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5 Ways to Reduce Everyday Waste

You do not have to have a complete zero-waste lifestyle to help the environment.

Victoria Jackson

May 15, 2019

University of Washington

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Being zero-waste is a hard task to achieve. Sometimes it is impossible. These little steps can help ease you into reducing your every day waste and help save you some bucks.

1. Use hand towels instead of paper towels

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It is one of the easiest swaps to make. Just start using more hand towels rather than wiping your hands and cleaned fruit with paper towels. Make sure to wash and change your towels weekly because bacteria can start to grow.

2. Reusable water bottles over plastic, single-use bottles

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One thing I love about having a reusable water bottle with me all the time is that I do not have to pay for water. No one should have to pay for water.

3. Eat at home or dine-in

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I know it is nice to just go through the drive-thru and get meals to-go but the utensils and sometimes packaging that hold the food is not good for the environment. By going inside you can use the glass plates and silverware which wil be cleaned and used over and over again. If you can eat at home, you get more bang for your buck and again, reuse your dishes and silverware so many times.

4. Finish products you already have instead of buying new ones

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I see this way too often. People want to go waste-free and end up getting rid of products they do not want anymore. They end up throwing away products that are fine but do not fit this mold of "eco-friendly" or "zero waste." This is the opposite of the meaning of zero waste. Use up what you have first then go towards getting sustainable and eco-friendly products. Because either way the waste ends up somewhere, might as well use what you have and save some money in the long run.

5. Do not over purchase food products

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We all have a favorite fruit or veggie we get at the grocery store. Try to limit the amount of food products you get. Make sure you will eat it and use it before it expires. Food waste is another huge aspect of people's every day lives. Save yourself some money and look into what you need and what you will eat compared to what you think sounds good but ends up sitting in the back of your fridge for a month unopened and rottening.

These five simple swaps/tips will help ease you into a low waste-lifestyle. It is not an easy lifestyle but it can be beneficial to our environment. Every little step counts.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

5 Ways to Reduce Everyday Waste

You do not have to have a complete zero-waste lifestyle to help the environment.

1. Use hand towels instead of paper towels

2. Reusable water bottles over plastic, single-use bottles

3. Eat at home or dine-in

4. Finish products you already have instead of buying new ones

5. Do not over purchase food products

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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