How I started composting in my apartment

In the laundry room of my apartment, there is a very unremarkable cardboard box. I keep it covered in an old t-shirt.

It’s not something that I show to visitors, and I don’t see it for most of the day. But over the last few months, this hidden box has become one of the things I like most about my home. 

It’s a compost box. 

My compost box doesn’t smell, doesn’t create any liquid mess, and doesn’t require a family of worms to move in.

Instead, it quietly “digests” the daily scraps from my kitchen – fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds and eggshells – and turns them into fresh, nutrient-rich soil. 

I had always assumed that composting indoors would be difficult. I pictured a cloud of fruit flies, and puddles of pungent, fermented water. So it was a gamechanger when I came across a New York Times article by climate reporter Hiroko Tabuchi, who explained her simple composting technique. 

The compost box method – widely used in Japan, but less well known in the US – is perfect for urban homes without gardens.

Here’s how to do it

Image credit: Ling Low

Take a cardboard box and prop it up on something, such as a couple of bricks, to let air circulate underneath it. It’s important that the box is cardboard, because this allows for more airflow. Reinforce the bottom with extra cardboard.

Then add a base of approximately three parts coco peat and two parts rice husk ash (or alternatively hardwood ash). Together, this mixture will help absorb excess moisture and odors. You should be able to find these supplies at a nursery or online store.

That’s it. Your compost box is now ready to take on your kitchen waste. Dig a small hole with a trowel, add your scraps, and cover them with the peat and ash mix. Just avoid adding oily or salty food, raw meat or dairy. Hiroko Tabuchi’s Google Doc guide has more details what can and can’t go into the box.

Why it works

Image credit: ivabalk/Pixabay

Composting is a small but achievable step to making our homes less wasteful. When we add kitchen waste to our regular trash, it ends up in landfill. The rotting organic waste then creates methane emissions that contribute to global warming. 

With composting, we can return this waste back to the earth, following nature’s own cycle. Oxygen, warmth and microorganisms create a process of aerobic decomposition. Over time, the scraps become a nutritious soil. 

If it seems like your compost mix is too dry, you can sprinkle a little bit of water into the box to help it along. Now and again, you might spot some fuzzy white mould – this is likely nothing to worry about. Simply turn the soil to cover it again.

After a while, you’ll see your box contents look more textured and uneven as various things break down. Thick orange rinds could take up to a few months to shrink, while thinner peelings will disappear in three or four weeks. As long as you have enough room to keep everything covered, you’ll be fine. 

Using your compost

Image credit: Markus Spiske/Unsplash

Because I use my compost box every day, there’s always something in the process of decomposing. From time to time, I’ll dig around and find places where the mix looks finer and darker, like soil. Every few weeks, I scoop up a little to use as fertiliser for my houseplants. The new soil builds up very slowly, so the box doesn’t ever fill to the brim.

If you have an outdoor garden or balcony in a warm climate, you can try using flower pots instead of a box. This was a tip I learned from Eats, Shoots and Roots, an urban garden social enterprise based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Take seven pots, and add some light soil to each of them. Then put your kitchen waste in one, and cover it completely with soil. Repeat until the pot is full, then move onto a new pot. By the time they’re all full, the first pot’s waste will have broken down and you can start the rotation again. Just make sure the waste is completely buried in soil, to deter pests and wild animals.

In cold weather, composting slows down. But there are still ways to keep your compost going. You can insulate your pots by covering them with a tarp or cover, or by using a container with a lid. Chop your food scraps into smaller pieces to help speed up the process.

While my compost box isn’t pretty or Instagrammable, it brings me joy. I love seeing scraps of old fruit and vegetables shrink and disappear, almost magically, into fresh, soft earth. Turning the soil has become a daily ritual which I find both soothing and satisfying. 

Until I have a garden of my own, the box is here to stay.

Ling Low is a writer, journalist and filmmaker who loves a low-key DIY project. Follow her projects on Instagram @linglowww

How to be a more sustainable plant parent

Now that even your previously uninterested friend has a plant – they either chose the plant life or had the plant life thrust upon them, there is no in-between – we can say “everyone has plants” and it wouldn’t really be an exaggeration.

Thanks to the pandemic, nearly everyone has been seized by the urge to make their space green. But just how green is ‘green’? Is your hobby actually sustainable? There’s no exact way to measure your ecological footprint in this regard, but here are some simple ways to keep it small.

Shop local

Image credit: Gary Barnes/Pexels

The debate about the relationship between the international plant market and carbon emissions aside, you can be a responsible buyer by acquiring plants from your local garden centres or growers instead of ordering plants online from the other side of the world, which takes up more resources, packaging and energy. And you’ll also be supporting your local economy.

Reuse or donate plastic pots

Image credit: Andrea Tim

Plants are typically sold in their original plastic nursery pots, which okay, aren’t the most attractive, but don’t bin them. If you don’t like the look, simply get a pretty cachepot to hide it. Plus, growing plants in lightweight plastic pots makes it more manageable, especially with larger species. If you do end up collecting more unrecyclable plastic pots than you need, see if your garden centre collects them, or offer them to a friend who propagates their own plants at home – they’ll need those pots!

Propagate for plant swaps

Image credit: Andrea Tim

Share the love at plant swaps, where in some cases, you won’t even need pots. Bring cuttings or plants you want to give away to exchange for species you don’t have. You’ll expand your collection without the typical (plastic) baggage that comes with shopping brand-new.

Stay organic

Image credit: Andrea Tim

There are pros and cons to both organic and synthetic fertilisers, but the consensus is that organic fertilisers are the way to go in terms of keeping green. Organic fertilisers are usually derived from compost or other organic materials, which are biodegradable and renewable, and less likely to leach chemicals into the ground or waterways. Yay compost! When it comes to pesticides, organic neem oil-based ones are effective on a number of common sucking pests like aphids, mealybugs and scale.

Check your electricity and water usage

Image credit: Cottonbro/Pexels

Staying sustainable also means reducing waste. Hand-watering plants instead of using sprinklers saves water. Collect rainwater to water your plants with. If you use grow lights – north-facing folk, we feel you – put them on a timer so they don’t stay on all day, to keep your energy consumption and electricity bill low.

Buy plants that suit your home

Image credit: Nina Pintar/Pexels

In other words, don’t just do it for the ’gram. That calathea looks so good at the shop, yes, but it all changes when you take it home. Do your research before purchasing a plant to see if you can give it what it needs. Think light levels, humidity, and general maintenance. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a dead plant, or a crispy-edged one, at best. Calathea heartaches, IYKYK.

Leave wild species be

Image credit: Maik Kleinert/Pexels

It’s one thing for an expert to take choice samples of a plant in the wild for study and potentially contribute to tissue-culture production of what may later become a popular houseplant, but it’s another thing to uproot wild plants to fuel consumer greed. Plant poaching can render certain species endangered or extinct, and disrupt ecosystems. When exotic plants are introduced to a region and not controlled, they could become invasive species that threaten native plants. With so many varieties of plants available to buy in garden centres, we have more than enough to build our little sanctuary at home, and we don’t need to harm wild species to do it.

Andrea Tim drinks more coffee than she should and has more plants than she should. Follow her plant rants on Instagram @plantcaffeine.

9 zero waste instagrammers to follow

Have you decided to try zero waste living? Great!

The zero waste community is one that spans the globe, made up of individuals passionate about reducing and preventing waste. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, or someone with plenty of experience, any mission is better if you’re doing it with the support of a community. 

And one of the easiest ways to find said community? Instagram. Following hashtags like #zerowaste, #goingzerowaste or #zerowasteliving will help you find others on the same journey as you. 

These are some of our favourite accounts to follow for tips and inspiration. 

1. Kathryn Kellogg

Image credit: Kathryn Kellogg

Kathryn had a breast cancer scare when she was in college, which got her thinking about what she put in her body. As a result of what she found and learnt, she started her blog Going Zero Waste.

Kathryn is now one of National Geographic’s spokespeople for plastic-free living, and the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste.  

On her Instagram account, you’ll find tips on how to go zero waste and Kathryn’s real life struggles with the practice. You’ll also see educational posts about what you’re putting into your body, and how litter and plastic impact the earth.

FOLLOW KATHRYN

2. Jess Carpenter

Image credit: Jess Carpenter

If you think going zero waste means being less fashionable, think again.

And you will when you see Jess’s Instagram feed.

Her minimalist way of dressing that calls for recycling the same few outfits is not only stylish, but makes you think twice about shopping for new clothes you don’t need: Seriously, does every #OOTD need new clothes? 

FOLLOW JESS

3. Anita Vandyke

Image credit: Anita Vandyke

Need realistic hacks and advice on how to live a zero waste life?

Anita, author of A Zero Waste Life, is your to-go person.

She regularly posts tips about her daily zero waste rituals and hacks and provides both budgeting solutions for cutting out waste in your life.

Why budget? Because let’s be real: Going zero waste can sometimes cost more cash than not opting to go down that route, which is a shame.

FOLLOW ANITA

4. Manuela Baron

Image credit: Manuela Baron

Manuela tries to live a zero waste, minimal and plant-based life, and it shows in her Instagram posts, where she encourages everyone to live a more sustainable lifestyle with her zero waste tips and observations.

The artwork and outfits she makes from are particularly impressive.

FOLLOW MANUELA

5. Heather White

Image credit: Heather White

Heather is a mum with a family of four who strives to live intentionally, and this includes the foods she eats as well as the products she uses.

We’re particularly impressed with how she and her family grow their own food, which include figs, berries, herbs, okra and flowers, which she uses in her meals.

Heather’s Instagram posts also includes zero waste hacks, like using parchment paper to store shampoo bars, keep them from disintegrating into a soggy mess.

FOLLOW HEATHER

6. Megean Weldon

Image credit: Megean Weldon

Megean from Kansas City is on a journey to make her lifestyle as zero waste as possible.

In her posts, she acknowledges that being zero waste is a constant effort, and that every little bit helps. Not surprisingly, she puts out posts that shares plenty of useful, real-life tips that are bound to help you make zero waste living a part of your life.

FOLLOW MEGEAN

7. Anne-Marie Bonneau

Image credit: Anne-Marie Bonneau

Love to cook and want to do it in a purposeful, zero waste way without involving excess packaging and processed foods? Then you’ll love Anne-Marie, also known as @zerowastechef.

She shops at farmers markets to reduce chances of buying foods that have plastic packaging, then shares her recipes and food prepping tips food for the week ahead using these same ingredients.

Not only are her methods zero waste, they’re also healthier since she doesn’t use processed food.

FOLLOW ANNE-MARIE

8. Bea Johnson

Image credit: Bea Johnson

CNN calls her the mother of the zero waste lifestyle movement, and for good reason: She’s been striving to live a zero waste lifestyle with her family for over 10 years now.

Thanks to her zero waste cred, it’s safe to say that Bea knows what she’s talking about.

She’s also the author of Zero Waste Home, in which she shares her tried and tested advice for simplifying your life to get rid of earth-clogging excess.

FOLLOW BEA

9. Daniel Silverstein

Image credit: Zero Waste Daniel

Daniel is a New York-based clothing designer and zero waste pioneer who’s on a mission to end waste in the fashion industry one of the biggest industries to contribute to our bursting landfills.

Daniel turns fashion scraps into new clothes, making it a popular practice in the process and helping us get a step closer to making fashion waste is a thing of the past.

Following Daniel is proof that just because you’re going zero waste, it doesn’t mean you have to be leave your love for fashion behind.

FOLLOW DANIEL

Planning to make zero waste habits a part of your daily routine? Start by ditching the plastic shopping bags and paper napkins in your life and swapping them with reusable ones. Make your own easily with our DIY bento bag and napkin tutorials here:

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It’s time for a WFH refresh

One whole year since lockdown first began and we’ve all perfected our working from home setup – right? Maybe. (Personally I invariably end up perched at the edge of the sofa with my laptop while trying to make sure my eight-month-old doesn’t choke herself with whatever household object she’s trying to cram into her mouth at that very moment.) 

Maybe you have invested in creating the optimum working environment for you, whether that’s a supportive chair, blue-light glasses, or just a subscription to a really good coffee bean delivery. Or maybe, like many others, you were rushed into the whole working-from-home thing, and even one year later, you still keep putting off making any serious changes to your setup because you don’t know when things will go back to ‘normal’. It could be tomorrow. It probably won’t be. 

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that working from home is here to stay, in some capacity or another. So make the space you work from as pleasant and conducive to productivity as you can. Treat as an exercise in self-care, and an excuse to treat yourself to some new stationery. 

Be realistic about where you work

Image credit: Samson Katt/Pexels

It’s all very well to set up a standing desk with an ergonomic footpad and natural light from all angles, but it means nothing if most days you work in your bed. Think about where it is you actually end up doing your work the majority of the time. If it’s not your desk, is it because your desk setup isn’t right? Or is it because you prefer the light in your living room, or the space you have on the dining table – or do you just really like working in bed? If that’s the case, embrace it. Don’t force yourself to work at a desk if you don’t end up doing your best work there. After all, what’s the point of working from home then? (Apart from being responsible and limiting social contact.)

Upgrade the things you use the most often

The time has come for you to stop dragging that wooden dining chair around and give your back a break with an actual office chair. It may seem like an outrageous purchase at first, but it’s one that you and your floors and your downstairs neighbours will soon come to appreciate.

Other upgrades to think about: an ergonomic mouse can alleviate hand cramps and the dreaded onset of carpal tunnel; a laptop stand will prop your screen up at an angle that is kinder on your neck. Swap your standard-issue Apple earphones for some cushy noise-cancelling numbers, or bring in a fancy desk lamp that makes you look extra glowy for your Zoom calls. 

(It goes without saying that if you’re a sofa worker you should think about swapping out your sofa covers or at least giving them a spin in the washing machine.)

Get your hydration station sorted

One of the many benefits of working from home is that your co-workers will no longer judge you for how much coffee you drink, nor the manner in which you choose to make it. So embrace it. Optimise your hydration station with whatever you need to keep your caffeine and water levels high; a pour-over kit! A slow juicer! A Vitamix! (And a glass straw, because those things are fancy.) Surround yourself with the things that bring you joy, and hydration. 

Finally, treat yourself to something nice

Image credit: Ella Jardim/Unsplash

Everything mentioned above has been merely an upgrade of something you already use; functional necessities for the business of working. But if we’re going to keep sane in these times of ongoing madness, we also need to treat ourselves. Come payday, get yourself something nice that is not strictly necessary – a print for the wall that keeps you positive; a throw to cuddle up in when you begin to feel the onset of existential doom; an essential oil diffuser to keep your space smelling fresh. I’m personally a big fan of a facial spray – a nice daily spritz of luxury that keeps your skin hydrated and your spirits calm. 

Now go forth and be productive! And if you do end up on the sofa after all, you know what to do…

GET YOUR SOFA SOME NEW CLOTHES

Here’s how much it would cost to reupholster your couch (or chair)

Let’s face it, your trusty couch has seen better days. It once stood proud as the centrepiece of your living room. But that was before all the years of lunch lounging and couch partying took their toll.

After holding off for as long as possible and trying every pick-me-up in the book, the couch is now in a sad state that no amount of cushion flipping or scrubbing will salvage. 

All that’s left is to decide is whether to extend its life through upholstery, or throw it out teary-eyed. We’re here to help you make that decision! 

When it comes to the dilemma of whether to reupholster or break up with your sofa, it often boils down to the cost. As you may have heard, reupholstery is expensive (like stupid expensive), there’s no way around that. 

There is however more to the story than the price and a few cases where reupholstery is the best choice. Stick around and learn:

  • How much does it cost to reupholster your sofa (or chair)
  • When should you reupholster
  • Alternatives to reupholstery

First things first, how much does it cost to reupholster a couch anyway?

Sofa Reupholstery Cost


To understand the total cost of reupholstering a couch, we called several upholstery shops in the US to give us the rundown.

These included upholstery stores near New York, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

To calculate the total cost of a reupholstery job, you’ll need to take three costs into consideration:

Transport Costs

To reupholster your sofa, you’ll need to haul it over to the upholsterers. Unless you’ve found a way to tackle this yourself, it might be wise to seek professional help.

The good news is that you can always call the upholstery studio to arrange transport. If they don’t provide the service, they may refer you to a list of third parties for you to pick from.

How much will this cost? Expect the transport fees to start at $100 for return shipping. 

Easy enough, what’s next?

Fabric Costs


Unless you’ve pre-prepared some fabric for your couch’s second advent in life, you’ll need to buy some from the upholsterers. Depending on your tastes, the fabric part of the bill can vary.

There are many different fabrics you can get your couch upholstered with. The prices range between $10-$200 per yard. For large couches requiring lots of fabric, you can see why this gets expensive.

Here’s a loose rundown of how much the different fabric types will cost. Remember that even the same kind of fabric can have varying quality which may raise or lower the price per yard.

Fabric categories:

“Budget Fabrics”
($10-$25)

Cotton, Cotton/Linen Blend, Nylon, Polyester

Mid-Priced Fabrics
($25-$50)

Chenille, Acrylic, Rayon, Olefin

Premium Fabrics
($50-$100)

Velvet, Linen, Leather, Silk

Specialty Fabrics
($150+)

Vintage prints and other similarly uniquely patterned fabrics.


It pays not to have expensive tastes here. Especially if you’re eyeing that vintage Hermès silk print.

Of course, the yardage prices alone won’t paint the full picture of fabric costs. There’s also the question of how much fabric your couch will need. I’ve summarized it in the chart below:

Chairs

1-5 yards

Chaise Lounges & Settees

5-11 yards

Sofas

10-20 yards

Sectional Sofas

28-36 yards

Source: JH Conklin & Co

Unfortunately we couldn’t include the yardage amounts for every kind of sofa, which would be too long for this blog post. For a more exact idea of what it takes to reupholster your particular sofa, simply compare it to the closest thing on an upholstery website.

Labour Costs


The final part of the bill you’ll need to factor in are the labour costs.

Upholstery isn’t just about stapling some fabric to the cushions and frame of the sofa. There’s a lot of work involved from pattern-making, frame repair, cushion stuffing, pleating, replacing springs/padding and so on.

As you might have guessed, here comes another table with the general cost for the labor component:

Chairs

$130-$480

Chaise Lounges & Settees

$580-$1020

Sofas

$980-$1480

Sectional Sofas

$2800-$3200

Yay, even more tables
Source: JH Conklin & Co

Do note that the price of workmanship varies from state to state. The cheapest we’ve found in our investigation was $800 for a sofa, which goes up all the way to $1600.

Additionally, costs can vary from project to project within the same upholstery store itself depending on how much work is required to restore your sofa to it’s good old self. For example, cushion restuffing would add on $400 or more depending on the fill type.

Should you reupholster your sofa?

After reading all this, you may be questioning why anyone would reupholster their sofa. The price! The hassle! How can it be worth it?

As it turns out, the people who turn to reupholstery aren’t deranged. There are several situations when reupholstery is the only choice. 

1) Sofas were built better in the past

Long ago in a not so distant land, sofas were made to last the ages. One generation ago you could buy an inexpensive quality sofa and have it serve you a lifetime; after which it often gets passed down to the kids.

If you’ve noticed the many antique sofas in thrift stores that still look good and still have their “oomph!” despite their age, then that’s likely why.

Those timeless pieces are bench crafted with hardwood frames, joints that are glued and screwed, 8 way tied spring systems and everything else that makes the sofas of old sturdy as heck.

Nowadays, you can now only expect the average sofa to last a grand total of 6 years.

2) Personal attachment and sentimental reasons

Even if your couch isn’t the toughest, meanest and most well-built sofa on the block, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t reupholster it.

You’ve sat on your sofa, snoozed on it, and built many memories together – it may have watched you grow up.

For that reason, some households would never dream of parting with their couch. It’s family!

In these cases, no one can say that it wouldn’t be worth it to save the old couch. As Marie Kondo says, if it sparks joy you should keep it around – price be damned! (she didn’t quite say it that way)

That said, there are cheaper alternatives to upholstering your sofa you could explore.

Alternatives to upholstery


As great as upholstery is at rewinding time on the most uncomfortable or yucky looking couches, there are other ways to bring a couch back to life.

Many a time does a couch simply look sad with nothing else wrong with it. In these cases it’s more cost-effective to skip the “pimp my sofa” treatment and replace the fabric with a bespoke slipcover (we sew these right here at Comfort Works). 

Doesn’t it look good as new? Maybe even better :) 

Not only does this cost far less than your average upholstery job, but the slipcover can also be removed for easy machine washing (except for the vegan leather ones). 

They can even be sewn for upholstered sofas which didn’t originally come with a cover. As long as it can be slipcovered, we can make a cover for it!

Now the grand question: How much does a tailor-made slipcover cost for your average 3 seater? 

You should expect it to cost anywhere between $300 and $700 for an entry level fabric, depending on the couch.

Not “cheap” for sure but definitely more affordable than reupholstery if you’re only looking to replace the fabric – plus you won’t even need to ship your couch over to us. 

On the other hand, just a slipcover won’t do anything for the frame and cushions of your sofa which is why it isn’t the right choice for everyone. But as long as your sofa is in good shape, then it’s worth a consideration. 

If you’re interested to see what we can do for your sofa, check out some of our work on Instagram or visit our site to learn more about our fabrics and the various sofa brands we make hand-crafted slipcovers for.

REDISCOVER YOUR SOFA

9 easy ways to use less plastic at home

It’s no secret that plastics are overwhelming the earth right now. Decades of uncontrolled plastic production and consumption have created a glut of plastic waste, dominating the landfills, filling the oceans and even leeching into our water supplies. The latest: terrifying research that shows microplastics can pass from mothers to foetuses, in a study that was conducted on rats. 

Plastic has even reached places where humans have yet to explore fully. Debate is constantly raging as to who is responsible for this situation, and who should be the first to act: should national governments impose more sanctions on plastic production? Should brands and companies be responsible for developing biodegradable or sustainable alternatives to plastics? Should individual consumers be tasked with reducing their own plastic consumption?

The answer, of course, is all of the above. Reducing plastic use is a job for everyone, even if it does feel overwhelming at times. It does mean applying a little more thought to your everyday life, and making sure you have the necessary supplies before leaving home so you don’t get forced into accepting a plastic bag at the supermarket.  But however big or small a change you want to make, it’s doing good. And it’s doable. 

1. Swap to a fabric face mask, if you can

Within a year, face masks have transformed from a somewhat puzzling accessory to a must-have garment for leaving the house. The good news: masks keep you safer. The bad news: Single-use surgical masks are just as bad for the planet as any other single-use plastic.

If you need to use single-use surgical masks for medical or professional reasons, remember to dispose of them responsibly. Cut the ear loops so that there’s less chance of wildlife getting tangled up in them, and then throw the whole mask straight into the bin. (Unfortunately there is no safe way to recycle this kind of mask.)

Or if you can, purchase a fabric mask that can be washed and reworn multiple times. Just make sure that your mask has at least three layers, per the WHO’s recommendations: “an inner layer of absorbent material, such as cotton; a middle layer of non-woven material, such as polypropylene; an outer layer of non-absorbent material, such as polyester or polyester blend.” Fabric masks should be washed at 60C and never shared. 

2. Ditch the plastic water bottles

Swapping out plastic water bottles for a reusable bottle is one of the easiest ways to cut down on your plastic use.  Bonus points if you buy a new water bottle that’s made from recycled plastic! Of course, this also applies to all other disposable drink vessels – takeaway coffees, smoothies, boba. If you order a drink a day on average, you could save the world from 365 pieces of plastic waste a year.

3. Try a zero-waste store

Zero-waste or bulk supply stores are a great way to shop for generic household items that you buy frequently and in large quantities: think dishwashing liquid, detergent, and body shampoo – whatever you use on a regular basis, you’d probably find it in a zero-waste shop. Take along your own containers and fill them up at the store – you’ll pay only for what you take, and won’t have to pay for excess packaging either. 

4. Keep reusable straws and utensils with you

I know what you’re thinking: “It’s just one straw!” as you guiltily sip your well-deserved beverage. And though you can’t be perfect all the time, it’s not just one plastic straw if the entire world of over seven billion people uses a straw every day.

A reusable straw is the easiest thing to stick in your bag; portable utensil sets too, if you’re partial to a takeaway. 

5. No more Ziplocs

Whether it’s for a sandwich or a few grapes, there’s no real reason to grab a Ziploc bag any more when you could reach for a reusable alternative instead. Silicone food storage bags are sturdier, washable, freeze well, come in a much more exciting range of colours and can even go in the microwave

6. Keep bags by the door or in the car

It goes without saying by now that if you’re going grocery shopping, you should be carting your food home in sturdy reusable totes rather than plastic bags. If you’re prone to forgetting, or enjoy a spontaneous grocery dash while you’re out and about, set yourself up for success by keeping a bag or two in your car, by the door or inside your daily work/errands bag. 

7. Support your local farmers’ markets

It seems like fruits at the supermarket all come in plastic packaging these days, even when they already have a perfectly natural protective layer. What even is the point of bananas and oranges in plastic packaging?

Pressuring your local supermarket to reduce their reliance on plastic packaging can do wonders, but also consider heading to your local farmers’ market for fresh produce without the plastic. You’ll also be supporting your local community and eating more sustainably. 

8. Use solid shampoo and soap bars

You can eliminate one whole category of plastic waste from your life by switching to solid shampoo, conditioner and soap bars. (You could even have a go at making your own.) Bonus: many of these kinds of soaps don’t include the synthetic foaming agents and chemicals that can leach into natural waterways and damage the ecosystems there. 

9. Think cloth, not plastic

Wherever you might use a single-use paper or plastic item, see if you can find a reusable cloth alternative.

Make it a habit to carry around a handkerchief to wipe your hands instead of using tissues.

Use cloth wraps to carry your takeaway food instead of plastic bags.

Invest in cloth diapers instead of using disposable ones.

Little by little, it will definitely help the planet if you adopt these easy ways to use less plastic.

Want to try making your own reusable items? Start with our free DIY guide that shows you how to make your own fabric bento bags and napkins.

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