At times, it seems like we’re living in a disposable society, the impact of which we are slowly starting to realize. It’s not easy to create a zero-waste household, but we can make a few simple swaps to our routines and way of thinking. Every little bit helps the environment, and we can all do our part.
Wrap it with Beeswax
It’s all too easy to reach for the cling wrap for just about everything from last night’s leftovers to today’s sandwich, but with a bit of time and not a lot of effort, you can create a reusable replacement. Beeswax wraps are easily made with cotton fabric cut to the sizes you want (try large and small for different purposes!) and melted beeswax brushed onto the fabric. Searching “beeswax wraps” will bring up plenty of DIY instructions.
Carry Fruits and Veggies in Style
Single-use plastics have certainly gotten out of hand, especially at the grocery store. While wrapping your meat in plastic to prevent contamination is a good idea, your apples and bananas could travel in a reusable pouch you make yourself. You could hand sew a simple bag, or knit or crochet one. There are free patterns on the internet, so choose your favorite and get crafty.
Make Your Own Plant Fertilizer
While tending your plants, you can have a green thumb and be eco-friendly by making fertilizer out of household waste. Things like crushed eggshells scattered around your plants, banana peels soaked in water, and coffee grounds have benefits. You can even use aquarium water from a recent tank cleaning.
Reduce Clothing Waste with a Rag Rug
Sometimes, your favorite t-shirt gets a stain, or a set of bed sheets gets threadbare. We’ll set those items aside for “just in case” but often throw them away after time has passed. Why not pull out all of those random items of clothing and house linens and make a rag rug? Rag rugs were a staple in homes of the past because they were a way to add warmth and color while ensuring nothing went to waste.
Try “Paper” Towels
Paper towels are useful in and out of the home but are incredibly wasteful. Many have turned to making their own reusable “paper” towels to reduce these single-use resources. Choose absorbable fabric, either purchased or from your scraps, and cut it to size. You might never look back.
Cleaners from the Cupboard
Did you know you may have powerful cleaning ingredients right in your pantry at home? It’s true. Baking soda can remove stains, degrease, and deodorize. Vinegar has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects due to its acetic acid content. Adding lemon or orange peels to vinegar extracts oils that are also beneficial for cleaning.
Party with Nature
We love to celebrate, and often, celebrations include decorations. Why not look towards natural (and free) resources when planning your next gathering? Pine cones, tree branches, and wildflowers make great additions, and you can even make confetti by hole-punching colorful leaves! Just be sure to remove any unwanted bug friends and ensure none of your guests have allergies to the items you’ll be using.
Think Outside the Box
Many food items we purchase come in glass jars. Instead of throwing them away, wash them and store them because they can be reused in many creative ways. Jars make great smoothie cups or flower vases and can be used in the bathroom as storage or even as a way to package a gift to a loved one.
DIY Face Scrubby
One place to reduce single-use items is in the bathroom. Many beauty and skincare products require cotton balls or pads, and using them daily adds up. You can make your own scrubby with cotton flannel fabric cut into rounds or by crocheting them with organic cotton. You’ll get great results and feel good about helping the planet.
Don’t Kick the Can
Similar to saving jars, tin cans have plenty of uses. They make great pots for plant propagation, pen or pencil storage, candle holders, and bird feeders. Clean them with hot, soapy water, remove labels and leftover glue, and sand down sharp edges. Decorating them with paint is a fun activity for kids as well.
Upcycle Your Clothes
You can do so many fun things with your gently used clothes that need new life. Tops and dresses can be enhanced with embroidery. Dresses can be cut into skirts, and old flannels can be made into quilt tops. Even an old sweater can find new life as a pillow cover. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
Composting Is Easy and Beneficial
Do you like the idea of composting but just don’t know where to start? There are many ways to compost, the simplest being to dig a hole in the ground, fill it with organic waste, and cover it with dirt. Not only will this be odorless, but it will also benefit the root systems around it. Eventually, you may want to upgrade to using bins and worms; plenty of online resources are available to get you started.
Help the Little Guys
You don’t need a fancy feeder to help your friendly neighborhood birds. Items from your house can be used to give them a meal. Bird feeders can be made from empty water bottles and milk jugs. They can also be made from an empty toilet paper roll spread with peanut butter and rolled in birdseed. This is also a fun activity for the kids!
Eco-Friendly Fire Starter
The trash around your home can be used to start fires while camping or as part of an emergency kit. One way is to take lint from your dryer and fill a toilet paper tube. You can also do something similar with a cardboard egg carton. An old cotton shoelace completely dipped in wax is also a good option.
Dryer Balls
You can make dryer balls with a simple skein of 100% wool yarn purchased at any craft store. Start by rolling the yarn around your fingers to create a ball, wrapping the yarn in different directions to form a (somewhat) perfect sphere. When it reaches the size of a baseball, you can stop. Tuck the yarn end in, place the ball in a sock, then wash and dry on the hottest setting.
