Low waste living while supporting your local economy CAN happen and can easily be incorporated into your daily life.
What is Low Waste Living?
In simple terms, less waste in our daily life. It is a more sustainable approach to everyday choices focusing on minimizing waste, using what we have by reusing it, and only buying and using what we need. Conscious choices to limit waste means we all get to have a more beautiful world to live in and precious resources can be saved.
Is it expensive to live Low Waste?
Nope! If we consume less, buy long lasting items, and reuse and repair our items, the cost to our bank accounts goes down and so does the cost to the planet.
We aren’t encouraging you to go buy a new set of to-go bamboo cutlery when you can wrap up the cutlery you have at home in a reusable cloth napkin. BUT, if having that cute new set of to-go bamboo cutlery means you will take it with you and use it instead of plastic cutlery and paper napkins, then yes, please make that purchase…one time, and make sure to use it. It is an investment in all of our futures.
Always choose to use what you already have first. It will cost less and prevent less waste on so many levels!
Tips for Low Waste Living on a Budget:
Ask yourself if you really need those new jeans or if it is a want. If it is a want, try thrifting them secondhand first to see if you can find that perfect pair. If not, buy well made jeans. It will cost a little more upfront but if you can wear them for years to come, then it will eventually cost less.
Disposable items can often cost more. Take dryer sheets as an example. They cost X amount of dollars, are disposable, are harmful to your dryer and your lungs, and contain plastic. Oh and you have to go and buy them every so many months and take out more trash. If you replace them with dryer balls, 3 for $18, you use these for 1,000+ loads, they decrease your drying time saving you energy, have no chemicals, and are fully home compostable at the end of their life. Which is the better deal? Dryer balls for sure!
Not paper towels are a fantastic idea! We have some cute ones in the store that are locally sewn (supporting our local economy) and are reusable. An even better alternative is to cut up old flannel sheets or t-shirts you already have and use those around the house. Zero money spent, less trash in the waste stream, and your favorite t-shirt gets to live on a little longer in your home!
Gifting Not Paper Towels are a great way to support the local economy and nudge your family or friends into reusing instead of tossing 13 billions pounds of paper towels every year.
Make foaming hand soap from castile soap and save money! Refill that Dr. B bottle with us and give it a few more lives. In an 8 oz container, measure 2 ounces castile soap and 6 ounces water, give it a good shake and start washing your hands. You just refilled your foaming hand soap dispenser that you already had, refilled your Dr. B bottle, and for just $1.28 you have a full bottle of foaming soap! I’d say that’s a pretty good way to reduce waste while saving money.
Love the disposable wet wipes? Swap those out for reusable cloths in a homemade solution with all purpose spray and water in a mason jar or whatever jar you already have. Easy peasy! When you’re done using them, just toss them in the laundry with your other items and repeat the process.
Attend a repair fair! Sonoma County is lucky to have Reuse Alliance putting these on around the county. Repair and reuse is a huge savings! Fixing instead of buying new is a great way to keep a ton of waste out of the landfills.
How can I support my local economy?
We’ve all been taught to buy new to support our local economy. This can be good if you are buying something you need, something that is quality, and something from a small local business.
Don’t think you can afford to do this? Let’s step away from fast fashion for clothing and home goods for a bit. It’s OK to repeat outfits. Buy a couple of nice quality staples that can match up with your amazing thrifted finds. It’s also OK to swap out your linens or décor with the seasons but keep what you have and save it for next year to use again. Hopefully you purchased them locally and supported a small business if you can.
Our local economy also runs on secondhand stores. Choose secondhand when you can!
Attending a local clothing swap is also a great way to freshen up your wardrobe. Stop and treat yourself to a cup of coffee at the local coffeeshop to help support them with the money you saved swapping clothes.
The more we can create a community around being more aware of our purchases, using what we already have to save money and reduce waste, and support local, the stronger our community will be!
Remember, low waste living can be less expensive all while supporting the local economy with not a ton of extra effort!
