8 Wasteful Things I Still Buy With a Zero-Waste Lifestyle

1. Toaster waffles

I’m absolutely in love with these waffles. I have two every day. They are the perfect carb load before I start my workout. Don’t get me wrong — I could definitely make my own waffles and freeze them. Perhaps someday I will. But, for the time being, this is one of my guilty pleasures.

What I’ll do with the packaging when I’m done is, I’ll save the bag that the waffles came in, so I can upcycle it in some way. We always need random things on the farm, such as little baggies. The cardboard, I’ll send to recycling. This is my guilty pleasure. I thought I’d never reveal it publicly. It feels good to get it off my chest.

2. Vegan ice cream

I’m obsessed with ice cream.. I’ll freeze bananas and make my own, homemade ice cream. But, from time to time, I’ll buy vegan ice cream. I really like NadaMoo. What I like about it so much is that it really, truly, does taste creamy. It tastes like ice cream. And, it isn’t super high in sugar. 

3. Health supplements

I take two supplements mostly. The first is a multivitamin. The second is a B12 supplement. Being a plant eater, it’s important to get that B12 in my diet. 

When I’m going through my menstrual cycle, I do get intense cramps and take this supplement called Cramp Bark Plus, which is an ayurvedic remedy that helps with cramps. 

I think it’s very important to take care of your home, as in your body. If you need something in particular for your body, don’t go and say, “Oh no. That's a waste. That’s going to go to the landfill.” Please take care of your body. I truly believe you cannot take care of the planet unless you take care of yourself.

4. Online shopping

I try not to do a lot of online shopping, but from time to time, I get thrifted clothing from brands like thredUP. 

Or, I’ll go on the Depop app and I’ll just browse and find one-of-a-kind, unique pieces that I simply can’t find in my local thrift stores. 

I don’t like to do this, but, if I need something quickly, I’ll go on Amazon and get whatever it is, such as cramp bark if I’m running out of that supplement and my cycle is coming and I’m starting to feel those menstrual pains and cramps. I’ll go on Amazon and get something to take care of myself. 

5. Select makeup

Some of my makeup items are still packaged, such as some lipsticks. For things I still buy in packages, I try to upcycle the containers or support companies that have recycling programs. 

An example of a brand that has refillable makeup packaging is Vapour. 

Then, there are brands with compostable packaging, which is absolutely epic. Sustain Yourself is a great example. They have a zero-waste lip tint. 

But, there are some mascaras and products that just work so well for me and my skin. My skin is super-duper sensitive, so when I find a brand that I like that comes in packaging, I’ll splurge and buy the product.

6. Chocolate

Chocolate is something that I splurge on. I can’t always find the ones I’m looking for in bulk. Two of my favorite chocolate brands are LILY'S and Alter Eco. LILY'S is unsweetened and Alter Eco sweetens their chocolate very little. 

The cool thing about Alter Eco is they have these zero-waste truffles in backyard compostable packaging. 

When I’m done enjoying these truffles, I’ll just stick the wrapper into my compost pile. 

As for LILY'S chocolate, their packaging is recyclable. I’ll put the packaging in the recycle bin and sob a little because I know that recycling isn’t foolproof and isn’t even that good for the planet. But, you know, your girl wants some chocolate…

7. Select dressings and dips

Yes, I’m guilty of buying some packaged salad dressing and dips. 

One of my favorite dips that we buy as a household from Costco is Bitchin’ Sauce. It’s definitely “bitchin’.” It’s so tasty. It’s made from organic almonds and chipotle and is vegan. I’ll put that on roasted sweet potatoes or grilled veggies.

As for salad dressing, I do make my own. I usually go to this place down the street where you can find balsamic vinegar and olive oil in bulk. I’ll combine the two and make a simple, yet incredibly delicious, salad dressing.

However, if I am feeling something creamy and don’t have time that week to make it, I’ll buy a vegan creamy ranch or blue cheese and enjoy every last drop. What I’ll do with the container afterward is I’ll either recycle it or find a sneaky way to upcycle it.

8. Tofu

This is last, but certainly not least. Tofu is a thing that I still buy in packaging. I used to buy tofu at the salad bar. I’d bring my own container and buy in bulk. But, I found, I was paying triple and quadruple the cost of the packaged tofu.

While I wish I could afford to do that, it’s simply not economical. I use tofu in a number of ways. I saute it and put it in a salad. I lightly saute it and add it to a spring roll. Needless to say, it’s one of my favorite plant-based protein sources.

Things I still buy with a zero-waste lifestyle

Do let me know the wasteful things you still buy. I’m here for you. I’m not going to judge you. I feel a sense of calm when I know that people are also trying the best they can at zero-waste living, but still buy the things they really just like, like my chocolate or waffles. Drop your guilty pleasure in the comments.