Written by Vidur Mayor from For Earths Sake
The home is where we spend most of our time apart from work. It is very important to ensure that sustainability starts at home. Some changes are basic and easy to do. However, some other things might take a little longer to incorporate and implement.
One of the most famous zero waste methodologies is “The 5Rs”.
“Refuse what you do not need.
Reduce what you do need.
Reuse what you consume.
Recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse.
And rot (compost) the rest”
Starting with the basics, let’s see how we can change kitchen processes to be more sustainable:
Buy food in bulk, fresh, and directly from the farmers: Foods like flour and spices can be bought from bulk stores. Many stores have good quality spices and other items that can be bought in your own jars. Get yourself some clear glass jars to shop in bulk and avoid plastic packaging.
It is very important to know that zero waste goes hand in hand with the circular economy, (which we spoke about in our first blog Buy fresh, buy what you need to avoid wastage of food Kitchen waste can be composted to make your home garden healthier and natural. We will be discussing home composting in future blogs! Use bulk liquid castile soap as a dishwashing or handwashing liquid, baking soda as a scrubber (in a stainless Parmesan shaker) with a compostable cleaning brush. Purchase dishwasher detergent in bulk. (available at For Earth’s Sake store!) Basic products like tealight candles are made out of paraffin and are extremely unhealthy for kids and adults. Using beeswax candles is a good alternative as beeswax candles do not contain paraffin or other carcinogenic chemicals. Made of 100% natural beeswax harvested by locals from abandoned beehives in Uttarakhand which is purified several times to give it a shining golden colour. Beeswax candles are a cleaner substitute for paraffin-based candles which produce toxic fumes and surface-staining black soot. These candles also last longer and emit a naturally delicate scent of honey. Another important part of our personal space is our washroom: Switching to a bamboo toothbrush is a simple lifestyle change. For Earth’s Sake bamboo toothbrushes come in natural as well as Nylon 4 (BPA free) bristle options. Coated with an anti-fungal solution, these toothbrushes are safe for kids and adults! (https://forearthssake.co.in/collections/toothbrush) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is commonly used in skincare products such as body wash, cleansers, shampoos and hand washes. It is the ingredient that gives these products the foamy, bubbly consistency most of us associate with a squeaky clean. SLS is known to be a skin irritant. It can strip the skin of its natural oils which can cause dry skin, irritation and reactions. In some cases, it is known to irritate the eyes and cause redness and inflammation. ‘Parabens are a type of preservative, first introduced in the 1950s. They’re used to prolong shelf life in many health and beauty products by preventing the growth of mould and bacteria within them.’ Parabens are believed to disrupt hormone function by mimicking oestrogen. Too much oestrogen can trigger an increase in breast cell division and growth of tumours, which is why paraben use has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues. Natural soaps are the best alternative to other soaps. It is also important to buy soaps without plastic packaging contributing to the plastic waste. Himalayan Blue Soap Lavender Butter Bath Soap Shifting to shampoo bars and soap bars is better for the planet and your pockets. Soap bars last longer than liquids in plastic bottles. This means there are lesser bottles going to landfills — and more money saved! Dining: Micro plastics which get into your food from plastic wrap have been linked to cancer. Aluminum leaches into your food making the food toxic and contributing to higher chances of health diseases like Alzheimer’s and kidney disease. The alternative? Beeswax wraps. Beeswax wrap (https://forearthssake.co.in/collections/utilities/products/beeswax-food-wrap) is a food wrap material consisting of a coated fabric, most commonly cotton It is made by infusing cotton with food-grade beeswax, rosin, coconut oil and jojoba oil. It can be shaped around containers or food products. Beeswax wrap is a reusable and sustainable alternative to plastic wrap and single-use plastic. It has the ability to counteract environmental issues such as plastic pollution and food wastage Food can also be stored in reusable silicone containers. Unlike plastic ziplock bags, these bags are BPA- and phthalate- free, do not leach micro plastic, and are safe for heating and freezing food. With the ease of online deliveries and access to international foods, we need to remember that being sustainable also means having a carbon footprint which is controlled. Focusing on fresh foods from farmers markets is always better than having imported fruits, preserved and frozen over time. Eating local, seasonal, and fresh is one of the most important aspects of a sustainable lifestyle. With the diversity of cultures in India, it is important to understand that there are many ways we can be sustainable apart from the tips shared in this blog. Stick to the basics and go back to the 5Rs methodology — you’ll find a version of it which works for you! This blog was originally published here. About the author: Vidur has been an avid traveller and during his journeys across the world, he has witnessed the havoc human waste has caused even in the most pristine places of the earth. Finally, he decided to leave his lucrative career with a hospitality bigwig to start a small but meaningful venture of his own. He has always been passionate about sustainability and always tried to make sure that his life impacts the planet in the least possible way! Vidur dreams about a new world where the legacy we leave behind for the generations to come is something that we get thanked for, a legacy worth living for the future generations. Social Media Handles: www.instagram.com/forearthsakein Featured Image- Unsplash
Our soaps are vegan, paraben-free and SLS-free. None of these soaps are tested on animals. 
