Try to purchase food with little to no packaging.Or buy in bulk at the store.
Bring reusables when eating out/ during lunch hour. Bring silverware from home, a reuseable bottle/thermos, non plastic straws (or don't use a straw if you don't need to), cloth napkins, etc.
Welcome alternatives to disposables (paper towels, garbage liners, dish sponge, wax paper, disposable plates, cups, etc….): Swap paper towels for reusable rags, swap sandwich baggies for kitchen towels, stasher bags, stainless steel containers, drop garbage liners all together.
Shop the farmer’s market: they’ll take the egg carton and the berries baskets back for reuse. Your veggies will also most likely be free of plastic and stickers there too.
Check out a bulk foods store where you bring your own containers. Bring cloth bags (dry goods), jars (wet items such as meat, deli, fish, cheese, oil, peanut butter) and bottles (liquids: oil, soy sauce, shampoo, conditioner).
Bathroom/ Self Care
Use 100% recycled and unbleached toilet paper.
Try using a package free bar soap to wash your body.
Try out a shampoo/condtioner bar to wash your hair.
Use a menstruel cup instead of pads/tampons to reduce period waste.
Purchase castile soap in bulk to use on body and hands (also has other uses).
Skip the cleaning products and make your own. Or search for sustainable products instead.
Cardboard, sugarcane, glass and PCR are other great packaging alternatives to new plastic.
Consider a company that refills your product to minimize waste. Ex: Plaine Products
Or choose a company that uses alumnium packaging (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, etc) which is forever reycleable.
Closet/ Laundry
Keep some of your worn-out clothes for rags.
Try out a capsule wardrobe and wear what you already have.
Only shop a couple times a year to avoid compulsive buys.
Donate items you longer use to someone in need/recycle.
Get creative and learn to sew/upcycle your clothes to prolong their life.
Shop on ThredUp, Depop, Etsy and Instagram for secondhand/vintage finds.
If you just need a specific item once, borrow clothes from a friends/family or rent it!
Check out your local thrift store instead of buying fast fashion. Wash the clothes after purchasing.
Use reusable dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.
Try a zero waste laundry detergent. Besides plastic free detergent theres pods, bars, stain sticks,etc.
If possible, lay your clothes/items on a laundry rack or hang them outside to dry if you don't need them right away.
Home/ Homeowner
Unplug electronics when you aren't using them.
Turn off lights when you leave a room.
Join Buy Nothing groups online or check out @stoopingnyc on instagram to find furniture being given away for free in the area.
Check out the apps OfferUp/Let Go for furniture being given away for free/low cost.
Certain thrift/antique stores also specifically sell furniture! Estate/ garage sales are also great places to explore.
Switch to paperless billing.
Do an energy audit of your home. This will show how you use or waste energy and help identify ways to be more energy efficient.
Change incandescent light bulbs and switch to LED light bulbs. Though LEDs cost more, they use a quarter of the energy and last up to 25 times longer.
Have solar panels installed on your roof or Sign up to get your electricity from clean energy through your local utility or a certified renewable energy provider. Green-e.org can help you find certified green energy providers.
