Welcome to the A Drop in the Ocean blog!

Every Monday we're popping into our EcoWarrior community's inboxes with practical + actionable tips for living more sustainably, and we're always working hard to add those emails to our blog as well. But we're a small team and sometimes we get behind because, hey, we're human.

So if you want these kinds of tips every week, without even leaving your inbox, join the EcoWarriors for Make Waves Mondays - because that's one thing we don't get behind on. Pinky promise.

Blog

The 7 Types of Plastic You Need to Know (And How to Recycle Them)

Recycling is not the solution to our waste crisis, but when we do recycle it's important we do it right. So this week, we’re diving deep into the 7 different types of plastics - what they are, how to identify them, how to recycle them correctly, and ultimately, how to avoid them completely.

A Drop in the Ocean Online Zero Waste Store: What does the chasing arrows recycling symbol mean?
We all know and love the chasing arrows recycling symbol (♻️), but let's talk about it a bit. What does it really mean? Is recycling really the answer to our waste problem? Who are the loudest voices pushing us to recycle more? Recycling has a fraught history, so let's dive into it!
How to Use a Zero Waste Dish Soap Bar

I’ve been using a zero waste solid dish soap bar for years and I can’t imagine ever going back to liquid. It’s just so much more convenient to use, is quite literally zero waste, and honestly just looks better next to my sink than a plastic bottle of Dawn. But if you’ve never used a solid dish soap bar before, you might be hesitant to make the switch. So let's talk about it!

How to Use a Safety Razor for a Plastic-Free Shave Routine
My safety razor is my all time favorite zero waste swap! So today we’re gonna take a dive into the world of plastic-free shaving and what makes safety razors the ultimate zero waste swap you’ll ever make - plus a step-by-step guide for how to use a safety razor for a totally plastic-free shave.
What is a Buy Nothing Group and why should you join one?
Building and supporting a sharing economy is a critical component of any zero waste lifestyle, and Buy Nothing Groups are one of the best ways to do that. So today we're talking all things Buy Nothing - what it is, why it's better than donating to a thrift shop, and even why your local group may be called a "Gifting With Integrity" group instead.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: 60+ Ways to Live More Sustainably Every Day

I did an audit of all the random things I do in a day to live more sustainably that I honestly don’t even notice anymore. Because living sustainably isn’t a checklist or a to-do list. It’s our small choices, every day, that add up to the big stuff. These small changes have had real, tangible, impacts in reducing my waste - whether wasted time, energy, or money - without having to think about them all the time.

Plastic Neutral: Greenwashing or Actual Waste Solution?
There are some pretty major players in the "sustainable" and "zero waste" space that brag about being certified plastic neutral. But what does that really mean for sustainability? Is plastic neutral certification greenwashing, or is it an actual solution to our ocean waste problem?
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: Why you should switch to a natural laundry detergent
Conventional laundry detergent contains toxic chemicals that are being banned for their effects on humans. By switching to an all-natural laundry detergent, you'll not only protect your family from these chemicals, but our waterways, too. Here's everything you need to know about why you should make the switch to natural laundry detergent and how.
The 7 Best Documentaries for Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Living
Most sustainability documentaries are trash. But there are some truly spectacular documentaries about sustainability, waste, and climate change that have had lasting, positive impacts on my life. Here's 7 of my favorite documentaries to inspire you to live more sustainably - without guilt, shame, fear, and absolutism.
A Drop in the Ocean Blog: Which has a smaller eco-footprint - physical books, ebooks or audiobooks?
If you've ever found yourself staring at your bookshelf wondering if it would be more eco-friendly to switch to a Kindle or other e-reader, this post is for you. We're breaking down the carbon footprint of physical books, e-books, and audiobooks to find the definitive answer to which is the most sustainable way to read.
A Drop in the Ocean Shop: How to care for reusable period underwear
Switching to reusable period underwear has been a freaking GAME CHANGER. But if you've never used them before, they can seem "gross" if you don't know how to clean and take care of them. So today we're taking a deep dive into how to properly care for zero waste period undies - with no mess and no smell.
A Drop in the Ocean Blog: How to do a No Spend Month
Today’s post is a topic I’ve been meaning to write for a couple of years now but for some reason never have - how to do a No Spend Month. It’s something I’ve done in the past that has had a hugely positive impact on my life and I know it’s done the same for others, too. If you’re not yet familiar with a No Spend Month, allow me to introduce you...
A Drop in the Ocean Blog: The Best Way to Go Zero Waste

As we come upon the time of year that’s become characterized by overconsumption and the overwhelming messaging that we must give our loved ones physical gifts, I was recently reminded of the absolute best tip I can offer for how to live more sustainably...

A Drop in the Ocean Shop How to Use Powder-to-Liquid Hand Soap

While some of our eco-products are obvious and easy to understand, many of them may not be. There’s so much innovation happening in this space, and today I'm showcasing one of my favorite, new, innovative zero waste products on our shelves - powder-to-liquid hand soap.

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog: Everything you need to know about wool dryer balls

Let’s dive into one of my very favorite and very first zero waste swaps - wool dryer balls. Whether you’re trying to reduce waste, cut out fragrances, avoid chemicals, save time, or save money…wool dryer balls are an absolute necessity. So let’s break down what exactly dryer balls are, why they’re so great, and how to get the absolute most out of them.

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog: 22 Sustainability Buzzwords You Need to Know
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between a company that’s actually doing the work of being as sustainable as possible and a company that’s just slapped a green label on the box. But you're gonna be armed with this list of 22 sustainability buzzwords and what they mean so you can make the best decisions for you, for your family, and for the planet 💪
7 Creative Ways to Reuse Old Toothbrushes

One of my favorite zero waste tools for deep cleaning? An old bamboo toothbrushI mean, we gotta brush our teeth anyway, right? So today I'm sharing some of my favorite ways to reuse bamboo toothbrushes around the house once they're retired from cleaning our teeth.

A Drop in the Ocean Blog: Why Small Businesses Should Always be Held Accountable
Listening to feedback and staying transparent is critical, but sometimes we can forget that when our business is our baby. So today I'm sharing with you a really important lesson I learned as a small business owner on a mission to do things differently - and how it impacts you.