my reusable straws because I couldn't find a carrying case. No more excuses! 😊
TheSorryGirls Yes, if it’s being used to line the baking pan :) However, if it’s something like a potato that you’ll wrap up in foil I think you’d have to use foil :(
I found this website for alternatives to foil! I’m not sure on product prices so the outlay might cost a bit but if you can reuse them heaps I’m sure they’ll pay for themselves! green-mom.com/plastic-and-foil-wrap-alternatives/#.WzMODBZ_WEc
for the straw one maybe writing "straw berry" and then with embroidery make cute strawberries with straws in them or a pink smoothie with a straw? idk but I always found the word strawberry funny in english because it contains the word straw ^^
👏👏👏👏 Loved this video so, so much! My favourite has to be the makeup pads, because I spend waaayyyyy too much money on those already. And here's a tip: when sewing the 'paper' towels, cut off a triangular bit from the corners (about 1-2mm away from the thread). That way, when you turn them right-side-out and iron/top-stitch them, the sewn corners will be sharper and smoother and less bulky. 👍
Also when using a rotary cutter, go away from yourself. Those blades are sharp. When they dull, rotate blade around to use all sides. They sell rulers that you line up your cut Mark's and roll blade against the blade.
essentially yeah, they're called un-paper towels on places like Etsy. They were designed for people switching to zero waste or a low waste lifestyle. Honestly, it's cheaper and easier to just grab some washcloths. I don't think there's anything wrong with people using this idea or calling then un-paper towels. I personally don't I just use washrags from the store with the least amount of packaging.
1 great diys 2 can always do easy things that don't need supplies 3 bring a cup you own and refuse single use plastic like that which you put your straw into 4 it would be so wonderful for you guys to pair with an existing Zero/low waster her on UA-cam 5 i can think of many but likely others here have some favorites to recommend, too 6 Zero Waste bloggers network is good starting point imho
Easy things like use what you own already --- washcloth to remove make up another one to wipe up household messes. Wash out and hang to dry between uses. And launder with sturdy clothes. When exhausted and holey find out how your community recycles rags. Do not send to dump!
Love it! I know Christmas is half a year away, but I'd love to help popularize a GREEN Christmas. Alternatives to black Friday like thrift (flip) Thursday or Swap Saturday not replacing shop small Saturday. I know Mr Kate did a no spend Christmas a few years ago, which is great, and I think you gals could do a great job with a green holiday guide
I found a set of metal straws on amazon that come in various sizes (boba fanatic here) and the bottom is slightly pointed! This is important for those drinks that are sealed like boba drinks... I tried to puncture one once without the pointed tip and it just bounced back really hard. So embarrassing 😂😂😂 Straw pun: "Just Suck It Up!"
I am loving this video! I watch a lot of zero waste youtubers and seeing these reusable DIYs just made me so happy. I have cloth make up wipes, cloth liners and thinx (which are awesome), beeswax wraps are on my crafting to do list and I bought glass straws recently but still need to make a case. Basically this video was perfect and I was so excited to see you guys making a straw case. The puns were great Becky!
I love the idea behind the better human club merch but honestly... If I saw someone wearing that without knowing the story behind it, I would find it suuuuper pretentious xD
Maybe on the back it can say "Just reduce, reuse, and recycle to join!" or "live a low-key low-waste lifestyle to join" or something like that? I had a similar reaction to yours.
Yes yes yes, I would love more eco-friendly videos! I work for the sustainability office at my university and any time y’all post something related to it I make sure to spread the word about it!
my metal straw set already came in a pouch and i already use a makeup removal towel. does that mean im almost a better human? 😂 anyways, will definitely look into that beeswax wrap! i use reusable plastic tubs to store food and it takes up a lot of space tbh! esp when i have lots of food that can't be mixed together 😅
Lol...the rotary cutter goes forward when cutting...safety first. If you buy an acrylic ruler you run the cutter beside it. 😀 I love these ideas. You girls are so smart and sweet.
Yes! I'm all about eco friendly stuff! It's so important that you are using your platform that has such a big audience to spread awareness! Thank you, more of these videos please!!! 💕
What kind of material do you use? And pattern? I'm interested to make them. I don't have a sewing machine. But I can crochet. And I always feel guilty when I use disposable wipes.
I use stainless steel straws and always get asked where I got them from. I usually take it to the wash room and wash it before putting it back in my bag.
I love that you made this video. Much needed in this world! I would have loved to also see: - menstrual cups - reusable coffee cups for coffee,... - soap and shampoo bars (no bottle/ package needed) - using t.ex. coconut oil to remove makeup - veggie shopping bags, as in reuseable mash bags for produce I love your content! ❤💪
this came in the right timing, I've been transitioning into the zero waste life for the past couple months but I still feel like in the early stages and I already had a reusable face cloth but not like little pads and I kept trying to find tutorials to make them but I didn't find any i liked and I've been looking for a pouch to carry my glass straws in but I bought some reusable take out silverware and it comes with a case and pouch so I put my straws in there
Thank you for this video. Lately I have been feeling very guilty for buying “things” and making more waste. I’m glad you guys care about the environment
Kirstin Huff I still think making no waste is better than making recycling waste. And since they filmed at home I guess they could have made their own coffee. (Or you could go to a coffee shop that allows it.)
I cut old flannel cloth for reusable towels. No sewing involved ;) maybe concider making cute diy cup for takeaway beverages? Would fit better with steel straw.
I have never heard of thinx panties but I have been using reusable sanitary pads for over a year and they are awesome!!! They absorb more and they stay in place. They also don’t cause those awful chaffing rashes that disposals do. I also just keep a huge glass jar of rags for cleaning next to the sink, and we use cloth napkins for food related stuff. Been doing most of this for like 2 years now. I got into the whole zero waste no plastic thing a while back and just kept with it!
I really love it how you care about the environment and you teach people to care about it too. And you also make it fun. I'm really happy to see this kind of content on your channel. :)
Love these items...the foodwrap is actually news to me! Would love an alternative to cling wrap. Putting the cleaning cloths into a bag for delicates is actually not a good idea, though. Those bags are supposed to protect delicate garments from the mechanical part of the washing process. If you want to clean something robust, that’s really dirty, that’s the last thing you want. They need to float freely in the wash water.
Agree with Apis, they definitely need to be inside the bag or they will get "lost" and can cause problems for your machine. If you are concerned about staining then maybe soak them in something beforehand 😊👍
Maybe you could try sewing in little loops and connecting them via those sock holder... things? (I don't know what they're called lol), so that they stay connected and don't get lost, but still get thoroughly washed.
to go in my reusable straw pouch, I also have my camping utensils! they are made of sturdy plastic and have a hole to clip them together with a small carabiner. That way if i get takeout I don't have to throw away single-use utensils. If you're hosting a big party and have to use disposables, make sure to buy paper plates and bowls!
The only thing about the paper towels though, I use dishtowels to clean basically everything, but sometimes I need to use a disposable paper product to soak up grease or oil, which stain my reusable things :(
Michelle I've used reusable cloths on kitchen grease (I cleaned my nasty grill with them). Rinse them out with hot water and dish soap as a pre-wash before washing with laundry soap and keep them hidden under the sink just for those extra nasty jobs. They will be stained but the grease comes out okay.
You can designate a cut up rag or old no longer pretty dishtowel for those types of messes then just rinse them out with dish soap before throwing them in the wash!
I use dish towels for everything also. We actually use them at the table for napkins. But i also use paper towels for greasy stuff or vomit. I know, i know, i could pretreat it yes. But pretreating doesnt get all the grease out, and since i wash everything in cold water, i have actually had clothes ruined by washing greasy stuff. ( they werent even in the same load. But since I use cold water, the grease can linger for a load or two) and vomit begets vomit in my house. I can barely clean it up wo getting sick myself. Sorry, but thats going in trash and straight out to the can! But since we started using dish towels for everything but grease and vomit, we now only use about 2rolls of paper towels a month. Before we used 2-3 a week!
for papertowels I just use the 4 pack of towels from Ikea. they're cheap, already made, and work great. I've used that for paper towels for the past two years and usually just keep them in a drawer or basket (depending on where I live and the kitchen space)
Isabel H. Oh I like it! Or suck it up buttercup lol 😂🤐(thats what i thought of when I read this lol and now all I'm thinking of is the Princess Bride ahahah)
I know a lot of people freak out about it but use reusable sanitary pads! I have been using them for years! They reduce waste, cramps and they are way more comfortable! And like I said I've been using mine for many years.
I'm so so happy that you show these alternatives in your video! The time has come to change something and you reach a large audience and can maybe change the habits of someone :)
Love this video!♥️ I already have stainless steel straws and love the case idea. I'm working my way towards zero waste and news that you could make reusable towels and cotton pads but the instructions just always seemed really complicated and I am not good at sewing. You guys made it look so easy and I can't wait to implement these awesome ideas!!
Liberty S. I am so annoyed with myself with how many paper towels I use so I agree! I want to make a ton of those. I love how it has both a smooth and textured side!
If you want a quick solution to your paper-towel issue, cut up some old T-shirts to use as rags when cleaning instead of paper towels. Invest in some cloth napkins for your meals (we used to use paper towels for this). I bought some at a thrift store but also found some on clearance at Bed, Bath & Beyond a couple years ago. We still use paper towels for the gross messes or for greasy things (the greasy ones get used as fire starters later). I hope that helps! If my sewing machine was working properly (the bobbin ALWAYS gets jammed), I'd totally make the ones in the video, though. They look a lot sturdier than what I use.
For makeup remover pads, you can also buy a few microfiber cloths. At the end of the day, apply olive oil to your face and massage it in. Use the cloth to wipe away oil and makeup and repeat if needed. It works sooo well and its so good for your face, and the microifber clothes will last forever.
Some disabled people cannot use any of those reusable straws because they are not bendy and stay in the position that they are bent. Plastic straws are also cheaper than the reusable options, which is another reason they should not be banned until a better solution is invented and implemented. You can find more information about this on Jessica Kellgren-Fozard's channel where she has a video dedicated to the topic! It's very informative and I learned a lot from it.
There are reusable bendy plastic straws. And the reusable options are not cheaper, as you have to buy those only once, other than plastic straws, which you have to buy again and again, which wouldn't be cheaper over time. But i understand where you are coming from.
also, there are silcone straws out there which are nice!! i actually have some metal straws that have a silicone top to them which is amazing because i can’t stand metal against my teeth!!
@@beepbeepimasheep7347 just watch the video that the original commenter mentioned! jessica explains that she actually washes her plastic straws in the dishwasher and reuses them until they get destroyed. and yes, there are reusable bendy plastic straws, but they do not stay in place as disposable ones do... and also, plastic straws are such an INREDIBLY minor part of the plastic pollution problem. i think ive read several times that its about 0,03% or something. is that really worth it to make disabled peoples lives even harder over? we need to stop letting companies tell us, that its our fault and our responsibility that the oceans are full of trash and the planet is dying. sure, everyone should do what they can, but unless the actual like, 20 richest people of the world that control basically all the big corporations do something drastic, not enough will change.
I make cloth napkins out of fat quarters and I made a water proof cover from pet food bags for my smoker. You can also make reusable shopping bags with them or use them as waste can liners.
I'm so making the straw carry bag! I've been meaning to buy a metal straw but didn't know how to bring it with me to actually use it!! "The last straw" is so cute too!!
“DIY paper towels” have been around for a long time... they’re called dish towels. My question is, though, what about all the water used to launder everything? Also, have you thought about using “family cloths”?
Abeego was the first reusable wrap I bought. It was handmade, sold without a package at a small craft market in Vancouver by the creators. This was nearly a decade ago. I believe it was the only thing I bought at the market besides soap!
Lots of great ideas! I make the bee's wax covers and I found a recipe from Mountain Herbs. It uses the wax (canuba wax makes vegan wraps), coal resin and jojoba oil. Works so much better!
Such a great video!! This came at the perfect time for me because I couldn't figure out what to carry a reusable straw in and I couldn't find any nice ones that folded up - thank you!
Absolutely LOVE all of these ideas. I'm moving (which is a great time to "begin again" ) and so I'm striving towards a #zerowaste lifestyle as well as a minimal lifestyle and I think these tips are fantastic. Especially the everyday cleaning things that we do (that makeup remover pad DIY is CLUTCH!!!!). I can't wait to start practicing these tips when I make it to my final destination. :D You GIRLS rock!
Great vid, ladies. Please make more like this! I was actually thinking today that, since I'm running out of disposable cotton pads for my skin care routine, i should look into an eco-friendly option. Also, I have and use Thinx period panties and love them!
the problem with them banning disposable plastic straws is that people who are disabled have to use straws to drink, or risk disease or just simply choking or spilling the drink all over themselves. The reusable or biodegradable options just don't work because of either its easy to injure yourself or its not repositional, which is key to drinking while having no/limited movement.
Peribow they also need washing which can make life harder for someone with limited movement/energy. Most people like this don’t even use reusable plates/bowls/cups etc due to the same reason
There are bendy reusable straws. I don't know if you have them where you live but where i live, they do. And there are also cups with straws attached to them, which you can also move quiet a bit, they are just hard to wash.
LOVE THESE!! Seriously, I've been thinking of getting a reusable straw, but I didn't even think of how I was gonna carry it around! You guys rock. Please do more eco-friendly DIYS :)
At least most plastic cups are recyclable ... and I've never seen a video of a wildlife vet pulling plastic cups out of sea turtle's nostrils, unlike straws. Xl
FiddlebirdBlue plastic straw vs plastic cup, both are shitty lol. Sure cups are "recyclable", but a lot of what goes into the recycling bin still ends up in the landfill because it's difficult/expensive to process. Single-use plastic cups still pollute the environment, just Google plastic cup pollution and you'll see they're a massive problem.
Awesome diys! I use cotton pads every evening to take my makeup off and I use a metal straw in my own reusable cup that I take every where with me. I’m too cheap to buy paper towels lol. But I’m definitely gonna give all of these a try!
I always love new eco-friendly DIYs! But what's the point of using metal straw with huge plastic cup? Next time you can bring your own reusable cap for coffee :-)
About the little reusable cotton pads, instead I bought the Makeup Eraser (it's a microfiber cloth thing) and I've used it for years. Your trick still works but that's so many tiny little pads that you could lose as opposed to one cloth. You just wash it and reuse it. Best $10 I ever spent.
I know you guys are completely well intentioned with your straw holder but I just wanted to make you aware that there any many people who NEED straws for accessibility issues and just like you said in your own video you can’t really use one straw all day and many reusable straw option actually pose health issues to those who NEED plastic straws the most. So by telling people they will be “better humans” for NOT using plastic straws and being really excited that companies are banning them or to put “don’t suck plastic” on your diy straw holder bag can put people who NEED to use plastic straws in a very bad position and helps to create a culture where people will look down on those who continue to use plastic straws even though that person may not have a choice. I am fully aware that not many people know these things and current culture is on the “everyone should hate plastic straws” bandwagon but I really love watching your videos and I just hope you can take some time to read up on this stuff and educate yourself because you do have a fairly big channel and you do have influence. Thanks for continuing to make awesome videos!
Also there are reusable plastic straws. Some even bend and i think they come in packs of 10 so you can always carry a few around and wash them when you get home. And they are not as expensive as metal ones. They probably only said those things bc they didn't know better. I mean honestly, they used a plastic cup with the straw but want to be "eco". What even. And then looking down on the people that (have) to use plastic straws.... Pathetic....
@@hannah-wd9qn some people with certain disabilities need them, if they have limited movement. For example if they are paralyzed and can't get the cup all the way to their mouth. Or if they have really shaky hands. Straws just make it easier for them
@@beepbeepimasheep7347 oh okay didn't think about that, totally get that they need straws, still think that they could use reusable ones tho but to each their own i guess
@@hannah-wd9qn yeah ive heard people say that you can't drink hot drinks with a metal straw as those would heat up. But thats just stupid because plastic would melt in a hot drink and you can burn your mouth a lot easier if you drink with a straw anyways
I really loved this video. Other than the motivation of wanting to do something creative, wanting to do something that's environmentally friendly is a big motivator for me to DIY. I always enjoy your videos but especially when they involve making things that are more environmentally friendly, whether that is the main focus (like this video) or not.
Ok, this is from an old baby boomer raised by depression era parents. I have always cleaned with vinegar water, used rags for cleaning, wax paper instead of plastic wrap, a stack of dishcloths instead of paper towels and real cloth napkins. It is not that hard, just a different way that what you're used to. Yes I have used my share of paper towels, napkins etc but I always go back and get in the routine I learned from my family. You ladies always make me smile! Thanks.
yes I do recicle old T-shirt to for cleaning and old socks for scrub my bathroom, just it easy to customize them with a cut 😆
I often think of my grandma, who lived through the depression on a small prairie farm with no modern conveniences. She is my inspiration for living simply and reducing my waste. I feel so connected with her ❤️
The same.
I was raised like this too I can't justify buying paper towels.
Cleaning with vinegar makes houses smell like pickles. It ain’t for me. 😂
Maybe not make tshirys but patches instead. The clothing industry already uses up so much water. A patch can work on any shirt. Especially if they are just sewn or ironed on. Just an idea. Might be cool to put on your backpack or reusable shopping bags ;)
If you're going to bring your own straw, also bring your own silverware when you go somewhere that uses plastic ware. Like fast food. Zero wasters often use bamboo sets because they're a sustainable material, and lightweight for carrying in your bag. And yeah, thrift as much of your fabric as possible. And watch Annika Victoria's videos on using leftover fabric scraps.
Tracie Irene I went to the op shop and bought old stainless steel cutlery- cost effective and using materials already in circulation!
This is a great idea. Thanks for the suggestion!
I just bought a set of reusable silverware online. It came with a fork spoon and chopsticks now I just have to buy a little knife to fit in the case. 😀
Tracie Irene I love Annika Victoria!!
if you know you're stopping at your favorite coffee place, why just bring a straw? Bring your own cup too. The cold drink cups are usually plastic and the lids for the hot cups are always plastic.
The only thing about the paper towel thing is that washcloths exist already and usually have a better tooth for picking things up. You don't even have to wash it after every use, you can rinse it out and reuse it.
Cat is the wasted fabric, electricity to run the sewing machine, cost of the fabric (which btw, the cheapest terrycloth comes is about $6 a yard with a coupon), time and then the energy put into washing them worth some flowers? My rags don’t match my kitchen at all but I use bar rags for everything and they’re infinitely more absorbent than anything I’ve ever made with terrycloth.
Nissa Revane I get your point and it’s a fair comment, but be a little gentler in explaining, some people are new to sustainability and being conscious to the environment so they are unaware of the trade off you explained, so don’t discourage them.
Ashrakat Ihab wasn’t trying to sound like a a-hole, just was trying to bring up a point. My bad for sounding rude.
Washcloth or dishcloth, big spills hand towel or dish towel.
There's even rags made from old t-shirts that you can buy (somewhere, probably in an auto supply store or Home Depot)
Just an idea, if a person packs two or more straws, perhaps the straw case can have two pouches, one for the clean straws and once you use it, then put it in the used/dirty side. Also, perhaps the pouch could be water proof? Thanks for another amazing video!
There are sprays that can make it water repellent :)
Haha the struggle is real. I need to remake my pouch for dirty straws. But usually I ask for a cup of water and take a few sips through it.
A small challenge is getting a less porous fabric for the dirty straws
Amazing ideas!
@@alexandrahuang7731 love this idea because i was wondering about the drinks residue caking in the straw and being difficult to clean after this promoting bacteria growth.
You could just stich a straight line down the middle and ta-da, two pockets.
Pro tip: Travel toothbrush holders also make decent straw holders.
This was soooo cute!!!! With the reusable cotton pads you can also soak it in peppermint oil or citrus essential oil and throw that in your fridge to get rid of food smell!!!!
Great idea! Ground coffee or vinegar works as well.
but... don't use it on your face again afterwards
Omg this is such a great idea!
I just clean my fridge. It never smells
Steph LJ it’s only an issue if some food goes bad and then it’s sooo hard to get the smell away
BONUS ECO TIP!! Keep ahold of all your fabric scraps! Even for the reusable cotton pads or paper towels when they're falling apart! Shred everything up real finely and use it for stuffing in homemade pillows, plushies, or anything that requires stuffing! Just be sure to wash the fabric before using it for stuffing, you could even toss a few essential oil drops into whatever you're making.
Also for a merch idea, using recycled fabric!
That also sounds like a really good fire starter DIY for camping. Do you also save the lint from the dryer for fluff too?
Fabric that is made of organic matter, cotton, linen, hemp, etc is also compostable. If you happen to own several large bags of fluff...*sigh*
I'd wear that shirt.
me too
If you really want to be a better human you should make them from thrifted shirts or fabric, and not new fabric that's sewn in a poor country :(
perhaps the recycled fabric WithWendy used, that they featured here!
Where did you get that shirt Becky
sometimes going sustainable and eco-friendly can be expensive so this is very much appreciated!~
yeah i don't own a washing machine (have to pay for a laundromat) or a dishwasher (we hand wash everything) DIYing everything that would need to be taken to a laundromat a bunch of times a month just seems like more expensive over all.
Actually it’s cheaper because in the long run you spend thousands for beauty
These are great, but I would like to point out that consumer waste is a VERY negligible part of overall waste! I like to be eco friendly myself, but it doesn't mean anything unless we protest huge corporations and factories that produce way more waste than us as a society could ever produce on our own. We should do both, is what I'm saying. There's no reason for the media to make it seem like individuals are mostly at fault, when there's a bigger issue at hand :(
I was thinking about this but hopefully by becoming more and more sustainable on our own we as a whole won't rely on big companies and they will lose our money anyway. So boycotting by proxy. I do my best to sign petitions when I can but it's something that the whole world needs to get on board with
That’s true, but the corporations are supplying the consumers with what they want. If consumers weren’t so eager to buy something new every 35 minutes, they wouldn’t feel the need to neglect and speed up their production process. Everyone has some responsibility in the mess.
Zero waste was originally from big corporations yes
On the period panties/pads, I personally buy from EcoPads Australia as for every pad you buy, they donate one to people who can't afford them.
Maddie Briggs Earthwise Girls do something similar 👍
That was if your going to use that kinda stuff it’s beneficial
There is a cool company called pyramid 7 that markets there period underwear to all gender because all genders get periods and they are in a boxer briefs style. So they are extremely comfortable and for transmasculine people they could help with dysphoria because they aren't in a feminine style and no need for a tampon.
In addition to the period panties, MENSTRUAL CUPS ROCK! I loved this :)
BECKY the irony of you drinking from a plastic cup with your stainless steel straw UGH! Do yourselves a favor and switch to mason jars! They make lids for them with straw holes too. No more plastic anything!!! Love you guys so much
Why's everyone gotta use a Mason jar lately?? What's wrong with a normal glass 😂 (btw I totally agree with what you said here, so I'm not attacking you lol)
Um... some places won't make drinks for you in your own cup
I don't think I've seen a cafe in the last 5 years that won't take your own cup, and most even sell reusable ones! And they usually give you a discount. Obviously don't bring a dirty mug but otherwise there's no reason not to use your own :)
I asked the cafe to put the frozen drink in my reusable cup and used my stainless steel straw with it. And they were even happy to rinse my reusable cup afterwards because I didn’t have a waterproof reusable bag to put it in and it would have made my handbag dirty. It’s always worth asking and most people are happy to help!
You can buy glass Keepcup (or similar brand) or plastic one that is more light weighted. They have a lot of cute color options. I have plastic one for few years now and still in perfect shape, I don't want glass one because it too heavy and I already have glass water bottle. Starbucks will give you 10% off for bringing your own cup. I have seen a lot coffee shops that give you discount for bringing your own cup.
Omg the straw case, so cuuute. I love making vinegar sprays and it's also a good odor neutralizer when you're cleaning out the fridge, garbage can or sink!
But doesn't vinegar smell really strongly of...vinegar? Can the smell really be covered up by essential oils?
Heather Ho the vinegar smell actually dissipates pretty quickly, more so than harsh chemicals and I'd rather smell vinegar for a small amount of time. But as far as neutralizing goes, if you place it in a smelly place (for me it was a closet in my house where the previous owners used moth balls) a bowl of it will absorb all the bad odor and basically provide a neutral blank slate. It's pretty awesome 👍🏼
Honestly I mean no harm but viniger smell makes me gag and want to throw up. So i would probably skip that one. Besides soap is biodegradable so its a good option too
The irony of you guys drinking with a reusable stainless steel straw out of a plastic Starbucks container
Ka eL we don’t need one person doing zero waste perfectly, we need millions doing it imperfectly. Sometimes it’s not feasible for people to be 100% waste free, but you should always do your best to be more conscious of your choices
the cups are recyclable
Don’t they make reusable cups that you can purchase and bring back for them to make your coffee in??
Hahaha!!!!!
@@kaydenrowe8118 Yeah they do but those are usually still plastic so it's better that disposables though not by much. There are also bamboo ones they sell, though I rarely see those at Starbucks.
Also often when I see people bring in their own cup, the workers make the drink in a disposable and then pour it into your reusable cup. I think its something to do with health and safety policies
I love this video!!
I have two suggestions :)
1. For the straw case, what if you sewed an inner lining out of a water resistant fabric? That way your purse or pockets don’t get sticky or wet from your straw 😋
2. I am ~all about~ the better human concept/merch, but how about we modify it to #BeABetterHuman instead? That way it’s all inclusive, empowering 💪🏼 , and encourages others to join the movement? Otherwise someone may interpret #BetterHumanClub as “We’re better than you kbye 🙃”
😂
You two inspire myself and countless others on a daily basis- keep up the good work!
Loving all these hacks! Stainless steel bottles are also a great investment for water! Fill it up with cold tap water (chilled in fridge) in the morning and it can still be cold by dinner! Get a size that fits your handbag so you bring it with you always!
I'm starting my own indoor garden, I already have a thriving basil plant, some parsley that still needs some work, some garlic that is getting a little out of control, and either today or tomorrow I'm going to plant some strawberries. And this all started out with just wanting a bit more green stuff in my room :D It's pretty dang cute, I must say
yes! growing your herbs is such a good way to cut down on waste AND add some greenery to your life!! great ideas.
It's so much more useful than non-edible plants, and can smell amazing. I recommend adding an aloe plant if you have space because they are very low maintenance and really useful for minor burns.
Outstanding! Brilliant way to do the reusable pads. Love the reusable not-paper towels. The wax wraps need a sticky element (non-toxic tree sap/resin) and an oil to make the beeswax pliable when wrapping (jojoba seems to be used a lot; maybe coconut oil would work?). The straw bag was inspired! 💚💚💚 More like this, please.
Other ways to be more eco friendly:
Use a shampoo and conditioner bar
Take your own cutlery and containers places
Buy things in bulk with jars instead of plastic
Bring produce bags to the grocery store (another thing you can DIY if you wanted to)
Thank you for also including small businesses as your buy options! As an Etsy seller this makes my heart happy to see! Love the video. And I would definitely get that shirt!
I use cloth menstrual pads that I absolutely love and are cheap/easy to make! There's a tutorial and free pattern for them on my channel for anyone who wants to make their own. Btw rotary cutters are amazing! Try rolling it away from you instead of toward you, works even better.
thanks for the tips Whitney!
TheSorryGirls you should also try the OrganiCup! I cannot live without it :)
Me too. Bought some online then made a pattern from them to make my own.
I made my own as well! Saves so much money!
I'm sad that they talked about the thinx that not many woman can afford... when making your own pads can be free. And so much more absorbent than store bought. I'll be checking out your channel!
Have you seen those adorable crochet cotton pads?! I want to learn to make those. I also love my reusable straw. Now going to add a pouch thanks to your DIY
Can you do DIY bulk containers? I'd like to make bags to get my chocolate chips from the bulk food store instead of having a zillion jars but I can't figure out what fabric, how to seal the bag, etc.
Kenna Norder I would probably use a glass jar for this because the idea of transporting chocolate in a fabric bag only to have it melt then having to wash it is kinda gross to me
I used a basic cotton fabric with a cotton drawstring as a closure and it works perfect, for things like chocolate chips you should put them in glass when you get home so they don’t melt in your bags
Kenna Norder I think they have a video for this from a bit ago
I've made reusable bags out of torn-up old pajama pant legs and then used a ribbon or braided yarn or other scraps for the drawstring closure. I've also used an old T-shirt, but it was a really stretchy one, so it isn't my favorite bag that I've made.
Kenna Norder x
Thank you!! The reusable cotton pads are so smart, I've been thinking about this one lately. And (lame excuse, I know) I haven't been using my reusable straws because I couldn't find a carrying case. No more excuses! 😊
Silicon baking pads are a great way to cut down on parchment paper 😊
can those be used instead of tinfoil when baking veggies? looking to get rid of all tinfoil!
TheSorryGirls Yes, if it’s being used to line the baking pan :) However, if it’s something like a potato that you’ll wrap up in foil I think you’d have to use foil :(
I found this website for alternatives to foil! I’m not sure on product prices so the outlay might cost a bit but if you can reuse them heaps I’m sure they’ll pay for themselves! green-mom.com/plastic-and-foil-wrap-alternatives/#.WzMODBZ_WEc
Sierra any brand recs, all the ones on amazon seem fake/ like they’ll fall apart in one use
Abadan Beginyazova You can get silicone baking pads at culinary/ kitchen supply store.
Thank you for sharing such important tips. The reusable straw is great, but you can do without the plastic cup by bringing a tumbler too!
for the straw one maybe writing "straw berry" and then with embroidery make cute strawberries with straws in them or a pink smoothie with a straw? idk but I always found the word strawberry funny in english because it contains the word straw ^^
I love the straw carrying case. There’s so many uses for the fabric template when you adjust the size to whatever you’re gonna carry lol. 10/10
👏👏👏👏
Loved this video so, so much! My favourite has to be the makeup pads, because I spend waaayyyyy too much money on those already. And here's a tip: when sewing the 'paper' towels, cut off a triangular bit from the corners (about 1-2mm away from the thread). That way, when you turn them right-side-out and iron/top-stitch them, the sewn corners will be sharper and smoother and less bulky. 👍
Also when using a rotary cutter, go away from yourself. Those blades are sharp. When they dull, rotate blade around to use all sides. They sell rulers that you line up your cut Mark's and roll blade against the blade.
Rotary cutter.s Have revolutionized quilting . Used to take a year now can piece a quilt top in a day or week .my grandma would have loved these ✂️✂️👍
A “ReUsAblE PaPEr ToWEl” ....did you mean a rag?
It's a paper-towel sized wash cloth...
Oh it's even worst when people call them "Un-paper towels".
Ew
My personal opinion is to use old shirts and towels and cut them up. Hem them and bam! My parents do that :)
essentially yeah, they're called un-paper towels on places like Etsy. They were designed for people switching to zero waste or a low waste lifestyle. Honestly, it's cheaper and easier to just grab some washcloths. I don't think there's anything wrong with people using this idea or calling then un-paper towels. I personally don't I just use washrags from the store with the least amount of packaging.
You could do a double compartment pouch for the straws- half vinyl half cloth. Keep clean straws in the fabric side and dirty ones in the vinyl side!
1 great diys
2 can always do easy things that don't need supplies
3 bring a cup you own and refuse single use plastic like that which you put your straw into
4 it would be so wonderful for you guys to pair with an existing Zero/low waster her on UA-cam
5 i can think of many but likely others here have some favorites to recommend, too
6 Zero Waste bloggers network is good starting point imho
Easy things like use what you own already --- washcloth to remove make up another one to wipe up household messes. Wash out and hang to dry between uses. And launder with sturdy clothes. When exhausted and holey find out how your community recycles rags. Do not send to dump!
Love it! I know Christmas is half a year away, but I'd love to help popularize a GREEN Christmas. Alternatives to black Friday like thrift (flip) Thursday or Swap Saturday not replacing shop small Saturday. I know Mr Kate did a no spend Christmas a few years ago, which is great, and I think you gals could do a great job with a green holiday guide
I found a set of metal straws on amazon that come in various sizes (boba fanatic here) and the bottom is slightly pointed! This is important for those drinks that are sealed like boba drinks... I tried to puncture one once without the pointed tip and it just bounced back really hard. So embarrassing 😂😂😂
Straw pun: "Just Suck It Up!"
isnt it ironic that you order metal straws from the internet to poke holes in the plastic that covers your drink
I am loving this video! I watch a lot of zero waste youtubers and seeing these reusable DIYs just made me so happy. I have cloth make up wipes, cloth liners and thinx (which are awesome), beeswax wraps are on my crafting to do list and I bought glass straws recently but still need to make a case. Basically this video was perfect and I was so excited to see you guys making a straw case. The puns were great Becky!
I love the idea behind the better human club merch but honestly... If I saw someone wearing that without knowing the story behind it, I would find it suuuuper pretentious xD
Marie Halflants oof
Maybe on the back it can say "Just reduce, reuse, and recycle to join!" or "live a low-key low-waste lifestyle to join" or something like that? I had a similar reaction to yours.
Who cares what anyone thinks 😂 I'd 100% wear it! :P
Maybe if the design had something like a plant or globe to show it was echo-related??
@fiddlebirdblue Yeah that would make it easier to understand the intention I think :D
Yes yes yes, I would love more eco-friendly videos! I work for the sustainability office at my university and any time y’all post something related to it I make sure to spread the word about it!
Love you guys and your sense of humor! Also love these tips and diys because CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IS COOL 😎🌻👏🏽
This is so so good!!! More eco hacks please, great to find DIYs to keep the earth clean and green for future generations 🌿♻️
my metal straw set already came in a pouch and i already use a makeup removal towel. does that mean im almost a better human? 😂 anyways, will definitely look into that beeswax wrap! i use reusable plastic tubs to store food and it takes up a lot of space tbh! esp when i have lots of food that can't be mixed together 😅
Lol...the rotary cutter goes forward when cutting...safety first. If you buy an acrylic ruler you run the cutter beside it. 😀 I love these ideas. You girls are so smart and sweet.
I wish you’d sell those stuff! I don’t have a sewing machine to DIY this stuff but I’d love to buy the reusable stuff! Buy once, keep forever!
You can sew it by hand, may take longer but not too difficult. Or look online for Zero Waste stuff - Etsy also has things like bee wax wraps etc.
There are lots of sellers who make this stuff on Etsy and other online stores! I have some from Marleys Monsters myself
Yes! I'm all about eco friendly stuff! It's so important that you are using your platform that has such a big audience to spread awareness! Thank you, more of these videos please!!! 💕
Oh my word the makeup pad idea is amazing! I crochet my own but I'm gonna try this instead it seems faster in the long term 💕 another great video!! x
I also crocheted some. But I don't find them working that well. I use them for exfoliation or really "cleaning" my face though. :)
What kind of material do you use? And pattern? I'm interested to make them. I don't have a sewing machine. But I can crochet. And I always feel guilty when I use disposable wipes.
manonelvera i use just 100% cotton yarn!! And I use coaster patterns for makeup pads, there are millions of them online :))
Heck ya I’d wear it! It would also be a great conversation starter and to get in the topic of disposable items
I use stainless steel straws and always get asked where I got them from. I usually take it to the wash room and wash it before putting it back in my bag.
I love that you made this video. Much needed in this world!
I would have loved to also see:
- menstrual cups
- reusable coffee cups for coffee,...
- soap and shampoo bars (no bottle/ package needed)
- using t.ex. coconut oil to remove makeup
- veggie shopping bags, as in reuseable mash bags for produce
I love your content! ❤💪
this came in the right timing, I've been transitioning into the zero waste life for the past couple months but I still feel like in the early stages and I already had a reusable face cloth but not like little pads and I kept trying to find tutorials to make them but I didn't find any i liked and I've been looking for a pouch to carry my glass straws in but I bought some reusable take out silverware and it comes with a case and pouch so I put my straws in there
Thank you for this video. Lately I have been feeling very guilty for buying “things” and making more waste. I’m glad you guys care about the environment
9:07 maybe next time use a reusable cup?
I thought the same! LOL fucking fail!
Oh no, what an embarrassing faux pas?!
Those cups are usually recyclable. And not all coffee shops/restaurants allow you to bring in your own cup.
Kirstin Huff I still think making no waste is better than making recycling waste. And since they filmed at home I guess they could have made their own coffee. (Or you could go to a coffee shop that allows it.)
Hannah Black of course! I mean, there are in the house. It’s like a “vegan” person who eats KFC hahaha super LOL!
I cut old flannel cloth for reusable towels. No sewing involved ;) maybe concider making cute diy cup for takeaway beverages? Would fit better with steel straw.
Yaasssss! This is life now. I love that you've done a video about it
I have never heard of thinx panties but I have been using reusable sanitary pads for over a year and they are awesome!!! They absorb more and they stay in place. They also don’t cause those awful chaffing rashes that disposals do. I also just keep a huge glass jar of rags for cleaning next to the sink, and we use cloth napkins for food related stuff. Been doing most of this for like 2 years now. I got into the whole zero waste no plastic thing a while back and just kept with it!
You should make Merch that says, “Don’t buy, DIY”
+
+
the irony of this merch would be next level
I really love it how you care about the environment and you teach people to care about it too. And you also make it fun. I'm really happy to see this kind of content on your channel. :)
Love these items...the foodwrap is actually news to me! Would love an alternative to cling wrap.
Putting the cleaning cloths into a bag for delicates is actually not a good idea, though. Those bags are supposed to protect delicate garments from the mechanical part of the washing process. If you want to clean something robust, that’s really dirty, that’s the last thing you want. They need to float freely in the wash water.
Agree with Apis, they definitely need to be inside the bag or they will get "lost" and can cause problems for your machine. If you are concerned about staining then maybe soak them in something beforehand 😊👍
Put in a lingerie bag for washing.
Maybe you could try sewing in little loops and connecting them via those sock holder... things? (I don't know what they're called lol), so that they stay connected and don't get lost, but still get thoroughly washed.
From France...😻 you girl are inspiring ! Follow for 3 or years and I’m still loving your content ! Thank you !
1:15 I have a reusable makeup removing cloth that just takes water and it gets all my makeup off. I recommend it.
to go in my reusable straw pouch, I also have my camping utensils! they are made of sturdy plastic and have a hole to clip them together with a small carabiner. That way if i get takeout I don't have to throw away single-use utensils. If you're hosting a big party and have to use disposables, make sure to buy paper plates and bowls!
The only thing about the paper towels though, I use dishtowels to clean basically everything, but sometimes I need to use a disposable paper product to soak up grease or oil, which stain my reusable things :(
Michelle I've used reusable cloths on kitchen grease (I cleaned my nasty grill with them). Rinse them out with hot water and dish soap as a pre-wash before washing with laundry soap and keep them hidden under the sink just for those extra nasty jobs. They will be stained but the grease comes out okay.
You can designate a cut up rag or old no longer pretty dishtowel for those types of messes then just rinse them out with dish soap before throwing them in the wash!
And you also don't want to use cloth rags to clean up your pets' vomit/accidents (or I wouldn't at least)
If you're cleaning up doggy accidents with reusable cloths I'd follow the advice of people who use cloth diapers. Sanitation is key.
I use dish towels for everything also. We actually use them at the table for napkins. But i also use paper towels for greasy stuff or vomit. I know, i know, i could pretreat it yes. But pretreating doesnt get all the grease out, and since i wash everything in cold water, i have actually had clothes ruined by washing greasy stuff. ( they werent even in the same load. But since I use cold water, the grease can linger for a load or two) and vomit begets vomit in my house. I can barely clean it up wo getting sick myself. Sorry, but thats going in trash and straight out to the can! But since we started using dish towels for everything but grease and vomit, we now only use about 2rolls of paper towels a month. Before we used 2-3 a week!
You girls are my fav. Talking about zero waste in mainstream UA-cam. You're iconic.
Why do people pin parallel to the seam? I just don't get it.
for papertowels I just use the 4 pack of towels from Ikea. they're cheap, already made, and work great. I've used that for paper towels for the past two years and usually just keep them in a drawer or basket (depending on where I live and the kitchen space)
Straw puns: Grasping at straws, suck it up.
Isabel H. Oh I like it!
Or suck it up buttercup lol 😂🤐(thats what i thought of when I read this lol and now all I'm thinking of is the Princess Bride ahahah)
The cotton pads floored me! I use these every day. This is an AMAZING project! So awesome!
I know a lot of people freak out about it but use reusable sanitary pads! I have been using them for years! They reduce waste, cramps and they are way more comfortable! And like I said I've been using mine for many years.
and the are more absorbent so fewer leaks.
I'm so so happy that you show these alternatives in your video! The time has come to change something and you reach a large audience and can maybe change the habits of someone :)
Love this video!♥️ I already have stainless steel straws and love the case idea. I'm working my way towards zero waste and news that you could make reusable towels and cotton pads but the instructions just always seemed really complicated and I am not good at sewing. You guys made it look so easy and I can't wait to implement these awesome ideas!!
Liberty S. I am so annoyed with myself with how many paper towels I use so I agree! I want to make a ton of those. I love how it has both a smooth and textured side!
Daniella is currently writing the blog post for this video - stay tuned. Our blog always has more details and photos about our projects!
TheSorryGirls thank you! I'll keep an eye out for it
Lea Lou yes that was definitely my favorite part.
If you want a quick solution to your paper-towel issue, cut up some old T-shirts to use as rags when cleaning instead of paper towels. Invest in some cloth napkins for your meals (we used to use paper towels for this). I bought some at a thrift store but also found some on clearance at Bed, Bath & Beyond a couple years ago. We still use paper towels for the gross messes or for greasy things (the greasy ones get used as fire starters later). I hope that helps! If my sewing machine was working properly (the bobbin ALWAYS gets jammed), I'd totally make the ones in the video, though. They look a lot sturdier than what I use.
For makeup remover pads, you can also buy a few microfiber cloths. At the end of the day, apply olive oil to your face and massage it in. Use the cloth to wipe away oil and makeup and repeat if needed. It works sooo well and its so good for your face, and the microifber clothes will last forever.
Some disabled people cannot use any of those reusable straws because they are not bendy and stay in the position that they are bent. Plastic straws are also cheaper than the reusable options, which is another reason they should not be banned until a better solution is invented and implemented. You can find more information about this on Jessica Kellgren-Fozard's channel where she has a video dedicated to the topic! It's very informative and I learned a lot from it.
There are reusable bendy plastic straws.
And the reusable options are not cheaper, as you have to buy those only once, other than plastic straws, which you have to buy again and again, which wouldn't be cheaper over time.
But i understand where you are coming from.
also, there are silcone straws out there which are nice!! i actually have some metal straws that have a silicone top to them which is amazing because i can’t stand metal against my teeth!!
In some cafés you can find potato starch straws which are biodegradable
@@beepbeepimasheep7347 just watch the video that the original commenter mentioned! jessica explains that she actually washes her plastic straws in the dishwasher and reuses them until they get destroyed. and yes, there are reusable bendy plastic straws, but they do not stay in place as disposable ones do... and also, plastic straws are such an INREDIBLY minor part of the plastic pollution problem. i think ive read several times that its about 0,03% or something. is that really worth it to make disabled peoples lives even harder over? we need to stop letting companies tell us, that its our fault and our responsibility that the oceans are full of trash and the planet is dying. sure, everyone should do what they can, but unless the actual like, 20 richest people of the world that control basically all the big corporations do something drastic, not enough will change.
I make cloth napkins out of fat quarters and I made a water proof cover from pet food bags for my smoker. You can also make reusable shopping bags with them or use them as waste can liners.
What about the soft plastic cup you are using? Take a resusble one with you to Starbucks or ask for paper cups
Paper cups are no good too as they are coated with a thin layer of plastic.
Yes! taking a stainless steel straw and sticking it in the disposable plastic cup! ewwww
u can bring your own cups
mcdonalds and starbucks are working on creating compostable paper cups and tim horton's is on their way as well.
its reality
I'm so making the straw carry bag! I've been meaning to buy a metal straw but didn't know how to bring it with me to actually use it!! "The last straw" is so cute too!!
“DIY paper towels” have been around for a long time... they’re called dish towels. My question is, though, what about all the water used to launder everything? Also, have you thought about using “family cloths”?
Abeego was the first reusable wrap I bought. It was handmade, sold without a package at a small craft market in Vancouver by the creators. This was nearly a decade ago. I believe it was the only thing I bought at the market besides soap!
I rang my bell, so i am a #betterhuman.
Danisha Rf #betterhumanclub
Meep The Llama hell yeah for a #betterworld
Lots of great ideas! I make the bee's wax covers and I found a recipe from Mountain Herbs. It uses the wax (canuba wax makes vegan wraps), coal resin and jojoba oil. Works so much better!
I need recommendations for a reusable straw that I can bite! 😂 I always chew on my straws
Laura Poore Silicone straws might be your best bet!
Such a great video!! This came at the perfect time for me because I couldn't figure out what to carry a reusable straw in and I couldn't find any nice ones that folded up - thank you!
Love the last straw, got my metal straw recently but forgot to get the bag to store it so might as well make my own than waste couple $
Absolutely LOVE all of these ideas. I'm moving (which is a great time to "begin again" ) and so I'm striving towards a #zerowaste lifestyle as well as a minimal lifestyle and I think these tips are fantastic. Especially the everyday cleaning things that we do (that makeup remover pad DIY is CLUTCH!!!!). I can't wait to start practicing these tips when I make it to my final destination. :D You GIRLS rock!
Becky's makeup is on point!
Great vid, ladies. Please make more like this! I was actually thinking today that, since I'm running out of disposable cotton pads for my skin care routine, i should look into an eco-friendly option. Also, I have and use Thinx period panties and love them!
More zero-waste hack videos please, you're amazing!😉😘
I'm so happy and grateful that you guys are moving towards a more eco-friendly channel!!!
the problem with them banning disposable plastic straws is that people who are disabled have to use straws to drink, or risk disease or just simply choking or spilling the drink all over themselves. The reusable or biodegradable options just don't work because of either its easy to injure yourself or its not repositional, which is key to drinking while having no/limited movement.
Peribow they also need washing which can make life harder for someone with limited movement/energy. Most people like this don’t even use reusable plates/bowls/cups etc due to the same reason
There are bendy reusable straws.
I don't know if you have them where you live but where i live, they do.
And there are also cups with straws attached to them, which you can also move quiet a bit, they are just hard to wash.
They're not banning them entirely, they're just giving them out when specifically requested instead of giving everyone a straw right away
LOVE THESE!! Seriously, I've been thinking of getting a reusable straw, but I didn't even think of how I was gonna carry it around! You guys rock.
Please do more eco-friendly DIYS :)
Reusable straw+ plastic cup= confusion
At least most plastic cups are recyclable ... and I've never seen a video of a wildlife vet pulling plastic cups out of sea turtle's nostrils, unlike straws. Xl
FiddlebirdBlue plastic straw vs plastic cup, both are shitty lol. Sure cups are "recyclable", but a lot of what goes into the recycling bin still ends up in the landfill because it's difficult/expensive to process. Single-use plastic cups still pollute the environment, just Google plastic cup pollution and you'll see they're a massive problem.
Right lol but hey it's a step in the right direction☺
Awesome diys! I use cotton pads every evening to take my makeup off and I use a metal straw in my own reusable cup that I take every where with me. I’m too cheap to buy paper towels lol. But I’m definitely gonna give all of these a try!
You are both my all time fav UA-camrs
Abigail Megrath same
Abigail Megrath yeah they're the best :3
Love the idea for the cotton pads!! And I am definitely going to try making my own straw baggy. It's so cute.
I always love new eco-friendly DIYs! But what's the point of using metal straw with huge plastic cup? Next time you can bring your own reusable cap for coffee :-)
There’s also silicon circular pads to put on bowls instead of using plastic wrap. It keeps them warm too.
I was just binge watching you guys loft videos this morning lol
About the little reusable cotton pads, instead I bought the Makeup Eraser (it's a microfiber cloth thing) and I've used it for years. Your trick still works but that's so many tiny little pads that you could lose as opposed to one cloth. You just wash it and reuse it. Best $10 I ever spent.
I know you guys are completely well intentioned with your straw holder but I just wanted to make you aware that there any many people who NEED straws for accessibility issues and just like you said in your own video you can’t really use one straw all day and many reusable straw option actually pose health issues to those who NEED plastic straws the most. So by telling people they will be “better humans” for NOT using plastic straws and being really excited that companies are banning them or to put “don’t suck plastic” on your diy straw holder bag can put people who NEED to use plastic straws in a very bad position and helps to create a culture where people will look down on those who continue to use plastic straws even though that person may not have a choice. I am fully aware that not many people know these things and current culture is on the “everyone should hate plastic straws” bandwagon but I really love watching your videos and I just hope you can take some time to read up on this stuff and educate yourself because you do have a fairly big channel and you do have influence. Thanks for continuing to make awesome videos!
Also there are reusable plastic straws. Some even bend and i think they come in packs of 10 so you can always carry a few around and wash them when you get home. And they are not as expensive as metal ones.
They probably only said those things bc they didn't know better.
I mean honestly, they used a plastic cup with the straw but want to be "eco". What even.
And then looking down on the people that (have) to use plastic straws.... Pathetic....
ok just curious but why would one need to drink with a straw? like i really don't understand so please educate me
@@hannah-wd9qn some people with certain disabilities need them, if they have limited movement. For example if they are paralyzed and can't get the cup all the way to their mouth. Or if they have really shaky hands. Straws just make it easier for them
@@beepbeepimasheep7347 oh okay didn't think about that, totally get that they need straws, still think that they could use reusable ones tho but to each their own i guess
@@hannah-wd9qn yeah ive heard people say that you can't drink hot drinks with a metal straw as those would heat up. But thats just stupid because plastic would melt in a hot drink and you can burn your mouth a lot easier if you drink with a straw anyways
I really loved this video. Other than the motivation of wanting to do something creative, wanting to do something that's environmentally friendly is a big motivator for me to DIY. I always enjoy your videos but especially when they involve making things that are more environmentally friendly, whether that is the main focus (like this video) or not.