How many disposables can you live without?

Jennifer Chait — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:20:52 +0000

Disposable resources are not eco-friendly. Every item you use once or twice then toss is basically resources down the drain in terms of materials used and energy wasted both in manufacturing and transport. Luckily, there are currently tons of reusable options available that take the place of conventional disposables. Below are some traditional disposables and some alternatives you could be using instead. Even if you just choose a few disposables to give up, it’ll still make a positive eco-impact.

Snack baggies from Plum Creek Mercantile

Instead of plastic baggies use cloth snack bags.
Instead of paper coffee filters use a reusable coffee filter.
Instead of store plastic produce bags use cloth produce bags.
Instead of plastic water bottles invest in a reusable water bottle.
Instead of hose water try rain barrel water for washing your car and watering the garden.
Instead of foil save leftovers in a food container, cover your pot with a lid, and line your cookie sheet with a silicone sheet.
Instead of paper towels clean with old dust rags or recycled newspaper (for cleaning windows).
Instead of baby wipes use washcloths dipped in water.
Instead of ice pops from the store choose reusable ice pop molds and make homemade ice pops.
Instead of disposable menstrual pads choose cloth Moonpads Reusable Menstrual Pads.
Instead of paper napkins use cloth napkins.
Instead of one-time-use batteries use rechargeable batteries.
Instead of disposable razors choose an electric razor.
Instead of hand soap in a plastic bottle get a refillable liquid hand soap pump.
Instead of disposable diapers try reusable cloth diapers.
Instead subscribing to print editions of a newspaper or magazine try reading it online.
Instead of new bottles of shampoo, get a refillable bottle and buy shampoo in bulk at the co-op.

How many disposables are you currently living without, or how many do you think you can give up?