9 Simple Ways to Cut Down on Your Family's Waste

Do you ever feel like your family waste's too much! 

I know we do; we aren't perfect, but the truth is no one is. The goal for our family is to instill values in our children that will become a habit and overtime waste will diminish as we follow these 9 simple ways to cut down on waste.

Recycle

This is pretty self-explanatory.  Recycle whenever possible.  It takes little to no work on your part and can make a big difference for the environment.

Shop at thrift stores, garage sales and consignment shops

Buy used things. Instead of buying new, you should check out what you can find used.  It is amazing the great things you can find.  

Hold garage sales

Instead of throwing personal and household belongings out, you can hold an annual or bi-annual garage sale to get rid of old clothes, appliances, toys and more.

Donate unwanted items

If a garage sale is not your thing or there are unsold items, why not donate them? Goodwill has a very convenient drop off program or you can schedule a pickup.  Salvation Army and Goodwill both offer this service. Just call and set up a time.

Use reusable diapers

Diapers, wipes and other baby products cost a lot of money and produce a ton of waste.  Using cloth diapers will cut down on your family’s waste and save you money.

Use scrap paper

Use the backs of envelopes, old bills or other old papers.  Let your kids color on them or use them for grocery lists, notes and more.

Paperless billing

When possible sign up for paperless billing.  Your power, cable, water or other bills can be sent via e-mail.  You will eliminate the waste of the bill itself and the envelope.

E-mail

Instead of writing letters, sending cards or using conventional “snail mail” for correspondence try and use e-mail as much as possible.  You can send great e-cards, pay bills online and much more.  The best part is that you will save money while saving the earth.

Do laundry one day per week

Save on water by having a laundry day so that you can combine loads and optimize how much water is used.  This will lower your water bill.  Do the same with the dishwasher.  Try to have it totally full before you run it and wash large items by hand.

How many of these simple waste reduction tips do you already do?