Well, I can say, this is gonna be a long post, but one I think you’ll love. It’s all about sustainability and being more conservative.

I can’t be called a Zero Waster, and I don’t collect my trash in one mason jar, I do however make mindful sustainable choices everyday. I am not perfect and don’t seek perfection in this, but I do believe doing a little bit and striving to do a little bit more, not only helps our environment but also our pocketbooks. My granny practiced sustainability before sustainability was a thing. She grew up using rags instead of paper towels because that’s all there was or all they could afford. She taught me from a little girl up, how to do all kinds of homemaker things, and now I don’t do all these things not because I have to necessarily, but because I love doing it. I love all things homemade, natural, but I also am a product consumer as well. I like to think of it as being very balanced: some homemade, some bought.

I thought I would share some quick and simple ways to be a little more sustainble/green for our own health and planet earth, to save a little money, and because it really is enjoyable.

1. Use rags instead of papertowels. I have a ton of rags I have collected over the years. Old socks cut on one side, old tees, sack flour rags, and some micro-fiber cloths I bought. (I know, there is a little controversy about micro-fiber cloths, but just starting on being conservative is the goal here). I keep a basket of certain cloths, instead of papertowels, that I use to dry my hands after I wash my hands at the sink. I have a rag drawer in my laundry room that I keep only cleaning rags in. There are all kinds of different rags and sizes to choose from depending on the task needing done. I always send my husband to that drawer when he needs a rag to clean up something he is working on.

A little tip I have been doing since switching to mostly rags, is I keep a basket or large container on the counter in the laundry room that I put used rags in. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t like washing these with all my clothes. I like to wash them with rugs, etc. My theory is the I don’t want the chemicals or dirt in with my good clothes. I also will wash rags in Hot Hot water.

Try switching to using rags instead of towels in just one area of your home to start. Then you can expand where you use them a little over time. This will keep you from quitting because you went over-board. Actually, you can take that advice for all the ideas I am sharing in this post.

2. Start using silicone straws or stainless steel straws instead of plastic ones. Ok, so I know we have all seen the animals in the ocean that had straws or plastic grown into their bodies or found in their stomachs. That is bad, but also, think about how much trash each household produces every week, every month, every year. Sounds like a lot, and it is. When it comes to straws, sometimes there is no other option. But silicone straws are a little bigger and I actually like them way more. They are perfect for drinking all my smoothies with. Stainless steel straws are another option, and I do have one stainless steel straw, but I just can’t jump on that band wagon yet. I really prefer the silicone. Everyday my silicone straw goes into my lunch box with my leftovers, to take to work with me. The silicone straws usually come in a pack of 2 or 3 and they also have a really cool straw brush that comes with them. I love these brushes. So worth the spend.

3. Keurig coffee machines were a hit from the start especially in my house. We are on our 3rd one. Well, we’ve had 2 actual Keurig, and the one we have now is made by Instant Pot brand. (Works the same, but love them both). A few years after Keurig coffee pods came out, they finally came out with reusable coffee pods. I bought 5 at one time, so I would always have one clean to use. My reusable coffee pods have been a staple in my coffee drinking habit for years now. My husband still uses the throw away coffee pods, but that’s ok. He says he only uses one per day, and that’s pretty good. I feel like I am doing my part by using the refillable pods. I buy good coffee and use it in my pods.

4. My lazy susan is full of different sizes of mason jars to use for leftovers, smoothies, homemade dressings, and even freezing things in. Drinking water from a mason jar is also quite pleasing. I take almond milk in a mason jar, with me to work for homemade Matcha lattes. Mason jars are one of those staple items that are very versatile and glass is the healthiest container there is. So, the next time you get some spaghetti sauce in a glass jar, don’t toss it in the trash, recycle it or reuse it.

5. While ziploc bags are very handy for freezing meats in, and putting chips, crackers, etc in, they can easily be replaced with small to large containers. I have not completely eliminated ziploc bags from my home, but I never use them for my lunches. I use containers and so does my husband. Saves money, saves the planet. However, I always use freezer bags for meats I’m gonna freeze. You can definately use containers for meat, but I just don’t, mainly because of space. Containers do take up more room in a freezer than flattened ziploc bags of meat.

6. Speaking of the freezer, we are trying to “eat down the freezer” and “eat down the pantry”. Simply meaning using what we have instead of buying more. We are doing pretty good. I used to be one of those people that if a recipe called for it, I couldn’t make the recipe unless I had that ingredient. Now, I substitute, experiment, and try different things. It really seems like my meals are actually better now. They are definately more creative and useful. Using up what we have rather than buying one item for one recipe. All in all, this little tip helps to save money and waste less food. Grant it, some of your concoctions will be a flop. You just pick up and try again.

7. Don’t buy or simply use less individual pre-packaged foods. This makes me think of those pudding cups you send to school with your kids. It would be so much cheaper to make a box of pudding and divide out into little containers. But when it comes to time, the pre-packaged is easier, and that is okay. Don’t beat yourself up over the little things. If you can reduce the amount of pre-packaged foods for your household, you can bet you will be healthier and the planet will be healthier.

8. Last, but not least, my final tip is to shop secondhand and thrift. I love thrift store shopping. I buy books, shoes, clothes, decor, vintage items, etc at thrift stores. My mom and I are the thrifting queens when it comes to finding really quality items for little to nothing. We love it. Before you judge, we clean everything, and you should too. I have a shopping habit, but it’s not an expensive one!

Something else I do, is to read about sustainability, gardening, cooking, and decorating/DIYing. These type of books are my favorite non-fiction books. As someone who is always on the lookout for new tips, what are your sustainable tips or ideas?

Libby