Transitioning to a completely zero waste lifestyle can be pretty exciting.
Discovering new products is pretty fun, as well as learning about the different ways we can truly help our planet.
However, the ultimate goal shouldn’t be 100% zero waste, as that’s near-impossible to do.
It’s pretty tough to eliminate waste in some areas of our life—such as medical care. Plastic has revolutionized the way doctors and surgeons work – improving overall hygiene and work process.
However, there are some things you can choose to include in your first aid box, starting with plasters — that may have a more positive impact on our environment.
For example…
PATCH Kids Eco-Friendly Bamboo Adhesive Bandages – Best Eco-Friendly Alternative
The PATCH bandages are formulated out of coconut oils which helps to assist in the natural healing of cuts and abrasions.
These particular ones are designed for kids featuring a cute panda print, which we love.
I also like how these are ideal for sensitive skin, as the plaster is made out of 100% natural bamboo fiber that’s hypoallergenic and mineral-based.
Best of all?
The entire bandaid is compostable, latex-free, cruelty-free, and vegan!
PATCH also offers a ton of different sizes and types of plasters for the whole family,
Like these activated charcoal plasters that aid in healing wounds as well as drawing any impurities out of the abrasion. Additionally, you can also opt for these Aloe Vera PATCH bandages which are extra soothing on burns and scrapes.
Lastly, there are the natural PATCH bandaids, which are the most simple ones out there.
In the end, when it comes to zero waste bandaids, PATCH is the way to go!
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Else Could I Put In My Zero-Waste First Aid Box?
Now that we have the first aid bandaids out of the way, let’s talk about some other zero waste items you should consider for your first aid box!
For Cuts & Scrapes
While for serious abrasions or burns you should definitely heed whatever a medical practitioner prescribes or suggests, for more minor cuts and scrapes there are a couple of more natural and sustainable alternatives to choose from.
For example:
- Aloe Vera – Great for treating mild burns
- Manuka Honey – Nature’s disinfectant!
- Iodine in a glass bottle – This is an old-time classic when it comes to disinfecting and treating wounds at home.
- Bug bite balm – I never travel anywhere without some bug bite balm in my mini first aid kit. Definitely beats fending off mosquito bites all night!
These are just some of the zero waste alternatives you can consider for treating small-grade wounds!
If you’re well versed with essential oils, you may already know about the antibacterial properties tea tree and lavender oils have as well.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Aches & Pains
Nothing hits worse than a pestering headache or an achy back.
Luckily, you don’t always need to reach over for that ibuprofen or ointment. Here are some more natural and zero waste ways to deal with it!
- Reusable cold packs – Ice bags and cold packs are super handy to keep in the fridge or freezer. You can opt for a stainless steel cold pack that you can reuse over and over again – saving you money in the long run!
- Hot water bottle – Same goes for the opposite as well. Hot water bottles are great for all types of aches and pains, especially for female period cramps or those pesky joint pains.
- Bentonite clay powder – Did you know that bentonite clay powder is highly effective for drying out a poison ivy rash and helping it heal faster? If you’re planning a hiking trip or live close to nature – it’s always a good idea to have a tub of this around!
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These are just some of the things you can include in your first aid box to make it a little bit more zero-waste.
However, when it comes to healthcare and medicine – know that the priority is your wellbeing, after which you can place more attention on the sustainability of it all.
Luckily, more and more medical centers and pharmacies are becoming greener and taking a greater interest in sustainability. For example, some medical centers allow you to return unused pills or other medication and dispose of them in a more eco-friendly way.
What did you think of these more zero waste swaps for your first aid box? Do you have other ideas to share?
Let us know what you think in the comments below, and thanks for reading!
For more awesome and sustainable ideas check out these zero waste cotton pads!
Anna Miller is a content manager at TrashBackwards. She’s passionate about living a zero-waste lifestyle. Anna has been writing about eco-friendly tips for years now, and she’s got some great ideas on how you can go plastic-free! She loves sharing her knowledge about eco-lifestyle with others. Her articles are always witty and insightful! Shoot her a message if you’ve got any questions about how you can start going green.
