According to the EPA, the average American produces 4.4 lbs of waste daily. There is a great movement on to cut down on “one-use” plastics and other items that wind up underground for hundreds of years. While we don’t give much thanks to California for mushy paper straws that last one or two sips, there are many other ways to lighten your curbside pickup and extend the longevity of our landfills.
One thing I can certainly get behind is getting my ice cream in a cone rather than a cup. Ice cream cups, like to-go coffee cups, are coated in plastic so they are not recyclable. I’m pretty sure I’m prepared to take one for the team on that one.
In the Kitchen
Beeswax wraps are not only less annoying than plastic wrap that sticks to everything but the bowl, they can be re-used many times and thrown in the laundry. Cuts down on your one-use plastics and you can purchase them in many sizes from Amazon.
Composting may sound like a wilderness hobby, but it actually requires very little time, effort and space. Keep a small bin on your kitchen counter where you can easily dump food scraps (including fruit, vegetables, eggshells, and coffee grounds). The process upcycles leftover food and organic matter to make a dark, rich substance known as humus, which can be used as a soil conditioner.
In the Bath
Bar soap is making a comeback for many reasons. In conservation terms, bar soap—wrapped in paper—is the champ. New formulas are reportedly kinder to our skin and there are no empty plastic bottles at the end.
You can also purchase a decorative soap dispenser and buy liquid soap in bigger sizes, rather than many small containers.
Toilet paper produces tons of cardboard waste but now we have tubeless toilet paper rolls. These rolls provide everything you actually need from toilet paper while eliminating the leftovers.
If you go through a lot of tissues, consider cutting up fabric swatches and using handkerchiefs you can wash. Works for makeup, skin care and even a cold. They won’t take up too much space in your regular laundry.
National Geographic says Americans throw away one billion toothbrushes each year. Did you know we have toothbrushes made from bamboo now? Even the bristles are plant-based and completely recyclable.
Around the House
Cutting down on purchasing new items has been on the list for a long time. Not only does it help the Earth when we re-purpose old items, it helps when you avoid the boxes within boxes they are often delivered in from Internet stores. Consider local thrift stores, Freecycle.com, or swapmeets with neighbors and friends.