Striving To Be More Sustainable and Reduce Waste

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Happy Earth Day! I am taking the opportunity to share how our family has made simple switches to reduce the amount of trash we put out and be more sustainable. The best part of being more sustainable is that it often saves you money so it’s a win win!

My first step to reducing waste was when Mr1 was 4 months old and we decided to use cloth diapers. I loved how cute they were and how much money we saved. Less trash was a bonus too! Over the years all of my boys wore cloth diapers and our family has switched to some more sustainable ways to reduce our waste as well as save money for our family.

Cloth diapers-

I started my boys in cloth when they were a month or two old and always used all in one diapers. There are a million brands out there and you’ll talk to folks who are obsessed over all of the fabrics. I am not one of those Moms. I had 15 diapers, I washed them every other day with the wet bag and that’s all I used. I also preferred cloth wipes. I used baby washcloths like these below and an old refillable wipes container with warm water and a couple of squirts of baby wash and washed them with the diapers every other day. I needed it to be as simple as possible and though I’m happy my boys are all potty trained, I loved having a stack of brightly colored fluffy diapers ready for their chunky baby bum to play in.

Cloth napkins-

We have created quite a collection over the years many I made some I have purchased. Some have characters the boys have liked others are seasonal themed. They are a great small sewing project and fun to make a batch for yourself and for a gift. I have found really cute ones at Walmart and TJ Maxx has a great selection for a good price. I also like these on Amazon.

Stainless steel cups-

Each boy has their own cup with a color coded name label on it. That’s their cup and that’s all they use. At the end of the day I wash them or put them in the dishwasher. I dont have a sink or dishwasher full of glasses to wash and I have less inventory in my cabinet.

Water bottles –

We each have a one water bottle that we use when we leave the house. I am pretty strict on the boys taking care of their bottle. I really dislike having a cabinet full or water bottles that tumbles out at you when you look for one. The link below is my favorite for all of us. They are a good size, easy to clean and durable.

Reusable bags-

I use these for much more than just my grocery shopping. They are easy to clean and more durable than plastic grocery bags. Plus there is less for me to remember to bring to the store to recycle or bring to the dump. It’s good to have those plastic bags on hand at times (dirty diapers, quick clean ups for car sick little boys, etc) but overall I prefer the reusable variety for both groceries and produce. I keep some in the house and some in my vehicle and still often forget them but I use them as often as possible.

Electric percolator-

The coffee tastes better and I am not throwing away a filter or little plastic cup every day. If you use one of the popular machines, consider a reusable cup like this one.

This is the coffee maker I have and use everyday. It’s a very simple set up so there is less to break and replace. It’s easy to clean and I can make 1 cup or 12 easily.

Drying rack-

Whenever possible I try to hang dry our laundry. Even if it is just a couple of loads a week, I know I am using less energy than my dryer which saves on the wear on the clothes and money on the fuel .

Things I am hoping to implement in our home-

Composting- With a garden on the plan this spring and summer I’d like to get back into composting.

Chickens- We had chickens at our last home and it was so fun! I miss the fresh eggs but am grateful I found a family close to our home who sells eggs at a good price.

Menstrual cup- I know there is a learning curve and I’m working on it. Utilize the customer support from wherever you bought your cup, they are super helpful!

Reusable pads- I’d love to find a product that washes well and is discreet.

What ways do you and your family practice sustainability? Id love to learn about your favorite products and methods!