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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

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."

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."

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Vorknkx
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a Slavic country, babushka would pickle them and they'd last for the whole winter if needed ;)

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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.

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Gemjoybug
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a great attitude, sometimes it feels like you are not making any difference but every little bit helps, and just being conscientious about it is a good start

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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.

"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.'"

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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."

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Mimi777
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom has always done this it definitely saves some money on paper towels and rags!

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#10

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Ms Phit
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And keep old overripe fruit AWAY from new fruit, especially bananas, unless you want them all to ripen way too fast

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NMN
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They jumped from incandescent to LED? We've had fluorescent since late 90's (which means we only had to buy them twice) before switching to LED more recently

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kjorn
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

reusable bag is better because they are more sturdy than cheap plastic one.

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Nina Johansson
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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sabocat
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ragú is $1.77 and Yo Mama's is $6.28. So it's easier said than done...

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#19

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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.

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Roman Hans
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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Sonja
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

em...no. won't use this one, but thanks. Bananas travels too far to our country, so it is full of too much chemistry to keep them "green/yellow"

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Enuya
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is it that your onions spoil fast? Whenever I buy onions, they can lay on the shelf for MONTHS (I don't know if 8 months, since I always eat them sooner, but 3-4 months for sure) - without any tights or any other equipment. Isn't every onion like that?

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Sonja
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bidet is great invention, but you do not have the possibility everywhere. Small bathroom, old houses,...

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Enuya
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rechargeable batteries were a thing more than ten years ago. I remember when I was about 10-12 and my dad made my whole family using them. So much more economical than single-use ones!

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Monday
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or just buy the correct amount of leafy greens and eat them all before they wilt.

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Troux
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unpackaged soap is fine, but how can I clean my skin with a dried blueberry or flower?

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Enuya
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, good luck with that. I agree, this mixture works in MOST cases, but sometimes... sorry, sometimes you just need to use something with detergent if you want to clean the surface properly.

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kjorn
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...

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Linus Nilsson
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of psycho keeps the avocado sliced, instead of just eating them within seconds?

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Cassie
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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GirlFriday
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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Monday
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again....why is composting the "bad" option? At least we're putting something back into the soil. If we eat it those nutrients are never making it back to the soil.

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Holly D
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum reuses all the old wrapping paper every year. She hasnt bought new paper for over 15 years. Last year i "stole" her box of used and reused paper and wrapped it up for her for Christmas since its what she wants every year. She loved it and couldnt stop laughing

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#41

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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

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kjorn
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

cake is cake. but cake already make in a plastic case form any place is not the same as the one you make in your oven.

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Monday
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is everyone making it seem like composting your unwanted fruit parts is a bad thing? Compost is good.

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kjorn
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

again… money… what's the price of that? make them affordable and easy to find and i'd buy that with pleasure.

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Elsker
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dont think this bar of dishsoap agrees with my dishwashermachine:))

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#45

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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.

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Brigs
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you have removed the bruised, dry or damaged leaves from your wilted herbs...news alert...you are left with nothing!!!

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#47

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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.

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#48

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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!

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JuJu
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OR you go to a bakery and buy a fresh bread without plastic packaging...

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Daria B
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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