Tag: reduce waste

Lifestyle, Reducing Waste

One Planning Trick That Prevents Impulse Purchases

Corie Muldoon

Check what you already have before buying anything new!

Spend 2 minutes doing a quick inventory before shopping trips or online purchases.

This prevents duplicate buying and reduces items that end up unused and wasted.

Make it systematic:

  • Food shopping: Check fridge, freezer, and pantry first
  • Household items: Look in storage areas and under sinks
  • Clothing: Review what’s already in your closet
  • Personal care: Count current products before buying backups

This simple pause prevents the frustration when you arrive home with items you already had plenty of. You’ll also discover forgotten items that need to be used up first.

Try it out this week:

Before your next buy, spend 2 minutes checking what you already have. You might be surprised by what you find!

Lifestyle, Reducing Waste

Easy Way to Reuse Household Items You Already Have

Corie Muldoon

Glass jars = instant storage solution!

Before recycling glass jars, give them a second life! They’re perfect for organizing everything from food to office supplies to bathroom essentials.

Quick repurposing ideas…

  • Large jars: Store bulk items like rice, pasta, or coffee beans
  • Medium jars: Perfect for nuts, homemade drinks, or toiletries
  • Small jars: Organize screws, hair ties, or craft supplies

Remove labels easily…

Soak in warm soapy water for 10 minutes, then scrub with a scraper or credit card.

This costs you nothing, saving money on expensive organizing containers. Plus, glass jars are airtight, keeping contents fresh longer than many store-bought alternatives.

Try this today!

Save the next glass jar you’d normally recycle. Clean it and fill it with something that’s cluttering your space!

Lifestyle, Reducing Waste

The 2-Minute Morning Routine That Reduces Single-Use Items

Corie Muldoon

Fill a reusable water bottle and coffee cup before leaving home!

This simple habit eliminates the need for disposable bottles and cups throughout your day.

Keep both items by your keys or wallet so you never forget them!

Make it even easier…

  • Prep your coffee the night before (cold brew or set your timer)
  • Keep backup reusable cups at work and in your car
  • Choose a water bottle you actually enjoy using

The math is compelling…

If you typically buy one bottled water ($1.50) and one coffee ($4) daily, you’ll save well over $1,000 per year… while preventing hundreds of disposable items from entering landfills.

Most coffee shops offer discounts for bringing your own cup (so fun!), and many workplaces have filtered water stations for easy refills.

Try this today!

Set your reusable bottle and coffee cup next to your keys or wallet tonight. Tomorrow morning, fill them before you leave!

Nutrition, Reducing Waste

One Shopping Habit That Reduces Packaging Waste

Corie Muldoon

Shop the perimeter of the grocery store first!

The outer edges typically house fresh produce, meat, dairy, and bulk items – foods with minimal or no packaging. The inner aisles contain processed foods wrapped in multiple layers of plastic and cardboard.

Here’s how to make it work:

  • Start with produce (choose loose items over pre-packaged)
  • Hit the bulk bins for grains, nuts, and spices when possible
  • Only venture into inner aisles for specific items on your list
  • Bring reusable bags for produce instead of using the plastic ones provided
  • Opt for paper bags for bulk bins items

This shopping pattern naturally reduces packaging waste while steering you toward healthier, less processed foods. You’ll also spend less money since packaged convenience foods typically cost more per serving.

Try this today!

Plan your next grocery trip starting with the perimeter! Notice how much less packaging ends up in your cart.

Lifestyle, Reducing Waste

The 30-Second Kitchen Habit That Cuts Food Waste in Half

Corie Muldoon

The simplest way to reduce food waste? Store your produce properly!

It’s easy to just throw fruits and vegetables in the fridge without thinking, but proper storage can ~double their lifespan~

Here’s what actually works:

  • Keep these OUT of the fridge: Tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, bananas, apples, clementines, lemons, limes
  • Keep these IN the fridge: Leafy greens, berries, carrots, celery, cucumber, mushrooms

Think about the grocery store and how they store produce!

The 30-second rule

When you unpack groceries…

  • Separate items that need refrigeration from those that don’t
  • Wrap produce in paper towels before refrigerating to absorb excess moisture
  • Store herbs like cilantro and fresh flowers in water

This simple habit prevents that frustrating moment when you find bad produce you bought just days ago. Less waste means more money in your pocket and fewer guilt trips to the trash can.

Try this today!

✨ Reorganize your produce using these storage guidelines! Notice how much longer everything stays fresh ✨

Share your thoughts below!