Simple Sustainability: Ditch the disposable

by Sky Trombly –

After we’ve reduced the things we’re bringing into our lives overall, the next most important Zero Waste behavior is learning to ditch the disposable.

Buy or re-purpose items that

replace disposable counterparts:

In our consumerist world, what might first come to mind is the items we can buy to replace disposable ones:

− the travel mug that replaces the takeaway cup

− the water bottle that replaces bottled water

− a canvas tote for the plastic shopping bag

These are terrific changes and many of us can start right away with items we already have in our homes. Even buying new stuff to replace the need for reoccurring disposal is a great step in the right direction.

The following are a few less obvious switches one might choose to make:

− the safety razor for the disposable razor

− the handkerchief for tissues

− washcloths for fancy sponges/loofahs/cotton rounds in the bathroom

− rags/towels for paper towels

− cloth diapers for landfill diapers

− a stainless steel straw for the plastic one

− toothbrushes with replaceable heads

   (reduces the volume of plastic)

− cloth napkins for paper ones

− food bins with lids instead of cling wrap / plastic wrap

− cloth produce bags for the plastic ones in the grocery store’s produce section

− cloth fabric for wrapping paper

Re-purposing what you already have

We like to re-purpose food containers that we bring home from the grocery store. The old pickle jar can house left-over pizza sauce, for example. When the kids have broken too many glasses from a set, we can turn the remainder(s) into vases or toothbrush holders (We’ve actually taken to using mason jars as our water glasses so that our sets can be replenished. The glasses can be used for many other purposes as well.)

Figuring out new uses for things is an art form I am admittedly terrible at. It requires creativity and unconventional thinking and a willingness to let some things be a little less than perfect. The rewards are obvious, though. A glass pickle jar can be a safer left-over container than a plastic one. The lone drinking glass might prevent the purchase of a new toothbrush holder and keep the glass from heading to a landfill.

Consider the longevity of the item you’re bringing home

I’ve been guilty of purchasing cheap, fast fashion in the past. The design or color just calls to me and it ends up in my shopping cart on a whim. One wear later, the fabric is pilling and I’m trying to repair the lace with my limited sewing skills. Toys are another culprit: cheap plastic with bad joints that were never intended to last.

I think a lot of us are turned off when it comes to “buying quality” as we see the added cost as something we can ill afford. However, there is a trade off. There are products that only cost more because they are name brand or have luxury appeal, but often a higher price tag will just get you more. More time with the item, better performance, greater functionality, and so on. Buying two vacuum cleaners because your first, supposedly more economical decision, left you with a broken vacuum in under a year hardly saves you money.

I like to think of it as a trade off: I can buy better quality in the short term because I am also buying less over all. The better quality saves me more money in the long term.

Buy Used to Support Reuse

We can also support the reuse economy buy buying items we need second-hand. I feel positively spoiled by the local second-hand store for children’s and maternity items. Most people will have some kind of access to second-hand options; many towns have a Salvation Army or Goodwill.

For items other than clothing, there are Craigslist and Freecycle. If you’re lucky, you can score big at garage sales and consignment shops, though this can be hit or miss.

For very specific items, I enjoy ebay and Amazon.com because search tools allow you to get just what you need and you can expect your purchase in a reasonable amount of time. You can specifically shop “used” on both of these sites. The shipping waste is a bit of a turn off, but you get to decide whether the item is worth it.

Reduce, Reuse and then Repair

Keep items in use as long as you can. Treat stains, sew on new buttons, mend small tears, tighten screws and check out DIY videos, or sites such as Instructables (https://www.instructables.com/) and This to That (http://www.thistothat.com/) for home maintenance.

The more you can repair over replacing, the less often you’ll be slapping the planet with your wallet.

Benefits of Ditching the Disposable 

It may be tempting to stick with the status quo in order to embrace convenience, but ditching the disposable has its own benefits: we flex our creative muscles, save money, experience quality and protect the planet.

Sky has been something of a sustainability nerd for most of her life. Her goal is to empower herself and others to live in a way that is congruent with personal values – and intimately linked to the Earth.  You can join her in her wanderings through the quagmire of sustainable living in every issue of Owl Light News, and on her blog  – talkwalking.org