Earth Day is an excellent time of year to consider the volume of products you consume that end up in a land fill. Really, you can consider it anytime. Even if you aren’t Earth conscious, consider the amount of money you could SAVE on reusable products. Here are 10 ways you can go green.
1. Paper Towels
Consider using non-paper towels. We’ve had a pile of wash cloths stacked up in a basket in our kitchen for the past eight years. The kids have never known anything different. After they wash their hands, they grab a towel and toss it into a “dirty” basket. We then dump the basket into the wash.
2. Napkins
Use a stack of pretty wash cloths, or make your own.
3. Cloth Diapers
Even if you used one cloth diaper a day, that would save 365 disposable diapers from hitting the landfill. Disposable diapers take about 500 years to decompose!
4. Line Dry
Yes, you can line dry indoors too. String some lines up or create a drying rack station in an unused bedroom. You’ll lower your electric bill, while also saving the Earth.
5. Pay Bills Online
Save a stamp, and ditch the paper. Electronic bill pay has never been easier. I use an app from my bank to schedule all my payments.
6. Water Bottles
There is an enormous amount of options in regards to reusable water bottles. Get on it!
7. Stainless Steel Straws
These straws are incredible. Dishwasher safe, and easy to use.
8. Thrift Stores
You’d be amazed at the quality of clothes, furniture, toys and dishes that you can find at your local thrift stores. I bought our dining room table at a Goodwill for $50.00 and couldn’t love it more. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
9. Reusable Shopping Bags
When you head to the grocery store bring your bags with you. Almost every store sells reusable shopping bags now. In some cases you can get them for free with a donation to a charity. These bags hold more and are sturdier than the traditional plastic bags anyway. The trick is to store them in your car, so you never forget them.
10. Diva Cup or Reusable Mama Cloth
Ladies… Skip the disposable forms of menstrual pads. The reusable cloth pads you can buy are incredible. They’re really easy to wash. Trust me. The amount of money you can save by going this route is staggering. Learn how to wash them in my video tutorial here.
That should get your started on your path to going green (and saving some money in your budget). Reusable products rock!
