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As consumers, we all have an obligation to conserve our resources and reduce the amount of waste we dispose of. And it's not that hard, too. Everyone can start implementing little life changes that will make a difference.
ReduceWasteNow is the place to go if you're starting to get more concerned about the environment. Not only does the online shop offer sustainable products that will help you avoid plastic, but it also shares comprehensive advice on how to minimize your ecological footprint.
A good example of it is the 'old me vs. new me' meme.
More info: reducewastenow.shop | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Graydon Lawson started ReduceWasteNow two years ago and has been operating it alone ever since. "I create all of the social media content, write the weekly blog posts, and manage the store — all while trying to balance school at the University of Victoria," Lawson told Bored Panda. "It's a lot of work, but every second is worth it. People seem to be really grateful to learn simple, actionable ways they can help the environment, and I love helping them do exactly that."
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Lawson thinks social media is great for educational purposes mostly because of how convenient it is. "A lot of people use it every day, and if you want to see how you can be more eco friendly, all you have to do is visit ReduceWasteNow and you have access to hundreds of different ways you can help the environment," he said, adding that social media is also a really great place to share things you're interested in with your friends. "So if someone really likes this Instagram post about sustainable products that save you money, they can just tag their friends in it, and maybe that inspires them to try some of the tips and be more eco friendly as well."
As you might've noticed, ReduceWasteNow features touch upon various environmental topics. With the 'old me vs. new me' meme alone, it has already addressed excessive plastic use, food waste, and other themes. Lawson said he gets most of his ideas from the company's followers, paying attention to what they comment under his posts on various platforms. That way, he knows he's talking about what's important to the people.
People who frown at such changes might say that individual efforts toward a greener planet are meaningless set against the huge systemic changes that are required to prevent devastating global warming. But Lawson doesn't think so. He believes in the power of the community. "If more and more people vote with their dollars, try their best to live more sustainably, and continue to use their voice as well as their vote, change will come," he said.
#5
"Cooper, one of my best friends, made a great point about this as well, and I 100% agree with him. He said, 'Due to the rise in popularity of social media, it has become easier for individuals to voice their opinion, and to have their opinion heard and shared. As a result, corporations are facing the largest amount of social pressure in history, which has the potential to create real change. The power of numbers has never been so great.'"
Lawson believes that nowadays individuals can speak louder than ever before, and that we can create real change "by using our collective voice to tell the big corporations what we want. All we have to do is step forward, and speak up."
#11
Bardhi's Dad 5 years ago
You can replace almost every single-use item with reusable stuff, though
#14
Nina Johansson 5 years ago
Or just chop and freeze them as soon as you buy them and skip the oil. I don't need oil for everything and herbs freeze really well.
#16
#19
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons olive oil
.
Directions:
1) In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Stir in water and oil. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 10-12 times, adding a little flour or water if needed to achieve a smooth dough. Let rest for 10 minutes.
2) Divide dough into 8 portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 7-in. circle.
3) In a greased cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook tortillas over medium heat until lightly browned, 1 minute on each side. Serve warm.
Roman Hans 5 years ago
I’m sure they’re much better than store-bought but I assume we’re talking about an hour plus of work to save a dollar and a plastic bag.
#23
Tinka Silberwolf 5 years ago
They are very uncomon in my country - I don't even know how to use it. Do you really get clean? How do you dry your skin - do you use a towl or paper? What do you do in a public restroom?
#24
#32
kjorn 5 years ago
again here… how much? people tend to forget that the price of that stuff it's not for everyone. it's easy to be eco-friendly when you can affort that stuff. if i had the choice between 3 toothbrush at the dollarstore of one who cost 10$ and be do the job for a month… my choice is easy to make. when this kind of choice it's what decide if you eat or not...
#33
Linus Nilsson 5 years ago
What kind of psycho keeps the avocado sliced, instead of just eating them within seconds?
#34
Radek Suski 5 years ago
Or better cook those in a steamer so it won't loose so much ingredients
#35
Cassie 5 years ago
I switched to an aqueous ozone laundry gizmo and don't use detergent at all anymore. I have teenage boys and this is the first time their underwear don't smell like perfumed funk. They finally smell clean now. Plus, it works best in cold water, so no plastic containers, no environmental impact from detergents, and we reduce our power consumption all while getting cleaner laundry.
#36
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
I just use tupperware for sandwiches. They go in the dish washer like everything else.
#37
GirlFriday 5 years ago
Beeswax food wrap is $18 per roll (on average) and you can use it five time before pitching it. Saran wrap is $3.00 per roll and you get about 10 times as much on a roll. Beeswax does not keep food fresh as long so you are wasting money and resources by buying it.
#40
divydumdrop hello 5 years ago
You can also use gift bags, that the people you give them to can reuse when they give a gift to someone else. We have been saving gift bags for years and have a nice stock of them for gifting :)
#41
INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3 tbs coconut sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1.5 tbs pumpkin puree (can use mashed banana/applesauce)
1 flax “egg” (1 tbsp ground flax seed mixed with 3 tbsp water)
1/4 cup almond milk
2 tbs peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
pinch salt
optional: handful of vegan chocolate chips
Note: please use a small loaf tin as this is a single portion! I imagine this will work if you bake them in several small ramekins to make a mini tiered cake. if you want to use a standard issue loaf tin, please double/triple the recipe!
Preheat your oven to 180C/360F and prepare a small loaf tin by greasing it well and lining with parchment paper. Prepare your flax egg as well.
Blend rolled oats until a flour-like consistency (or use oat flour). Mix in cocoa powder, baking powder and coconut sugar. Stir in pumpkin puree, flax egg, almond milk, vanilla and peanut butter. Batter should be thick and fudgy!
Bake at 180C/360F for about 25-30 minutes until the middle springs back to the touch -- it should be a little damp in the middle when a skewer comes out. cool completely in the pan on a wire rack and let chill overnight for maximum fudginess. I used my chocolate tahini ganache recipe:
For the tahini chocolate ganache, mix the following ingredients:
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 tbs tahini
2 tbs maple syrup/liquid sweetener
#45
1) Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and ice.
2) For the herbs, cut off the stems and remove any bruised, dry or damaged leaves.
3) Submerge the picked herbs into the ice bath.
4) Soak for about 15-30 minutes, or until they perk up and look refreshed.
5) Drain the herbs in a colander.
6) Dry thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel or salad spinner.
7) To store, place the herbs in an air-tight container lined with a thin cloth on the top and bottom to absorb any extra moisture. You can also do this in a reusable sandwich bag. Use within a couple of days.
#47
How to make an activated charcoal face mask
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon bentonite clay
1 teaspoon activated charcoal
1 teaspoon organic raw apple cider vinegar
3 drops tea tree oil
Directions:
1) In a small glass bowl, combine clay, charcoal powder, apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil. Stir to combine. If the mixture is too dry, add a few drops of water at a time until desired consistency is reached.
2) Apply mask to clean face, spreading in an even layer. Wash hands and rinse out glass bowl.
3) Leave mask on for 10 minutes. Rinse mask off with warm water and a washcloth. If you have trouble getting rid of the colour, apply a bit of makeup remover with a reusable facial pad to stained spots.
4) Moisturize as normal.
#48
Ingredients:
2 cups warm water 110 degrees F/45 degrees C
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5-6 cups flour You can use all-purpose flour OR bread flour!
.
Recipe:
1) In a large bowl, dissolve the 1 TBSP of the sugar in warm water and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
2) Mix remaining sugar, salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Dough should be tacky and clean the sides of the bowl save for a small part at the bottom. Too much flour added in yields a dry loaf of bread, so if you're worried you added too much, add a bit more hot water, until you get the correct consistency.
3) Knead dough for 7 minutes. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
4) Punch dough down. Knead for 1 minute and divide in half. Shape into loaves and place into two greased 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
5) Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30-40 minutes. Let cool, then eat!
#49
Daria B 5 years ago (edited)
This one depends on many things. It takes longer for long hair, especially if you need conditioner. Also, if your water heating system takes a bit for the warm water to come out, a couple of minutes (and some water) will be wasted on waiting for the warm water alone. You may still turn it off while applying soap/shampoo/etc. and turn it back on to wash it off.
Jo Choto 5 years ago
I agree Daria. Because I have long hair, I only wash it a couple of times a week. I don't wash it when i shower because it makes my shower way longer, but when i wash my hair separately, I can turn the water off while I'm lathering, etc.
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Freya the Wanderer 5 years ago
You can save water by taking a "Navy shower." Get yourself all wet, turn the water off, soap & shampoo up, then turn water back on & rinse.
Johnny 5 years ago
I have a valve on my shower head to help do that, so you just reach up and turn off the water while you lather, then when you're ready to rinse, turn it back on and the water temperature is the same.
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Amy Pattie 5 years ago
In Australia during a drought, a four minute shower is deemed sufficient. Also, in many industries it’s socially acceptable to shower every second day.
Ms Phit 5 years ago
Yes!!!! I've just had the timed showers talk with my teenager.... they were "timing" by listening to music, until I pointed out that songs can range from 1 to 12+ minutes... they're now adding a timer and are down to 8 minutes, which is a vast improvement. We live in a desert, so water is super expensive for good reason. I'm not fond of $300/month water bills!
Paula Divello 5 years ago
yup! volume doesn't equal pressure either you can have good water pressure with less water
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Irina Deneva-Slav 5 years ago
A series of horrible water outages years ago trained me to shower in 3 minutes or less. I'm glad I stuck with the habit.
Jessica Friend 5 years ago
or get a eco friendly shower head? I take 20 min showers some times longer and i know i don't use any where near 50 gallons, plug the tub while showering will tell you an estimate most slandered tubs hold about 30-50 gallons.
clive apps 5 years ago (edited)
Overall a good collection of tips. Soaking and turning water off while cleaning, then back on to rinse can cut water use even further. Water may only be running for about 1 minutes total of any length shower this way.
Eliana Mount 5 years ago
my showers are usually 7-8 mins. I have long hair. No one can take a 5 min shower and wash their hair and condition in. (maybe men can or ladies with short hair)
Cheryl Glawe 3 years ago
I had my water heater go out on me and created a "cistern" style water dispenser out of an ice cream bucket and a spare shower head. Hot water came off of a pan on a wood stove, was put in the ice cream bucket (add cold water to preferred temp) and was hung on a hook over the tub. I took a Navy shower with 1 gallon of water. Wash hair the same way.
Bored Monkei 4 years ago
I never notice how long I take shower, until one day my partner bought a water-resistance clock and put it in the shower cubicle. I enjoy long shower, it's kind of therapeutic and relaxing. :-)
*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 5 years ago
...and I'm over here taking 45 minute showers... I need to relax and get thoroughly clean, along with getting my long ass hair clean...
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Some people have never heard of wash cloths, it seems. No need to take a shower every day at all.
Elsker 5 years ago
And yet we still flush our toilets with drinking water. I'm really looking foreward to a solution there
Lucas 5 years ago
Bucket in the shower. It fills up even if you turn off the shower between soaping and rinsing and if you have a bath you can use the bucket to pour bathwater down the loo. That way less guilt for lounging in the bath. Do it all the time.
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Susan Reid Smith 5 years ago
Where I live, agriculture uses 80% of the water, and in domestic use, 80% of that is used by lawns and gardens. I am going to enjoy my showers, especially since I have 3-4 inches more hair because of closed salons and covid related risks.
lenka 5 years ago
The problem with this logic is that there isn't more water just because everyone uses more. Agriculture needs water to feed you. You want to take a 10 minute shower? Thats cool. Next time you complain about the price of fruit, vegetables or meat, remember that part of that cost is the increasing cost of water because people insist on taking 10 minute showers.
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Jim Ellington 5 years ago
I tried turning off the water when I was lathering but I slipped and broke my penis in three places.
divydumdrop hello 5 years ago
Also, just turn it off and turn it on again when putting on soap
Niko Alarcon 5 years ago
;-; people take ten minute showers? *me who takes at least 45 minutes at a bare minimum* what kind of schedule do they live by?
#55
#56
#57
½ cup sugar (100 g)
¾ cup dark brown sugar (165 g), packed
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup refined coconut oil (120 g), melted
¼ cup non-dairy milk (60 mL)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups flour (185 g)
½ teaspoon baking soda
4 oz vegan semi-sweet chocolate (115 g), chunks
4 oz vegan dark chocolate (115 g), chunks
Directions
1) In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, salt, and coconut oil until combined.
2) Whisk in non-dairy milk and vanilla, until all sugar has dissolved and the batter is smooth.
3) Sift in the flour and baking soda, then fold the mixture with a spatula, being careful not to overmix.
4) Fold in the chocolate chunks evenly.
5) Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
6) Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
7) Scoop the dough with an ice cream scoop onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Be sure to leave at least 2 inches of space between cookies and the edges of the pan so cookies can spread evenly.
8) Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cookies just begin to brown.
9) Cool completely.
10) Enjoy!
#59
Ingredients needed:
2 Large Oranges
1 cup Water (250 ml)
1 cup Sugar (250 ml)
3 ounces Dark Chocolate, 70% Cocoa content (90 grams)
(most dark chocolate with over 50% cocoa is vegan)
Recipe (by @appetizeraddiction):
1) Wash the oranges thoroughly under running hot water.
2) Cut the top and bottom off. Make 4 or 5 vertical incisions running all the way from top to bottom of the peel and into the flesh.
3) With your hands, remove the peel carefully. Cut each piece into thin strips and transfer them into a pot. Pour over about 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, then drain. Pour fresh water (2 cups) in the same pot and add the peels in. Repeat the same process. This will remove some of the peel’s bitterness.
4) In small sauce pan, dissolve 1 cup sugar in 1 cup water, add the peels and simmer for about 45 minutes or until the peels are translucent.
5) When done, spread them out on a wire rack so the syrup can drip off and the peels can cool completely.
6) Melt the chocolate over a pot of simmering water. Dip the peel in chocolate and using a fork, transfer it onto a baking parchment, aluminum foil, or preferably straight onto the pan or a reusable baking sheet. Let them set completely in the fridge (for about an hour) before serving/enjoying them.
#61
Olivia Agave 5 years ago
What fixatives would be used? The fixatives I can recall off the top of my head for vegetable dyes are hideously toxic (vinegar and soap fixatives don't work on them), and not fixing them just makes the colours fade so quickly with wear.
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What do you think ?
Transat 5 years ago
It seems right the opposite to me. "Old me" bought more and threw away while "New me" reuses objects, tries to not spoil food etc...
Load More Replies...
Rhea 5 years ago
A lot of good tips, but I would've liked them more if they acknowledged the fact that quite a few of them are pricier and/or acquire a big(ger) investment than the less environment-friendly options. Some simple solutions aren't even mentioned; Yes, if you own a big house and have enough cash and space, you can install a bidet. Or, you just can keep a botlle of water next to your toilet, to clean yourself with. €0 if you use an old bottle, vs €250-1000 to install a bidet. Yes, you can buy reusable sandwich bags for €10 a bag. Or, you can reuse the 'single use' bags. If you don't go crazy with it, 1 IKEA Ziplock bag will last a few months holding your lunch sandwiches. Start with the small things: Don't buy ammounts which you can't use, reuse/recycle what you can. You don't have to buy new things to start thinking about the environment.
Heather Williams 5 years ago
Interesting tips. But a lot of them are a lot of extra work. For me I do not compost since I do not have a garden. I also try to buy only what I need and not buy perishable items that will likely just go off from sitting around (living on my own changes how I shop a lot). I freeze my bread to make it last longer without going mouldy.
GirlFriday 5 years ago
Some of these tips are useful, some are very impractical and some are so cost prohibitive that I could not see how the average household could ever afford to them. Some of these tips are just plain gross.
Nadine Bamberger 5 years ago (edited)
For most of these tips you have to have an unlimited budget, access to special stores, storage space and a lot of time to spare. They just make me feel bad. Pick and choose I guess.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Not true really. You can order most things online anywhere.
Load More Replies...
Moo Moo Futch 5 years ago
Old me, used toilet paper. New me, shares with my mum a sponge on a stick. Just like the Romans!
Saara-Elina Kaukiainen 5 years ago
Why is composting seen as the bad option in so many of these?
Bobby Sammons 5 years ago
The old me was to broke to do much of what you show. The new me is even broker so, sorry, you all can do what you feel is right.
Aileen Grist 5 years ago
We need to follow the 5 'rs' Refuse (leaflets, freebies etc) reduce - don't buy unless sustainable, reuse - buy 2nd hand tech, clothes etc., re-purpose - using old glass jars etc, recycle - always try to recycle responsibly a lot of stores/charity shops just bin stuff they can't sell - some stores bin returned clothes.
Moo Moo Futch 5 years ago
I can't help but feel like this list was compiled by a load of wealthy millennials who are looking down on those who don't make the same choice. As we ALL know, these companies who are trying to make us switch to ethical alternatives don't make it financially worth it. People will do what is best with the little money they have and what they feel is right for their own family. If that means buying a £3 pasta sauce in a plastic jar and saving the other £3 to go towards petrol so they can work, a school dinner for their kids or towards bills or even savings for a rainy day or special treat then absolutely no one has the right to judge a person for that.
Jim Ellington 5 years ago
I wonder how many of these plastic haters gave up their environment- and lung-destroying automobiles. There's plenty of plastic in cars, especially electric ones.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Interesting that you assume everyone has a car. I've never owned one.
Load More Replies...
Druth Vlodovic 5 years ago
Depending on your lifestyle it is good to ask if you lack time or energy. It feels a bit the same. Making your own stuff and using it gives a feeling of pride and accomplishment (even if only in a quick flash) every time you look at it or use it, which helps you restore energy and feel like you have more time as a result.
Aileen Grist 5 years ago
Shelbi on you-tube has a good line. YOU cannot be all the good the earth needs, but the earth needs all the good YOU can be. No-one is 100% perfect, just do what you can and be mindful
Stannous Flouride 5 years ago
Most if these are news only to urbanites. If you grew up on a farm or in an earlier age that took more self-reliance, it's just what you do.
Stephanie Chapman 5 years ago
There is a great company called "Ridwell" that will take away hard to recycle items for you. I have a box from them that sits outside my house and for $14 a month they take away old computer hardware, mailing packages, old batteries, lightbulbs, clothing, and tons of other stuff. If this kind of thing would be affordable and work for you, I definitely recommend them.
Transat 5 years ago
It seems right the opposite to me. "Old me" bought more and threw away while "New me" reuses objects, tries to not spoil food etc...
Load More Replies... Rhea 5 years ago
A lot of good tips, but I would've liked them more if they acknowledged the fact that quite a few of them are pricier and/or acquire a big(ger) investment than the less environment-friendly options. Some simple solutions aren't even mentioned; Yes, if you own a big house and have enough cash and space, you can install a bidet. Or, you just can keep a botlle of water next to your toilet, to clean yourself with. €0 if you use an old bottle, vs €250-1000 to install a bidet. Yes, you can buy reusable sandwich bags for €10 a bag. Or, you can reuse the 'single use' bags. If you don't go crazy with it, 1 IKEA Ziplock bag will last a few months holding your lunch sandwiches. Start with the small things: Don't buy ammounts which you can't use, reuse/recycle what you can. You don't have to buy new things to start thinking about the environment.
Heather Williams 5 years ago
Interesting tips. But a lot of them are a lot of extra work. For me I do not compost since I do not have a garden. I also try to buy only what I need and not buy perishable items that will likely just go off from sitting around (living on my own changes how I shop a lot). I freeze my bread to make it last longer without going mouldy.
GirlFriday 5 years ago
Some of these tips are useful, some are very impractical and some are so cost prohibitive that I could not see how the average household could ever afford to them. Some of these tips are just plain gross.
Nadine Bamberger 5 years ago (edited)
For most of these tips you have to have an unlimited budget, access to special stores, storage space and a lot of time to spare. They just make me feel bad. Pick and choose I guess.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Not true really. You can order most things online anywhere.
Load More Replies... Moo Moo Futch 5 years ago
Old me, used toilet paper. New me, shares with my mum a sponge on a stick. Just like the Romans!
Saara-Elina Kaukiainen 5 years ago
Why is composting seen as the bad option in so many of these?
Bobby Sammons 5 years ago
The old me was to broke to do much of what you show. The new me is even broker so, sorry, you all can do what you feel is right.
Aileen Grist 5 years ago
We need to follow the 5 'rs' Refuse (leaflets, freebies etc) reduce - don't buy unless sustainable, reuse - buy 2nd hand tech, clothes etc., re-purpose - using old glass jars etc, recycle - always try to recycle responsibly a lot of stores/charity shops just bin stuff they can't sell - some stores bin returned clothes.
Moo Moo Futch 5 years ago
I can't help but feel like this list was compiled by a load of wealthy millennials who are looking down on those who don't make the same choice. As we ALL know, these companies who are trying to make us switch to ethical alternatives don't make it financially worth it. People will do what is best with the little money they have and what they feel is right for their own family. If that means buying a £3 pasta sauce in a plastic jar and saving the other £3 to go towards petrol so they can work, a school dinner for their kids or towards bills or even savings for a rainy day or special treat then absolutely no one has the right to judge a person for that.
Jim Ellington 5 years ago
I wonder how many of these plastic haters gave up their environment- and lung-destroying automobiles. There's plenty of plastic in cars, especially electric ones.
Martha Meyer 5 years ago
Interesting that you assume everyone has a car. I've never owned one.
Load More Replies... Druth Vlodovic 5 years ago
Depending on your lifestyle it is good to ask if you lack time or energy. It feels a bit the same. Making your own stuff and using it gives a feeling of pride and accomplishment (even if only in a quick flash) every time you look at it or use it, which helps you restore energy and feel like you have more time as a result.
Aileen Grist 5 years ago
Shelbi on you-tube has a good line. YOU cannot be all the good the earth needs, but the earth needs all the good YOU can be. No-one is 100% perfect, just do what you can and be mindful
Stannous Flouride 5 years ago
Most if these are news only to urbanites. If you grew up on a farm or in an earlier age that took more self-reliance, it's just what you do.
Stephanie Chapman 5 years ago
There is a great company called "Ridwell" that will take away hard to recycle items for you. I have a box from them that sits outside my house and for $14 a month they take away old computer hardware, mailing packages, old batteries, lightbulbs, clothing, and tons of other stuff. If this kind of thing would be affordable and work for you, I definitely recommend them.
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