5 Easy Waste-Free Hacks For People With Kids

Designed to be washed and reused, fabric nappies made using more sustainable materials are an excellent alternative to traditional disposable nappies, which have many single-use plastic components and take hundreds of years to break down. “Nature Baby’s Nappy Squares are made using 50% organic cotton and 50% bamboo, and they’re so soft! There are so many tutorials online (for folding techniques), and then once you’re done, just wash and reuse.”

When it comes to packing the kids’ bags for daycare or school, aim to go waste-free by replacing disposable utensils with reusable alternatives, like a refillable water bottle, take-home snack containers and a cloth napkin. Keep everything together in their lunchbox or a soft cloth bag, and don’t forget to label things in case they go missing.   

“Disposable baby wipes are usually made out of a polymer or plastic, but it’s so easy to make your own at home using water, a few drops of jojoba oil, and cotton cloth – you can even use your old towels or other flannel clothing.” To make your baby wipes, simply dip the cloth into a bowl of water with a few drops of oil added, wring out the excess water, then place in a zip-lock silicone bag to take with you when you’re out and about. Just wash and repeat when needed. 

Quality toys that are made to last and stand the test of time make for more sustainable options for your little ones, especially when they can be passed on to other kids once your child grows out of them. The most sustainable toys are the ones they already have, but if they’re begging for something new, shop THE ICONIC Considered edit for toys made using more sustainable materials, like Green Toys range made using recycled plastic. 

When the kids tire of their toys, you can always keep them entertained with play dough made using simple ingredients in your kitchen. “Mix one cup of plain flour, one cup of water, a quarter of a cup of salt, and one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Stir it around until it becomes a nice doughy texture. Once the mixture cools down, you can add different food colourings to the dough to make it more exciting.”