CANTON, Ohio — Like many people, Teresa Mazey and her family used to use a lot of disposable paper and plastic products and products that she says are full of toxins.

”We used paper plates and plastic water bottles and the whole nine yards. I had a really tiny house when they were little. And then, my mother-in-law's sister told me she made her own laundry detergent which just floored me,” said Mazey.

What You Need To Know

  • A Canton woman turned her sustainable lifestyle into a business, making it more accessible to her community

  • She started selling her sustainable products at local markets and eventually opened a storefront called "Empty Bin Zero Waste" in Canton

  • She says she's working to educate people on sustainability and the misconceptions around it

She started small, making her own cleaning products, which developed into a more sustainable lifestyle.

"So, it kind of just morphed organically into starting zero waste. I started buying products and like switching things out. And then I realized I didn't like how they were made. So then that turned into me sewing and teaching myself how to sew and then making stuff as well,” said Mazey.

Mazey started selling her products at local markets and when she had the opportunity, she opened Empty Bin Zero Waste in Canton to make sustainable items more accessible to her community.

“I buy organic materials pre shrink them and then sew stuff. So we have things like reusable sandwich bags with a waterproof interior. With me purchasing my first items online, and then not liking them. I love the idea that people can come in see everything touch everything and then talk to me.”

In addition to products she makes, she carries items from other companies and bulk materials for people to make their own products.

She's working to educate people on sustainability and the misconceptions around it.

“I think the biggest thing, and I shouldn't say this owning a store, you don't need to spend money if first know what you use. If you don't use straws on a daily basis, once a week, don't buy straws. If you have old clothes or t-shirts at home, don't buy paper towels or hankies — like cut up your old clothes, start using those,” said Mazey.  “I have grandchildren, and I just felt really bad about, I know it sounds cheesy, but about what we were leaving for them to clean up. I think with the fires and everything now, it's just kind of in our face that we really need to make a change.”

For those who don't know where to start, Mazey says make one small change — a reusable water bottle and coffee cup can make a big difference.