If you’re trying to keep your dollars local, you’ve probably noticed that sometimes it’s a bit hard to keep track of all the things we use and where they all come from. While food is the obvious place to start, the next place you might look is health and hygiene.
Unfortunately, most household brands are owned by a small handful of companies.
But they’re not the only option! If you’re changing your brands and habits anyway, why not try some zero waste products?
The Zero Waste movement seeks to provide for people’s household needs while using as little disposable (especially plastic) packaging as possible. Usually they do this by asking that you bring your own containers (anything clean will do! But they also sell containers of all kinds) and selling the product itself in bulk. When I stopped in at the Refill Stop the other day for deodorant (which is very conveniently walking distance from the New West skytrain), I asked the owner which of their products were Canadian.
They told me it would be faster to list off what was not Canadian! Buying local has always been a priority for them, which is not too much of a surprise since the buy local and zero waste movements have similar goals!
So what can kind of Canadian Zero Waste products can you get?
Laundry
Whether you use liquid or powder, there’s a Canadian zero waste option for you! I use something a little different – TruEarth water-free strips. I’ve been using them for a few years now and they work great!
I live in an apartment so I love how tiny they are for storage, and they’re super lightweight when I have to carry them downstairs to do my laundry. One strip will do a full load, but sometimes I tear off little pieces if I’m handwashing something.
Shampoo and Conditioner
If you are exploring zero-waste shampoo and conditioner, one thing you might encounter is the “shampoo bar” this water-free option works just like any other bar of soap, except for your hair! I use these when I travel because TSA can’t do nothin’ about it 😎 and no risk of spilling. But in my day-to-day I still use liquid. There’s still lots of zero-waste options there:
All of Carina Organics are made in Canada and they also work great! You may have noticed that offering unscented options is also another complimentary goal of zero-waste. But wait, these are in plastic bottles…! That’s an option for your convenience, but if you bring your own bottle…
… you can refill them by weight!
The Refill Stop sells these cute glass pump bottles that I use at home. They’re really nice to use, and because they’re clear I can easily see how much is left and I don’t get them mixed up even with my glasses off.
Deodorant
There are more and more zero-waste deodorant options coming available, which is awesome! These are often sold in cardboard tubes, but other options are available. They usually prioritize ingredients that are good for the earth and good for your skin. Cruelty-Free is another priority that aligns with zero-waste goals, so it’s easy to find those types of products, too! I use Mulberry Skincare brand, and hopefully soon I’ll transition to something with an easier-to-use reuseable metal case! And YES all of these brands shown here are made in Canada 🤯
Cleaning
Whatever you seek to clean, there is probably a zero-waste option available! All of them are really careful about their ingredients so you can also be mindful of the kind of toxins you’re using in the home.
I refill a glass bottle with this type of dish soap which – of course- is also made in Canada. Lucky!
At home I also use these floor cleaner strips since I’m such a fan of these water-free strips. These ones I got at Home Depot and while this is a Canadian company, this particular brand is made in China. Gotta read all the labels…!
Making the Switch
Ready to grab your jars and head out to your local zero-waste store? Great!
I recommend switching one category of product at a time (for example, start with shampoo or laundry only). Firstly, because changing habits is hard, and with cleaning and hygiene products it can be disruptive to change many things at once! Make sure the products work for you one at a time, and don’t worry if the first one you try doesn’t work for you. There are lots of options!
Secondly, it will be less of a hit to the wallet to invest in the more-expensive bottles one category at a time. The products can be relatively more expensive too, but keep these things in mind:
- You’re usually getting higher quality ingredients that are more concentrated and go a long way!
- You’re supporting companies that not only prioritize your health, but also the health of their employees and the planet!
- You’re supporting the development of a completely new supply chain! Truly David versus Goliath with these mega-corps
- You’re supporting the local zero-waste shops that make this all possible
As more of us support these companies and the zero-waste ecosystem, they will become more affordable and available for everyone! Whatever you can afford, think of it like buying a ticket to a more beautiful future. 🌿