As Katherine Ripley writes in an article from the Huffington Post about living a zero-waste lifestyle, “We often forget that the ability to live in a home free from the smell of rotting garbage is a privilege.”

Ripley is one of the many people changing their lifestyle to reduce their impact on the planet and better their overall quality of life. Although her article was published in 2016, recent reports from the United Nations on climate change tell us that it is more important than ever to reduce our impact on the planet.

What is a zero-waste lifestyle?

A zero-waste lifestyle means to go about one’s everyday life in such a way that produces minimal to no waste. Transforming into a zero-waste lifestyle is a process just like anything else, but the benefits greatly outweigh any difficulties.

As a college student and living on my own for the first time, I am slowly changing from the lifestyle I grew up to the lifestyle I have always wanted to live.The first change I am making is a small one, yet it makes a huge difference on the environment.

Walking through the aisle at Walmart, I was always overwhelmed by all the shampoo options. It would take me forever to decide on a scent. Now, I am transitioning to washing my hair only once a month.

Shampoos, conditioners, body wash, laundry and dishwasher detergents all contain chemicals that are not only harmful to your health, but poison the water supply and the animals that drink the contaminated water.

Exploring alternatives

There are many alternatives to store-bought shampoo which are not as harmful. Castile soap is one of the best options. It has a wide variety of uses; for example, it can be used as a shampoo and laundry soap. Since it is made of vegetable oil, it dramatically reduces the effect on the planet.

Another option is to also create your own shampoo bars. Pinterest is filled with ideas for overall living zero-waste.

In Springfield, a Soap Refill Station opened on Campbell that is based on natural ingredients for shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent and more. They even offer a natural dog shampoo and conditioner.

Small changes

The body naturally regulates the amount of oil your hair needs, but that cycle is disrupted when you use shampoo. After detoxing from shampoo, your hair will start to regulate itself again, so all you have to do is rinse it a few times a week and occasionally use shampoo.

Making small changes in your everyday life can have an enormous impact on the planet and on your wallet. By skipping out on buying shampoo and washing my hair several times a week, I am not only saving money, but I also have the chance to support a local business, reduce my impact on the planet and live a healthier lifestyle.

Article by Kelli Volonte.