This year has been a year of analyzing my life and figuring out which direction to go. As I’ve been regularly reflecting, I have also been looking at my spending. Spending financially but also how I create easily avoidable waste. For instance, I noticed I create waste by:
- Eating out too often and having leftovers (containers, to-go packaging, silverware etc…)
- I use too much plastic for vegetables
- Food waste (not eating the food fast enough and letting it spoil)
- Water waste (dishes, cleaning veggies, showers etc…)
Once I started to really look at things that could improve, it was hard not to be noticed as I’m doing my daily tasks. For leftovers, my idea is to bring my own container and also eat out less often. Boyfriend is completely on board with his. Haven’t yet implemented.
Plastic for vegetables, I completely avoid all together. I’m going to rinse/clean the vegetables when I get home anyways, why waste plastic? I did get one of those reusable cloth bags as a gift but I haven’t used it. I already have to remember to bring my reusable grocery bags inside the store so not using the plastic helped a lot. I also try to avoid pre-plastic contained vegetables as well. If you are interested in the reusable produce bags, you can purchase the same one by clicking the photo below
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Simple-Ecology-Organic-Cotton-Mesh-Produce-Bag”]
Food Waste is difficult because sometimes we just eat what we feel and vice versa. However, in an effort to reduce waste (food & financially) I have resorted to keeping my fridge stocked low so it is easier to see what needs to be eaten.
My idea for water waste may be a little too much work if you live in a home. However, I live in a one bedroom apartment and I grow my own organic plants (some edible & some not so much) so I can easily reuse some of the water that would be otherwise wasted while I wait for the water to warm up. I know I live in SoCal and it is hot here most of the time but I just can’t get myself to take a cold shower.
I already had a plastic tub so I place that under the water and as soon as the water is warm, I place the tub on the toilet seat and hop in for the shower. After the shower, I take the water outside and dump it inside my 5 gallon bucket. You can easily purchase a 5 gallon eco bucket (what I should have bought) by clicking on the photo below
[xyz-ihs snippet=”5-Gallon-Eco-Bucket”]
For a better picture of how my method goes, see below. Also note, the bucket doesn’t technically need a lid or cover I believe, but that tub just happens to fit perfectly so it has become the place for it.
Happy saving!
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