Low-waste habits that save you money
One of the largest barriers that scares a lot of people away from low waste lifestyle alternatives initially is the cost factor. So many people tell me that they want to make changes, but they don’t want to add more expenses to their lifestyle. Whether you are facing a financial barrier, or simply want to cut back on your monthly expenses, these low-waste tips have saved myself and many others money throughout the year.
Something that I have been focusing on this year is putting my money where my mouth is by supporting businesses and initiatives that are truly working to change consumer habits and the market. A lot of low-waste swaps that save you money involve cutting out single use items and replacing them with something that you will be able to use in its place repeatedly. I highly encourage everyone to be sure they are investing in alternatives made with ethical and high quality materials. It isn’t worth it to buy a bunch of inexpensive or poorly made alternatives that will end up breaking and having to be sent to the landfill with only a few uses.
Many online groups have special pages with discount codes and coupons, which can be extremely helpful to look through when you are ready to make a switch. If you want help finding social media channels to plug into, send me a message! I also sign up for email updates from brands I am interested in trying so that I can be alerted when there are sales or promotions.
I hope this article helps you to add some new goals to your zero waste journey that are beneficial to the planet, and to your wallet.
Safety razor
You only have to buy a safety razor once and it should last you a lifetime, or at least a long time. While you do have to replace the blades every week based on use, you can actually recycle the blades at local recycling centers in their sharps disposal. There are so many great safety razors on the market for $25-75. Blades cost an average of $0.10, so you would only spend $4.80 a year maximum (plus the initial cost of the razor)! This article by Ecostalk has some great, durable safety razor options!
Conscious Shopping
I’ve always been someone who buys secondhand before new, even before I was conscious about my environmental impact. It has always been the most accessible option for me when it comes to buying clothes and household goods, especially when I was in college. Thrift Shopper has a directory with reviews of all the second-hand stores in every state in the US! Such a great resource to have in your back pocket. I love going thrift shopping during my time-off because it always feels like a treasure hunt!
Buy Nothing groups on Facebook have been my other saving grace. Before I make a purchase, I almost always post in my local group to see if anyone is looking to get rid of whatever I need. This method has proved to be successful 80% of the time in both of the states I have lived! You can find your local Buy Nothing group by typing it into your Facebook search.
Menstrual cups and reusable pads
These are products that you only have to buy once! And they are safer for our bodies and less toxic for the Earth. Most menstrual cups last around 10 years and cost an average of $25. When you compare it to the average amount spent per month on feminine products, $14, it seems like such an obvious swap to make! It may take a month or two to get the hang of your new routine, but so many people swear by this switch for many reasons. This article from Good Housekeeping has a ranking of the top menstrual cups, with details and actual reviews from people using the item.
Meal plan for the week
I have found meal planning and making grocery lists to really help me cut back on food and packaging waste. I am able to plan my meals around common ingredients that I will have in my fridge, which saves money by reducing waste. Plus, having delicious meals at home and for lunch really helps me cut back on eating out! Since it is just my husband and I eating dinners, we usually have leftovers. This is perfect because I am able to turn it into my lunch for the following day.
Upcycle
There are SO many upcycling project tutorial videos and blogs online, which really just proves that the opportunity is endless when it comes to upcycling. Furniture, containers, clothing, and more can all have a second life if you have some time and imagination. This is a great list with 101 different upcycling ideas for every type of project and time commitment!
Cooking with scraps
Utilizing what you may consider scraps during cooking decreases food waste, and helps you to get the most out of your money. Making homemade veggie broth is my favorite way to utilize cooking scraps, and reduce waste from those plastic vegetable broth containers. Broccoli stalks roasted in the oven or blended into soup have been a game changer for me! Ikea decided they wanted to continue making everyone love them, so they published a cookbook that features recipes that utilize your food “waste”. You can even download it for free online.
Air dry your laundry
You save money when you save energy. If you use a dryer for four hours during the week, with a dryer that has an average wattage of 2,500, you would spend approximately $57.60 a year on energy. Air drying your laundry really can save you money! It is an even larger saving if you use your dryer more frequently than once or twice a week. You can hang the clothes from a line, rod, or lay them on a drying rack. If you have access to the sun and it is allowed where you live, this is a great option to reduce your energy use and save some money!
Bulk and refill shopping
Shopping in bulk tends to be cheaper with many food and household products. I have seen many people buy things in bulk with a group of friends to be able to order really large quantities of items for a fraction of the price in store. Warehouses like Costco, and some co-ops even allow you to buy a variety of products and food in bulk amounts.
Refill stores are becoming more and more common, which makes me so excited to see. Being able to bring your own containers and really control how much you are purchasing is such a great way to budget, and also to try new things affordably! Some places even offer discounts when you bring back the jars or sign up for a subscription model. This website has an amazing zero waste grocery store directory for every state in the US!
Do you have any other tips that have saved you money? Leave a comment below!
