5 Low Waste Must-Haves for Moving Into a New Place

Trying to be low waste while moving into a new place is hard. Trust me, I get it,

I just helped my sister move into her new place; it was a lot. 

She moved to a completely different state (Florida to Georgia), and while it was worth it (her new place is so pretty!), there was a lot to deal with. 

Now that she is finally settled down and trying to unpack, we realize she doesn’t have any necessities you’d need when living in an apartment. 

So being me, of course, I told her to make a list of everything she needs for her new place, and I will find her the sustainable version of that (which is actually really exciting for me, lol).

I won’t be able to find the sustainable version for everything, but for me, it’s the little things that matter and a step in the right direction! 

I hope if you’re moving into a new place or need new stuff, this will make it easier for you to find sustainable items for your everyday home!

Glass Microwave Splatter Cover

Honestly, after moving out of my house and into an apartment, I completely forgot this was even a thing.

After going over to a friend’s house and seeing him use it, you’re telling me I’ve just been letting things splatter all over my microwave and dealing with it?? (I know this is totally on me. I’m really just clueless sometimes, haha)

Unfortunately, many of them are made of plastic, but glass is a good solution! Thankfully there are glass replacements for most things; I mean, who knew that glass would be such a lifesaver?

I searched Amazon for the best glass microwave covers, and here’s what I found:

This one is made with glass and silicone so that it is heat resistant. It comes in two different sizes: 10 inches and 12 inches.

I also found a complete glass microwave cover. This one is nice because you can use it as a cover and as a dish. It can also be used to cook food in the oven!

These are a bit more expensive than regular plastic covers, but they are also an investment. Of course, if some things are out of your budget or you can’t afford them right now, that is okay!! Do what you can. For now, progress, not perfection.

Biodegradable Sponge

To be honest, how many sponges do you typically go through every year? Probably a reasonable amount.

Biodegradable sponges are an excellent replacement for normal plastic ones! (Did you know some plastic sponges are also covered with toxic chemicals?)

They are (obviously) a little more pricey than regular plastic sponges, but, in my opinion, worth it.

You can also do your own research to find eco-friendly products, but just be sure to check what it is made of and be aware of greenwashing!

These are some of the sponges I found on Amazon. (Just a note: I typically don’t like shopping on amazon and try to discourage it, but I know for most people, it is practical and easy, that’s why I recommend products on Amazon. One step at a time.)

I haven’t tried these yet, but they come with many sponges that can also be used for different things. The reviews seem pretty good, and they are biodegradable.

These sponges are great for so many reasons. They are all-natural, made from the vegetable loofah. They are dried plants so each one may be a different size, and some may still contain seeds. These are the sponges I currently use and love! They are a bit different than the sponges we usually use, but I think they are so much better. Find them here.

If you’re looking for an ordinary kinda sponge and don’t find the others suitable for you, no problem! This sponge is made from plant fibers, including tree pulp (cellulose), cotton fibers, and coconut, and is 100% biodegradable. This sponge can also be composted!

Biodegradable Cleaning Cloth

First, I would like to say that you should always try to reuse old towels or clothes you have as rags before buying any products!

But if you do need some rags, invest in biodegradable ones!

I am also trying to reduce using paper towels, so I think these are excellent replacements for them.

I haven’t tried these yet because I am currently reusing all my old towels first, but as soon as those wear out, I’m purchasing these!

The reviews look really great, and it is made from 30% cotton and 70% cellulose. They are biodegradable, and the best part is they come in so many colors!! Find them here.

These towels are also another option. They are made from 100% organic bamboo, recyclable and biodegradable. Made to replace paper towels completely, they last a long time and are machine washable. Find them here!

Dish Soap Bar

I’ve been replacing all my plastic soap bottles with bars. I was so excited to find dish soap bars because who would’ve thought?? (If you can’t tell, I get excited about eco-friendly things.)

I actually just purchased this, so when it comes in, I’ll update you about how it goes.

I love the idea of soap bars replacing plastic bottles, and this is an excellent solution for that! Find it here.

Trash Bags

I have bought and used some biodegradable trash bags, which weren’t very durable. They would break very quickly and were usually pretty small, even though they claimed to be a bigger size.

After doing some research, I came across Plant-Based Trash Bags” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener sponsored”>plant-based bags in my research, and while I haven’t tried them yet, the reviews look promising.

I hope this helps on your journey to more sustainable living, Love ❤️. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!