A few years ago I started a list, ‘Stuff I Don’t Buy Anymore’, around the time I drastically reduced my waste, upped my reusables game and re-thought what I actually needed and wanted.

It’s been an ever-growing list, and a nice reminder I keep on my phone, made up of:

• Stuff I’ve found a reusable alternative for

• Stuff I’ve been able to make myself, meaning I cut waste and save dosh

• Stuff I realised I was buying out of habit, social norm or a false convenience

• Stuff I realised was just redundant in my life!

I haven’t done the calculations yet, but boy I reckon I’ve saved hundreds since starting this list! And that is money I can instead spend on experiences, travel, drinking real chai (it costs more than coffee!), quality ingredients for DIY, more organic stuff, and good, real food.

I’m on a long journey to minimalism - or as I now prefer, essentialism - and I’ve found that I naturally ‘need’ and consume less by living with a waste-free, mindful philosophy.

I wanted to add that I’m not depriving myself, I don’t feel like I’m missing out, and over time I have felt lighter. I hope my list gives you some ideas on stuff you can also move on from in your life.

My list of things I don’t buy anymore.

…and some of what I do instead.

Bathroom & personal items

• Deodorant - I DIY my own with super cheap, bulk-bin ingredients! Check out the recipe here - it really works!

• Razor heads - I used up my plastic heads and invested in a steel razor for life! Now I just need to replace the metal-only single blade when they blunt, and you can recycle that metal (I collect them in an empty metal mints tin for safety). Read about my experience and tips switching to a safety razor!

• Liquid bottled shampoo - I switched to a bar shampoo, usually with zero packaging or a small amount of compostable card. You can also refill your old shampoo bottles at many bulk stores, if you prefer liquid shampoo. I like the natural shampoo bars by NZ company Ethique (even purple shampoo for blondes!) and Lush do some great bars too.

• Liquid conditioner - I cut conditioner entirely but then thought better of it and now buy it as a solid bar, I love it and it lasts me so long! I first tried the Wonderbar by Ethique, which can also be used as an in-shower moisturising bar. Double win! I also love the NueBar conditioner bar.

• Dry shampoo - I ditched the cans and switched to cornflour/ tapioca (they naturally absorb oil) but now I’ve cut it altogether.

• Bronzer - I’ve been using cacao/ cocoa powder for a few years now on my cheeks and generally as a bronzer. So cheap and it works! Read more on my cocoa experience here.

• Mascara - I tried a DIY with activated charcoal and beeswax. Still not yet convinced I’ll keep at it… but I’m eyeing off Dirty Hippie Cosmetics’ plastic-free natural mascara, which comes in a glass vial with a metal screw lid, and bamboo spoolie (if you need it).

• Cleanser - I mostly just use warm water and a face washer, and I also oil cleanse with just jojoba oil - you can read how to oil cleanse here! I’ve also tried a konjac sponge, which feels great and doesn’t require any product - it’s also completely natural and compostable.

• Eye make up remover - just use oil! Jojoba, coconut, almond, even olive oil… they all work with a face washer or reusable cotton round.

• Cotton rounds - A face washer.

• Cotton tips - My pinky finger!

• Plastic-wrapped toilet paper - I made the switch to plastic-free, recycled, home-delivered toilet paper years ago, and have never looked back! You can get $10 off your first subscription with Who Gives A Crap with code "TP4EVA".

• Tissues - I started using and washing handkerchiefs again, just like when I was a kid!

• Nail polish - I stopped wearing nail polish and gave the remaining bottles away to friends.

• Nail polish remover - See above! There are better, more natural alternatives around now though.

• Plastic dental floss - I finally finished up my nylon floss and the plastic container will go to Terracycle for recycling with other dental waste. I now use plant-based floss in a little glass vial with metal lid, and I can buy plastic-free refills!

• Tampons - I switched to a menstrual cup, and period underwear - this changed my life, I am so much more confident and relaxed! I chose to try ModiBodi underwear and have since bought a couple more pairs from their ‘seam-free’ range.

• Panty liners - As above! The period underwear is perfect for light or just-in-case days too, or even just for exercise.

• Sanitary pads - As above! I also have a couple of washable pads, handmade and purchased from Etsy. I find the period underwear and menstrual cup is an ideal combo.

• Shower gel/ body wash - I use a bar of natural, oil-based soap for pretty much everything. I love the Est extra virgin olive oil soap balls and multi-use bars like the Biome shampoo & body bar and the shampoo bars from The Source. Up to 50% of a bottle of body wash is water!

• Hand wash - A bar also works just as well by the bathroom, kitchen and laundry sinks!

• Exfoliator - I use either the konjac sponge, a simple face washer, my natural body exfoliating glove, or sometimes I’ll make an exfoliant with coffee grounds, or salt/ sugar and oil.

• Face mask - I use a multi-functional clay like bentonite or pink clay if I want a mask. These clays can also be used as an exfoliating scrub, and have also appeared in my whipped body butter, DIY deodorant and tooth powder.

• Hand cream - I DIY whipped body butter using shea butter, oil and essential oils, which is an all-over cream! Check out the recipe here with ingredients from Biome’s DIY skin care ingredients range. I do sometimes buy a separate face cream, in metal or glass, from local, homemade brands like Herbs & Heart.

• Lip balm - I DIY and it’s the easiest recipe to make! Melt beeswax (or for a vegan option, candelilla wax) with olive oil or coconut oil and pour straight into a tube or tin while it’s liquid - it sets in minutes! You can also add essential oils. I refill plastic lip balm tubes, or you can use a little jam jar, tin or other make up vessel that’s been cleaned out.

• Perfume - I stopped using the chemical-laden bottles I had and either gave them away or sold those less-used at a garage sale I hosted. I was just using essential oils (my everything room spray - more on this below!) but have just recently bought a pressed perfume in a little glass jar from the cute Australian handmade brand, The Witch Apprentice. I also have a pulse point roller with just oils from Perfect Potion, which I can refill with a new blend of oils when it’s done.

• Insect repellent - I made my own blend using a simple blend of essential oils like citronella, mixed into a spray bottle with water and a little alcohol. DIYs don’t need to be daunting!

Kitchen:

• Kitchen cloths - I cut-up and re-sewed reusable, washable ones from a tea-towel. I used to buy the big packs of blue throw-away ones!

• Kitchen sponges - I wash my dishes with a wooden, natural dish brush, and I can compost and replace the head when it wears out (it’s got plant fibre bristles!).

• Kitchen scrubbers - see above. And for stubborn things I use a copper scrubber.

• Dishwasher tablets - I don’t have a dishwasher at the moment. But when I need to I buy in bulk from places like The Source Bulk Foods.

• Paper towels - I use my dish cloths, or old rags (clothes and socks that have worn out) which then get washed and reused.

• Cling wrap - there are so many reusable options here! Containers, glass jars, wax wraps (I DIY’d some), or just a bowl with a plate over it.

• Baking paper - I was gifted a reusable silicone baking sheet, which I place on the metal baking tray and wash after use.

• Aluminium foil - I just don’t need it anymore! See above for oven use.

• Ziploc/ sandwich bags - As above with plastic cling wrap!

• Freezer bags - As above with plastic cling wrap! Wow, this seems so strange to me now…

• Plastic water filters - I use a glass jug and a glass carafe (with cork stopper) and place Binchotan Charcoal sticks straight into the water, which I re-boil every month or so to revitalise. The charcoal helps filter and alkalinise the tap water. I used to use a Britta jug and replaceable filters, and they’re yet to introduce a recycling scheme for the filters in Australia (I’ve asked!).

Food & drink:

• Spray oil - I grease things using liquid oil. Just apply using your fingers, a spoon, pastry brush, or a clean (reusable) cloth.

• Soda water bottles - A Soda Stream is great if you like carbonated water - and they’ve recently released a glass bottle version!

• Frozen vegetables - I buy most of my veg fresh from the farmers’ market and my local organic store, with a few fresh bits from the green grocer or supermarket. A few ways to get around the pre-packaged frozen veg: buy seasonally and prepare them to freeze! Buy peas and shell them yourself (it’s meditative!), choose corn on the cob and shave off the kernels, stock up on seasonal fruit like mango (cube to freeze) and fresh berries (plastic free from some markets!).

• Tea bags - I buy loose-leaf tea at bulk food stores and use a tea strainer or tea pot. This also helps to create a relaxing ritual around drinking tea, slowing the process ever-so-slightly. Though I still drink loose when I’m working in an office and travelling! I find it just as easy. The leaves go straight into the compost.

• Coffee - I stopped drinking coffee. I know, gasp! But when I ditched packaging and still drank coffee I went to a local coffee roaster and asked them to refill my bag with fresh beans which I would grind at home. They can also grind for you and put straight into your own sealed bag.

• Sugary, chocolatey drink - Ok, it was Milo! I choose cacao or cocoa powder to drink and cook with (and use as a bronzer!).

• Breakfast cereals - If I have cereal it’s oats or muesli, which can be bought easily and cheaply at bulk food stores. So much less sugar and no packaging!

• Crackers - I have baked some myself which turned out ok, but now I mostly snack on things like veggie chips, nuts, chickpea chips and puffed fava beans, all available in bulk. For snacks, I also roast chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, bake oat-y cookies or roll some protein balls.

• Meat - I stopped buying meat to cook at home before giving it up. It can be hard to get meat package-free, but just eating it when you’re out can help cut waste and your own consumption.

• Tinned pulses/ legumes - I only occasionally buy these now, instead getting them dry in bulk, soaking and cooking myself - you can’t really get this wrong. Many cans contain a layer of plastic inside too, with some still containing BPA.

• Packet noodles - Again, only occasionally do I buy these, and I choose the plant-based ones from the health food isle. I mostly go for quinoa, brown rice or pulse pasta, all available in bulk.

• Sauce - I haven’t tried a recipe yet, but just stopped buying the bottled stuff with all its added sugar and salt. I find I don’t need it anyway - but there are plenty of recipes out there.

• Gum - I gave up this habit! I tried a natural, biodegradable gum but it just lost its flavour too quickly and put me off. I still sometimes buy mints, but you can also DIY minty mouthwash using essential oils - I haven’t tried this yet but I’d recommend looking up a recipe.

Cleaning & Home:

• Spray and wipe - Vinegar for everything! I dilute white vinegar with water in a reused spray bottle and use this to clean every surface, including the toilet. It works great with bicarb too if you need to scrub (like the shower/ bath/ basin). Both are available in bulk stores.

• Mould spray - see above!

• Shower spray - see above!

• Glass cleaner - I spray water and use a glass cleaning cloth on my mirrors and windows. Works a treat, and no need for another product and throw-away paper towels! Why did I buy so many different products…

• Drain cleaner - I can’t believe I used to tip this toxic cocktail straight down the drain! I have cleared drains using a jug of boiling water, white vinegar and bicarb. Let the fizz volcano do the rest!

• Air freshener - These spray cans and plug-ins contain so many weird nasties we just don’t need to be inhaling! I DIY’d room spray which can also be used to freshen linen and furniture or even as perfume. It’s an easy combo of filtered water, essential oils and alcohol to mix them.

• Laundry liquid detergent - I’ve replaced this (and it’s bottle) with either a natural laundry powder in bulk or the amazing soap berries! I get my soap berries without any packaging from Biome (Brisbane or Gold Coast), and I’ve also seen them loose in other organic stores like The Simple Market.

• Shoe polish/ leather conditioner - I use my homemade blend of beeswax and olive oil to rub into my leather shoes. The leftovers from my lip balm!

• Cockroach baits - I just stopped getting these… you can combine different essential oils to deter pests.

• Calendars - I use a digital calendar synced to my phone and computer.

• Single-use batteries - I buy rechargeable when needed (thanks Dad for the spare recharger!). Single-use batteries can also be recycled at places like Aldi. I still buy a battery for my watch.

• Lighters - I choose matches instead, and have even found some cute retro packs at the op shop. Another option is to invest in a refillable lighter.

• Pens - I think the pens I already own will last me almost a lifetime! If and when I do need some new ink, I will look into investing in a refillable pen - yes, the old school fountain pens with ink bottles! Dried up pens can be recycled through TerraCycle too!

• Wrapping paper - There are a few options here; check out my post on eco-fying your wrapping! I give presents naked (think pot plants), reuse bags that were given to me, wrap in fabric which can be reused (Japanese Furoshiki style), and use vessels instead of wrapping, like beautiful glass jars and the little leather purses I make.

• Greeting cards - I skip the card altogether, or make little cards out of recycled materials.

• Notebooks - I am still using up the notebooks I already own (including some from highschool..!) but have also made my own using recycled cardboard, scrap paper and twine to bind. You can also just use a clip to hold paper together.

Pets

• Dog toys - Op shops! I have made chew/ tug toys from things like workwear shorts and a karate belt. Most secondhand stores have balls and soft toys too, or even rope.

• Packaged dog treats - Only occasionally do I buy my dog Apple packaged treats. Most pet food stores have loose treats like pig ears (or the plant-based version!) and chews - I’ve found a store with bins full of all kinds of dog treats! Just BYO bag. I am yet to find dog food in a bulk bin or without plastic packaging.

Have you changed your consumption habits and discovered things you just don’t need anymore? Have you experimented with DIY?

- Ash