by Lisa Lozano

If the idea of overflowing landfills and plastic-bag islands in the ocean keeps you up at night, our viewer Lauren has some tips for how to reduce your own waste. And she should know, considering she says she’s only generated a mason jar-sized amount of waste in the past two years!

The Brooklyn, NY resident composts all of her food scraps, buys used clothes, stores her food in fabric bags and mason jars at home, and even brings her own glass cup to the cafe for an iced coffee. Now she’s sharing two easy recipes for DIY products that will eliminate some of the waste you’re currently producing.

Make Your Own Toothpaste

Lauren’s toothpaste has only three ingredients – coconut oil, baking soda and essential oils.

Make Your Own Whipped Body Butter

Lauren’s body butter is made from coconut oil, sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, and essential oils and whipped to a luxurious whipped cream-esque consistency.

What do you do to reduce the amount of waste in your life?