5 Ways to Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle in Your Own Household

In a society filled with constant overconsumption, we are faced with overflowing landfills, damaged natural resources, and a constant waste of energy. And while no one would like to admit that their own household bad habits are contributing to the problem, we must be all on board for developing solutions. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to reduce, recuse, and recycle in your own household that you may have never even thought of - and the good news is, they’re super easy! In this article, we give you 5 simple ways to practice the three R’s in your household daily routine, so you can immediately cut down on the amount of waste that you throw away.

Use dishcloths instead of using paper towels

Did you know that the U.S. currently uses more than 13 billion pounds of paper towels each year? This results in more than 3,000 tons of paper towel waste in the U.S. alone, which is truly frightening to think about. Don’t want to be a part of this growing statistic? You can do your part for the environment by simply making the switch from paper towels to reusable dishcloths. 

Conserve Energy Future tells us more on why you should be using dishcloths instead of paper towels:

“Paper towels cannot be reused as they may soak wet. However, dishcloths can be used over and over until it is dirty and thus requires cleaning. When it comes to paper towels, there is a lot of wastage of resources as one has to use more than one each time, which is unlike the dish towels that can be used once in every session.”

Old newspapers can be reused in several ways

Stop before you throw out that old newspaper! There are a number of ways that you can reuse old newspapers right in your own household, including saving them for packing material, drying and polishing windows after washing, and can even be used in too large shoes to make them tighter.

Switch to paperless billing

This is an incredibly easy way to make a switch that’s not only better for the environment, but is also more convenient for you! While the initial switchover might take an evening of your time, you will prevent the unnecessary waste of a physical item that you never really needed.

Today’s Parent explains why switching to paperless billing is both better for the environment and more convenient: 

“Our account statements used to pile up at the front door (along with our kids’ artwork, notes from daycare, and restaurant flyers). Spend one evening switching all of your billing to electronic. Make sure you move them to a “safe list” so they don’t get lost in a spam folder. When they come in, mark them as “important,” then uncheck them once they’re paid. Mark your calendar each month and deal with all of them at once. Clickety-click!”

Designate a kitchen drawer for plastic bags

Designating a kitchen drawer for plastic bags is a great way to ensure that you’re reusing your plastic bags. Ideally, you would never accumulate plastic bags in the first place, and would only utilize reusable bags. However, we understand that completely avoiding plastic bags is not always an option.

Talking Trash Blog tells us more on how you can ensure that you are reusing plastic bags instead of throwing them in the trash:

“Oftentimes people will use plastic shopping bags once and throw them away. Instead, designate a drawer in your kitchen where you store plastic bags so that they can be reused. That small bag that carried your milk and bread home from the grocery store can be used as a liner for the bathroom wastebasket or as a tool for cooking. Looking for a way to get your chicken or fish completely covered in that bread crumb and spice coating you just prepared?  Shake them together inside the plastic bag until every inch has been covered and presto – dinner is served!”

Donate to a charity or sell old clothes, furniture, toys, or appliances

There’s never an excuse for throwing old clothes, furniture, toys, or appliances in the trash if they’re in working order! Not only do these items end up in landfills, but they can help someone else in need. Consider donating unneeded items to a charity or selling them for a reasonable price to someone in need. 

At One World Bazaar, we highlight the beauty of handcrafted goods from around the globe, while striving to eliminate unnecessary waste, and focusing on economic sustainability for our producers. Open for seven weekends in the fall and located in an old barn that’s been converted into an international marketplace, our Bazaar is packed to the rafters with goods from all areas of the globe. Visit us to find out more!