Yesterday was my 1st trip to our local zero-waste store. I love the minty handsoap I bought & it's a cool store. But I spent triple what I normally would per ounce on deodorant & shampoo.
Being eco-conscious is something we value. We drive a Volt (electric hybrid from Chevy that we highly recommend) and we have solar panels on our home.
But, let's be real...many people are not so motivated to reduce waste that they're going to shop on the opposite side of town to spend $9 on a small package-less deodorant bar. So if you are wanting to cut household waste without wasting money here are Five Fabulous & Fugal ways to start...
1) Buy more fresh produce. Fresh produce is healthier and often less expensive than processed foods. Also, when you eat a banana, watermelon, or cucumber, the only waste you have can be tossed in compost. If you don't have a community compost service or a compost bin, it's ok to bury your compost in a corner of a flower bed or garden spot. This is called "trench composting" and its the simplest way to compost!
2) DIY cleaning cloths. You can buy re-usable fabric "paper towels" but, who of us doesn't have a cotton t-shirt we got from an event that we never wear or other clothes our kids have outgrown that are not in shape for donation? One pair of scissors and 5 minutes later, we have absorbent cloths perfect for cleaning up spills. (If you have zig-zag "pinking shears" you won't have too much fraying when you wash them.)
3) Washable pads. These are not only soooo much more comfortable than traditionally feminine pads (no sticky parts that stick to what they aren't meant to stick to) but a pack of them costs approximately the same amount as disposable. Except that these cloth ones last for years, not just a few months worth of cycles. You can also buy silicone menstrual cups in lieu of tampons. Great investment!
4) Bribe with ice cream instead of toys. One of my favorite things to buy from drive thrus are ice cream cones. The only waste is a tiny paper wrapper. They're so much better than buying a kid a toy as a bribe that I just have to declutter later. Need to keep your kids or grandkids happy in the car? Need an incentive to get them to smile for a family photo? Promise them an ice cream cone on the way home!
5) Decorate with nature. I love decorating my porch and home, but I don't buy a lot of fake décor that will become dated when trends change. For fall, I pick up some pinecones while on a walk and display them in pots. For winter, I use cut evergreen foliage from bushes that needed trimming anyway. For spring and summer, I plant flowers. I keep it simple and try to show of the natural beauty of different seasons. Those items are often free, timeless, and abundant!
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