Ask:
Hi! I posted something about this, but I think it was in the wrong place. I have recently started to really notice what I buy that I use once and throw away and then have to buy all over again. It really started with pull-ups for my toddler, but then spread to paper towels, disposable cameras, batteries, etc. I went with training underwear and plastic pants for Timmy, and it is working well, as is using washclothes to wipe up spills etc. and just washing them when I do regular laundry. Does anyone else do this? Does anyone have any other suggestions as to other things to buy once and keep using instead of throwing away? I would love to hear from some of you on this! Thanks!
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I love re-usable stuff but I'm a bit of an environmentalist so this area is really motivating to me.
I use a washable microfiber mop rather than a swiffer mop.
I use a feather duster rather than a swiffer duster.
I used cloth diapers rather than disposables (for the most part)
I used wet baby wash clothes instead of wipes.
I use the diva cup rather than tampons. (I had to switch because of a bad allergy to the bleach in the disposable kind but now I'd never go back even if I could. I this product.).
I use lunapads rather than disposable pads. (again had to start because of allergy but love the product).
I use microfiber cloths rather than paper towels (But I do use paper towels for wiping down the toilet.)
I use cloth napkins rather than paper.
I use rubbermaid re-usable drinking boxes rather than tetra pack drinking boxes.
I carry a travel mug with me for the occasional time I go out for coffee so I don't have to use a paper or styrofoam cup.
We use a re-usable coffee filter that has lasted us years so far instead of paper filters.
I carry cloth bags to the grocery store so I don't have to use the plastic bags.
I do use kleenex but have been thinking lately of switching to the good old fashioned hankie.
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Wow! You are really good! It is so great to find people who really care about the earth and are doing something about it by making changes in the way they live! I do most of the things you do, and will try to do them all. One of my favortie quotes is " No one has made a greater mistake, than choosing to do nothing, because they could only do a little." I feel that every little bit we do really DOES make a difference. You are an inspriation to me
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Sorry about the typos..I really can spell, but was typing really fast...
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I used to use cloth diapers and cloth wipes!! now we use Wash coths indtead of napkins first!! I also dont use much for Paper towels (we only use them to wipe up at or dog accidents)
I try to use things in a more envirnmentally way first!!!
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I reuse the jars and plastic containers from food to keep dinner left overs. Purchasing new ones can get expensive.
I use a heavy dishcloth to mop the floor.
I use a dish cloth for the kitchen instead of paper towels.
I use a fun dish cloth in my sons lunch box instead of paper napkins.
I use the fabric from an item that has a stain or rip(that Goodwill wouldn't want) to sew items for the house like dish towels, or little bags for my son to carry toys in.
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I have been using cloth napkins for years. I use washrags for cleaning the table, counters, floors etc. I'm trying to be more cautious of our waste and of course taking shopping out of my diet helps me to stop bringing in so much stuff!
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I have a lower drawer in my kitchen that has towels and washcloths in them. My kiddos if they spill something can reach the washcloths clean up the mess and than put it in the hamper.
I bring my own lunch to work with the utensils and bring home the containers to wash and use again.
We use regular plastic plates and utensils and such when I have playdates with the kiddos instead of paper.
I buy the big soap, dishsoap etc and refill my small containers that fit on my shelves.
Answer:
I do a lot of reusing not only because it is enviromentally sound, but also because I'm cheap. I was raised that way. My husband, not so much, but I'm rubbing off on him. His family does things like not only not recycle, but use foam or paper plates daily for every meal so they don't have to wash as many dishes. Horrible. (I figured that if they spend about $5 every two weeks, $10 a month, that's $120 a year. Then they make comments about how they don't have money for stuff. They also eat out a few times a week, too, even if it's "just" fast food. Gee, I'm not a financial expert, but...)
I don't use paper towels. Well, rarely. That's what rags are for. I moved here with some and collected more when my parents, cousin, uncle and his wife and I spent a week last September cleaning out my dad's parents' house. Some people pass down jewelry, maybe property or the family Bible moved here from the old country. I happily take home Gramma's old rags. I think she would be proud. (My grandparents are children of the Depression. A lot of what they learned/self learned she passed on to my dad, who passed it on to my mom, who passed it on to my sibs and me. I'm pregnant with my first child. When my mom asked if I am going to have a theme for the baby's room, I told her green [earth friendly] and second hand.)
Anyway...
I also reuse plastic containers. We don't even really buy sandwhich bags, either. We just collect them from other sources and wash them. My husband was the one who started washing them. His family just buys them, uses them once, and tosses them. Ick. When we did use sandwhich bags in my home growing up, for say, lunches, we had to bring them home so they could be used again.
I have a Swiffer mop and the cloths, but I rarely use the cloths. I just put a couple of old washcloths on the mop, spray them, and then the floor and go at it. Actually, the kitchen floor is small enough that I can get on my hands and knees with a rag and spray and do it that way.
Im starting to get inot the habit again of taking bags to the grocery store, as I said in the Ikea thread. Slowly but surely.
When my husband and I moved here, I found a new coffee maker amongst the kitchen stuff. We must have gotten it as a shower/wedding gift and I put it away, as I had gotten one from my MIL. (A small four cup one.) I started to use the new one, not only because it was new, but because it had the reusable coffee filter. Before I came to the new house, I got some paper ones from my MIL. They're for the 12 cup, but I could cut them down for the four cup. (I used to do that with the old coffee maker since the 12 cup filters had more in the package for less money.) I'm keeping the old coffee maker and some of the filters, in case I need more than one coffee pot, and because the other one was a shower gift from my MIL.
I also use travel mugs. I even take one to church for coffee hour. Also, at some gas stations, they discount the coffee by a dime or two for using the refillable one. Can't beat that.
That's about all I can think of for now, but overall, I go for second hand before buying new. It's both ecologicly and economicaly sound that way. My younger SIL, who is 21, has called me cheap. However, she is still fully dependant on my MIL, who still spoils her. My mental response was, "Wait 'til you're an adult. You'll understand." Because she's 21, she thinks she's an adult, but I digress.
Happy day.