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

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: 5 Lessons Learned from Plastic Free July

This week marked the last day of Plastic Free July, and instead of our usual blog format, today I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past month and some of the lessons I’ve learned from it. Some of these are new lessons for me, and some are simply reminders that were brought to the surface again, but all of them are so valuable, and might resonate with you, too.

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: What is wishcycling and why is it a problem?
Let's be real... Recycling makes us feel goodBut unfortunately, our brains are so wired to do the “right” thing that it can actually lead to "wishcycling" instead of true recycling, and, ultimately, all that wishcycling actually leads to less being recycled. So let's talk about that really means for sustainability.
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 Shop: How to Host a Zero Waste Business Shower
A Drop in the Ocean celebrated its 4-year anniversary in February 2023, and we just had to celebrate! Between the venue, food, drinks, and party games, we managed to keep the whole event nearly 100% zero waste (and learned a lot in the process). Here's how we did it.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: The Ultimate Guide to Swedish Dishcloths
We're taking a DEEP dive into one of our favorite zero waste essentials - Swedish dishcloths. We're covering everything you ever wanted to know about them - from what they are, why they're a must-have in any sustainable home, how to use them, how to care for them, and ultimately how to dispose of them.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog: 16 Unsustainable Things I Did This Week
Today I'm sharing all of the unsustainable things I did in the last week to remind you that true zero waste is not actually possible. I've been doing this for 6+ years and I still create waste! This is a shame-free space. It's about learning and making better choices when we can and where we can.
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.

A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Store: Why Reusing Isn't Always Better Than Recycling
I've recently started a new series on Instagram called, “I gotta say it…” where I’m sharing all of my sassy, why-is-no-one-talking-about-this thoughts about zero waste and sustainable living. So today, I gotta say it... Reusing isn't always better than recycling. Here's why.
A Drop in the Ocean Zero Waste Blog: Why You Should Clean Your Dryer's Lint Trap and Air Vent

This month’s Small Change Big Impact is to clean out your dryer lint trap and air vents! You already know that you should clean out your clothes dryer’s lint trap before every load, but do you really know why? Because I sure didn't!

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.