
- #How many empty mac containers for free item how to
- #How many empty mac containers for free item upgrade
NapkinsĪ family of four that uses one paper napkin at every meal buys and discards more than 4,300 napkins per year, more than $515 worth. But by bringing a reusable container when you’re planning to eat out, you can avoid both food waste and packaging waste. The downside is that when you ask to take home your leftovers, the server usually brings you a giant Styrofoam clamshell that just goes straight into the trash after you eat. You know you can save as much as a dollar or two (for those who take their lunch to work) to upward of $10 (if you usually eat out). The large food portions at restaurants are more than many people can eat in one sitting. If you typically use one disposable plate, one paper cup, and one set of plastic utensils each workday, this tip can save you about $72 per year. Keep a mug, plate, and set of silverware at work to eat your takeout or leftovers in style, and just wash the dishes when you’re done. And when you’re done eating or drinking, it goes right in the trash.īut there’s a cheaper and more eco-friendly alternative. But during the workday, you might not think twice about grabbing a paper coffee cup or plastic fork. You probably use washable dishes, glasses, and silverware for your meals at home. There are even bags you can fold and tuck into a pocket or bag to ensure you always have one when you need it. There are dozens of kinds to choose from, including canvas, nylon, and string grocery bags. Other stores, such as Target, offer a small discount for each reusable bag you bring. Although the fee for each bag is modest, you can avoid it entirely by bringing your own. For instance, grocery stores like Aldi charge directly for shopping bags. You can avoid contributing to this waste by carrying reusable bags.Īnd avoiding reusable grocery bags can sometimes save you money at the checkout. Producing the plastic for all those bags contributes to climate change, and the bags themselves often end up as ocean waste. That’s nearly one bag per person per day. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, New York state residents alone go through 23 billion plastic bags per year. Shopping BagsĪmericans use billions of plastic shopping bags each year. The EcoVessel New Wave BPA-free plastic sports water bottle (available in 24- and 32-ounce volumes) is perfect for on-the-go sippers thanks to its durable straw lid design and ergonomic body. And according to a report from the Pacific Institute, you’ll save more than 100 kilowatt-hours of energy. At the same time, you’ll keep more than 1,200 disposable plastic bottles out of the waste stream.

Invest in a $20 reusable water bottle instead, and it will pay for itself more than 25 times over in its first year of use. If you go through a $10 case of bottled water every week, that’s $520 per year for something you could get out of a tap for less than $1. Water Bottlesĭrinking bottled water is a common and expensive habit. These are some examples, but there are many disposable household goods you can ditch forever. And once you’ve watched your trash can become lighter while your wallet stays heavier, you’ll never want to go back. But if you give it a chance, before long, it becomes second nature. In these cases, switching to reusable goods can feel awkward and unfamiliar at first. They grab a disposable water bottle when leaving the house or purchase paper napkins at the grocery store. Ditch Disposable Productsįor many people, using disposable products is just a matter of habit. As you become accustomed to the practice, you’ll discover even more ways to trim both household waste and your personal budget. Once you become comfortable with those, work your way up to the big stuff.


If you’re new to the idea of reuse, start with a few baby steps. Others take a bit more effort, such as shopping secondhand or using pallets for building material. Some are simple, such as carrying a reusable shopping bag to the supermarket. There are many ways to make reuse a part of your life.
#How many empty mac containers for free item how to
How to Reuse Items to Save Money and Reduce Waste So when you choose to reuse, you’re making your life greener and cheaper at the same time. And because we’d be buying less, we’d cut down on our use of energy and natural resources as well. We could all stretch our dollars much further by using the same product many times rather than just once. Many of us even change our whole wardrobes every season, discarding old clothes that are in perfectly good shape because they’re “so last year.”Īll this waste is costly, both for us and the environment.
#How many empty mac containers for free item upgrade
We upgrade our computers and replace our cellphones nearly every year. We wipe up spills with paper towels and wipe our noses with paper tissues we discard after a single use.
