Dear Eco-Monkey >> Do you have any tips on Zero Waste — baby edition? I am feeling overwhelmed by all the stuff that I’m supposed to be getting for my baby, and the cost!

Thanks, A soon-to-be-mom

Dear Soon-to-Be-Mom >> Congrats on the tiny human on the way! It’s not surprising you’re overwhelmed. America’s baby industry is big business, racking up more than $600 billion a year. Unfortunately, a lot of those products are single-use items that create long-lasting waste.

Take diapers, for example: according to the EPA, about 55 million disposable diapers are tossed every day in the U.S. alone. Those plastic-and-wood-pulp bundles don’t break down easily and can stick around for hundreds of years, which means your little one’s diapers might outlast their great-great-great-grandkids.

And it’s not just diapers. Fast-fashion clothes, plastic-wrapped snacks, and “must-have” gadgets all add up. But don’t worry — you can welcome your new arrival without leaving a trail of trash. Here are a few tips:

Start small. Hold off on buying all the gear until you know what you actually need. Focus on essentials like diapers, clothes, and a car seat. Once your baby arrives, you’ll quickly learn what’s useful — and what’s just marketing hype.

Secondhand is second to none! Babies grow fast, which means there’s a huge supply of nearly-new stuff out there. Check secondhand shops, online marketplaces, and Buy Nothing groups. Let your community know you’re looking — people love to unload baby gear. One post to an online parent group and you can be swimming in swaddles.

Give cloth diapers a chance. Today’s reusable diaper systems are way more user-friendly than what your grandma dealt with. Waterproof wraps stay on all day while you swap out the inner liners. Once you find your laundry rhythm, they can actually be easier to manage than disposables — and a lot more affordable over time.

Skip the gadgets. Bottle warmers, wipe warmers, smart bassinets — essential tools or dust collectors? Ask your parent-friends what they actually used, and if you do want a gadget, get it secondhand. Most have barely been used before baby outgrows them.

These Zero Waste strategies can help you save up for eco-safer essentials like natural fiber mattresses and strollers, or car seats without flame retardants. (Look for models that use wool or tightly-woven polyester instead — both meet fire safety standards without added chemicals.)

Zero Waste can go hand-in-hand with parenting. With a little intention and some secondhand onesies, you’ve got this.

— Eco-Monkey

Got Zero Waste questions? We have answers! Contact recycle@ecocycle.org or call Eco-Cycle at 303-444-6634.