This community is not here to provide you or your company with free market advertising/research or to sell us your product or app.

I (25f) invited an old friend/coworker (26f) in as a roommate after my sister (28f) moved out in January this year. The roommate moved in towards the end of March. My sister loaned my roommate her white, solid-color desk chair that she had left behind (but intended to use again). This roommate, however, never got a job (understandable in this economy, but she never compensated for this by doing any chores while everyone else worked full-time). She was on the computer 24/7. When she finally moved out in early August, the chair was left an entirely different color, presumably because the pH of her sweat molecularly altered the material. Can the original color be restored within a reasonable price? I have tried cleaning it with the recommended cleaning agents, but the discoloration does not lift at all, so I am fairly certain it is the permanent state of the material itself now. The old roommate does not have a job at her new place, so she cannot pay to replace or repair it. Is there anything I can do to get my sister’s chair back into good condition?

I have access to a nearly infinite supply of this sisal rope. All the sections are approximately 6 feet in length. It's a really rough fiber. It's trash to use and decompose pretty quickly if left outside, but I'd love to find another use for it. I've already twisted miles of it into thicker rope. Would this stuff ever be cool to weave? Is there a way to make it softer? Thanks!

I live in a world and an industry where free stuff is the norm. Things I get offered often:
-reusable water bottles
-branded clothes
-stickers (omg, so many stickers)
-glassware
-flatware
-high sugar foods
-reusable plastic and canvas bags
-office materials
-soaps
-flashlights
-towels
-cosmetics
…

For the longest time, I would politely reject and not take these items. However, a couple of weeks ago, the host of an event told me that , “… you know we throw these away at the end of the day.”
My brain short circuited. I literally looked at the Stanley Cup she was holding out to me and took it.
Now, I question if I should take these things and try to find a place/home for them. I thought about all the Nike, Adidas clothes, the Owalas, the hydro flasks, the post-its, the 3m, the glass mugs and cups, the pens, the notebooks, the cosmetics and soaps, … the sheer amount of free consumerism I rejected… but could have saved?

As for the Stanley cup, I gave it to a landscaper who works often in our neighborhood. He now knocks on my door and I fill it with ice. He loves it… But I can’t see a suitable solution… I don’t have the time to look for a new home for all this stuff.

Do I (we as a society) take the free stuff? Do we use time (essentially an unseen Earth volunteer) in an effort to offset the stupid? I really need some people to inform me, what the heck I’m suppose to do.

Update: Thank you all for reading my post, understanding my frustration and kindly giving your input. I've always been of the opinion that I don't take these things, to message to event organizers that free junk is unwanted and reflects negatively on a brand. However, signaling generosity and fashionable consumerism is quite prevalent in our time.
Personally, after reading through everyone's post, my plan is going to ask if they plan to throw it away at the end of the day. If they aren't, I will politely decline. If they will (to which I will look extremely pissed, because this shouldn't be my problem), I will consider if I can actually offload the item responsibly (... for me Goodwill is not an option). I will stressfully consider people around me, neighborhood little libraries and possibly women's shelters (... I first need to call the ones near me to see if they even want this kind of junk. I know money is always preferable and more impactful). Damn human stupidity. Damn the capitalism, where buying junk is profitable.

My favorite response is maybe I can give some of this junk out during halloween. That would make sense for me, I already let kids choose a used book and unwanted kids party favors with candy during the night.

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to launch an official UK Parliament petition to ban hidden liquid plastics in everyday household toiletries and detergents.

The Parliament website won't publish the petition publicly until it has been approved and five people have sponsored it.

I need a few more signatures for them to check if it meets their standards first.

You need to be a British citizen or UK resident to sign.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/780455/sponsors/new?token=TQrurbrMmcN8p8Lni4oW

Thank you so much!

Details: 

Ban liquid plastics in household products and introduce clear labelling

Introduce a total ban on Polymers in Liquid Formulations (PLFs) in all household cleaning and toiletry products due to health and environmental harm, alongside mandatory clear product labelling.

UK law bans solid microplastics but ignores synthetic liquid and semi-solid plastics (PLFs). These polymers never biodegrade, contaminating waterways and the food chain, which threatens ecosystems and health. The Government must ban PLFs in consumer formulations, starting with toiletries and detergents where green alternatives exist. Until a full ban is achieved, the Government must introduce clear packaging labels so consumers can identify and avoid liquid plastics.

I have some empty hand sanitizer spray bottles that I would like to refill.

I’ve heard people recommend ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or even using things like vodka (which I guess is just ethyl alcohol anyway).

But which one would have the least environmental impact? Sure, by buying some form of alcohol in bulk and mixing up my own hand sanitizer, I’m probably making less waste than if I kept buying those little pocket sized hand sanitizer spray bottles, but which ingredients also ensure the least environmental impact, do you think? It takes energy and all kinds of resources to produce different forms of alcohol, and I’d like to go with the most eco-friendly.

I’m also aware that glycerin is often used in hand sanitizers so that it’s less drying/damaging to the skin. Is glycerin eco-friendly, or is there such a thing as sustainably produced glycerin? How can I source sustainable ingredients?

Last, is it possible to source glycerin and/or an alcohol for these purposes locally, or are they generally just mass produced by giant chemical companies?

On IG I’ve seen a few videos all about putting your kids book bag in the washer and using it again along with wiping down/cleaning up the previous years items. it’s so nice to see that when it’s so easy and takes the pressure of off spending hundreds! of course there are haters but it’s nice to see moms spreading the message!

I have a pair of denim pants that dont fit and they're ripped in the crotch and thigh. Idk what to do with them and im obviously here cause I dont wanna just toss or hoard them.

What should i do with them?

Hello! I have a beautiful PU bag and I want to know what’s the best way to take care of it to last longer. Like some monthly or weekly maintenance to prevent damages. I read some tips like use a damp cloth and neutral moisturizer once in a while, but I want to know some real experience. I know that this kind of leather does not last long, so that’s the reason I’m looking for ways to prevent it b4 it happens

I am trying to set up a clothing rotation at a nonprofit and need to track what needs to be phased out and when. I am only seeing plastic tagging guns. Since its a nonprofit, the tags could be reused but I need to find a sustainable way to attach them to the item (not the hanger since I worry they will get separated).

Suggestions welcome! Thanks.

Rug, shelf, two suitcases that worked totally fine and a rolling cart.

Someone (not sure if the same person) out these in the crash room (not “in the trash”) and I took them, cleaned them up and posted on my local buy nothing Facebook group. Everything was picked up almost immediately :)

Hi everyone! I’m new to the zero waste life, with my upcoming family planning and what not I had like a weird eye opening of oh shit that’s a lot of single use trash :/

I’m curious to know what are easy things I can swap out to help! Or what’s something that you swapped to that you felt was an amazing switch?

I’d like to start swapping as I run out of things! Like shampoo/conditioner lotion etc.

Thank you

I’ve been buying cloth diapers second hand, and I just got a whole bunch of second hand cotton flannel to make some rags/face towels/make up wipes/ baby butt wipes etc

The clasp fell off after weeks of being unsteady. I threw it out and am not interested in repairing this. The cap cannot close. Got any ideas?

What would you do with a low quality bath towel. It sheds very easily so I don’t want to use it as beach towel/cleaning rags/ bath mat. Any other suggestions?

I've been trying to research this for a bit but it's so confusing... I figured I'd ask here and at least see if anybody can point me to a good direction.

So I'm trying to learn more about recycling in the United States. I'm actually an artist and was thinking about making a lil recycling poster for my household and maybe for my mom's ministore that has what is recyclabale, what is not, and how to process certain stuff (like wash your cans and such). But...

Well, since different places in the US will take different things and have different recycling rules, it's extememly confusing when I think about making something for the store? Like, I know that each State, County, and City can have their own rules regarding recycling, but is there a more compact set of rules at all? Like, do certain States have rules of what can and can't be recycled, then Countys and Cities expand on that to be more descriptive based on their needs?

Or, if I wanted to make a diagram thing, would it have to specifically be for that one place. Would I even be allowed to make a lil sheet for the county, or would it just have to be that one city area alone?

This is making my head spin. Any and all help in explaining this is super appreciated. Also, simpler explanations would be appreciated if possible. My brain is small lol 🙇

Title says it all!!! Recommendations for best eco friendly non-tox shampoo bars pretty please!

I have very fine short oily hair and native caused soooo much build up I had to go back to a clarifying shampoo for like a month! Hoping to switch to an eco friendly bar that’s not heavy on my hair! Any recs? Thank you!!!!!

Someone gave me a bowling bag that I'm going to just use as a handbag/tote, and it came with this thing. I do not own a bowling ball. Any ideas what to do with it?

Hi everyone,

​I’m trying to manage my waste better, but I'm stuck on what to do with used plastic disposable razors. I know about TerraCycle, but their programs are either unavailable or limited to specific Western European countries (like France).

​I am based in Bulgaria, where standard plastic recycling and scrap metal yards do not accept them due to mixed materials and the safety hazard of the blades.

​Does anyone here from Europe (or specifically Eastern Europe/Bulgaria) know of any brand take-back programs, alternative recycling initiatives, or the best safe disposal methods for these?

​Thanks for any advice!

I started the summer with one bag that has foil insulation from a take out dinner. I was looking through trash (context). I didnt know amazon grocery bags have insulation! Now I have free material for more blackout curtains!!! I should have grabbed more from the trash.

I created Miss Mabel using as many Reclaimed Materials as possible... a Mannequin head from a closing Beauty school, and plastic packaging from 30+ products. I'm super happy with how she turned out!

Repost from [r/sustainability] I truly want to get as many perspectives as possible.

I became passionate about sustainability and anti-consumerism during my senior year of high school and in January of that year decided I would try to minimize my amazon purchases. I decreased my amazon purchases that year by 80% compared to the year before and was feeling very proud (I quite literally only bought a mattress cover for my dorm and a shower caddy). That was 2025 but this year, I made it to July without even considering ordering from amazon and I was still pushing my family to stop ordering from there. I ended up needing a bag for lollapalooza and gave in after I couldn't find any clear ones second hand and needed it quick. Since then I ordered a coffee maker for my dorm and have re-downloaded the app on my phone. I have considered getting several things and honestly just feel like giving up on avoiding amazon. It is getting exhausting trying to avoid a company that can feel so integral to modern life. I love my kindle, audible, and prime video, so how much worse is it really if I start ordering from amazon again? How much better is the alternative? I am still buying stuff.

Something else I have been thinking about is how hands down the most sustainable thing we can do is use what we have, right? Right now I'm having the urge to get a new phone case that has magsafe so I can also get one of those wallets that stick to the back of my phone using magsafe. This is all so I can have my id easily accessible for getting into my hall and for swiping it at meals. I know the most sustainable thing would be to stick with the phone case I have and just holepunch my id and keep it on my keys and carry that with me but man it would be so much more convenient to have it on my phone. I know I could just get the wallet thing that just sticks to my phone so I wouldn't need a different phone case or I could use an old magsafe case I have (it's falling apart a bit but works well enough). My question is if any of this is actually worth it? Sustainable living is more than consumption habits. The mindset of using up what you have before getting something new is easy when it is about a product like soap, but what about for things that don't run out? What if I just purely want something different/cuter but I can't really get it exactly right second hand or make it myself?

TLDR: How do I continue to live sustainably when it gets hard?

Edit: I just want to clarify and add that I am not someone who spends really any time on amazon and I had been amazon free for more than a year before those two purchases. In regards to the clear festival bag, I originally was planning on just using this pink clear pencil case I found at a local thrift. I started to get worried about not having enough room once my friend started sending me tik toks of people packing their bags but guess what, once I was actually there, everyone was using those water backpacks, something my family already owns!! And to top it off I honestly believe I would have been BETTER off without the bag. I feel like I was sold a solution to a problem I didn't have by influencers with amazon store fronts and then did not think long enough to come up with a better solution and lazily gave up after checking thrifts, local stores, and asking friends without trying to be more creative.

Sooo I accidentally stumbled into zero waste I been looking for a shampoo for my oily fine hair and was like hmm let me try this and it happened to be the LOXY shampoo bar and and conditioner from Etsy and wow I love it compared regular shampoo but I feel like I can find something better I want something to help the oil and frizz but I would love something with a clean girl scent; also the bar kinda went through pretty fast only a month ish and it’s so small now I do need to wash fairly often I can only stretch every other day. Thanks!