Useful extras

February 12, 2009

Limit non-recyclable purchases

Submitted by SiteEditor Read more daily challenge, eco-friendly, effecting change, frugal living, living responsibly, and simple living
Challenge Yourself for: 24 Hours

How many throw-aways should you throw away your money on? That’s really up to you. But here’s a fact: Choosing recyclable items whenever possible reduces waste. Today, challenge yourself to think about an item’s packaging, recyclability, and disposability before you make a purchase, with the intention of making the best choice possible.

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79 participants 61 entries logged

25 comments Have something to add? Share it here.

  1. Picture_033
    gillianmeyers 6 months ago

    I recycle as much as possible. I can use the same tall kitchen garbage bag all week and it still not be full as I use my garbage disposal for all food items. If only I could remember my reusable bags in the trunk when I go shopping!

  2. 6156
    billbo 6 months ago

    I always recycle carry reusable bags

  3. User_48
    Staplkl 7 months ago

    I AM NOT A PAPER CUP! It even looks like a plain white disposable paper cup, but it’s not! It’s ceramic and easy to clean. A friend of mine gave up plastic packaging for lent. It’s tough, but I gave her this mug and it made her day easier.

  4. User_48
    karebare 8 months ago

    I always recycle, carry reusable cloth bags, return used plastic bags to be recycled,and now our town takes cardboard packaging from groceries(cereal boxes, spaghetti boxes and the like) as well as newspapers and regular cardboard. My recycle containers(I got two more from our town hall) are always overfull, and I am trying to get my neighbors in our building to recycle also. My children are catching on and are helping a lot. The tabs from soda cans go to our school to help a child with brittle bone disease.Any outgrown usable clothing goes to our food pantry to help others. I am working on toys the kids have outgrown, old mail gets shredded and recycled. I am hoping for warmer weather so I can plant some plants that will help our environment and I have plants the help the air in our home. Any dead leaves and dead plants gets ‘recycled’ in the ground.

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    TinaOwens 8 months ago

    I have a reusable grocery bag that rolls up and fits into my purse so I can never use the excuse of not having one with me. I also try to purchase items that do not use a lot of packaging. What packaging I do bring home needs to be recyclable.

  6. Dscn0883
    jeannied411 8 months ago

    I did go shopping – did good on what I bought as far as “containers”

  7. Dscn0883
    jeannied411 8 months ago

    I used to go crazy with all the water bottles! So now I use a Pur picture and I got a Culligan water filter. I can’t stand the thought of what we’re doing to our planet. I also hate those plastic food containers. I haven’t tried the Kashi frozen entrees yet – are they eco friendly?

  8. User_48
    bburtx 8 months ago

    I recycle everything that I can.

  9. User_48
    lgangi 9 months ago

    Some stores give a rebate when you bring your own reusable grocery for your purchases.

  10. User_48
    SARAH6975 9 months ago

    USING CLOTH NAPKINS HELPS TOO! IT MAKES EVEN A QUICK MEAL SEEM KIND OF FANCY AND SAVES TREES TOO!!

  11. User_48
    avc328 9 months ago

    we agree, as a matter of fact the kids and I have a contest each week to see how much we can reduce our regular trash bin and increase what goes into the recycle bin

  12. User_48
    mac032069 9 months ago

    I have purshased cloth and hemp grocery bags to use everyday. We carry them to the grocery, to the library, shopping for clothes, whenever we need a bag to carry a purchase. We always keep them in the car so that they are totally handy.

  13. User_48
    theresageiger 9 months ago

    Everything that I brought to work today came in recycled reuseable bags. Currently, I have very few paper bags in my house. I keep a stash of reuseable bags in each car.

  14. User_48
    KML779 9 months ago

    Even before re-usable bags were available I took the plastic bags back & re-used them. My recycle bins hold more than my garbage pail. I still use my Kashi bag, it’s great to keep my coupons in.

  15. User_48
    jan1271 9 months ago

    If I forgot my re-usable bags in the car or only have 1 or 2 items to purchase I tell the cashier up front “I don’t need a bag if that’s OK”. Sometimes they look at you funny but I’ve done it so many times it doesn’t bother me anymore.

  16. User_48
    bburtx 9 months ago

    I alway recycle

  17. User_48
    clgrubbs 9 months ago

    I also use my Kashi bag plus an insulated bag when I go to the market.

  18. User_48
    bluchip 9 months ago

    I try to not purchase items that are packaged in those hard plastic containers that berries and bakery goods are usually packaged in. I hate to think of all those plastic containers filling up our landfills that will never go away. I intend to write to the grocery store that I frequent to ask them to look at alternative packaging. Another peeve is styrofoam egg cartons. That stuff will never decompose!

  19. User_48
    bgwoodruff212 9 months ago

    I carry the reusable bags and if I forget them I just carry the items without the bag

  20. User_48
    anon9anon 9 months ago

    I always carry around my Kashi reusuable foldup bag in my purse.
    I’m really suprised that it’s still holding up and has come in handy numerous times!!

    Thanks so much!!!