Zero Waste Challenge Day 15: Meal Prep

Since we’re on the topic of grocery shopping and food waste, let’s consider how to prep meals throughout the week. I’ve never been a meal prepper. I tend to buy canned goods that are easy to prepare. The cans, at least, can be recycled. I’ve got friends who prep out their meals for the entireContinue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 15: Meal Prep”

Zero Waste Challenge Day 14: Fight Food Waste

We’re officially two weeks into the Zero Waste Challenge. It’s easier than I thought it would be. A lot of it is just common sense changes that save money and are generally better for your health. Day 14 focuses on food waste. I recently blogged about that topic and shared the following suggestions: Familiarize yourselfContinue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 14: Fight Food Waste”

Zero Waste Challenge Day 13: Grocery Shopping

Day 13 of the Zero Waste Challenge focuses on eco-friendly grocery shopping. Reducing food waste is an issue I addressed in a previous blog, but Kathryn offers more advice. There’s the obvious suggestions like bringing your own grocery bags and buying items in bulk when possible, but there are other things you can do toContinue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 13: Grocery Shopping”

Zero Waste Challenge Day 12: Pick Up Litter

Day 12 of the Zero Waste Challenge focuses on litter and our responsibility to pick it up when we see it. I always do this on float trips because I hate seeing trash in the river, but I got out of the habit when it comes to regular trash in and around the city. SometimesContinue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 12: Pick Up Litter”

Zero Waste Challenge Day 11: Conserving Resources

As a homeowner, conserving natural resources is already on my radar. I don’t want to rack up an enormous utility bill. Often green living goes hand in hand with frugality. It’s just one of many benefits of an eco-conscious attitude. I can’t stand waste and that includes water and electricity. So day 11 of Kathryn’sContinue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 11: Conserving Resources”

Zero Waste Challenge Day 9: Green Cleaning

Now that we’re focusing on lifestyle changes, let’s talk about cleaning! How green are your cleaning products and habits? Common household cleaners contain harsh chemicals that are not only bad for the environment, but can be harmful to the health of your family and pets, too. Using natural cleaning products is safer and healthier. AvoidContinue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 9: Green Cleaning”

Zero Waste Challenge Day 8: Declutter the Green Way

It’s interesting to me that week 2 of the Zero Waste Challenge begins with decluttering in an environmentally-friendly way. I’ve already blogged extensively about the concept of minimalism and adopting a “less is more” mindset. Consumerism is fatal to the environment. Everything we buy must be produced and transported which uses up a lot ofContinue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 8: Declutter the Green Way”

Zero Waste Challenge Day 7: Snacks!

We’ve covered a lot of single-use swaps so far in the Zero Waste Challenge and now it’s time to start talking about food. I absolutely love food and snacking is a big part of my life. Food waste is a huge problem in the United States, and I’ve been doing a much better job ofContinue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 7: Snacks!”

Zero Waste Challenge Day 6: No More Disposables

So far in my zero waste journey, I’ve committed to buying less, saying no to plastic straws, keeping a reusable mug and water bottle with me, and using grocery totes instead of plastic bags. The next step focuses on other disposables like plastic flatware, paper plates, etc. Kathryn stresses the importance of using “real stuff”Continue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 6: No More Disposables”

Zero Waste Challenge Day 5: Grocery Bags

The next single-use item that needs to be swapped out for reusable ones is grocery bags. Regular plastic bags are not durable yet they take forever to break down and biodegrade. Bringing your own grocery bag to the store can help reduce this waste. Because plastic bags are small, they’re easily blown out of trashContinue reading “Zero Waste Challenge Day 5: Grocery Bags”