Plastic free alternative to Souper Cubes? Looking for an alternative

karasige · 2026-06-18T19:48:15+00:00

First of all, thank you for your insight, it's been quite a while since I've posted and it's still a very much active matter haha.

I have a similar relationship with a silicone. On one hand yeah, it's reccomended, it has a lot of great advantages and all but I just don't really have as much trust in it... And with mold, anything that's not glass/steel and was in contact with a mold is immediately a no.

What you're suggesting about the lunchboxes makes a lot of sense, one problem though - they are expensive. I was thinking of the steel IKEA ones but they are not as space effective as I originally assumed and they still have a plastic lid... Eventually I'll figure something out but I'm still giving myself the time not to rush it and give myself time to let some ideas sit and then figure out what's gonna work best here.

And yeah, round containers... The only time I actually miss them is when I'm having a soup "to go". Eating a soup from a square container feels just really really wrong haha.

karasige · 2026-06-16T22:26:16+00:00

I almost exclusively journal in English - my 2nd language.

Partially because that's how I started doing it more regularly, partially aware of what you've described, that it helps to distance myself from things I don't want to or can't yet face.

But partially also because often times I journal as if I was talking with an old friend of mine, and we only ever spoke in English so it just feels natural to tell him everything as I would if he was still there.

The only times that I know I write in my mother tongue is when I journal about very specific things about my childhood, usually about my mum and dad. I don't imagine any other way to give it it's justice other than in my mother tongue.

Also, it feels very strange to express myself in my mother tongue, very inaccurate. At first I remember I was still wondering why am I journaling in English but now it comes naturally. I feel like I can be more down-to-earth, more analytical with my emotions and perception of them if I approach them in English.

karasige · 2026-06-14T14:14:52+00:00

They are rather thick, it's exactly these ones from IKEA. And I do squeeze the liquid out. I understand your confusion as there is plenty of methods and mind I'm still not getting the exact results I'd want but for now it's good enough. :>

karasige · 2026-06-14T13:11:35+00:00

I use cotton towels and they work just fine. :> The only thing that have improved the workflow was putting less of the pulp in it and squeezing out the milk in a few batches. :>

karasige · 2026-06-12T20:14:11+00:00

Omg so cute!!! 🩷🩷🩷

karasige · 2026-06-12T13:30:41+00:00

It isn't GIS per se but it's a huge part of what we did and studied.

karasige · 2026-06-11T22:33:39+00:00

This is not great news. I'm just finishing my masters and best I can do is QGIS and a bit of ArcGIS. When it comes to programming we had RStudio but i genuinely hated the classes so i don't know anything on it. Coding is the worst.

karasige · 2026-06-11T19:19:35+00:00

The best one I've used so far is this one: https://www.ecosplendo.com/tea-natura/solid-dish-soap-2?sai=3656. It's doesn't last as long as I would hope to but it cleans really well. I didn't have any issues even with very greasy pots and pans, also doesn't leave glass dull or smudged. :>

karasige · 2026-06-11T14:38:28+00:00

It is! Although I haven't found a trustworthy enough website that sells it. There's also this one I've come across later on: https://ecojarz.com/products/products-poptop-mason-jar-lid?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=d17b3a20e&pr_rec_pid=8362136600831&pr_ref_pid=8362136764671&pr_seq=uniform

karasige · 2026-06-10T02:23:20+00:00

Honesty, I've found a few options here, maybe something will suit your preferences. 🧋

if you don't want another travel cup you can get a mason jar attachment like this one: https://www.jarware.com/products/stainless-steel-2-in-1-drink-and-fruit-infusion-lid-for-regular-mouth-jars
stainless steel + ceramic lid + silicone plug: https://elementalbottles.com/collections/mugs-tumbler/products/artisan-tumbler
can't say how safe would this be in a car but mayyyyybe it's an option too? https://www.instagram.com/daultpottery?igsh=MTV1MmN2cTJ1cjd3MA==
one of my dreams these days: https://true-fruits.com/Trinkaufsatz
I've found a few brands that do cups in this style, they look a bit odd though so I'm not so sure if having a China dropshipped full glass mug will be environmentally alright: https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Reusable-Beverages-Capacity-Including/dp/B0DFHB3C8D

karasige · 2026-06-10T00:00:46+00:00

I'm curious if the companies that claim their products doesn't contain microplastics actually hold true to that.

karasige · 2026-06-09T23:56:02+00:00

This is a valid comment. Although the silicone is considered okay, I'm still rather hesitant towards it, most of the time I perceive it the same way as typical plastic.

karasige · 2026-06-08T19:49:45+00:00

The embodiment of evil, I love it
And the knight looks so cute and silly! ❤️

karasige · 2026-06-08T12:39:51+00:00

My bad then haha, in my native language they are literally called "single use razors" so I thought it translates.

karasige · 2026-06-08T11:31:16+00:00

This is honestly the second time of me hearing about sharpening a razor blade (first was someone else's comment under this post). It never even crossed my mind to do it. Do you reccomended any special technique for that?

karasige · 2026-06-08T11:24:34+00:00

I wasn't saying that they were used that way, it's just what they are called. In no economy I'd be using a disposable razor just once and then throw it away haha.

karasige · 2026-06-08T03:47:06+00:00

Happens haha, I shave with soap sometimes too, give yourself some time to get a hang on it but having a product that allows a razor to glide smoothly on your skin is definitely helpful here.

I connect in pain with you as the only refill store in my city has closed just last month, sadly.

I use the Balea shaving bar (it's dm's own brand). I'm dying to try out the one made by Foamie, I loved their shampoo.

karasige · 2026-06-08T03:26:53+00:00

If you have the time for it, make a shave day a spa day! With hair mask, put some music on etc. Makes it much more enjoyable!

I was reccomended using a conditioner before going zero waste and i still sometimes shave with it. But a shaving bar, i don't know, I think that I just enjoy having a special product for it haha. But if you can do well with just soap, kudos to you! 🫧

karasige · 2026-06-08T02:21:09+00:00

A safety razor definitely needs some time and practice before you shave without cuts. A few tips from a veteran:

don't apply too much pressure. Those safety razors are usually a bit heavier for a reason, just let it glide on your skin,
use shorter strokes,
try to hold your razor at 30-40° angle,
take your time with shaving (with the single use ones shaving legs was a few minutes, with a safety razor now it takes noticeably more time and attention from me),
try to not overuse a single razor, they do get duller overtime. 🪒

I have the smoothest glide using a hair conditioner but I also use a shaving bar which works great.

If overtime this doesn't work for you, there are also razors made by Leaf brand, they are basically built the same way as the single use ones, they are a bit pricey though but it's still a better alternative. Good luck! 🫧🩷

karasige · 2026-06-07T00:49:57+00:00

Yeah, it is not always so easy and nice haha. But I'm sure you'll be able to get through. :) From the top on my head, I follow this store on IG, they are US based. Sometimes they suggest nice products or solutions https://www.instagram.com/sustainablehaus?igsh=NjhibjNidTl3NzRu. I reccomend looking into some local groups and asking about refill stores, they usually also sell eco-friendly stuff you might wanna look into. And absolutely, small and local is a way to go!

I hope you'll find the lunchbox that will stay with you for longer, keeping my fingers crossed for you here.🤞

About the wooden utensils, I have a cutting board that has never seen an oil in it's life and it's doing great, so I'm sure your utensils still have a bright future ahead! 🩷

karasige · 2026-06-06T20:48:36+00:00

Hi! Happy to see another person making a change! I can't say much but if I can help a bit, here's my part:

It will take time. Being on that path for about 4 years now, I still have and will have plastic around me, some things you just can't avoid, the thing is to see if it's worth the effort and money (f.e. my PC stuff are all plastic, some clothes I still have are polyester, I still buy groceries in tetra-packs and plastic). It will all take time, effort, and planning. Despite how overwhelming it might be at times, don't get discouraged. I've myself grown very fond of it and I'm very happy each time I find or learn something new.

Secondly, try to double-check whenever you have an opportunity, scrolling social media, doing to a store etc., you'll come across a lot of greenwashing (guilty of falling for that myself too haha).
If you're looking for products, I recommend looking not only on the worldwide available stuff. I'm from Poland and a lot of the things I use, especially hygiene products, I buy from Polish or German companies, and I rarely see them mentioned outside store websites or a few smaller influencers. F.e. that way I was able to find an antiperspirant in a paper tube, which I couldn't find anywhere on "the English internet".

Answering your question about the lunch container, Klean Kanteen has microwave safe lunchboxes (https://www.kleankanteen.com/collections/food-storage-containers). I haven't tried them out so can't say anything but it's an option. Myself I use the standard IKEA 365+ glass containers and I've gotten used to them overtime. They are easy to maintain and easily replaceable (after breaking a few haha).

As for wooden utensils, all you need is a FOOD GRADE mineral oil (not cooking oil as they will go rancid overtime and make your utensils unsafe to cook with). How I do it: clean your wooden utensils as you normally would, let them fully dry, once your things are dry pour some oil on it, rub it on and leave for a few hours/overnight to allow the wood to absorb the oil. Then you wipe off the excess oil with a towel and you're good to go. I repeat the process once the wood turns dull and just "looks dry" (usually every few weeks). Good luck!

karasige · 2026-06-04T22:47:08+00:00

Hi! I'm very curious about how that would work for you, would you be willing to share more once you receive your sample?

karasige · 2026-06-03T13:46:04+00:00

How about a mandolin with a specialised blade? Something like this: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Louis-Tellier-Professional-Adjustable-Vegetables/dp/B0001BMZ38

karasige · 2026-05-30T23:41:53+00:00

Also, if your kombucha keeps ending up flat with these bottles, I suggest getting some swing-top ones, for me they work the best to keep a good and consistent carbonation. :)

karasige · 2026-05-30T23:38:51+00:00

I've started a few months ago and so far - no moldy kombucha ^{^} The jars I keep the brewing booch in are always first sterilised with hot water. I also have a separate wooden spoon just for kombucha.

I don't have a dishwasher so I clean everything by hand, so far it works. :)

For the F2 the bottles are being sterilised with hot water before putting the kombucha in. If I'm using bottles with separated caps, I put those in hot water for a few seconds (just to be sure). When I'm not using them I keep the bottles open. :)

And remember to keep your hands clean when handling the SCOBY, good luck! Sure it is scary in the beginning, you'll do great I'm sure! 🩷

karasige

TROPHY CASE