55: Use What You Have — A Simple Way to Reduce Waste

Sustainable living is increasingly being marketed as something we need to shop for. We are constantly being shown greener products, better materials, and more sustainable versions of things we already own—but for most of us, the best place to start is by using what is already in our homes more fully.

In this episode, I’m talking about why waste begins long before something reaches the landfill and why using what we already own is one of the most practical sustainable habits we can build.

Takeaways

• Eco-friendly products now seem to follow the same trend cycles as everything else.
• Waste also includes when we buy more than we can realistically use, maintain, store, or even remember we own.
• Once something is in our home, much of its environmental impact has already happened. The next question is how much value and use we can get from it.
• It is okay for useful things to look repaired, scratched, mismatched, or even a little ugly.
• Shopping your own house first can help you find the exact item you need, a workable substitute, something that can be repaired, or something you have simply forgotten about.
• Using what you have does not mean never buying anything. It gives you better information so you can shop more slowly and deliberately when you genuinely need something.
• Creating use-first areas, keeping a pause list, repairing things quickly, borrowing rarely used items, and using the good stuff now are all practical ways to reduce waste.
• Low waste living becomes easier when the things we already own are visible, accessible, cared for, and actually used.

One Small Shift
Take stock of what is under your bathroom sink.

Pull everything out and see what is already open, what needs to be used up, and what you have duplicates of. Then choose one product to finish before you replace it or try something new.

Related Podcast Episodes

Ep. 12: How to Quit Using Amazon (And Why You Should)

Ep. 23: Borrow Before You Buy — Sharing, Renting, and the Circular Economy

Ep. 47: Sustainable Bathroom Swaps That Save Money and Reduce Waste