Spring has arrived, tulips and daffodils are emerging from the ground. It's the season of renewal and rejuvenation, and there's no better time to get inspired about taking care of our planet and your home. April is Earth Month, and while some may argue that every month should be Earth Month, it's a great opportunity to get everyone excited about being a more conscious consumer.
One of the best ways to become a more conscious consumer is by practicing the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. But did you know that there are more than just three Rs? Let's take a closer look at all of them:
Rethink: Before you buy anything, take a moment to think about whether you really need it. Is there something else you already have that could work instead? Can you borrow or rent what you need for a project? By rethinking your purchases, you can avoid accumulating unnecessary clutter and waste.
Reduce: When you do need to make a purchase, consider investing in quality items that will last instead of cheap ones that need to be replaced often. You can also reduce what you buy by keeping the extras at the store, you don’t need to stock up on everything. And, use up what you have before you buy more. I know a lot of you think you are saving time by buying extra but you are also spending time organizing all those bulk items in your home to try to make them look better and sometimes those items get forgotten or they expire and then you have waste.
Refuse: Learn to say "no" to things you don't need, like receipts or free samples. By refusing these unnecessary items, you can reduce waste and clutter. And, if you don’t need it, refuse the shopping bag as well.
Reuse: Look at donation centers and consignment stores before buying a new item. Extend the life of your possessions and upcycle them. Can those jars or boxes be used as storage containers?
Repair: Save money and the environment by trying to fix things when they break or rip. There are countless tutorials on YouTube and other online resources that can guide you through the process.
Refill: Cleaning solutions can be bought in concentrated forms and many soaps and even some food products can be bought from bulk bins. The more you can refill the less bottles and inventory you have to keep track of making more room in your home - especially in the bathroom and kitchen.
Rot: If you have a yard, consider starting a compost bin to dispose of food scraps and recyclable materials that would otherwise be thrown away. It's amazing how much waste we generate that could be repurposed in this way. I keep my compost in my refrigerator in an old plastic coffee container, but a container in the freezer could be used as well. Maybe you have an old tupperware container or something similar that you can use to contain this waste so you are not keeping it out on your counters and attracting pests or bad smells.
Recycle: Break down your boxes. Too often I see empty boxes taking up space in houses. Packaging often takes up more space than you need it to, so break down the box and recycle it right away. I get you might want to keep a product box in case you need to return an item, but if you have been using the item for 30 days or more, you no longer need the box because you are not going to return it to the store.
By incorporating all of these Rs into your daily life, you can make a real difference in reducing waste and taking care of our planet and your home. Earth Month is a great time to start, but don't let the momentum fade. Let's make every month Earth Month and commit to being conscious consumers all year round.