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How many times have you wanted to kick yourself because you were out shopping and you did not have your plastic-free, zero waste shopping essentials with you?

In order to reduce our use of plastics and reduce waste, I’ve found that it is important to be organized and to plan in advance before going out or doing any shopping. That’s why assembling a Zero Waste To Go Kit — and having it ready to grab and go — is an easy way to reduce our environmental impact.

The essential items that I like to keep on hand to choose from for my Zero Waste To Go Kit are:

• Reusable canvas bag, back pack or shopping totes
• Reusable cotton food storage bags
• Multipurpose eating utensil or resusable utensils
• Stainless steel straw
• Reusable travel mug and/or water bottle
• Eco friendly lunchbox, bento box or tiffin
• Reusable glass jar or container

Having some or most of these essentials with me, ensures that at I am always prepared to live a waste-free life when I leave the house — whether I am just going to the farmer’s market or health food store — or traveling by plane or train.

5 Key Zero Waste Rules to Live By

1. Refuse

Refuse what you do not need.

2. Reduce

Reduce what you do need.

3. Reuse

Reuse by using reusables.

4. Recycle

Recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce or reuse.

5. Rot

Rot (a.k.a. compost the rest).

Ideas for Assembing Your Zero Waste To-Go Kits

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I think we can all agree that living a waste-free life on a daily basis is all about planning ahead. Each of the items listed below are things that I tend to use on most days. Some items may already be in your home while others can be purchased in your local Whole Foods or online. It’s simple for me to pop the items I will need that day into you tote or backpack and hit the street!

 Zero Waste Shopping Bag Set

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Putting together your zero waste kit is simplified with this Simple Ecology Organic Reusable Farmers Market Grocery Shopping Bag Set
I love this set because it is a completely eco-friendly reusable starter set perfect for zero waste farmer’s market or grocery shopping!

The setof 6 bags  covers a lot of needs with:
2 Shopping Bags: XL Tote (14 x 7 x 14 in. tall)
2 String Bags (holds similar volume)
2 Muslin Produce Bags: Large (12 x 15 in.) and Medium (10 x12 in.)
2 Mesh Produce Bags: Large (12 x 15 in.) and Medium (10 x12 in.)

They are made of Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) certified organic cotton fabric for both ecology and social responsibility and natural jute fabric. They are natural, sustainable, organic, biodegradable, reusable, recyclable, zero waste.

Sturdy, Reusable, Organic Cotton Eco-friendly Shopping Totes 

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If you prefer to put together your own zero waste bag set, you can use shopping totes that you have on hand, then find and add the other essential elements to you tote.
Like most of us, over the years I have collected an assortment of foldable yet sturdy shopping totes which I grab when I know that I will probably be picking up something while I am out. I never know when I might need to pick up something. so it’s always best to have at least one in my bag. I prefer totes with long straps that fit over my shoulders. This makes it easier to carry heavier purchases home.

The bag above is one of the eco-friendly shopping totes that I like to use.
Instead of relying on disposable plastic or paper bags that are bad for the planet, invest in an affordable, and high quality organic cotton reusable grocery bags. Unlike other flimsy bags, this is nice and sturdy, and it even has unique bottle sleeves to prevent glass bottles from accidentally banging against each other and breaking. These bags are biodegradable and reusable as well as organic.

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This cute foldable, organic cotton bags (above) is also a convenient option because they are super lightweight, but strong, and the little stuffed pouch fits right into my pocketbook.
I must admit that my favorite way to shop is to wear one of my old canvas backpacks. I just toss my purchases in and carry everything home, hands free. This method works quite well for me, although I also pop a foldable shopping tote or two into my backpack in case I have more items that can’t fit into the backpack.

Organic Cotton Green Produce Bags

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Did you know that a single use plastic shopping bag can take anywhere from 15 to 1000 years to decompose? It’s time to stop fuelling this harmful industry for quick and cheap options and take things back to basics. Tell the cashier not to give you plasitic bags because you have your own reusable produce bags with you!

These organic cotton produce bags are a nice alternative to plastic bags for shopping at the grocery or farmer’s market. Use them as a reusable grocery shopping bag, bread bag, storage for bulk grains, beans, nuts,  leafy vegetable, oranges, groceries, fresh fruits, You can also use them as a strainer for tea, yogurts, juice and nut milk; cooking herbs and spices into food and more.
I also love these bags because they are non-nylon produce bags, durable, light weight, sturdy, tear resistant, heavy weight tolerance of the stored item, foldable, machine washable with cold water and air dries quickly. They are compact, fit in purses, shopping bags, handbags, produce reusable bags, sports bags, lunch bags and backpacks.

Eco-Friendly Organic Muslin Cotton Drawstring & Mesh Bag Set w/Tare Weight on Label

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Leakproof, Insulated Stainless Steel Hot Drink or Cold Water Bottles

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I love the fact that I can fill this BPA-free stainless steel hot or cold drink bottle with ice and top with water or  juice — or fill with hot liquid — and the double wall insulation protects my drinks for hours. Plus, there is no metallic aftertaste. It’s so easy to refuse a plastic cup when I have my own leakproof bottle.

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This easy to carry, stainless steel bottle is made from BPA free materials and food grade steel. It’s free of toxins and safe for you to use and drink from. 

Mason Jars 

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I like this dishwasher safe, BPA Free set of 16oz Mason Jars. Although it is glass, fragile and can feel a bit heavy, there’s nothing like a glass Mason jar when I need to buy some fresh-pressed juice or an organic smoothie on the go! Make sure to stock up on BPA Free lids if you have old Mason Jars. (I also love using Mason jars with handles.) Saying no to plastic cups is easy when you have your own glass jar. The beverage even tastes so much better in glass — and of course, it’s so much healthier for you and the environment.

Eco-friendly Lunchbox or Tiffin

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I especially love the extra security of the leakproof closures on this 3 piece set of stainless steel food storage containers.

Eco-Friendly Reusable Cutlery 

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Say no to single-use plastic by bringing your own reusable bamboo utensils everywhere you go. Reduce your plastic waste and help preserve our planet.
This eco-friendly bamboo cutlery is non-toxic, portable & convenient with a lightweight jute pouch that keeps the four bamboo travel utensils together and is easy to carry. This travel cutlery set is perfect for on-the-go.

Many of my friend like to use sporks or multi-purpose utensils like these:
Sometimes I just toss a stainless steel spoon and fork from my kitchen wrapped up in a cloth napkin into my bag and go!

Sustainable Stainless Steel Straws

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I love my travel friendly set of stainless steel drinking straws, plus two little cleaning wands. More than enough for me so I can share them with family and friends! This set of 8 straws comes with a handy carrying pouch — including long 2 bent metal straws (10″) + 2 straight stainless straws (10.5″) + normal 2 bent stainless straws (8″) + 2 straight metal straws (8.5″) + 4 cleaning brushes (9.5″).

Organic Cloth Hand Towels

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No need to waste paper napkins! Eco-friendly and durable, these hardy, 11 x 11 inch, 100% organic unbleached birdseye cotton cloth towels are perfect for dining, but strong enough for cleaning too — and kind to the environment as well.
Now that you have a few zero waste, plastic-free essentials to pick and choose from, you can customize your Zero Waste to Go Kits to meet your specific needs or destinations!
Have you created — or do you plan to create — your own Zero Waste To Go Kit?
What essentials would you include in your kit?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.

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