16 Easy Tips to Reduce Waste
Going green isn’t just about recycling – it’s also about reducing consumption, and consuming more responsibly. Here are 16 simple tips for reducing waste and keeping trash out of our environment.
Being a responsible, eco-friendly consumer means keeping an eye on what you purchase, and supporting products and companies that care for the environment. It also means taking care to reduce waste, and not throw as much stuff away. But there’s more to it than just buying products with recyclable packaging.
If you really want to produce less trash, and reduce the waste clogging up our oceans and waterways, here are some easy tips you might not have thought of trying:
1. Brush with a compostable (or recyclable) toothbrush instead of a plastic one.
Sustainable bamboo toothbrushes are popping up everywhere and the neat thing about them is that all of their components (except for the nylon bristles) can be composted. Some toothbrushes can also be recycled.
2. Shave with a reusable razor instead of a disposable one.
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3. Make DIY toiletries instead of buying ready-made products.
To avoid buying personal care products that are packaged in nonrecyclable containers, consider making your own using ingredients that you probably already have lying around in your kitchen.
4. Wash your hair with a solid shampoo bar instead of liquid shampoo.
To avoid plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles, experiment with solid shampoo bars….
5. Use a menstrual cup instead of disposable pads and tampons.
I’ve found this alternative to be incredibly affordable and comfortable, though it does take practice to learn how to insert and remove it properly. For those who don’t want to switch over to menstrual cups just yet, washable cloth pads and panty liners are also great alternatives to disposables. If you absolutely must go disposable (e.g. for travel), at least choose biodegradable options.
6. Use cloth handkerchiefs instead of disposable tissues.
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7. Pack fruits and veggies in reusable produce bags instead of plastic bags.
Instead of taking those flimsy plastic bags from grocery stores, bag your fresh produce in reusable mesh bags.
8. Buy food in bulk instead of prepackaged food.
Most grocery and health food stores have a bulk food section with spices, grains, beans, pasta, and other dry goods. To take advantage of this zero-waste option, bring a stack of small cloth bags to the store and then transfer the food to glass jars when you get home.
9. Pack snacks in reusable bags instead of plastic ones.
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10. Bring a reusable takeout container instead of accepting disposable ones.
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11. Carry a reusable coffee mug instead of using disposable cups.
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12. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
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13. Buy reusable dishcloths instead of disposable ones.
Skip buying a pack of cheap throwaway dishcloths and get creative. You can buy, knit, or crochet reusable, washable dishcloths with natural materials that will last a long time and can be composted once they’re worn out.
14. Buy (eco-friendly or concentrated) cleaning products in bulk instead of using single-use containers.
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15. Wash laundry with soap nuts instead of detergent.
Soap nuts are a super natural alternative to those clunky plastic laundry detergent bottles…. They are safe and non-toxic so you won’t be polluting the environment either.
16. Dry clothes with reusable dryer balls instead of disposable dryer sheets.
Ditch your disposable dryer sheets and toss a couple of felted wool balls into the dryer….
Read the full article at MindBodyGreen.com…
