Did you know that we buy a lot of things that are wasting our money and that there are some cheap and even waste-free alternatives? There are quite a few things that you should stop buying that will help you save money and the planet!
Becoming more environmentally friendly is something everyone should aspire to get better at.
Imagine if everyone started using eco-friendly and sustainable products. There would definitely be less waste and pollution in the world!
Many times, zero-waste alternatives mean that everyday products last longer. That translates to less money spent over time.
The money saved and the fact that you’re being more eco-friendly is a great feeling that you will wonder why you didn’t make these changes long ago.
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Here are 10 things you can stop buying to save money and be more eco-friendly.
1. Refuse Disposable Coffee Cups
The best thing you can do for the environment when it comes to your caffeine intake is to stop buying takeout coffee and make your own at home.
Most coffee cups are lined with plastic, making it unrecyclable along with the plastic cover.
Instead of buying takeaway coffee, invest in a good quality coffee maker and a spill-proof travel mug to start making your own coffee at home.
Brewing your own coffee is a lot cheaper and less wasteful.
2. Stop Buying Plastic Bags
One of the easiest things to stop buying is disposable plastic grocery bags. Most stores charge for these bags nowadays and more and more stores have started banning them.
But don’t stop there. There are many types of plastic bags that you should stop buying and switch to a more sustainable alternative.
Sustainable Plastic Bag Alternatives
- Reusable grocery bags so you can stop buying disposable plastic grocery bags. Also makes bringing in your groceries a whole lot easier!
- Produce bags to replace plastic produce bags in grocery stores. Use for shopping and storage at home.
- Beeswax wraps to wrap your food instead of buying plastic ZipLoc bags or cling wrap.
- Stainless steel containers are a great sustainable solution due to their durability. You can find them in different shapes and sizes which will help you to stop buying sandwich and snack bags.
- Silicone food bags are perfect for sandwiches and snacks. Never buy disposable sandwich and snack baggies again!
For more plastic-free tips, check out my easy guide on how to use less plastic.
3. Ditch Paper Towels
Just like plastic baggies, paper towels are an unnecessary waste and can eat up a lot of your money over time.
It may seem like they are practical to clean up a quick mess with or wipe down the counter, but if you stop buying paper towels, you’ll help save the trees, reduce pollution, and improve your savings.
Just use a regular cloth towel to wipe up messes and toss it in the laundry hamper when you’re done.
For a more absorbent option for cleaning up messes, check out these awesome zero-waste and reusable Dream Cloths that can be washed in the laundry or in the dishwasher! They’re completely plastic-free and can be composted at the end of their lifecycle.
4. Stop Buying Toxic Cleaning Products
A lot of cleaning products are toxic to your home and cost a lot of money when they all add up.
There are so many natural cleaning products you can make yourself, some as simple as vinegar, citrus peels and water. You can even add some essential oils to the mix to make these cleaners smell great too.
And with essential oils being affordable these days, it’s a great substitute for those expensive store-bought cleaners.
Essential oils are very versatile, can save you so much money and reduce your waste by making your own products with them.
READ MORE: 18 homemade products you can make with essential oils.
5. Forget Bottled Water
What’s the point of spending money on disposable water bottles?
We have the luxury of having drinkable tap water and if you invest in a water filter pitcher, you’ll never need to buy bottled water again.
Not only is bottled water a waste of money, but water bottles are terrible for the environment. That’s because, like most plastic, it takes up to a thousand years for a water bottle to decompose.
Buy a reusable water bottle and refill as needed. It’s more eco-friendly and you’ll save a lot of money!
There are a lot more ways that you can use less plastic in your home, but single-use water bottles are a great place to start.
6. Use Less Gas
The next time you plan on taking your car out for an outing, consider walking instead.
Car pollution is one of the biggest causes of global warming, so reducing the number of toxic emissions from your car will do the world some good. And of course, you’ll also save money on gas.
There are more eco-friendly methods of travel, such as biking, carpooling and taking public transit. All of those alternatives are cheaper than taking your own car and are more sustainable.
If ever you need to buy a new car, consider buying an electric one. Contrary to what you might think, electric vehicles aren’t that expensive, and electricity is cheaper than gas.
7. Don’t Buy Pre-Packaged Meals
- pre-cut produce
- pre-made meals
- gas station snacks
All these places and things are just stealing your money. You’re paying for the fact that they’re all ready and packaged for you to eat. And all that packaging is usually single-use plastic, therefore unrecyclable.
Instead, buy ingredients and make your own meals. Making your own food is easily one of the best ways to save money, and you’ll do the planet a favor at the same time.
8. Say Goodbye to Single-Use Plastics
Speaking of disposable plastic, any single-use plastic is always something you want to avoid, for the planet’s sake, as well as your wallet.
Disposable cutlery, plastic straws and stirrers, saran wrap. These are just some of the single-use plastics that are a waste of money, and terrible for the environment since they can’t be recycled.
For example, instead of using Q-tips for cleaning your ears, get a reusable swab from LastObject instead.
You can find a zero-waste alternative for almost anything, and by investing in zero-waste products that you will consistently reuse, you’re not spending money on disposables products that you throw away after one use.
You will save SO much money over time and truly help reduce plastic pollution.
READ MORE: single-use plastics to avoid and their zero-waste alternatives.
9. Don’t Buy New Books
Hit up the library to borrow books or get free electronic books with Bookbub. Bookbub sends you a reduced price or free eBooks to your email based on your genre preferences.
Opting for audiobooks is another eco-friendly and money-saving option considering it’s all electronic. It’s also a great option for people who want to listen to a book rather than read it. Start a free trial with Audiobooks and get 3 books free.
If you’re someone who feels that there’s nothing like holding a physical book in your hands, check out Book Outlet.
They offer extremely discounted books; you can get hardcovers as low as a couple of dollars. For perspective, I ordered 12 hardcovers for around $50, which averages to about $4 a book. What’s also awesome is that their packaging is 100% zero-waste so you don’t have to worry about plastic.
10. Stop Buying So Much Stuff
Yup. You heard right. Stop buying so much stuff!
Embracing a more minimalist lifestyle and practicing conscious consumerism can have many benefits in your life.
Buying only what you need and/or absolutely love will increase your happiness and make you more prone to buy quality products that will last longer.
A minimalist lifestyle is one of these eco-conscious lifestyles that are bettering the planet in their own unique ways.
Final Thoughts
There are many eco-friendly alternatives to many everyday things we use in our life. It can be a little difficult to transition because sometimes change is hard, but the outcome is well worth it.
Try to see if you can stop buying as many things on this list as possible and make the transition to the waste-free option.
I assure you, you will save a TON of money and make the world a better place at the same time.
If you want more recommendations for sustainable products, check out my post on single-use plastic alternatives for a more eco-friendly home!
