7 Things to Stop Buying to Reduce Waste and Save Money

These days, more and more people are becoming mindful of their impact on the environment, and they’re looking for ways to reduce waste and save money.

Understandably, they want to find more sustainable options to preserve the planet for the future, and this is a hopeful trend in the right direction!

Being more sustainable isn’t always easy, especially in the beginning, but it’s definitely worth it. 

Here are some benefits of using more sustainable options.

It’s kinder on the planet.

No one likes seeing garbage and litter on streets, beaches, and other public places, and being more mindful of our everyday choices directly impacts how our environment is for everyone.

Remember: The choices you make can influence other people, which creates a ripple effect. 

You’ll be spending less money on mindless, unnecessary things.

Though reusable items may cost a little more upfront, you’ll save money in the long run.

For example, instead of buying a plastic or styrofoam coffee cup every day, which leads to a lot of waste, you could buy a reusable cup that you could use for years.

Even if it costs a lot more than one disposable cup, you’ll end up saving money in the long run!

Here are some more examples of things you can replace to be more sustainable:

1. Replace paper towels with washable rags.

This is an easy substitution that anyone can do. Paper towels are wasteful because you can only use them once, and they’re often full of toxic chemicals and not particularly absorbent.

Plus, they end up costing quite a bit of money if you use them often.

On the other hand, washable rags are much more sustainable. Not only that, but if you have an old towel to cut up, they can also be much more cost-effective!

2. Think about trying menstrual cups or reusable pads instead of single-use menstrual pads.

As those of us who menstruate know, using disposable pads or tampons is extremely wasteful.

The good news? It’s completely avoidable!

Replacing typical pads or tampons with menstrual cups or washable pads can significantly reduce waste. Plus, it can also save a ton of money over time.

3. Get rid of plastic straws and use metal ones.

Straws aren’t absolutely essential in the first place. But if you want to keep using them while being more sustainable, a great option is metal straws, which you can use for years and years and just throw in the dishwasher after use. 

4. Use fabric washcloths instead of single-use wipes.

Facial wipes are one of those things that can be easily replaced with washcloths and last for years and years to reduce waste.

Washcloths are great because you can use them to clean your face and remove makeup too – no separate product required!

5. Invest in stainless steel razors instead of plastic ones.

Stainless steel razors are great. They can last a really long time, and all you have to replace is the blade.

They may cost more upfront, but the money you could save over time is considerable. 

6. Buy loofahs to use instead of dish sponges.

Typical sponges are problematic because they can’t be recycled and are full of chemicals.

Loofahs, on the other hand, are much better because they come from a plant and can be composted!

7. Use shampoo and conditioner bars instead of buying them in bottles.

All those bottles of shampoo add up and create a lot of waste.

One easy way to avoid this is to use natural shampoo and conditioner bars that come packaged in paper or something more sustainable than plastic.

Believe it or not, even small bars can last for months, and they’re often much better for your hair than typical shampoos and conditioners.

Final thoughts

If you want to do better for the planet and your wallet, a few simple changes can make a big difference. Start small so you don’t get overwhelmed!

You might be shocked by how much waste you can reduce when you switch to items that are meant to be used multiple times.

Think about it: You could use a metal straw for years and years instead of using a plastic one and then throwing it away after just one use.

That might not seem like a big impact, but remember: Little changes repeated over and over can make a big difference over time. 

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