They say running a household is a full-time job and that’s not an exaggeration. You have to clean, organise, decorate, and more. It all takes time, effort, and money. As a society, we are obsessed with buying and owning items – whether it’s to compensate for a childhood need, or to conform to societal standards, we tend to buy more than we need.
The final result leaves you stuck with cleaning and spending on even more things. Not only do material possessions eat up a significant chunk of your pay check, but they also contribute to overconsumption.
In this post, we are sharing some household items that are extremely wasteful and should be crossed off your next shopping list.
Contents
1. Coffee Pods & Tea Bags
Most people can’t start off their day with morning coffee. We understand that popping in a coffee pod is much more convenient than other methods of brewing coffee. Except just imagine how much plastic waste you’re creating daily. We’ve got the perfect solution that is simple but not wasteful- a reusable coffee pod! All you have to do is fill up the pod with coffee grounds, put it in the machine, and you’re ready to go.
On the other hand, if you’re tea drinker, you can stop using single-use teabags. Instead, get a tea strainer that you can use to steep loose tea leaves. It’s also perfect for people who hate the papery taste of teabags.
2. CFL & Incandescent Light Bulbs
CFLs and incandescent light bulbs are driving up your energy bills. You should replace them with energy-efficient LED light bulbs. LEDs are more expensive, but they are much more durable which makes up for the cost. This is a great way to practice sustainability at home. You can also compare energy plans and explore GreenPower options.
3. Single-Use Plastic
You’re likely using single-use plastic daily without even realising it. The most common items include go-to coffee cups, water bottles, straws, produce bags, and food wraps. The good news is that you can easily switch to eco-friendly alternatives. Invest in a reusable coffee cup, water bottle, cloth produce bag, and beeswax food wrap.
4. Disposable Razors
Let’s be honest, disposable razors catered to women are terrible. They become ineffective after only a couple of uses. So why waste money on them? Purchase yourself a metal razor with replaceable blades, don’t hesitate from using “men’s” razors. If they’re good enough for the face, they’re good enough for the legs.
5. Cotton Pads
Cotton rounds or pads are a makeup bag staple for removing makeup and applying skincare. Rather than throwing away multiple cotton pads every day, buy a pack of reusable cotton pads. When you’re done using them, you can pop them in the wash, and they come out as good as new.
6. Sanitary Napkins & Tampons
Did you know that sanitary napkins, tampons, and packaging generate roughly 200,000 tonnes of waste per year? As menstrual products are a necessity, you can be more eco-friendly by using green products. Period underwear, biodegradable sanitary pads, and menstrual cups are some sustainable options.
7. Throw Away Batteries
From remotes to kitchen appliances, several household items require batteries. Instead of spending money on throw-away batteries, try rechargeable alternatives. Rechargeable batteries are cost-effective as well as environmentally friendly.
8. Trendy Clothing
If you’re into fashion and style, then it’s difficult to resist the temptation of the latest trends. Unfortunately, a downside of trendy clothes is that they go out of style too soon. It would be better to invest your money in high-quality, versatile pieces, instead of transient fast fashion.