My Zero Waste Store

02/11/2025

Rebuilding after a disaster

Recently I wrote an article (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.17223?fbclid=IwY2xjawIWU71leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXTqGn4F-OadK137Z34ADKtOowJTZRYOKdBad3aYr-UXJcGvWN8rw4rs-w_aem_ibAbsS4ZZXu8myf67jKVFw) on how black plastic is toxic because of the pigments but it wasn't until my power line caught on fire and fried almost everything in my house that I realized how hard it is to find appliances without black plastic. The smallest appliance yet almost as important as heat, hot water and the internet, was the coffee maker. It was dead, and when I had fresh eyes to see everything, there was black plastic that I never saw before. A lot of it!

I spent several weeks searching the "stainless steel" coffee makers asking vendors if in fact, they were plastic free but in fact they all responded they were "BPA free". Sad for me because I am just hoping to find coffee maker's without black plastic. But now that I know this I will be stocking some stainless steel French presses and coffee filters without black plastic. I hadn't realized my gold filter was also housed in black plastic.

And while helping my sister and friends start stocking their temporary apartments I was shocked at what they need. They need everything and probably while most of their former things were plastic, hopefully some will be inspired to have less toxic homes (https://news.mongabay.com/2024/11/as-global-fire-risk-rises-modern-homes-become-toxic-plastic-traps/) . I was going to tag fire items house replacement items at our store but it's just everything.

It's daunting but let's encourage people to buy sponges (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/product/swedish-dishcloth/655?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=46) and containers (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/product/zip-top-sets/144) without plastic, and refill (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/product/zatik-pink-grapefruit-dish-soap/546) to reduce plastic, and use bars (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/product/dip-mini-color-safe-shampoo-bar-0-75-oz-/556) , tablets (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/product/huppy-mouthwash-tablets-cool-mint-refill/756) , and powders (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/product/mzws-dishwashing-powder/722) to eliminate plastics and further reduce emissions.

It's going to be a practical Valentines!

And storage containers are so practical and useful and necessary for take out, cooking, reheating. . Our bento boxes are back in stock.

Or my favorite container for mixing up and storing blue cheese popovers. You can add the popover recipe (https://www.recipelink.com/recipes/blue-cheese-mini-popovers-316975) or your favorite recipe to personalize the gift!

Zip Top Containers are made from 100% Platinum Silicone. No more microplastics, BPA, lead, PVC, or phthalates in your food. Made in the USA.

We still have these lovely jackets (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/product/upcycled-jacket-made-in-chile/1183) for sale!

For those rebuilding their closet as well.
Choose cotton and natural fabrics.

Click here for an update from My Zero Waste Store!

02/09/2025

We are making gift packages of sustainable supplies for our customers❤️

They include fire relief inhalers and zero waste floss, toilet paper, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, chapsticks 🫶

Making the switch to sustainable products is better for you and the planet!🌎.

Thank you to our suppliers for their donations including 👏👏🥰 stay tuned for more photos 💯

01/23/2025

Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a gentle yet effective way to cleanse dirt and impurities from your face, making it especially helpful during fire season when ash and debris can settle on your skin. Rich in antioxidants, it combats free radicals and oxidative stress, protecting your skin from environmental damage. Its soothing properties also help calm irritation, offering a natural solution to refresh and restore your skin after exposure to smoky conditions.

Our vanilla body gel, enriched with soothing oatmeal and aloe, gently hydrates and calms dry skin, making it perfect for daily use. The mild blend of cleansers is gentle enough for sensitive skin and doubles as a shaving gel or bubble bath. Ideal for relaxing after a long day or easing the stress caused by fires, its comforting scent and nourishing formula help you unwind and restore balance. It’s good for your whole family!

Our pomegranate massage lotion, packed with natural antioxidants and essential fatty acids, helps nourish and build healthy skin while enveloping you in a dreamy floral scent with hints of sweetness. A soothing massage—whether for yourself or a loved one—can be a powerful way to ease tension and reconnect during these stressful times. Let the rich, hydrating formula and calming aroma create a moment of relaxation and comfort when you need it most.

Our No Tox Life® Eucalyptus Steam® brings the cleansing vapors of eucalyptus, renowned for their deep support of respiratory health, right into your shower. Combined with the concentrated cooling of peppermint, it offers an awakening and refreshing experience, transforming your daily routine into a revitalizing spa-like moment.

Vicente and Angelina, residents of Altadena, lost their home, their possessions, and Vicente lost his truck and tools in the recent Eaton Fire. Vicente is a carpenter and can't work again till he gets tools and a truck.
I am Cheryl Auger and I own My Zero Waste Store in Pasadena. Vicente helps my store be a zero waste store by taking and reusing 55 gallon drums.
I am trying to collect carpenter and construction tools for him through Buy Nothing groups, neighbors, and friends, but I am starting a GoFundMe to raise money for a truck and any tools he is not able to get from groups and ancillary charges to get started. There is definitely a need for skilled woodworkers right now. He and his wife will be going to the burn site for the first time tomorrow. Let's give Vicente and Angelina some hope for rebuilding their lives and returning to normalcy.

Click here for an update from My Zero Waste Store!

01/18/2025

Please tell all your friends and family in the area, so that we can help as many people affected by the Eaton Fire rebuild their lives and homes ❤️

Thank you to all the fire fighters who have worked tirelessly to protect us during one of California’s most destructive fires in its history

A big shoutout also to locals who have donated and gathered to support the community during these challenging times 🙏 Let’s keep up this good works and spread the word !!

01/18/2025

Our latest news

My newest article on Pasadena's undergrounding program came out in this week's edition of Colorado Boulevard. Wafic Khalil, the Editor in Chief stated that most of his Altadena readers are no longer there. Many of our customers' in Altadena lost their homes or are displaced and haven't returned to their homes.

We're all going to have to support each other to get through the next few years. After hearing how much plastic is in every home that burned, I hope more people will re-equip their homes with non-plastic items and build with less toxic materials. Homes were estimated to have plastic equivalent to the weight of a small car (https://phys.org/news/2020-06-tool-household-plastics-footprint.html) . I have been reading of .couches made of fabric (plastic) (https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2025/01/los-angeles-fire-smoke-plastic-toxic/681318/) wrapped around polyurethane foam (plastic). When polyurethane foam burns, it releases potentially deadly hydrogen-cyanide gas. I am now wondering about my own furniture.

We are posting customers' Go Fund Me pages on our IG feed to help them raise money.

A couple of my favorite new non-plastic items.

The 2025 Legislative Session has started!

I have been meeting with staff from California State Senators and Assemblymembers to pitch bills for our legislators to hopefully author and introduce.

Everyone knows I am a big fan of Zero Waste so will not be surprised to know that I co-wrote the California Zero Waste Act (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r3wFd0ekkSSEzzuEYJbVVPhQMmd2afmx/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112200745217088752835&rtpof=true&sd=true) . based on the LA City ordinance. This legislation will mandate that State facilities use reusables and purchase items made from post-consumer materials. This bill would reduce resource consumption, emissions, waste generation, costs and improve health and noise pollution.

The second bill was written by a group of microgrid and renewable experts after Edison remarked that we were going to miss our 2030 climate goals by up to 90 million metric tons of carbon emissions. Needless to say that is the wrong direction. The bill is known as The California Climate Goals Alignment Act (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WYuBRm_jgDtvCcW_j3fqo628XJdWlKdZ/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=112200745217088752835&rtpof=true&sd=true) and was modeled after Hawaii's legislation.

The third bill is the Passive House Legislation which was co-authored by Robert Haw, a former JPL engineer. This bill would make homes more defensible in fires and reduce energy demands and emissions. What timing. See his webinar! (https://climateactionca.org/implement-a-passive-house-standard-in-title-24/)

Click here for an update from My Zero Waste Store!

01/11/2025

Unsure how to help with the fires? Here are some resources!

Volunteer Opportunities for this weekend
> click here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eaSXTYlLY_spJ-_w43ac55qu6X4YtgApgRGfads3cM4/htmlview?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYTpCeHhU53hDyrRYIqhEHesWvKPlC-Z1lRnkpFtiYk1W-V4kLJpjh8B24_aem_EMjFMknqw62neQ17BCifrA&urp=gmail_link) <

Donate directly to families

> click here (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E466G3xH2m1ARR8_AWwEh-CLl-pW4dzL_FIfrW6HDdM/htmlview) <

Donate to families that were affected by the Eaton Fire

> click here (https://linktr.ee/eatonfire?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=23bee3f6-9161-4ef2-aa1f-b24a08bdc68c) <

Check the Clean Air website to check your area.
> click here (https://gispub.epa.gov/airnow/?tab=forecast&xmin=-13294582.509821532&xmax=-13001064.321206344&ymin=4000499.348016399&ymax=4125703.200347566)

Click here for an update from My Zero Waste Store!

01/08/2025

We are closed today. Please stay safe🙏🥲

01/05/2025

Looking for replacements for your kitchen? 🌿

We got your sponges covered! So many plastic sponges are thrown away daily, and leave harmful on your dishes 🥴

Go the route with repurposed, ocean bound plastics, or our compostable options!

We truly operate on ZERO WASTE 🫡💚

01/04/2025

I love the mosquito and insect repellent made by ! It is highly moisturizing and melts onto your skin helping to ensure complete coverage! It’s a must have whether traveling or at home!

12/30/2024

It's Time to Rethink Your Kitchen Supplies

If you knew how damaging plastic kitchen supplies are to your health, would you be more motivated to make the switch?

Did you know that black pigmented plastic is colored with carbon black? Carbon black is often made from soot from the incomplete combustion of petroleum products like diesel, which can impact our health.

Respiratory issues, lung disease, reproductive issues, and cancer have all been linked to carbon black! Stay safe and replace your non-eco friendly kitchen materials with biodegradable/sustainable materials.

Zero Waste Kitchen Favorites

1. Bamboo Pot Scrubber Brush

This eco friendly pot scrubber has a Moso Bamboo handle and plant fiber bristles! It removes heavy duty grime, while keeping microplastics out of the kitchen.

2. Vejibag

Our best seller for Farmer's Market goers! This Vegetable Crisper Bag is designed to preserve your veggies and herbs for long-lasting crispness. No need to use plastic bags filled with chemicals including endocrine disruptors anymore.

3. Swedish Dish Cloth

Replace 17 rolls of paper towels with one Swedish Dish Cloth! These sustainable, sturdy kitchen aids come in endless designs.

The organic cotton and cellulose prevent bacteria build up, like that of plastic sponges, and clean the biggest of spills.

4. Dish Block

Made with biodegradable, vegan ingredients, the Dish Block is a strong grease cutter with an amazing amount of fluffy bubbles.

It's a great zero waste dish soap option that softens your hands with aloe vera as it cleans your dishes!

Upcoming Events

Don't miss your chance to volunteer with the Climate Reality Project (Los Angeles chapter) as they preserve sacred Tongva Indigenous spaces.

Visit the Hammer Museum's exhibition, "Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice." This unique exhibition connects environmental consciousness social inequity. Find out more about our current climate crisis, and learn about how you can help! The exhibition is open for several dates.

Check out our event on Saturday, Jan 4, 2025.

Check out our event on Sunday, Jan 5, 2025.

12/21/2024

Don't miss it cause it might not happen ever again!! The following items are 15% off this Sunday and Tuesday in the store! Discount given at time of sale!

If you use a roll of toilet paper each week think about how many trees you can save and/or emissions you can reduce when you switch to this option. Great for #1!!! 😉

Perfect for those times when you don't have time and for friends and family that don't have a lot of mobility to wash their hair. 😉

Upcycled luxury overnight bag made from recycled coffee bags. Last one!

Better for the planet! Great gift for new parents!

We have a great assortment of natural fiber ornaments!

This eco cave is cat certified! It's purr-fect!

Makes a great gift and great for vacation rentals!

They can be reused, dishwashed, and after many uses will decompose in 8 to 12 weeks when added to the compost. See (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZHuSHSikmUbcOVjiO_kNaWx_4tQoWTkh/view?usp=drive_link) the Tortuga Music Festival waste management video! The cup also broke down in my home compost system!

Bound from a local architect and engineer's plans, each of these pads are informative and unique!

Compostable paper cups and plates are so much better for the environment and help make large events sustainable!

Click here for an update from My Zero Waste Store!

12/21/2024

Happy Holidays 🎁🎄🎉 Looking for a practical gift? We put together this sustainable gift box for less than 100$ filled with beans,nuts,sweets,and soaps for an all vegan and gluten free customer!

12/19/2024

Smooth Sailing Through TSA: Essential Items and Smart Swaps!

Our Stasher Bags (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/s/search?q=stasher) are the ultimate travel companion! Perfect for keeping your toiletries organized or storing a wet bathing suit after a swim, these reusable bags are TSA-friendly, leak-proof, and a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. Zip Tops (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/s/search?q=zip%20tops) are another perfect option.

Dengue fever is on the rise locally but anyone who travels to an area with mosquitoes might be exposed to the Dengue or Zika virus and is more at risk for infection. Check this country-specific travel information (https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/areas-with-risk/index.html) to help you plan and pack and make sure you slather up with mosquito repellent where ever your travels take you. Here's the list for the Zika virus (https://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/index.html) .

Bars are the best way to get through TSA. Dip (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/s/search?q=dip) has shampoo and conditioner bars along with travel cases and travel brushes. No Tox (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/s/search?q=no%20tox) has an array of shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant bars.

Who hasn't had their vacation ruined due to unpurified water? Travel with these charcoal sticks and take the impurities out so you can drink water in
your reuseable water bottle.

And be sure to bring sun screen. We have many different sunscreens (https://www.myzerowastestore.com/s/search?q=sunscreen) to chose from!

Don't forget to pack your reusable utensil set for on the go while you're exploring the town!

My Zero Waste Store on the
Cover of Pasadena Weekly!

Click here for an update from My Zero Waste Store!

12/16/2024

Can you guess what we are giving this year for the holidays? Everything is practical and useful including these beautiful wax bags from 👏 these beautiful bags are great for picking up berries at the farmers market, taking home bread or pastries from a restaurant, or storing leftovers in the fridge. We also have wax wraps at the store which make nice hostess gifts!🎄🎅 definitely we will be helping friends and family members be more sustainable and reduce their waste🙏🌍🫶

12/13/2024

We’re on the cover of 🥳💚

🔔 Read up on how My Zero Waste store in Pasadena can help you move towards for this gift giving season and the new year 🎅🎁

Thank you Pasadena Weekly for spreading awareness with us this 🙌🌿

12/10/2024

Customized face serums coming soon!

12/05/2024

Jey and Hope rocking some 🧥✨👏

Come visit 📍 25 S. El Molino Ave. Pasadena for our special, limited time sale on jackets! 🙌

It’s a great for anyone wanting to upgrade their closet the sustainable way!! 🤗

12/01/2024

Coming today! 5 Upcycled jean jackets hand embroidered in Chile for sale for the holiday! Each jacket is unique and will be added to inventory for you to surprise that special someone! I love mine! .auger.18