5 Ways to Reduce Waste In Your Wellness Routine
Wellness should never come at the cost of the earth. Yet, many modern wellness products come wrapped in layers of plastic, filled with synthetic additives, and designed for convenience over sustainability or safety.
At Global Healing, we believe caring for your body and the planet are not separate pursuits – they are deeply connected. The same toxins that disrupt your health pollute the soil, water, and air. The same containers that seep microplastics into your body may end up harming marine life or sitting in landfills for centuries.
By making simple adjustments to your daily routine, you can reduce waste without sacrificing self-care. You may even realize a deeper, more intentional way of living.
Here are five ways you can prioritize sustainability in your wellness routine:
1. Upcycle Product Packaging
Even when you choose products with sustainable packaging, it’s important to think beyond industrial recycling. Many wellness product containers and packaging can be repurposed in creative and practical ways.
- Paper Packing Materials – Use decorative paper or thick, brown parchment paper to wrap gifts.
- Glass Bottles – Store dried herbs or loose-leaf tea that you purchase in bulk. Use to take snacks, like granola or nuts, with you on the go.
- Dropper Bottles – Use for small amounts of liquid beauty products when traveling. Store DIY facial serums or hair oils.
- Glass Jars – Use for bathroom storage (hair ties, cotton pads, makeup brushes, Epsom salt). Store homemade powdered cleansers. Organize office or craft supplies. Plant succulents.
By rethinking the way you use packaging, you can move away from a disposable mindset and embrace sustainability in everyday life.
2. Switch to Refillable or Plastic-Free Containers
Containers and packaging are some of the biggest contributors to household waste [1]. Despite plastic containers being labeled as “recyclable” and placed in the appropriate waste bins, a devastatingly small fraction of those containers actually get recycled – most go to landfills [2].
Make these simple swaps to reduce your contribution to plastic waste:
- Toothpaste Tablets – Ditch plastic tubes and try toothpaste tablets in refillable glass jars.
- Shampoo & Conditioner Bars – These solid bars last longer than bottled versions (liquid formulas are mostly water), and they eliminate plastic entirely.
- Refillable Dental Floss – Look for dental floss made from compostable materials that comes in an aluminum or glass container. Order a new spool (without the container) when you run out.
You can also look for companies that have unique approaches to minimizing plastic waste in landfills. For example, at Global Healing, we use only glass containers for all of our supplements and compostable paper materials for packaging.
If you have any non-recyclable products, see if you can recycle them through TerraCycle before tossing them in the trash. This company has free recycling programs that accept materials that residential curbside programs don’t, like plastic wrappers, fabrics, cleaning accessories, and more.
3. Make DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Your home should be a sanctuary, not a place filled with synthetic chemicals. Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh ingredients that can be harmful to both human health and the environment – and they come in wasteful plastic bottles.
- All-Purpose Cleaner – Mix equal parts white vinegar and distilled water with a few drops of essential oil for a non-toxic cleaner that you can use all over the house.
- Natural Scrub – Use baking soda and water to create a paste that cleans stuck-on messes.
- Reusable Spray Bottles – Store your homemade cleaners in glass or stainless steel bottles instead of plastic.
Not only do these swaps reduce waste, but they also help you avoid breathing in synthetic fragrances and harmful toxins.
4. Use Sustainable Alternatives to Single-Use Personal Care Items
Every day, we use disposable wellness items that we rarely think twice about. But, thankfully, there are reusable and biodegradable alternatives for almost everything!
SWAP plastic water bottles FOR reusable glass or stainless steel.
SWAP teabags (which contain microplastics) FOR loose-leaf tea and stainless steel infuser.
SWAP cotton balls FOR washable organic cotton pads.
SWAP single-use makeup wipes FOR organic cotton face towels.
SWAP plastic razors FOR stainless steel safety razors.
SWAP synthetic menstrual products FOR menstrual cups or underwear.
These swaps are simple to make but have a lasting impact. Not only will you reduce waste, but you’ll also remove unnecessary chemicals from your personal wellness routine.
5. Let Nature Be Your Healer
One of the most powerful ways to reduce waste is to step away from overconsumption altogether and embrace what nature already provides. Some of the best remedies for your mind and body are already around you.
- Get Outside for Healing – Swap artificial lighting and screen time for daily sunlight, fresh air, and grounding (walking barefoot on soil or grass).
- Grow Your Own Herbs & Remedies – Start a small medicinal herb garden with calming chamomile, gut-supporting peppermint, or skin-soothing calendula.
- Move with Nature – Instead of a treadmill or fluorescent-lit gym, try hiking, swimming in natural water, or practicing yoga outdoors.
- Practice Seasonal Living – Eat local, seasonal foods and adapt your wellness habits to the rhythms of nature. For example, spring (the season of renewal) can be a good time for detoxification, while winter (the season of rest) is a great time for going to bed early and practicing restorative yoga.
By returning to the wisdom of the earth, you can reduce your reliance on packaged wellness products and reconnect with the simplest, most sustainable form of healing.
Celebrate Earth Day with Global Healing
Reducing waste in your wellness routine isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making mindful choices, one day at a time. Over time, the small changes you make will have great benefits for your health and the environment.
Global Healing supplements are made from certified organic, non-GMO, and ethically sourced ingredients. We utilize glass vessels and never add unnecessary or toxic ingredients to our formulas to protect you and the environment from potentially harmful chemicals. Browse our collection of best-selling products and take the first step toward a more sustainable wellness routine.
References (2)
- US EPA, O. (2017, September 7). Guide to the Facts and Figures Report about Materials, Waste and Recycling. Www.epa.gov. https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/guide-facts-and-figures-report-about
- Sullivan, L. (2022, October 24). Recycling plastic is practically impossible — and the problem is getting worse. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/10/24/1131131088/recycling-plastic-is-practically-impossible-and-the-problem-is-getting-worse
Posted in: Health > Whole Body Wellness,
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
