ADVERTISEMENT

As the climate crisis looms ever closer, most of us wish we could come together to help the environment. But as individuals, we often feel paralyzed to rein in the disasters and keep our planet from melting, all while witnessing how corporate polluters only add more fuel to the fire. Thankfully, there is a way to lessen the devastating effects of climate change, and it all starts with our everyday choices.

So let us introduce you to the 'ReduceWasteNow' project. This online purveyor set out on a mission to share advice about simple life adjustments that can help us do our bit to protect the environment. Their 'Old Me vs. New Me' series reminds us that we have a personal responsibility to back away from a wasteful life and mitigate our ecological footprint one meme at a time.

In hopes of a better future, we at Bored Panda have gathered some of their best tips and tricks to spread some environmental enthusiasm. As you scroll down, be sure to upvote the posts you found most useful and share your own eco-friendly solutions everyone must know in the comment section below! After you’re done reading through this piece, check out Part 1 of this feature for even more 'Old Me vs. New Me' goodness.

More info: reducewastenow.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

#2

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
tami_6 avatar
Tami
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can stick the green onion stubs in the garden and they'll grow new greens.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
izzycurer avatar
Izzy Curer
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Christmas fabric is 100% reusable. Christmas themed table cloths from the thrift store work great. Even a handkerchief tied with ribbon is better than brown paper.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Graydon Lawson knows that little changes can make a difference. He is the founder of ReduceWasteNow, an impact-focused social enterprise that offers sustainable solutions for people who care for future generations, the well-being of animals, and who want to do their part in the fight against climate change. His mission is to help hundreds of thousands of everyday people make an impact by helping the environment on an individual level. However, he explained that in 2018, he founded his project for the wrong reason.

"I first started ReduceWasteNow solely to build an audience," he wrote on his website. "At the time, I was creating my own reusable coffee mugs with an overseas supplier. The plan was to build an audience on Instagram with my new account 'ReduceWasteNow' by posting content related to environmental issues. Then, I'd advertise the reusable coffee mugs on that account."

But after a few weeks, he began to realize the dire situation of environmental issues affecting our planet and chose to take immediate action. He abandoned his idea to promote reusable coffee cups just three days before the launch. "At that moment, I decided to do everything in my power to help the environment. So I began researching and sharing simple, actionable ways people can help the environment," he noted.

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
whisky-lady avatar
KM
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

or just water and bam! instant sweet drink. Or add tea, works as well

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
cynthiaweiner avatar
C W
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have cats. Everyone knows we have cats. Yet we keep getting poisonous bouquets of flowers. I know I know I sound ungrateful but it sucks when someone spends what I consider to be too much money for something I can’t keep in the home. My flower loving neighbor is thrilled so it’s always fun to bring them to her. My point….flowers aren’t always a good gesture.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Then, the following began to grow. As of this writing, the ReduceWasteNow Instagram account has accumulated over 361K followers who want to start implementing simple alternatives to move towards a greener Earth. "It was clear to me that people wanted to learn how they could live more sustainably, but something was missing. People didn't just need information, they also needed the right tools to take action," Lawson added. So in 2020, ReduceWasteNow launched its online Zero Waste Shop to provide people with the right tools and knowledge they need to reduce their ecological footprint.

#7

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
laurieeisman avatar
Bedlamite
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost every top I wear came from the goodwill store. Generally pay 5-7 dollars for shirts that would be 40-50 bucks at the mall. Also, all of my glassware and most of my plates and bowls from goodwill. Nothing wrong with saving money.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
annahamalainen avatar
AJ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, use the tape that's strong enough for it's purpose. I received a parcel with nice plastic free paper tape on it. Only the tape had broke on the way, half of the content had gotten lost, postal services had fixed the parcel with plastic tape, and the sender needed to ship another parcel to replace the missing items.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
jessicacooney avatar
Jessica Cooney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a woman, I was skeptical of doing this myself, but honestly, I do not regret switching to a safety razor at all! It is so much better than the disposable ones.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

The founder of ReduceWasteNow told us in a previous interview that he has been operating his social project alone ever since he started it. "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."

#10

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
ececenker avatar
Ece Cenker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And aloe is such a fast growing plant. Don't be afraid of breaking off pieces to use. They will grow incredibly fast.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
jlkooiker avatar
lenka
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your bread goes stale often, then freeze half of the loaf.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Follow @reducewastenow For Easy, Actionable Ways You Can Help The Environment!
would You Try This? 🤔
tag Someone Who’d Find This Useful!
this Is A Great Way To Prevent Wasting Your Herbs! 🌿
and If You Need Your Ice Tray Back, Simply Pop The Herbs Into A Container & Put Back Into The Freezer!
click The Link In Bio To Shop Sustainable Alternatives To Everyday Products!
#reducewastenow
#foodwaste #zerowaste #sustainability #nofoodwaste #foodie #zerofoodwaste #zerowasteliving #sustainable #food #sustainableliving #savefood #compost #vegan #zerowastefood #circulareconomy #lovefoodhatewaste #earth #bestbefore #recycle #ecofriendly #organic #environment #composting #sustainablefood #plasticfree #plantbased

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dry the herbs. You're wasting oil. And, apparently, storing herbs poorly in the fridge.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Lawson mentioned that social media is a great tool to educate people about the climate crisis and what small steps can help us fight it. "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 and added that social media is also a perfect place to talk about your interests 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."

ADVERTISEMENT

As you’re scrolling through the 'Old Me vs. New Me' meme series, you’ll notice they touch upon a host of environmental topics. It addresses responsible consumption, recycling, excessive plastic use, food waste, and many other themes. It also explains how to build healthy and environmentally-friendly habits and move toward a more sustainable lifestyle. And at the very least, it reminds people to consider the impact their choices will have on the environment. Lawson told us he gets most of his ideas from his company's followers and always pays attention to what they comment on across ReduceWasteNow’s social media accounts. That way, he understands the demands of everyday people and knows he's sharing information about what's important to them.

#16

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
cynthiaweiner avatar
C W
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep everyone needs to save every drop so there’s enough left for corporations to pollute and farmers to grow almonds in a dessert.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda

However, the fact that laws, international agreements, and systematic changes to how corporations operate are required to prevent the devastating effects of global warming is nothing new. That's why some people disapprove of individual efforts and believe that changes we implement into our daily lives are meaningless. But Lawson thinks this is far from the truth. "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 expressed his belief in the power of the community.

#19

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
ryburns89 avatar
Ryan Burns
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But vinegar comes in a plastic container... You're not helping anything..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
liverpoolroze avatar
Rose the Cook
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you have a clothes line why use a dryer at all? Living in an apartment now clothes have to dry on a closed in balcony, I so miss being able to dry them outside.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
emzys-slimes avatar
Official Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

does anyone know where to buy a good lint roller? I can't find a single good quality, reusable and affordable one.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

"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.'"

ADVERTISEMENT

Lawson added 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."

See Also on Bored Panda
#29

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
lyone_fein avatar
Lyone Fein
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's wrong with compost? Then next year you have good dirt for growing your own greens.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Reduce Waste

reducewastenow Report

Add photo comments
POST
izzycurer avatar
Izzy Curer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, no. In our house, those are used for first aid, and I'm not compromising our health to save on a few ounces of garbage. Some things take precedence. It can be made up in other ways.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 77 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.