Low-waste tips

During the summer the amount of waste produced on the island increases by 350% and Paros simply doesn’t have the infrastructure and recycling facilities to deal with it. But there is lots we can all do to help.

After years of conspicuous consumption, opting for a low-waste lifestyle can seem daunting. But start slowly, keep it simple, and remember our easy-to-follow guidelines, and in no time at all, whether you’re in the kitchen, the bathroom or your local supermarket, you can dramatically reduce your impact on the planet.

You can also get lots of help and answers to your questions on our Facebook group and plenty of shopping info by following the links below.

The Mantra *

Refuse what you don’t need: business cards, promotional gifts, single-use items, wasteful packaging, etc.

Reduce what you need and buy less.

Reuse what you have, buy second-hand clothes or household items, replace single-use items with reusables ones, repair, up-cycle, and borrow.

Recycle what you can’t avoid.

Compost your organic waste.

* courtesy of Bea Johnson, whose Zero Waste Home is a useful guide to changing your lifestyle.

Containers & Fabrics: What to Use and What to Avoid

Not all materials are created equal!

Plastics leach chemicals, they last forever and can only be recycled a few times. Avoid where possible.

Stainless steel and glass don’t leach chemicals into food or drinks and can be recycled over and over again. They are a great choice in the kitchen and beyond.

Wood also gets the thumbs up: it’s compostable.

Cotton and natural fabrics can also be composted and, unlike synthetic fibers, they don’t leach micro-plastics into the water when they’re washed. 

Contrary to popular belief, bamboo fibres are not eco-friendly. The chemical process bamboo fibres go through to be turned into fabric is highly toxic, and nearly all cups and dishes made with bamboo are mixed with plastic.

Also be on guard for the term “biodegradable”, which is used very freely and without any proper guidelines. Most so-called “biodegradable” or “compostable” products sold in supermarkets will only degrade or compost in very specific conditions and usually in industrial-style facilities. If these products end up in the sea, they will still harm wildlife.

In the Bathroom: Keeping it Clean

Buy paper-wrapped toilet paper or use a bidet. The only places to buy paper-wrapped toilet paper in Paros is in these two supermarkets: Sklavenitis in Paroikia and Market In, in Naoussa.

Use a silicon cup and/or reusable cotton pads for periods, or period panties.

Get a bamboo toothbrush or one with a replaceable head. Make you own toothpaste, buy solid toothpaste or a product sold in a glass container.

Buy an old-style reusable safety razor: it will be made of metal and you can buy the blades wrapped in paper.

If you don’t have a grey water system, you can save water in the bathroom by having a container to collect the water while it gets warm, while you’re washing your hands and in the shower.

Make your own deodorant, buy it in glass or metal or buy a solid one.

Use olive or sunflower oil or aloe vera to moisturise your skin, or buy locally-made, natural creams. Olive oil can also be used as a hair conditioner.

Buy natural sunscreen in non-plastic containers.

Replace cotton buds with a reusable alternative.

Use coffee grounds and oil as a scrub and replace shower gel with a bar of soap.

Wash your hair with shampoo you buy in refillable bottles or a solid shampoo. You can also try the “no ‘poo” method using bicarbonate and apple cider vinegar.

In the Kitchen: Low-waste Cooking

If you have plastic containers already, go on using them. Otherwise choose jars, glass or stainless steel containers or simply cover a bowl with a plate. Get rid of the clingfilm too. You can also replace freezer bags with jars.

Wrap your washed greens and salad in a cotton cloth and store in the fridge.

Choose natural non-toxic materials. Replace non-stick with stainless steel, cast iron and glass: unlike plastic they can be recycled forever and don’t leach dangerous chemicals into your food.

Replace paper napkins with reusable ones.

Reduce food waste by buying and throwing away less and using leftovers and scraps in creative ways, to make broth and soups, etc. You can get lots more ideas online. 

Many shops now sell “ugly” or less than perfect fruit and vegetables, so buy those where possible.

About the House: Clean Naturally

Use vinegar with essential oils or infused with citrus peels to clean the kitchen, bathroom surfaces and the toilet. Bicarbonate of soda is great for scrubbing too.

Greek green soap (prasino sapouni) is also perfect for floors, surfaces and washing clothes, especially for stains.

If you need products like dishwashing tablets or detergent, buy them in bulk.

Use wooden brushes, a loofah or a bamboo scourer instead of sponges.

Use old clothes to make cloths for cleaning in the kitchen or bathroom or wiping up spills. Avoid microfibre products that leach microplastics every time you use them.

Low-Waste Shopping: What You’ll Need

• A basket or cardboard box is a good start for veggies, etc.

• Fabric bags of different sizes

• A fabric bag or a cushion cover for bread.

• A few produce bags for seeds, nuts, beans, rice, etc. You can also use glass jars.

• Jars if you want to buy meat, cheese, capers or olives, cookies.

• A reused egg box if you eat eggs.

• For freshly ground coffee in Paros, you will need either a reusable bag or any container with at least one flat side.

At the Shop

Don’t be shy about rejecting packaging and shopping with your own containers. Some shopkeepers might be surprised to start with, but they soon become used to the idea and even end up talking about it with other customers.

• When asking for the first time, be natural about it, as if the only option is to have your purchases in your own containers.

• Just make sure each container is weighed separately in advance, so you don’t pay extra for it.

Where to find these products

You can find more information on where to buy these products here in Paros or where to buy them online. How to make them yourself, coming soon.