I have many peculiar zero waste ideas. I leaned most from my dad as he was born during The Great Depression. Eat the garnish on your plate at a restaurant. Parsley helps with digestion and gives you cleaner breath, and kale is just plain good for you. We grew up eating lambs quarters, a common yard weed, instead of spinach. It's less bitter and less stringy. My dad read sometime back in the 1950's that you gain an entire egg white per dozen eggs by using your finger to scrape out the whites from the inside of the shell. Save a bit of bread to sop up juices from your plate at the end of a spaghetti, soup, or stew meal. We have these condiment containers that have pumps on the top, much like a lotion pump, that force you to take a small amount at a time because you have to use all you take. So many more but a final one is, use your library.
I would love to read some more of your tips. Do you have a blog? I've never heard of the lambs quarters or the egg white tricks. I do try to always eat my garnish! I can't stand food waste.
Boltification, wow thank you for your kindness. I do have a blog but it's been neglected for quite sometime. In fact, it barely fits the definition of a blog. It's always in the back if my mind. Maybe someday I can return. Happy day to you!
OMG! Thank you so much for bringing stasher to my attention! I have been trying to live a more sustainable. I pack my lunch for work everyday and one thing I have issues not using anymore are plastic sandwich bags. This would be a great alternative for me! My most used tip is the reusable towels. It gave me an excuse to have cute towels in my kitchen. Also, just FYI, if you are using a sponge, if you use a dishwasher, you can put the sponge in the dishwasher on the top rack when you run the dishwasher and it will clean/sanitize the sponge. It comes out looking/smelling/feeling like new!
Meal planning is one of the best ways I've found to reduce food waste, and it's now part of my weekly ritual. I find that I hardly throw any food away when I keep up with my meal plan, and it keeps me from feeling overwhelmed during the weeknights and just grabbing takeout. I also bring my own water bottle EVERYWHERE. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity :)
Great tips! I also use scraps to make soups, which has significantly reduced my food waste! Vegetable scraps and bones easily can become stock. Plus, when in doubt, I put my food over rice! lol
I used to feel guilty when my produce made the belt at the checkout stand get all wet. I used to get "a look", too. I tried resting my wet lettuce or kale on top of a canvas bag...but many times I didn't have enough canvas for all of my veggies. I also didn't like the thought that my veggies were touching the bottom of the shopping card through my mesh bags. One day, I bought a terry bath towel and a cotton pillow case. I put the folded towel inside and zipped the pillow case shut. Now, I put that on the bottom of my cart. It absorbs the excess water and serves as a barrier between my veggies and the cart. It rolls up easily as it is very thin. I just keep it with my reusable bags in the back of my car and wash it when I need to. It's so cheap and easy. I know this isn't a way to reduce waste but it's a way to make using the mesh produce bags go more smoothly.
Generally speaking, paper towels are for clean ups which involve petroleum products and chemicals because any shop rags that go through a regular washing machine will ruin it for clothes that you don't want smelling like gas and oil. Rags that have some strong household cleaning chemicals like lime-away need to be disposed of and never used again, but that goes to some of the stronger bathroom cleaners, paints, and such from things like your craft projects.
I love your tip of upcycling t-shirts for cleaning! I also make my own multi purpose cleaning product using simple natural ingredients I have at home. But the biggest change I've made to reduce my waste was switching to reusable menstrual products (cup + recently pads). It took me several months to be successful and confident with this routine, but it makes me so happy to know that all of this is good for the environment (and my wallet too!) :)
My tip would be to use a reusable foaming soap dispenser. I discovered how much product, water, and packaging can be saved by this trick! I bought one about 5 years ago and continue to use it today. By diluting the soap significantly, you save water because you don't have to turn on the tap to wet your hands before you lather. The fact that it foams, means you use less product to cover a greater area with soap, not to mention the oxygenated bubbles help clean and refresh your skin! Using that method in conjunction with your giant jug of Dr. Bronner's could last practically a lifetime of hand/body/hair/dish washing. I hope this inspires someone to give it a try! If you do, let me know. :) I was excited to see this video, it came so soon after you told me you were working on it. I hope I win the giveaway! Good luck to everyone else.
Love your videos Alli! I'm "one of THOSE people" too. ;-) (Judy--I'm using the hub's account). I love those stasher bags! I've been washing out all my ziplocs. They really last forever, but they are not fun to wash, so I'd be thrilled to own some stashers--great idea. My number one tip would be buying baking soda in huge cardboard boxes. The boxes can easily be recycled, and baking soda can be used for TONS of stuff: deodorizing, scrubbing the bathroom and kitchen, homemade deodorant, homemade toothpaste, exfoliating face and body, laundry soap booster (especially when we were cloth diapering) and baking of course.
I started making my own toothpaste using just 3 ingredients and now I don't need to buy plastic package toothpaste & plus I know all the products that comes in it :)) already had a lot of compliments as how white my teeth looks by using coconut oil as the main ingredient :)) thanks for your video x
My best tip is to compost food waste. Luckily I am from Canada where compost is included in the garbage pick up, but people often don't use it. Composting has cut my garbage in half.
Going waste free with animals was the hardest area to tackle! Switching to natural litter (made out of corn) that is flushable made the biggest difference with my kitty. I also have a guinea pig and I switched to a reusable bed liner! This last trick has also saved me money on bedding 🙌🏽
i'm the girl carrying around 3 mason jars in my backpack! also i'm big on the resusable water bottle and coffee cup game - my favorite cafe even gives you any drink for the price of a small if you bring your own cup, so that's an added bonus
First off, can I just say how much I LOVE seeing all these other comments in this thread! This is something I really love about this channel in general, as I feel like all the other viewers can start to form this little community around the videos and ideas of the channel. So. Cool. The way silicone is used in Stasher also reminded me of how wonderful it is for MENSTRUAL CUPS! I saw in the packing for Portland video that there's a cool travel one you can take that folds into itself- super convenient! This is something I only recently transitioned with in the past few months, but I can say that knowing I'm not creating waste with tons and tons of pads, tampons, and liners. For anyone worried about leaking (which I haven't experience), you can pair them with THINX underwear or reusable pads like Lunapads. I also love tea and like using a small stainless steel tea ball instead of individually wrapped tea bags- a lot of tea bags are already fairly biodegradable, and this might feel like a fairly small tip, but I find zero waste better in this way and prefer the taste of loose leaf tea as well :)
ALSO! Sorry last one I just thought of- I'm a kindergarten teacher, and we have been sending lots of our waste products (because like Alli stated it's hard to be perfect in this area) like recyclables and such to my classroom as part of a "Create Center" that the Kindergartners can use to create design challenges! It's so cool to see those "trash" items be put to good use for science and engineering. One of them made a really cool life-size model light saber out of some toilet paper rolls that is my current favorite lol
Great tips! Ziploc bags are my downfall so I'm super intrigued by the Stasher bags. One of my tips is to keep a small folded reusable shopping bag in my purse at all times. This helps in all stores not just grocery stores to avoid plastic bags!
Wow so excited for this! I usually use those glass pyrex containers for food instead of plastic bags, but that can get heavy when you have a couple of them in your backpack! I also keep any recyclable trash I accumulate through the day in my backpack, in case I order some tea somewhere and there's no recycling bin close by :-) we all have to do our parts, even if it's small or a little inconvenient.
Love this video :) my favourite thing is buying fruit and veg at markets so you don't get those really annoying bags from the supermarket :) that and using reusable containers to store my food.
I carry around my recycled denim backpack, in it I have reusable: shopping bags, water bottle, and coffee cup. Because I live with my mom still it's hard to convince her to switch to rags instead of paper towels or making our own cleaning products. But when I move out I am going to use all your tips for zero waste! Thank you Alli :)
Also, I HAD to try for the stasher bags ;) And my favorite tip is keeping a set of bamboo utensils (knife, fork, spoon and chop sticks) in my purse along with a stainless steel straw.
great tips! I started bringing a large linen or cotton napkin to the grocery store for bread! whole foods and most bakeries have bread out (not in plastic) they allow you to wrap up and sticker the napkin!
I just started reducing my waste, but my favorite things so far are definitely include using solid shampoo/toiletries (so convenient for travel) and a menstrual cup. My menstrual cycle is super erratic and I'm awfully forgetful, even when I'm actually on my period, so having one small product that I can always carry with me has been a game changer because it's so much easier to always be equipped for my period. Thank you for the giveaway, I love and hate plastic bags so it would be really cool to try the stashers out!
My favorite zero waste tips are reusable grocery bags! My favorite is a $1 one from IKEA. It folds up super small and can fit in your pocket, or even the littlest purses. I love that it can fit anywhere because I never have an excuse not to have it on me.
I'm trying to live much more sustainably, which is actually a lot more difficult than it seems when starting out, but I've been packing lunches in my own containers, making coffee at home instead of buying it on campus, or if I do I bring my own mug
Gabs Bissessar Same here ☕️. Starbucks will fill up my ceramic cup so I don't have to use a cardboard one. I also have a cloth that encircles my cup and snaps...to help me hold my hot cup without using a cardboard buffer.
*My most used low waste tip is never use plastic bags!! Also, stop buying unnecessary products that I don't need and crete more waste. Hope this make sense! English is not my 1st. language. Love this video! Thanks for sharing your tips! :)
I've started using rags for cleaning too! I pack snacks into glass jars, it feels great to not be throwing out plastic bags every time I'm done with my snack!
I think just having a metal drink bottle with you all the time. Because I find it is something that inspires people who are not interested in zero waste or have never heard of it. To buy one too just to save money.
LOVE this video and all your tips Alli! I totally agree it doesn't have to be doing everything perfect all at once each little action towards living more sustainably helps make a difference. I have a pile of old cut up t-shirts I use in the kitchen as rags but I totally need a cute bucket like you have! That is such a great idea! I never want to put them in the hamper after using them because they are wet/dirty so I just leave them outside till I do laundry, LOL. I have such a long list of things I love to do to live more green but some of the ones that have a greatest impact is always having my reusable water bottle/mug and bag with me, using the Diva Cup and bringing Tupperware when I eat out to bring home left overs. PS I'm totally a no microwave person too ;)
My favorite and most used low waste tip is to bring my own canvas bags everytime I go to the supermarket. This provides me to not need a plastic bag for my groceries. Also I don't put my fruits and vegetables in plastic bags because I have to wash it before eating anyway so these bags are unnecessary. By the way I love your channel especially the videos about the capsule wardrobe :)
Great tips! As a college student it can be hard to fully go zero waste with roommates, but I do my best to have as minimal waste as possible. I use reusable grocery bags as well as reusable produce bags when I go to the market. I also reuse glass jars from pasta sauce and pickles as drinking glasses, which is a great way to reduce waste as well as save money!
My top tip is to always have a sting or canvas shopping bag , metal spork and a metal straw with me as well as water bottle and a banana. Being adult I can resist getting stuff while out my my kids are unpredictable and this eliminates 99% times being caught out having to buy plastic bottle of drink or using plastic spoon etc. I'm new subscriber to your channel and really enjoy watching you!
I am so in love with these tips! Excited to grab some of these Stasher bags too, even if I don't get chosen for the giveaway. A few things I've been loving lately: 1) Menstrual Cups instead of pads and tampons! There's so much waste when it comes to the latter two. 2) Reusable cotton rounds made from flannel -- I use them for my toning step and stubborn eye makeup removal, then just wash them once I run out. 3) Reusing water from boiling pasta or from boiling veggies! I reuse the starchy water 2-3 times before disposing of it. In the grand scheme of things it probably doesn't do much for water saving but it doesn't really hurt anyone either.
These stasher bags seem awesome! One of my favorite and super easy waste-reducing tips is to pack food in reusable containers and bring your own water bottle, which I've been doing since I was about eight years old. Something else I've been experimenting with lately in making my own bathroom products and using bar shampoo/conditioner which comes package free!
I love using mason jars for drinks or storing food and taking them with me wherever I go. I just bought a pack of four with handles and lids for just 2 dollars! I use them everyday! I would love those packing bags so I can have snacks on the go and not waste money and trash buying fast food.
I'm new to the zero waist movement but I've been a conscious consumer for quit some time! Buying only recycled, cruelty free, ethical trade, vegan products. I love using cloth instead of paper towels! I started doing this about four years ago and it's so simple. You inspired me to start making my own cleaning supplies. Great video and thank you!
The best tip would be changing from a plastic bottle too a stainless steal one. I especially like the 'swell bottles'. These look amazing and serve the propose. I also like Lush. Buying bulk hair shampoos etc. saves a lot of plastic too.
My family shops in bulk and store each product in a dedicated container (but we don't use mason jars lol). We usually keep a grocery/shopping list on a refrigerator and write down anything we need, then we go grocery shopping on weekends together :) Since I'm a college student, I pack my own lunch to school and I use a bento box (lunch box), which I love, and stainless utensils for minimizing waste. I also bring tea/coffee in a stainless tumbler and it's so great because it holds my drink cold or hot for a very long time! By the way, I love your idea of using old shirts instead of paper towels! I should try it at home ; )
My tip is to reuse and repurpose as much as possible. Reusable glass water bottles, cloth bags for shopping, old shirts for rags... thanks for bringing stasherbag to my attention! I've been looking for reusable food bags for some time now. I also try to make my own cleaning supplies and body products. It is also a plus knowing for a fact the simplest ingredients were used.
Just started trying to transition toward zero-waste. The two biggest things I've been doing are using reusable tote bags instead of plastic bags at stores, and using dish towels instead of paper towels. I didn't realize how many paper towels my family used until I stopped using them and bought dish towels instead!
great tips! I also have been using the stainless steel containers for taking lunch to work. I have a reusable stainless steel bottle that I use for coffee. It's great because sometimes I go to the gym in the morning before work and the coffee will still be hot by the time I get to my desk. I also love bringing it with me to coffee shops and asking them to fill my container instead of giving me plastic or paper cups.
Same as you, I use rags instead of paper. I cut up an old sheet set. I just started using reusable cloth cotton rounds from Juniperseed. I use a mesh bag to keep them from getting lost.
My favorite low waste tip is reusable bags. I'm currently backpacking, and am kinda forgeful of my bags BUT! I now keep a couple of rolled up plastic grocery bags in my purse and reuse them over and over. Then I recycle them. This is while I can find a thrifted/sustainable tote bag that fits me! Always love your videos!
I bring my reusable Cortica Cork coffee mug (I LOVE IT) everywhere I go. Coffee shops are more than happy to fill it and sometimes even knock off a few cents. Great at work too, to avoid more paper products.
I'm a farmer and I like to use all parts of the plants I grow. I.e. pickling or finding different uses for normally unwanted parts, or for plants that are considered weeds
My tip is to make my own reusable bags! I buy clothes from the thrift store and then upcycle them into bags. You can get awesome fabric for much cheaper, and produce less waste ☺
Hi Ally! Great video as usual :) My best tip for creating less waste is meal planning: this allows me to plan my visit to the stores where I can buy in bulk, so that I don't have to buy things last minute (usually wrapped in plastic). I also pack my lunch for work every day and... I just bought a bike *.* I'm super happy!
My favorite zero waste home tip is my steam cleaner! I love it and I use it for deep cleans like the bathroom or the kitchen counters. I use it with my microfiber rags :)
That is a great tip for metal containers! I have always heard of/seen people using glass as opposed to plastic but it can get so heavy like you said! Personally, I try and bring a water bottle and/or reusable travel mug everywhere I go, along with food in reusable containers.
I used to hate it when I got to a checkout counter at a store and realized that I'd need to use one of their plastic bags because I forgot my own. Now I always have at least one small reusable fabric tote in my purse just in case I have to buy or pickup anything that day. Also, thanks for showing me Stasher! I've been looking for some kind of reusable sandwich bag for forever now!!
I use a bamboo toothbrush that can be recycled and I also shop using little cotton bags for loose ingredients and make my own products such as body scrubs and lotions! Loved discovering Stasher, such innovative products! love you !
Thank you for sharing about Stashers. The reusable snack bags that are marketed are usually a zippered cloth with a washable lining like vinyl. I use them for dry snacks like trail mix or crackers, but though you can use them for moist items like apples, I don't like it because a zipper isn't a 100% seal. It is also annoying to follow washing instructions for them. It's not easy as cleaning with soap real quick. Mine are gentle wash (hand or machine) in cold water than hang dry. Which then you have to wait till they're dry to use. Also annoying. I like the idea of Stashers because it's silicone, easy to wash, the ziploc seal, and you can see what's in the bag.
I buy coconut oil in bulk and have been using it to make my own toothpaste!! I love that reducing waste also tends to reduce your contact with harmful chemicals
My favorite way to reduce waste is to bring my own travel tumbler to coffee shops! Also, can't go wrong with bribing my reusable grocery tote to the store!
Fantastic! We are already using mason jars at home to store bulky groceries... my fav tip to reuse them is to put big candles insight and light up my house with candle lights in mason jars of different sizes. And we also save money on the energy bill! 😀😉
my favorite low waste tip would definitely be to use face towels as napkins! we don't use napkins anymore and just use the little wash rags and wash them every week :)
My favourite low waste tip is using old fashioned hankies instead of paper tissues! :) some of them I already had, and then my grandma gave me some that she embroidered herself back in the day!
Hi Alli, wonderful video as always. Your new kitchen looks really nice, I love the light in your apartment! Like you, I use a steal or bpa free bottle for my drinks on the go, and of course always use containers instead of plasticwrap. And one thing I do is to read books on my kindle and buy music online. It's not only reducing waste but also makes it much easier for me to reduce my stuff and stress while always moving/being on the go.
I always make sure I have reusable bags on me, it's a life saver living in the city and not only gets rid of unnecessary plastic/paper bags but also just creates so much less clutter around the home! I'd love to try the Stasher's since I've tried some other reusable food bags before but they didn't work out quite so well :(
Love the simple tips in this video! I got some mesh bags a few months ago that I use at the farmers market, grocery store, and use a smaller mesh bag for toting around snacks like nuts and crackers :) It's helped to cut out my use of plastic bags. ALSO, thinx underwear. Way more comfortable and eco friendly than pads!!!!
My simplest zero waste tip is just switching from disposable containers to reusable ones - from ziploc bags to tupperware and from plastic tupperware to glass. Also from plastic bags to canvas when shopping!
Perfectly timed video I just started delving into reducing waste and honestly one of the biggest thing I've learned is to be more conscious of clothes and making sure that instead of tossing things that will still sit in landfills if you donate them so pretty much you've given me something to do with my bag of random untossables lol. Before I was just making funky pillows but this is honestly better, thanks girl! And the stasher seems sooo cool why am I just now hearing about this?
Love this. We've just moved into a new house and I'm using the fresh start as a push to waste less! My favorite tip is the basket of rags for the counter - going to hit up Goodwill for a good selection of small towels!
Love love love the idea of these stashers! I'm currently trying to transition into more zero waste and have been loving glass containers and jars for taking food to work and bringing my own coffee mug instead of getting a paper cup every time I buy coffee out.
My hands down favorite zero waste tip is using a menstrual cup and reusable pads. Menstrual cups are SO MUCH BETTER than tampons even if you don't care about zero waste. I will never go back to tampons. But the pads take a little getting used to. If I could go back in time though, I'd buy the period underwear, not the pads, because the pads don't really stay in place and blood ends up getting everywhere anyway. Lol. Anyway, I've been eyeing stasher bags and I'd LOVE to win them! They look so cool and of course not wasting zip bloc bags would be awesome! Your tshirt rag trick looks awesome though. I'll have to try it!
Great video! Simple, easy tips -- I'm excited to start phasing out paper towels and making my own cleaner. One thing I started doing recently was making my own facial moisturizer. It's so easy, way cheaper than buying in store, and this way I don't need to waste plastic. All you need is 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1 tsp liquid vitamin E, and a few drops of lavender essential oil. I store it in a recycled lush pot. Smells great! And you only need a little. Even on my oily skin, it's wonderful. =)
I used to use so many plastic water bottles, so I got nice glass bottle that I bring with me so I can reduce waste and save money when you're out and about. Also I keep a canvas tote rolled up in my purse so that I always have at least one bag if I decide to stop in a store.
I watched your grocery shopping video the other day!! Since then I've been researching how to live with less waste, so this video had perfect timing!!! Love all your videos!
I think the best way is to reduce. Be conscious of what we need and enjoy having enough and not much. Sorry for my english im from Venezuela. Love your video! That Stasher is so gooooood
i find that i use one of the simplest methods the most: just bring along a canvas bag everywhere when going shopping instead of always buying new plastic ones. no more drawer of unused plastic bags in the kitchen
Use a fountain pen with a piston cartridge so you can just refill from a bottle of ink. You just need to ensure you have one pen per colour you want. One fill of the cartridge normally equalled one college day of writing plus all my extra revision and note copying at home. You can just recycle the glass bottle and metal top six months down the line when it finally runs out
I'm about to move out on my own and I'm so excited to make my own cleaning rags and cleaning products. It'll produce less waste and save me some money. :) I have also been bringing my lunch in containers because I really don't like wasting so many plastic bags! Love your channel and these types of videos, Alli :)
While it's such a simple waste reduction tip, I love reusable waterbottles! When so many people buy a water bottle a day, you can fill up a canteen at most places, like restaurants!
I am definitely that girl who carries around loads of mason jars! But cutting down on the plastic is worth it for me. I was actually looking into a reusable plastic bag, so thank you for the giveaway and the tips!
These stasherbags sound great! :) And your video is great, even though the tips are not groundbreaking - so many people do not think about these things... I do also carry lunchboxes and a waterbottle around with me all the time. Since a few years we have "unpacked shops" in Germany. These shops have only stuff you can buy package free. And since september there is one in the city where I live! I'm just so excited every the time I'm going there :)
What I have been doing lately is make my own toothpaste and mouthwash! I reuse the same containers and it only takes a few simple ingredients that I already have at home. I've always had cavities and I was worried that the homemade product wouldn't be as effective as store-bought, but I went to the dentist and before I even told him about the switch he commented how good they looked!
Tip for those who use sponges : you can totally put the sponges in your washine machine (I put them when I wash towels and kitchen cloths ) They come out super clean like brand new
I loved Stasher bag. I'm definitely going to check them out. I use reusable grocery produce bags. They have a super fine mech so I can use them for either bulk food items or produce.
This was so inspiring and I love all your videos, but learn a lot from these zero waste related videos. This year I started using a menstrual cup and bought my baby a Pura Kiki sippy cup. It is steel and silicone with no plastic and if you don't lose it, is supposed to grow up with your baby since you can swap out the mouthpiece from nipple to sippy to straw, etc.
As a teacher I always pack a lunch in my reusable bag and bring my water bottle everywhere I go. I make my own shampoo as well as toothpaste. Love the video!
My favorite recent less waste tip is freezing your bananas in their skin rather than removing and putting in plastic bags. I can't believe I've never thought of them before.
Up cycling well re using old fabric ❤️ I tore up some old yoga pants I had and now use them to blow my nose! I began to notice how much waste I was producing by simply blowing my nose.
i told u we could be besties! i do that thing with the rags too! i cut up old towels that nobody in my husband's family uses and i use them as cleaning cloths. they work well cause they have texture so they clean very well. and i wash them everytime i also get a bucketfull of dirty ones and hang them by our radiator. these days since the radiators are hot, i get clean crisp towelletes daily. thats what we used to do when we were in the Philippines. i never came across papertowels until i came here.
I realized that (spoiled) food was my most wasteful problem. Living with the bf, it took me awhile to figure that out cause eating out for date night was fun, but spoiled fresh groceries was definitely not fun. I know it's not possible for everyone, but me and the bf go to the grocery store every other day to buy fresh ingredients and things we would use within days. We've made it a fun adventure for us. :)
I have many peculiar zero waste ideas. I leaned most from my dad as he was born during The Great Depression. Eat the garnish on your plate at a restaurant. Parsley helps with digestion and gives you cleaner breath, and kale is just plain good for you. We grew up eating lambs quarters, a common yard weed, instead of spinach. It's less bitter and less stringy. My dad read sometime back in the 1950's that you gain an entire egg white per dozen eggs by using your finger to scrape out the whites from the inside of the shell. Save a bit of bread to sop up juices from your plate at the end of a spaghetti, soup, or stew meal. We have these condiment containers that have pumps on the top, much like a lotion pump, that force you to take a small amount at a time because you have to use all you take. So many more but a final one is, use your library.
I would love to read some more of your tips. Do you have a blog? I've never heard of the lambs quarters or the egg white tricks. I do try to always eat my garnish! I can't stand food waste.
Boltification, wow thank you for your kindness. I do have a blog but it's been neglected for quite sometime. In fact, it barely fits the definition of a blog. It's always in the back if my mind. Maybe someday I can return. Happy day to you!
Same to you!
OMG! Thank you so much for bringing stasher to my attention! I have been trying to live a more sustainable. I pack my lunch for work everyday and one thing I have issues not using anymore are plastic sandwich bags. This would be a great alternative for me! My most used tip is the reusable towels. It gave me an excuse to have cute towels in my kitchen. Also, just FYI, if you are using a sponge, if you use a dishwasher, you can put the sponge in the dishwasher on the top rack when you run the dishwasher and it will clean/sanitize the sponge. It comes out looking/smelling/feeling like new!
Meal planning is one of the best ways I've found to reduce food waste, and it's now part of my weekly ritual. I find that I hardly throw any food away when I keep up with my meal plan, and it keeps me from feeling overwhelmed during the weeknights and just grabbing takeout. I also bring my own water bottle EVERYWHERE. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity :)
Great tips! I also use scraps to make soups, which has significantly reduced my food waste! Vegetable scraps and bones easily can become stock. Plus, when in doubt, I put my food over rice! lol
I used to feel guilty when my produce made the belt at the checkout stand get all wet. I used to get "a look", too. I tried resting my wet lettuce or kale on top of a canvas bag...but many times I didn't have enough canvas for all of my veggies. I also didn't like the thought that my veggies were touching the bottom of the shopping card through my mesh bags. One day, I bought a terry bath towel and a cotton pillow case. I put the folded towel inside and zipped the pillow case shut. Now, I put that on the bottom of my cart. It absorbs the excess water and serves as a barrier between my veggies and the cart. It rolls up easily as it is very thin. I just keep it with my reusable bags in the back of my car and wash it when I need to. It's so cheap and easy. I know this isn't a way to reduce waste but it's a way to make using the mesh produce bags go more smoothly.
Patti Doyle I never even thought of that dilemma, definitely going to prep for it with your suggestion👍
Patti Doyle That’s genius! I will be trying your idea, thanks for sharing a brilliant solution. 💕
Generally speaking, paper towels are for clean ups which involve petroleum products and chemicals because any shop rags that go through a regular washing machine will ruin it for clothes that you don't want smelling like gas and oil. Rags that have some strong household cleaning chemicals like lime-away need to be disposed of and never used again, but that goes to some of the stronger bathroom cleaners, paints, and such from things like your craft projects.
Thanks for the info! It's always good to understand what can and cannot be compromised with a low-waste (zero-waste) lifestyle.
I love your tip of upcycling t-shirts for cleaning!
I also make my own multi purpose cleaning product using simple natural ingredients I have at home. But the biggest change I've made to reduce my waste was switching to reusable menstrual products (cup + recently pads). It took me several months to be successful and confident with this routine, but it makes me so happy to know that all of this is good for the environment (and my wallet too!) :)
My cycle has regulated for the first time in several years since using the cup! They're great. :)
My tip would be to use a reusable foaming soap dispenser. I discovered how much product, water, and packaging can be saved by this trick! I bought one about 5 years ago and continue to use it today. By diluting the soap significantly, you save water because you don't have to turn on the tap to wet your hands before you lather. The fact that it foams, means you use less product to cover a greater area with soap, not to mention the oxygenated bubbles help clean and refresh your skin! Using that method in conjunction with your giant jug of Dr. Bronner's could last practically a lifetime of hand/body/hair/dish washing. I hope this inspires someone to give it a try! If you do, let me know. :)
I was excited to see this video, it came so soon after you told me you were working on it. I hope I win the giveaway! Good luck to everyone else.
I bring my own water bottle EVERYWHERE! Not groundbreaking but helps
Love your videos Alli! I'm "one of THOSE people" too. ;-) (Judy--I'm using the hub's account). I love those stasher bags! I've been washing out all my ziplocs. They really last forever, but they are not fun to wash, so I'd be thrilled to own some stashers--great idea. My number one tip would be buying baking soda in huge cardboard boxes. The boxes can easily be recycled, and baking soda can be used for TONS of stuff: deodorizing, scrubbing the bathroom and kitchen, homemade deodorant, homemade toothpaste, exfoliating face and body, laundry soap booster (especially when we were cloth diapering) and baking of course.
'I'm one of those people' hahaha! Love ya work Alli!
I started making my own toothpaste using just 3 ingredients and now I don't need to buy plastic package toothpaste & plus I know all the products that comes in it :)) already had a lot of compliments as how white my teeth looks by using coconut oil as the main ingredient :)) thanks for your video x
My best tip is to compost food waste. Luckily I am from Canada where compost is included in the garbage pick up, but people often don't use it. Composting has cut my garbage in half.
Going waste free with animals was the hardest area to tackle! Switching to natural litter (made out of corn) that is flushable made the biggest difference with my kitty. I also have a guinea pig and I switched to a reusable bed liner! This last trick has also saved me money on bedding 🙌🏽
i'm the girl carrying around 3 mason jars in my backpack! also i'm big on the resusable water bottle and coffee cup game - my favorite cafe even gives you any drink for the price of a small if you bring your own cup, so that's an added bonus
First off, can I just say how much I LOVE seeing all these other comments in this thread! This is something I really love about this channel in general, as I feel like all the other viewers can start to form this little community around the videos and ideas of the channel. So. Cool.
The way silicone is used in Stasher also reminded me of how wonderful it is for MENSTRUAL CUPS! I saw in the packing for Portland video that there's a cool travel one you can take that folds into itself- super convenient! This is something I only recently transitioned with in the past few months, but I can say that knowing I'm not creating waste with tons and tons of pads, tampons, and liners. For anyone worried about leaking (which I haven't experience), you can pair them with THINX underwear or reusable pads like Lunapads.
I also love tea and like using a small stainless steel tea ball instead of individually wrapped tea bags- a lot of tea bags are already fairly biodegradable, and this might feel like a fairly small tip, but I find zero waste better in this way and prefer the taste of loose leaf tea as well :)
ALSO! Sorry last one I just thought of- I'm a kindergarten teacher, and we have been sending lots of our waste products (because like Alli stated it's hard to be perfect in this area) like recyclables and such to my classroom as part of a "Create Center" that the Kindergartners can use to create design challenges! It's so cool to see those "trash" items be put to good use for science and engineering. One of them made a really cool life-size model light saber out of some toilet paper rolls that is my current favorite lol
Great tips! Ziploc bags are my downfall so I'm super intrigued by the Stasher bags. One of my tips is to keep a small folded reusable shopping bag in my purse at all times. This helps in all stores not just grocery stores to avoid plastic bags!
You won the stasher bag giveaway! Please send me your shipping info and I'll forward it to stasher. :) Congrats! (hello@allicherry.co)
Yay!!! Thanks Alli! I sent you an email with my shipping info. Very excited to try it!
Wow so excited for this! I usually use those glass pyrex containers for food instead of plastic bags, but that can get heavy when you have a couple of them in your backpack! I also keep any recyclable trash I accumulate through the day in my backpack, in case I order some tea somewhere and there's no recycling bin close by :-) we all have to do our parts, even if it's small or a little inconvenient.
Love this video :) my favourite thing is buying fruit and veg at markets so you don't get those really annoying bags from the supermarket :) that and using reusable containers to store my food.
I carry around my recycled denim backpack, in it I have reusable: shopping bags, water bottle, and coffee cup. Because I live with my mom still it's hard to convince her to switch to rags instead of paper towels or making our own cleaning products. But when I move out I am going to use all your tips for zero waste! Thank you Alli :)
Also, I HAD to try for the stasher bags ;) And my favorite tip is keeping a set of bamboo utensils (knife, fork, spoon and chop sticks) in my purse along with a stainless steel straw.
great tips! I started bringing a large linen or cotton napkin to the grocery store for bread! whole foods and most bakeries have bread out (not in plastic) they allow you to wrap up and sticker the napkin!
I just started reducing my waste, but my favorite things so far are definitely include using solid shampoo/toiletries (so convenient for travel) and a menstrual cup. My menstrual cycle is super erratic and I'm awfully forgetful, even when I'm actually on my period, so having one small product that I can always carry with me has been a game changer because it's so much easier to always be equipped for my period. Thank you for the giveaway, I love and hate plastic bags so it would be really cool to try the stashers out!
My favorite zero waste tips are reusable grocery bags! My favorite is a $1 one from IKEA. It folds up super small and can fit in your pocket, or even the littlest purses. I love that it can fit anywhere because I never have an excuse not to have it on me.
I'm trying to live much more sustainably, which is actually a lot more difficult than it seems when starting out, but I've been packing lunches in my own containers, making coffee at home instead of buying it on campus, or if I do I bring my own mug
Gabs Bissessar Same here ☕️. Starbucks will fill up my ceramic cup so I don't have to use a cardboard one. I also have a cloth that encircles my cup and snaps...to help me hold my hot cup without using a cardboard buffer.
*My most used low waste tip is never use plastic bags!! Also, stop buying unnecessary products that I don't need and crete more waste.
Hope this make sense! English is not my 1st. language. Love this video! Thanks for sharing your tips! :)
I will definitely be using t-shirt rags from now on!
A simple tip that helps me is to always have a reusable bag on hand (in my car or my purse).
I've started using rags for cleaning too! I pack snacks into glass jars, it feels great to not be throwing out plastic bags every time I'm done with my snack!
I think just having a metal drink bottle with you all the time. Because I find it is something that inspires people who are not interested in zero waste or have never heard of it. To buy one too just to save money.
LOVE this video and all your tips Alli! I totally agree it doesn't have to be doing everything perfect all at once each little action towards living more sustainably helps make a difference. I have a pile of old cut up t-shirts I use in the kitchen as rags but I totally need a cute bucket like you have! That is such a great idea! I never want to put them in the hamper after using them because they are wet/dirty so I just leave them outside till I do laundry, LOL. I have such a long list of things I love to do to live more green but some of the ones that have a greatest impact is always having my reusable water bottle/mug and bag with me, using the Diva Cup and bringing Tupperware when I eat out to bring home left overs.
PS I'm totally a no microwave person too ;)
YESSSS menstrual cups!!!
I know! They are so awesome!
My favorite and most used low waste tip is to bring my own canvas bags everytime I go to the supermarket. This provides me to not need a plastic bag for my groceries. Also I don't put my fruits and vegetables in plastic bags because I have to wash it before eating anyway so these bags are unnecessary.
By the way I love your channel especially the videos about the capsule wardrobe :)
Great tips!
As a college student it can be hard to fully go zero waste with roommates, but I do my best to have as minimal waste as possible. I use reusable grocery bags as well as reusable produce bags when I go to the market.
I also reuse glass jars from pasta sauce and pickles as drinking glasses, which is a great way to reduce waste as well as save money!
My top tip is to always have a sting or canvas shopping bag , metal spork and a metal straw with me as well as water bottle and a banana. Being adult I can resist getting stuff while out my my kids are unpredictable and this eliminates 99% times being caught out having to buy plastic bottle of drink or using plastic spoon etc. I'm new subscriber to your channel and really enjoy watching you!
I am so in love with these tips! Excited to grab some of these Stasher bags too, even if I don't get chosen for the giveaway.
A few things I've been loving lately: 1) Menstrual Cups instead of pads and tampons! There's so much waste when it comes to the latter two. 2) Reusable cotton rounds made from flannel -- I use them for my toning step and stubborn eye makeup removal, then just wash them once I run out. 3) Reusing water from boiling pasta or from boiling veggies! I reuse the starchy water 2-3 times before disposing of it. In the grand scheme of things it probably doesn't do much for water saving but it doesn't really hurt anyone either.
These stasher bags seem awesome! One of my favorite and super easy waste-reducing tips is to pack food in reusable containers and bring your own water bottle, which I've been doing since I was about eight years old. Something else I've been experimenting with lately in making my own bathroom products and using bar shampoo/conditioner which comes package free!
Thanks for the video! I use reusable dishcloths and compost everything
I love using mason jars for drinks or storing food and taking them with me wherever I go. I just bought a pack of four with handles and lids for just 2 dollars! I use them everyday! I would love those packing bags so I can have snacks on the go and not waste money and trash buying fast food.
I'm new to the zero waist movement but I've been a conscious consumer for quit some time!
Buying only recycled, cruelty free, ethical trade, vegan products.
I love using cloth instead of paper towels!
I started doing this about four years ago and it's so simple.
You inspired me to start making my own cleaning supplies.
Great video and thank you!
The best tip would be changing from a plastic bottle too a stainless steal one. I especially like the 'swell bottles'. These look amazing and serve the propose.
I also like Lush. Buying bulk hair shampoos etc. saves a lot of plastic too.
My family shops in bulk and store each product in a dedicated container (but we don't use mason jars lol). We usually keep a grocery/shopping list on a refrigerator and write down anything we need, then we go grocery shopping on weekends together :)
Since I'm a college student, I pack my own lunch to school and I use a bento box (lunch box), which I love, and stainless utensils for minimizing waste. I also bring tea/coffee in a stainless tumbler and it's so great because it holds my drink cold or hot for a very long time!
By the way, I love your idea of using old shirts instead of paper towels! I should try it at home ; )
My tip is to reuse and repurpose as much as possible. Reusable glass water bottles, cloth bags for shopping, old shirts for rags... thanks for bringing stasherbag to my attention! I've been looking for reusable food bags for some time now. I also try to make my own cleaning supplies and body products. It is also a plus knowing for a fact the simplest ingredients were used.
Just started trying to transition toward zero-waste. The two biggest things I've been doing are using reusable tote bags instead of plastic bags at stores, and using dish towels instead of paper towels. I didn't realize how many paper towels my family used until I stopped using them and bought dish towels instead!
great tips! I also have been using the stainless steel containers for taking lunch to work. I have a reusable stainless steel bottle that I use for coffee. It's great because sometimes I go to the gym in the morning before work and the coffee will still be hot by the time I get to my desk. I also love bringing it with me to coffee shops and asking them to fill my container instead of giving me plastic or paper cups.
Same as you, I use rags instead of paper. I cut up an old sheet set. I just started using reusable cloth cotton rounds from Juniperseed. I use a mesh bag to keep them from getting lost.
My favorite low waste tip is reusable bags. I'm currently backpacking, and am kinda forgeful of my bags BUT! I now keep a couple of rolled up plastic grocery bags in my purse and reuse them over and over. Then I recycle them. This is while I can find a thrifted/sustainable tote bag that fits me! Always love your videos!
remembering to always have a reusable container and bag with me is so important for those unplanned trips to a coffee shop or the grocery store!
I bring my reusable Cortica Cork coffee mug (I LOVE IT) everywhere I go. Coffee shops are more than happy to fill it and sometimes even knock off a few cents. Great at work too, to avoid more paper products.
I'm a farmer and I like to use all parts of the plants I grow. I.e. pickling or finding different uses for normally unwanted parts, or for plants that are considered weeds
My tip is to make my own reusable bags! I buy clothes from the thrift store and then upcycle them into bags. You can get awesome fabric for much cheaper, and produce less waste ☺
Hi Ally! Great video as usual :)
My best tip for creating less waste is meal planning: this allows me to plan my visit to the stores where I can buy in bulk, so that I don't have to buy things last minute (usually wrapped in plastic). I also pack my lunch for work every day and... I just bought a bike *.* I'm super happy!
My favorite zero waste home tip is my steam cleaner! I love it and I use it for deep cleans like the bathroom or the kitchen counters. I use it with my microfiber rags :)
I always use a reusable mug for my coffee on the go... It's so simple, but really every day I'm on the train so it safes a lot of cups!
That is a great tip for metal containers! I have always heard of/seen people using glass as opposed to plastic but it can get so heavy like you said! Personally, I try and bring a water bottle and/or reusable travel mug everywhere I go, along with food in reusable containers.
I used to hate it when I got to a checkout counter at a store and realized that I'd need to use one of their plastic bags because I forgot my own. Now I always have at least one small reusable fabric tote in my purse just in case I have to buy or pickup anything that day.
Also, thanks for showing me Stasher! I've been looking for some kind of reusable sandwich bag for forever now!!
I use a bamboo toothbrush that can be recycled and I also shop using little cotton bags for loose ingredients and make my own products such as body scrubs and lotions! Loved discovering Stasher, such innovative products! love you !
Thank you for sharing about Stashers.
The reusable snack bags that are marketed are usually a zippered cloth with a washable lining like vinyl. I use them for dry snacks like trail mix or crackers, but though you can use them for moist items like apples, I don't like it because a zipper isn't a 100% seal.
It is also annoying to follow washing instructions for them. It's not easy as cleaning with soap real quick. Mine are gentle wash (hand or machine) in cold water than hang dry. Which then you have to wait till they're dry to use. Also annoying.
I like the idea of Stashers because it's silicone, easy to wash, the ziploc seal, and you can see what's in the bag.
I love these tips! eliminating paper towels and plastic bags is definitely the same tip I started with to reduce waste in my home!
I buy coconut oil in bulk and have been using it to make my own toothpaste!! I love that reducing waste also tends to reduce your contact with harmful chemicals
My favorite way to reduce waste is to bring my own travel tumbler to coffee shops! Also, can't go wrong with bribing my reusable grocery tote to the store!
Fantastic! We are already using mason jars at home to store bulky groceries... my fav tip to reuse them is to put big candles insight and light up my house with candle lights in mason jars of different sizes. And we also save money on the energy bill! 😀😉
my favorite low waste tip would definitely be to use face towels as napkins! we don't use napkins anymore and just use the little wash rags and wash them every week :)
My favourite low waste tip is using old fashioned hankies instead of paper tissues! :) some of them I already had, and then my grandma gave me some that she embroidered herself back in the day!
Hi Alli, wonderful video as always. Your new kitchen looks really nice, I love the light in your apartment!
Like you, I use a steal or bpa free bottle for my drinks on the go, and of course always use containers instead of plasticwrap. And one thing I do is to read books on my kindle and buy music online. It's not only reducing waste but also makes it much easier for me to reduce my stuff and stress while always moving/being on the go.
reusuable grocery bags are always super easy but do add up! my fav:)
I always make sure I have reusable bags on me, it's a life saver living in the city and not only gets rid of unnecessary plastic/paper bags but also just creates so much less clutter around the home! I'd love to try the Stasher's since I've tried some other reusable food bags before but they didn't work out quite so well :(
Love the simple tips in this video! I got some mesh bags a few months ago that I use at the farmers market, grocery store, and use a smaller mesh bag for toting around snacks like nuts and crackers :) It's helped to cut out my use of plastic bags. ALSO, thinx underwear. Way more comfortable and eco friendly than pads!!!!
My simplest zero waste tip is just switching from disposable containers to reusable ones - from ziploc bags to tupperware and from plastic tupperware to glass. Also from plastic bags to canvas when shopping!
Perfectly timed video I just started delving into reducing waste and honestly one of the biggest thing I've learned is to be more conscious of clothes and making sure that instead of tossing things that will still sit in landfills if you donate them so pretty much you've given me something to do with my bag of random untossables lol. Before I was just making funky pillows but this is honestly better, thanks girl! And the stasher seems sooo cool why am I just now hearing about this?
Love this. We've just moved into a new house and I'm using the fresh start as a push to waste less! My favorite tip is the basket of rags for the counter - going to hit up Goodwill for a good selection of small towels!
Love love love the idea of these stashers! I'm currently trying to transition into more zero waste and have been loving glass containers and jars for taking food to work and bringing my own coffee mug instead of getting a paper cup every time I buy coffee out.
This year I switched to cloth napkins and started composting. What a difference!
Conscious living. You are the best of being human.
My hands down favorite zero waste tip is using a menstrual cup and reusable pads. Menstrual cups are SO MUCH BETTER than tampons even if you don't care about zero waste. I will never go back to tampons. But the pads take a little getting used to. If I could go back in time though, I'd buy the period underwear, not the pads, because the pads don't really stay in place and blood ends up getting everywhere anyway. Lol. Anyway, I've been eyeing stasher bags and I'd LOVE to win them! They look so cool and of course not wasting zip bloc bags would be awesome! Your tshirt rag trick looks awesome though. I'll have to try it!
Great video! Simple, easy tips -- I'm excited to start phasing out paper towels and making my own cleaner.
One thing I started doing recently was making my own facial moisturizer. It's so easy, way cheaper than buying in store, and this way I don't need to waste plastic.
All you need is 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1 tsp liquid vitamin E, and a few drops of lavender essential oil. I store it in a recycled lush pot. Smells great! And you only need a little. Even on my oily skin, it's wonderful. =)
Your home tour inspired me to do the cloth rags! I love the bucket idea too! :)
Honestly, baggus are the best thing I've done. So easy to carry around, even in a small bag. Haven't used a plastic bag in years.
I used to use so many plastic water bottles, so I got nice glass bottle that I bring with me so I can reduce waste and save money when you're out and about. Also I keep a canvas tote rolled up in my purse so that I always have at least one bag if I decide to stop in a store.
I love those Stasher bags.... I'm a big freezer person and they lay so flat. I still use glass jars to freeze stuff too.
Some of your ideas I already use in my kitchen but to cut old tshirts and use them as a washcloth is a really good idea! thanks for that!
Love the idea of cutting up old t-shirts! Such a no-brainer way to upcycle something
We also use old cut up towels in my house. :) So many ways to recycle things that we don't always see right away!
I watched your grocery shopping video the other day!! Since then I've been researching how to live with less waste, so this video had perfect timing!!! Love all your videos!
I think the best way is to reduce. Be conscious of what we need and enjoy having enough and not much. Sorry for my english im from Venezuela. Love your video! That Stasher is so gooooood
i find that i use one of the simplest methods the most: just bring along a canvas bag everywhere when going shopping instead of always buying new plastic ones. no more drawer of unused plastic bags in the kitchen
I like using microfiber cloths for all cleanup/dusting jobs in the house. I color code them and do a load once a week.
Use a fountain pen with a piston cartridge so you can just refill from a bottle of ink. You just need to ensure you have one pen per colour you want. One fill of the cartridge normally equalled one college day of writing plus all my extra revision and note copying at home. You can just recycle the glass bottle and metal top six months down the line when it finally runs out
I'm about to move out on my own and I'm so excited to make my own cleaning rags and cleaning products. It'll produce less waste and save me some money. :) I have also been bringing my lunch in containers because I really don't like wasting so many plastic bags! Love your channel and these types of videos, Alli :)
While it's such a simple waste reduction tip, I love reusable waterbottles! When so many people buy a water bottle a day, you can fill up a canteen at most places, like restaurants!
I am definitely that girl who carries around loads of mason jars! But cutting down on the plastic is worth it for me. I was actually looking into a reusable plastic bag, so thank you for the giveaway and the tips!
I like the idea of using cloth napkins and dish towels instead of paper towels. Definitely going to make that transition!
Great tips! I didn't know Dr. Bronner has gallons like these. I will definitely do that as well!
These stasherbags sound great! :) And your video is great, even though the tips are not groundbreaking - so many people do not think about these things...
I do also carry lunchboxes and a waterbottle around with me all the time.
Since a few years we have "unpacked shops" in Germany. These shops have only stuff you can buy package free. And since september there is one in the city where I live! I'm just so excited every the time I'm going there :)
What I have been doing lately is make my own toothpaste and mouthwash! I reuse the same containers and it only takes a few simple ingredients that I already have at home. I've always had cavities and I was worried that the homemade product wouldn't be as effective as store-bought, but I went to the dentist and before I even told him about the switch he commented how good they looked!
Tip for those who use sponges : you can totally put the sponges in your washine machine (I put them when I wash towels and kitchen cloths ) They come out super clean like brand new
I loved Stasher bag. I'm definitely going to check them out.
I use reusable grocery produce bags. They have a super fine mech so I can use them for either bulk food items or produce.
This was so inspiring and I love all your videos, but learn a lot from these zero waste related videos. This year I started using a menstrual cup and bought my baby a Pura Kiki sippy cup. It is steel and silicone with no plastic and if you don't lose it, is supposed to grow up with your baby since you can swap out the mouthpiece from nipple to sippy to straw, etc.
yes, make more of these videos! i try to live a near-zero waste life style too -- i shop in bulk and carry utensils/napkins with me in my bag
As a teacher I always pack a lunch in my reusable bag and bring my water bottle everywhere I go. I make my own shampoo as well as toothpaste. Love the video!
My favorite recent less waste tip is freezing your bananas in their skin rather than removing and putting in plastic bags. I can't believe I've never thought of them before.
Up cycling well re using old fabric ❤️ I tore up some old yoga pants I had and now use them to blow my nose! I began to notice how much waste I was producing by simply blowing my nose.
i told u we could be besties! i do that thing with the rags too! i cut up old towels that nobody in my husband's family uses and i use them as cleaning cloths. they work well cause they have texture so they clean very well. and i wash them everytime i also get a bucketfull of dirty ones and hang them by our radiator. these days since the radiators are hot, i get clean crisp towelletes daily. thats what we used to do when we were in the Philippines. i never came across papertowels until i came here.
I realized that (spoiled) food was my most wasteful problem. Living with the bf, it took me awhile to figure that out cause eating out for date night was fun, but spoiled fresh groceries was definitely not fun. I know it's not possible for everyone, but me and the bf go to the grocery store every other day to buy fresh ingredients and things we would use within days. We've made it a fun adventure for us. :)