Get Scrappy in the Kitchen
Even if you’re cooking up a quick, midweek comfort meal or planning a gourmet dinner for a date, you always end up with food waste. These fruit and veggie odds and ends wind up in landfills, where they not only take up too much space, but also release methane gas. And methane traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
But the fate of these scraps (and our planet) is in your hands, and making more sustainable choices is as easy as making a slam dunk in your trash can!
The butt of celery stalks might be a bit tough to chew on, but did you know that you can propagate new celery from it? Whip up a couple meals, and before long, you can grow your own vegetable garden from carrots, onions, avocados, and much, much more.
If you don't have the patience or a green thumb to grow your own food, why not save up those scraps to make a warming veggie stock for those long, chilly winter nights? Or save leftover food in the freezer for when you don’t feel like cooking?
And if you insist on chopping, stirring, and then throwing away, composting your food trash (breaking them down organically into plant fertilizer) is your best choice. For single-family houses with gardens, yard waste and food scraps can be combined in a tumbler in the garden. But even if you live in a tiny city apartment, you have options. Many farmers markets have dedicated bins accepting your compostables. Or for the same effort of throwing out your trash, you can subscribe to a compost service (like Circle Compost in Philadelphia that we partner with). These companies regularly pick up bins of compostables from your door, turn them into soil, and leave you with a new bin. You get fresh soil for your garden, too!
Second Chances
Packaging and containers for food, household, and personal care products are either mindlessly thrown into the trash or are attempted to be recycled. But only 9% of plastic waste ever produced globally has been recycled. The rules and regulations vary from city to city on what can be recycled, so the consumer is left confused and the recycling process often gets hindered.
Altogether refusing or at least reducing single-use materials whenever possible is the best approach. Reusing or repurposing items is the next best thing to do. Try these simple tips:
- Line your trash bin with plastic bags from your grocery run. That way, they get another chance to be used
- Wash your plastic ziplock bags and use them again to store your snacks. (Pro move: instead of new ziplock bags, use your empty plastic bread bag)
- Store toiletries and cleaning supplies in cardboard boxes. (Sustainability doesn’t always have to be trendy!) Use toilet paper rolls to organize your drawers or bundle of cables. Afterward, sigh and enjoy your neat and organized space
- Turn toilet paper rolls into perfect little containers to start seedlings for your spring garden
- Use glass jars and tin cans to store plants, utensils, and pens/pencils
- Get creative and use yogurt containers for mixing or pouring paint
Doesn’t everyone…and every item…deserve a second chance?
Close That Loop
The linear economy of "take-make-dispose" has led to a lot of problems. With a subscription (only $6/month) to The Rounds, you can close the loop to go “circular,” to keep your kitchen, bathroom, and vanity stocked with sustainable and local products at bulk prices (up to 40% less than you pay at the store) without worrying about packaging waste.
Simply choose and customize your favorite products, then wait until your weekly zero-waste delivery is dropped at your door by our fleet of Rounders. We deliver just before you start watering down your shampoo!
Drop by Drop, We Can Make a Difference
Free-flowing, clean tap water is something most in the developed world take for granted. Yet, over 884 million people don’t have safe water to drink. And droughts caused by climate change are making things worse.
Here are a few simple habits to start doing to help save water resources:
- Collect running water while waiting for your shower water to warm and use later to water your plants
- Brush your teeth, shampoo, etc., without leaving the water running
- Run your dishwasher and laundry machine only when you have a full load
- Fix leaks in your faucets and pipes
Not Lazy…Just in Energy Saving Mode
In addition to helping save the planet, reducing energy use in your home will replenish your bank account. Change just a few habits today:
- Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use to prevent phantom loads
- Don’t forget to turn off the lights when you leave the room
- Use efficient LED light bulbs
- Use appliances in off-peak hours and avoid using all appliances at once
- Hang dry clothing if you can
