Easy ways to reduce waste
Over the past few years, I’ve worked towards reducing waste where possible. I feel like I can always be doing to be more and I intend too. It’s a continuous journey of battling my laziness and doing what I feel is right.
Here is a list of things I started to do and swap out to reduce waste. This isn’t for everyone, as it can be expensive upfront or not available in your area. If you can do any of the following, you are already helping.
Stainless steel water bottle - Every second 1,500 plastic bottles are thrown away in America. Less help reduce that by reusing the bottles you have or pick up a stainless steel bottle.
Reusable coffee cups - As a daily coffee snob drinker, I use to purchase a coffee every day without a reusable cup. Now I have a coffee machine at home which saves me money, and reusable coffee cups that reduce waste.
Support these Aussies by grabbing a Keep Cup. I have two Keep Cups - 16 oz and a 12 oz. 16 oz is definitely for the Mondays!Metal straws and cutlery - Since plastic straws are now banned in Washington State, I carry metal straws in my backpack, 1 standard straw, and 1 boba/bubble tea straw cause you know, I’m Asian. Alternatively, for parties you can use biodegradable cane straws from YesStraws, that they kindly sent to their product to try.
For cutlery, I found a set on Monbento, which happens to be TSA/plane friendly. So you can refuse plastic cutlery when you are traveling.
Bamboo toothbrushes - Just knowing the 100+ plastic toothbrushes I used throughout my life is still somewhere on this Earth - makes me feel so guilty. Swap out plastic for bamboo and it’s another quick win!
Tote bags - Another thing that’s light and you can carry in your bag. For those random grocery runs or if you can just don’t accept bags.
Compostable bags - If you have already had a compost bin then most likely you are using compost bags. Get your hands on large compost trash bags for your general rubbish.
Period underwear - I wish I knew about this earlier or have learned about the menstrual cup at a younger age. Period underwear is so much easier to adjust to and I grabbed a bunch at Thinx.
As for the menstrual cup, I gave it a go and found it uncomfortable during the removal process. When I wrap my head around it again or find a technique and time of day that makes it easier, I will give it another attempt. I would absolutely love to save money every month on this.Shampoo bottles - I buy the biggest bottle, so I don’t buy small plastic versions. I’ve also switched to organic brands like Avalon Organics or Maui and purchased the largest bottles on Amazon. Alternatively, Lush is another good substitute with their shampoo bars (no bottles at all). Of course, each to their own and whatever works for your hair.
Silicone stretch lids and baking sheet - I can’t even remember the last time I purchased glad wrap and baking paper. Easy to clean and without the guilt of creating and throwing rubbish.
Compostable cloths and sponges - Not all stores sell these types of products but the best I could find was a small range at Target or do a long search on Amazon, or consider a loofah plant sponge.
Micro cloths - Purchase a bulk of micro cloths to replace to paper towels. As you use them, throw it into the laundry basket to be washed.
Reusable razor - Make the switch from disposable to reusable razor, the only thing you need to the replace is the blade.
Cotton make up removers/pads - How many make up wipes have you thrown out? All you need is water to wet the pad and wipe off your make up. After, throw it in your laundry basket.
Bamboo cotton buds - Less of an environmental impact - 100% biodegradable.
Brushes - Another easy switch, next time when your hairbrush breaks, consider switching a bamboo or wood hair brushes.
Glass over plastic - When buying groceries, trying to look for things in glass jars instead of plastic bottles. Products like honey and jams etc.
Reduce eating meat to reduce the carbon footprint - Each day I give up meat for a minimum of 1 meal. The easiest one for me is breakfast, I usually just have a coffee and if I’m super hungry, I’ll grab a banana or bagel. That already makes 7/21 meals per week vegetarian.
Bulk cooking - If you bulk cook at home, you are already saving energy and not using take out containers.
Take out - If you plan to get take out and you are just bringing it home, consider giving back the napkins and plastic cutlery or bringing your own container. Otherwise, you’ll end up with that miscellaneous drawer filled with spare plastic cutlery. Or is that just me?
Try not to waste food - Wasting food contributes to 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. This is a really hard one for me because I sometimes buy ingredients for cooking but I don’t get around to using it all. I’ll let you know once I figured out a solution to this one.
