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Have you ever considered how much plastic you use every single day? A takeaway coffee cup, plastic water bottles, single-use cutlery, plastic bags for your fruits and vegetables... These are a couple examples of waste that every single one of us could easily reduce in our day-to-day lives. Now, more than ever before, people are beginning to understand the terrible impact these products have on the planet, and one thing we can't argue about is- it's time to make a change. This list compiled by Bored Panda shows creative ways people have decided to help mother earth by reducing their waste. Let's hope this will inspire you to be the change our planet desperately needs!

#1

Confetti Made From Fallen Leaves! Loved This Zero-Waste Decoration Idea

Confetti Made From Fallen Leaves! Loved This Zero-Waste Decoration Idea

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Kaisu Rei
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is nice because you can throw it in outdoor events without worry!

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#2

This Guy's Fence Is Made From Random Doors

This Guy's Fence Is Made From Random Doors

bklitzke Report

#3

My Tour Guide's Tool For Picking Up Littered Bottles Along The Trail

My Tour Guide's Tool For Picking Up Littered Bottles Along The Trail

ShutThyMouth Report

#5

My Mom’s Husband Is A Pilot So He Wraps All His Gifts In Old Flight Maps

My Mom’s Husband Is A Pilot So He Wraps All His Gifts In Old Flight Maps

ConspiracyBarbie Report

#6

We Detrashed A Lake In Texas! 4,000 Pounds Of Beer Bottles And Beer Cans. With About 30 Scuba Divers And 4 Boats. Did It In About 4 Hours

We Detrashed A Lake In Texas! 4,000 Pounds Of Beer Bottles And Beer Cans. With About 30 Scuba Divers And 4 Boats. Did It In About 4 Hours

Millennialdad72 Report

#7

Didn't Want To Waste The Failed Films So I Turned Them Into Little Paintings

Didn't Want To Waste The Failed Films So I Turned Them Into Little Paintings

pastel_lamb Report

#8

My Pantry After Harvest Season Is Finally Over

My Pantry After Harvest Season Is Finally Over

eloquinee Report

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#9

Turning Christmas Cards Into Tags For Next Year

Turning Christmas Cards Into Tags For Next Year

OfficerUnreasonable Report

#10

My Mom Is Slowly Knitting A Scarf Made Completely From Tea Bag Strings

My Mom Is Slowly Knitting A Scarf Made Completely From Tea Bag Strings

officialhunt Report

#11

Stuffed Whales Made From Old Jeans

Stuffed Whales Made From Old Jeans

imtoomatcha Report

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#12

Here Is My Old Music Used As Wrapping Paper

Here Is My Old Music Used As Wrapping Paper

Beanut_Putterr Report

#13

Make A Baby Dress Out Of An Old Button-Up Shirt

Make A Baby Dress Out Of An Old Button-Up Shirt

tammyrich Report

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Gracie Mae
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

great idea--sewing, or rather learning, is high on my list of things to do!

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#14

Had A Friend Complain About Straw Bans Saying That They’re Not Even A Real Litter/Marine Debris Issue

Had A Friend Complain About Straw Bans Saying That They’re Not Even A Real Litter/Marine Debris Issue

So I did a quick 10 minute sweep of 300ft of shoreline to prove them wrong.

twirlies Report

#15

Got My First Sewing Machine For Christmas, Made “Unpaper” Towels To Reduce Our Paper Towel Waste. They Clasp Together So It's Easy To Know Which Are Clean

Got My First Sewing Machine For Christmas, Made “Unpaper” Towels To Reduce Our Paper Towel Waste. They Clasp Together So It's Easy To Know Which Are Clean

xitssammi Report

#16

Needed An Organiser So I Made One Out Of Cardboard Instead Of Purchasing One

Needed An Organiser So I Made One Out Of Cardboard Instead Of Purchasing One

wahlb3rg Report

#17

I Hadn't Used My Reusable Bags Because I'm Pretty Socially Anxious And Was Worried About The Cashier Being Frustrated. But Used This For The First Time Today!

I Hadn't Used My Reusable Bags Because I'm Pretty Socially Anxious And Was Worried About The Cashier Being Frustrated. But Used This For The First Time Today!

ilovespaceack Report

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Parmeisan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was like "Okay, but why did you string your headphones over it?" I guess that's what happens when I try to look at the picture at the same time I'm reading the title.

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Maxi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany, this is normal. If you want a plastic bag, you need to pay.

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Bobbi Newell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having worked in customer service and as a cashier at a fabric store, I helped a lot of people who made and used their own bags. I've got my reusables too. Please be assured that it's not a burden or a frustration! Reusable bags are so prevalent now that cashiers take it in stride. I still love scoping out the bags that others use/have made for ideas!

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Michelle Line
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have several bags I take into all stores where I'm purchasing something that would go in them. These bags are more rigid, kinda like a cloth storage cube but with carrying straps. I never use plastic bags anymore.

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Amanda Kirby
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a cashier, I love love love customers who use these. Thank you!! Please encourage others to do so.

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BoLT
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cashier being frustrated? OK people YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE PLANET EARTH

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RaroaRaroa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not something I've ever considered in the 15 years I've been using mesh fruit/vege bags but this person has anxiety to deal with so give them a break. I guess they worried, their bags being quite opaque, that the cashier would have trouble telling what was in them.

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K.R.
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need to get these for produce! But like my reusable shopping bags, I need to remember to take them with me when I go shopping! (they are in the car, but I seem to forget to bring them in.) *sad panda

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Christina Sersif
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't care. I use reuseable bags. They hold more and I'm helping the environment, so a double win.

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Ben Smith
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

You were worried about the cashier?? Quit telling yourself you’re socially anxious and guess what: you won’t be.

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Blue Cicada
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha ha! Quit telling yourself that you're diabetic and guess what? You won't be! Quit telling yourself you have arthritis and guess what? You won't!

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#18

A Customer From Work Made A Reusable Bag From Hundreds Of Plastic Ones

A Customer From Work Made A Reusable Bag From Hundreds Of Plastic Ones

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Gracie Mae
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i've heard about things like this--great idea! in my area, a group even knits mats out of them for homeless people in the area.

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#19

Small Wins: Convincing The Ice Cream Shop To Let Me Have It In My Reusable Cup Instead Of A Disposable Cup. The Guy Looked So Confused When I Asked!

Small Wins: Convincing The Ice Cream Shop To Let Me Have It In My Reusable Cup Instead Of A Disposable Cup. The Guy Looked So Confused When I Asked!

squandaaaa Report

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Gracie Mae
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i don't know why some businesses are against this (laws, maybe? idk), but i think they pay more for the container than they do the product that goes into it. allowing customers to bring their own containers benefits us all, at least twofold--less waste & higher profit margin. i know part of the reluctance to get on board has to be regulating the size of the containers that the customer brings, but surely that can be figured out.

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#20

No More Plastic Bottles In The Shower

No More Plastic Bottles In The Shower

Wicked_Sketchy Report

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Kaisu Rei
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a serious question, but aren't these terribly unhygienic though? If I was a guest somewhere, I don't think I would be comfortable using the same bar of soap and shampoo as all the previous guests before me

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#21

Had A Volunteer Help Me Make These Stools Out Of Our Discarded Books For New Library Seating

Had A Volunteer Help Me Make These Stools Out Of Our Discarded Books For New Library Seating

hcherie92 Report

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varwenea
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I ache a bit seeing books destroyed. But if there are no other avenues for them, then this is good for the library.

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#22

Turned Old Uniforms Into A Bed Cover For Our Foster Kittens. Cuts Down On Washing Too

Turned Old Uniforms Into A Bed Cover For Our Foster Kittens. Cuts Down On Washing Too

hellostarbucks Report

#23

We Wrap Our Holiday Gifts In Fabric And Reuse It Every Year. No Tape Or Paper Trash And It Looks So Much Nicer Too

We Wrap Our Holiday Gifts In Fabric And Reuse It Every Year. No Tape Or Paper Trash And It Looks So Much Nicer Too

EatsPeanutButter Report

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Gracie Mae
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm guessing the ribbon holds it all together? i'm not good at wrapping to begin with, but this sounds like a great idea

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#24

All Of This Year's Christmas Presents Wrapped Using White Paper From 1 Amazon Delivery Box

All Of This Year's Christmas Presents Wrapped Using White Paper From 1 Amazon Delivery Box

Perryolburt Report

#25

Used Some Leftover Yarn To Make Crochet Produce Bags

Used Some Leftover Yarn To Make Crochet Produce Bags

Posted to Snapchat and 10 mins later I have 45 orders of them (and counting) for friends and family wanting to cut the plastic!

Yvalya Report

#26

We Enjoy Our Zero-Plastic Alternatives For Holding Home-Made Shampoo And Shower Gel. It Helps Our House Look More Rock 'N Roll

We Enjoy Our Zero-Plastic Alternatives For Holding Home-Made Shampoo And Shower Gel. It Helps Our House Look More Rock 'N Roll

Denncity Report

#27

Update: ~400 T-Shirt Pieces, Now A Quilt Top

Update: ~400 T-Shirt Pieces, Now A Quilt Top

AlchemistDoctor Report

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Joelyn Kitzmiller
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great! My kids were rowers and they bought a t-shirt for each regatta. A quilt from those would have been fun!

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#28

My Friends Smoked A 20 Lb Turkey For Their Halloween Party. After They Carved It They Were Going To Throw The Carcass Away

My Friends Smoked A 20 Lb Turkey For Their Halloween Party. After They Carved It They Were Going To Throw The Carcass Away

I took it home with me and made 14 pints of turkey stock.

HamishCat Report

#29

I'm Never Going Back To Wrapping Paper! Used A Grocery Bag And Some String And Decided To Add An Origami Cutie To The Top

I'm Never Going Back To Wrapping Paper! Used A Grocery Bag And Some String And Decided To Add An Origami Cutie To The Top

zomgbill Report

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Gracie Mae
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

looking forward to the day that stores start asking "paper or plastic" again! paper bags are SO useful in upcycling

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#30

I Think I'm Going To Stop Buying (New) Clothes. Made This From A $4 Shirt

I Think I'm Going To Stop Buying (New) Clothes. Made This From A $4 Shirt

GrinningCatBus Report

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Gracie Mae
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if i was better at sewing, i would definitely do this (i love Pinterest for ideas like this)!

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#31

I Made A Holder For Reusable Chopsticks, Silverware, And Straw That Doubles As A Cloth Napkin When Unfolded

I Made A Holder For Reusable Chopsticks, Silverware, And Straw That Doubles As A Cloth Napkin When Unfolded

HamishCat Report

#32

I'm Going To Be Wrapping My Gifts In Furoshiki From Now On

I'm Going To Be Wrapping My Gifts In Furoshiki From Now On

I love the idea of each person receiving a gift in their furoshiki and then using it to wrap a gift for someone else - how far will it travel?

cassolotl Report

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nanashi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Asia (at least the SE Asia where I'm from) wrapping food in cloth is common, but I never thought it could be used for gifts. the idea could work I guess.

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#33

I Made Shampoo Bars: Total Cost For A Year Supply Was About $20, And No More Plastic Bottles

I Made Shampoo Bars: Total Cost For A Year Supply Was About $20, And No More Plastic Bottles

eloquinee Report

#34

This Year I Made My Own Origami Pill Cases To Replace The Easily Broken Plastic Kind, And They Have Held Up Well

This Year I Made My Own Origami Pill Cases To Replace The Easily Broken Plastic Kind, And They Have Held Up Well

ellianderjoy Report

#35

Local Custom: Around Here People Put Out Spare Veg From Their Garden For Anyone To Help Themselves

Local Custom: Around Here People Put Out Spare Veg From Their Garden For Anyone To Help Themselves

permaculture Report

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Jody Brown
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We walk around with a wagon. "Want bananas?" "No, get plenty." "Want bananas?" "No, get choke." "Want bananas? Please take some bananas." Then we leave the rest on the bench at dog park or Ho'okipa beach.

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#36

The Chairs In My Garden Are Made Out Of Shopping Trolleys

The Chairs In My Garden Are Made Out Of Shopping Trolleys

Rezaime Report

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Gracie Mae
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's a new twist on them! have to wonder how much work it was to do? (and hoping that they were acquired legally...lol)

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#37

My Boyfriend Uses Lip Balm Religiously. I Saved His Used Tubes For The Last Year And Today I Am Re-Using Them! I Found A Recipe For Lip Balm On Pinterest

My Boyfriend Uses Lip Balm Religiously. I Saved His Used Tubes For The Last Year And Today I Am Re-Using Them! I Found A Recipe For Lip Balm On Pinterest

logibearr Report

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Kristy P
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That will save him a lot of money on lip balm... Burt's Bees isn't cheap!

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#38

Went To A Party That Had A Big Recycling Can For Bottles, And A Small Recycling Can For Bottle Caps

Went To A Party That Had A Big Recycling Can For Bottles, And A Small Recycling Can For Bottle Caps

slutwatch Report

#39

Might Not Look The Prettiest But My Sewing Project So Far, Making Face Cleaner Rounds And Other Cleaning Cloths From Old T-Shirts That Can’t Be Given To Charity

Might Not Look The Prettiest But My Sewing Project So Far, Making Face Cleaner Rounds And Other Cleaning Cloths From Old T-Shirts That Can’t Be Given To Charity

courtneylouh Report

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#40

Cat Food Bag + Leftover Bag Handles From A Workshop = Reusable Grocery Bag With A Giant Cat Face On It

Cat Food Bag + Leftover Bag Handles From A Workshop = Reusable Grocery Bag With A Giant Cat Face On It

GrinningCatBus Report

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Gracie Mae
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i do this with feed bags of all kinds; you can use old belts for the handles, or use part of the excess bag that is cut off. my mom uses them as 'tarps' on her outside bird cages.

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#41

I Wanted To Buy Some Blueberries From The Farmers' Market But Didn’t Want Any Packaging And Forgot A Container. Used My Empty Water Bottle Instead

I Wanted To Buy Some Blueberries From The Farmers' Market But Didn’t Want Any Packaging And Forgot A Container. Used My Empty Water Bottle Instead

felawful_ Report

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varwenea
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a great idea. I haven't brought containers for the produce yet, only the outer larger bag. I need to start bringing the smaller containers!

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#42

I Love This Idea - A Dog Poop Bag Dispenser Attached To A Lamppost Made From A Plastic Bottle By Local Scouts

I Love This Idea - A Dog Poop Bag Dispenser Attached To A Lamppost Made From A Plastic Bottle By Local Scouts

West Lancashire Scouts Report

#43

1 Month Of Trash And Still Trying To Reduce

1 Month Of Trash And Still Trying To Reduce

grace_kit Report

#44

Cutting Up Unused Mesh Curtains To Make Reusable Mesh Groceries Bags, With The Emotional Support Of My Furry Buddy

Cutting Up Unused Mesh Curtains To Make Reusable Mesh Groceries Bags, With The Emotional Support Of My Furry Buddy

Operadrama Report

#45

When You Just Have To Use Plastic Packaging, Don't Be Fooled When It's Seemingly Empty: If You Cut It Open, You'll See There's Still A Lot Left

When You Just Have To Use Plastic Packaging, Don't Be Fooled When It's Seemingly Empty: If You Cut It Open, You'll See There's Still A Lot Left

vibrantax Report

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Caroline Huot
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES! I always do that. People think I'm weird, but you can go such a long way. I do that with my medicated lip balm, my toothpaste, etc.

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#47

I Started Making A Basket Out Of All Of The Plastic Bags I've Been Hoarding

I Started Making A Basket Out Of All Of The Plastic Bags I've Been Hoarding

dlilmmm Report

#48

Zero Waste Win: It Took Some Serious Cajoling But I Convinced Superstore To Put My Deli Stuff Straight Into My Own Containers

Zero Waste Win: It Took Some Serious Cajoling But I Convinced Superstore To Put My Deli Stuff Straight Into My Own Containers

mariah_papaya111 Report

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diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Called "Tare weight" - the weight of the empty container, be it a ship or a tupperware box.

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#49

Maybe Not The Most Ground Breaking Thing Ever But The Most Used Drinking Glasses In My House Are Just Old Pasta Sauce Jars

Maybe Not The Most Ground Breaking Thing Ever But The Most Used Drinking Glasses In My House Are Just Old Pasta Sauce Jars

battraman Report

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#50

Instead Of Placing Garbage Cans Around This Beach, The City Made A Giant See-Through Fish With The Words "Goby Loves Plastic, Please Feed Him"

Instead Of Placing Garbage Cans Around This Beach, The City Made A Giant See-Through Fish With The Words "Goby Loves Plastic, Please Feed Him"

Kids enjoyed feeding him so much, that he's usually full by the end of the day

SedateJuggerwnasut Report

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