Planeteer Erin here, what do YOU do to save the planet?

Here’s a fun fact about me, I can’t ever remember a time when I didn’t want to “save the planet.” In fact, I remember begging my parents to let me buy 50 Simple Things Kids Can do to Save the Earth at the school Book Fair. Spoiler alert- they let me buy it. In fact, I remember loving this book so much that I re-purchased it three years ago. Don’t worry, I bought it used- Reduce, reuse, recycle friends. I also loved Captain Planet, and was beyond psyched when Subway had the Planeteer rings as the toys in their kid’s meals.

I’ll be honest- I have no idea if Subway still has kids’ meals, but I do know this. Earth Day is April 22nd, and in honor of Earth Day, here are 12 super-ridiculously easy ways to reduce waste and make an impact.

1. Use reusable shopping bags

Right? I’m sure this isn’t a huge surprise that this tops my list. Using reusable bags when you are grocery shopping is one of the easiest things you can do to save waste. The hard part? Remembering your bags! My suggestion is that you have several on hand, and keep them in the trunk of your car. That way, you don’t have to remember to grab them when you go shopping (also, they’re there for the last minute stop by the grocery store on the way home from work).

Once you’ve unpacked your bags, put them back in the car, on the handle of the door you go through on the way out to the car, or with whatever you’ll be grabbing the next time you go somewhere (perhaps your coat?). Easy peasy!

2. Use reusable cotton makeup remover pads

I’ve just recently started using reusable makeup pads and I’m in love! Not only have I reduced my waste, but I no longer have to worry about running out of cotton balls/pads. The brand I’ve been using wash well, though they do retain some of the black smudges from my mascara. Seeing as I use a waterproof mascara, that doesn’t surprise me. And it doesn’t bother me either. However, if you don’t like the color on your white pads, black and other colors are available.

3. Use reusable water bottles (stop buying plastic)

You’re not still using plastic water bottles, right? Right? I mean, an occasional usage in certain situations, okay, but not on a regular basis, right?

Not only is plastic bad for our environment, but it’s also bad for our health, but this post is about the environment, so let’s talk about how freaking easy it is, especially if you live in the United States.

Pick your favorite water bottle, fill it up. Lather, rinse, repeat. Done. Easy, right?

I have multiple favorite water bottles, but I may have a problem. Each of them serve a different purpose, though, so it’s fine. Besides, they’re an accessory item as well, so of course I need them in multiple colors!

4. Use reusable in general: Containers, plates, utensils, straws, etc.

Speaking of reusable, there are so many things that we often buy disposable that can be swapped for reusable. Is it a little more work? Yes, but good things often are.

Also consider the fact that every little bit does help, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you find using cloth napkins is easy because you’re doing laundry on a regular basis- go for it. On the other hand, if you have to find a laundromat, maybe that’s not the right place to start for you. Maybe instead you invest in some good quality food storage containers that you can use over and over instead of constantly throwing out baggies or cheap plastic containers. If you find that you picnic often, invest in set of plates and utensils for your picnicking adventures.

Take a look at the items you throw away the most and ask yourself if there is any way you can start using reusable (that’s what prompted me to move to the reusable makeup pads I’ve been using, and I love them!).

5. Donate or recycle clothes & cloth

I’m sure you know that you can take used clothing to your local thrift shops to donate to a variety of different causes (one of my favorites here in STL is [RE]Fresh which is run by a “non-profit that finds forever families for area children in foster care”). But what do you do with the clothing and cloth that can’t be donated? Recycle it.

The H&M brand stores will take your old clothing and cloth no matter what it is and what condition it is in. That’s right, you no longer have to throw away your stinky socks or underwear with holes. Plus, as a thank you for recycling, H&M will give you a coupon to use next time you shop. I’m sure other companies recycle cloth as well, but I’ll be honest. I have an H&M that I can easily access, so I haven’t done more research (but if you have, please share in the comment section!).

6. Cancel mailers- i.e. credit card offers

Credit card offers are annoying enough in and of themselves. But when you are receiving sometimes multiple a day, I can’t help but wonder how many trees are sacrificed in the name of promotion. Maybe that’s a little over-dramatic (Me? Never.), but you get the point. Next time you get a credit card offer, before you throw it into the recycling bin, open it up, turn it over, and call the “Opt-Out” number to get your name off the mailing list. Less mail, less stress, less waste. Overall win.

7. Meal plan- buy your produce 2x/week

That’s right. Not only can meal planning reduce your waist, but it can also reduce your waste!

Groan away at my bad jokes, but it’s true! Take time each week to plan your meals for the upcoming week. After you know what you’re eating make your shopping list. However, instead of buying all of your produce on your initial trip, plan a second trip halfway through the week to pick up produce. Your second trip won’t take long since you only have to visit the produce section, and you won’t have to throw away wilted broccoli or limp lettuce that you purchased earlier in the week and didn’t make it.

*Pro Tip: Clean your produce as soon as you get home from the grocery store to make it last longer. I use Eat Cleaner, and I swear my produce lasts longer since I’ve been using it.

But… just in case you do have fruit that is start getting overripe…

8. Freeze ripe fruit before it goes bad

Clean it, cut it, and put it on a baking sheet and freeze flat. Then throw it all in a Ziploc for future use in protein shakes, smoothies, or fruit “ice cream”. Frozen fruits such as grapes, berries, and citrus also work great as ice cubes.

Or just eat the frozen fruit instead of a sugary Popsicle. Two problems solved at once. You’re welcome. =)

9. Compost

Okay, I’ll be honest. This is one that I don’t have much adult experience with. However, as a kid we always had a compost pile in a corner of our yard somewhere. Food scraps and shavings went into the compost pile, as well as anything that may have accidentally gone bad (see tip #7). Apparently my parents eventually used the compost when gardening.

Like I said, I’m not your go-to girl here, but if you’ve got a yard and you like to garden, get your google on, and see what you can learn. Mom, Dad… if you’re reading this, please hear me admitting that I actually did not know everything when I was 13. Sorry for thinking I did.

10. Buy in Bulk (spices, flour, etc.)

Okay, so this one may depend on where you live and what resources you have available around you. However, if you live in a reasonably populated area, you probably have access to a grocery store that has options to buy in bulk. No, I’m not talking Costco or Sam’s club, but those containers at the grocery store where you can get everything from flour and sugar, to quinoa, nuts, spices, dried fruit, and even chocolate covered almonds!

Buying in bulk is great for trying out new recipes. For example, maybe you stumbled across my sugar-free cookie dough bite recipe, but have never used almond or coconut flour. Instead of investing in a full bag, you could literally get the small amount that you need to try the recipe. Need some nutrition yeast, but you’re not going to use it on a regular basis? Check out the bulk bins!

I also love buying spices such as dill and rosemary from the bulk bins, since they always taste better when they are a fresher. Instead of buying an entire container that I only use some of then let the rest sit (get old), I can buy what I will use for the next couple months, then come back later and get more. No waste AND fresher taste. It’s a win-win.

11. Make your own cleaning supplies

Yes, yes and all the yes. Not only can you save the environment (I told you I was a planeteer), but you can save money and your health at the same time! Yes, all of these things… and it’s really easy too.

It’s amazing what you can do with water, white vinegar, and baking soda. If you want something that “smells nice,” essential oils will do the trick nicely. Check out this article from Earth 911 for 10 Simple Nontoxic Cleaning Recipes, or find your favorite Pin and get started!

Confession: I’m still working on detoxing my cleaners right now. It’s one of my goals for the year, and I’m really excited about it! I’ll share my favorite cleaning recipes later in the year once I’ve found them!

12. Learn how to recycle in your community (and work space)

If you aren’t familiar with how to recycle in your community- get familiar! Paper, plastic, and aluminum recycling has gone pretty mainstream over the last several years. You may be able to add curbside pickup as a service, or add it to your trash service. Several communities have single stream recycling, meaning you don’t even have to sort the items. If they recycle, they go in together. If you have access to single stream recycling, there are really no excuses. None. So get to it.

In some areas you may have to sort, or even take your recycling to a recycling center. But with some simple systems in place, even sorting and taking your recycling isn’t difficult. For example, when I lived in Virginia, we had to sort at recycling stations that were in many grocery store parking lots. I purchased 3 trash cans (which we stored outside our back door) so we sorted as we used recyclable items. Then, when we went to the grocery store we could easily load up any of the cans that needed to be dumped, and the sorting was already done. Magic. Okay, so this took about an extra 5 minutes of my life once or twice a month. Totally worth it.

Paper, plastic, aluminum and steel- check. But did you know in addition to the normal items we think about as recyclable you can recycle… almost everything? I already mentioned recycling clothes and cloth in #3, but more and more companies are getting on board the recycling train. For every six M.A.C. Cosmetics containers you recycle with the company they let you choose a lipstick of your choice. BareMinerals recycles packaging from any company (as long as they carry the same product) and adds points to your F.A.B. account with each recycled item.

So what am I saying? Take some time to get familiar with what you can recycle and where. If you’re not sure, Google it. Google really does know everything.

Most importantly…

Every little bit helps. I just gave you 12 easy ways to reduce your waste, but here’s the thing. You don’t have to go all or nothing. Even if you only start adding one thing at a time, it all adds up. Some of these things will be easier for you to do, and some may be easier for your sister in another city to do (for example- recycling clothing is easy for me since we have more than one H&M in town, however, if you don’t have one, you may have to look for other options… or start with something easier). Just do something. Your beautiful planet thanks you.

Remember. Only YOU can save the planet!

How do YOU reduce your waste? Please share additional ideas in the comments!

Bonus Resources:

Article: Are You a Plastic Offender? Here’s how to use Less. (Today.com)

This post was a long one- and if you made it this far, good on you! Next week will be a quick read, with my brand-new recipe for a Skinny Margarita. Yes. You’re welcome.

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12 Easy Ways to Reduce Waste (and improve your health at the same time!)