25 Wasteful Things You Can Live Without

By Planet Green

We produce a lot of waste. In 2008 alone, Americans generated 250 million tons of trash, and though about a third of that was recycled, a lot went into landfills or was incinerated. Our culture is centered around disposability, and only we have the power to change that.

Take stock of the disposable, overly-packaged, and single-use products that you use, and then look for reusable alternatives. Not sure where to start? Here are more than two dozen items that many people use . . . and can easily live without.

25 Wasteful Things You Can Live Without:

Tin foil — Use an oven-safe pot or dish with a lid.
Plastic wrap — Instead, use a container with a lid.
Disposable cleaning cloths, dusters, etc. — Use a microfiber cloth that can be washed.
Paper towels — Use a tea towel, instead.
Disposable pens — Buy a good pen that only needs the ink well changed.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Edvanir L.

4:23PM PDT on Apr 26, 2013

Great article!

April 26
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Anne F.

3:54PM PDT on Apr 20, 2013

Quite a comprehensive list. I've realized that paper plates and plastic flatware is sloppy and uncomfortable for me to us. Local coffee shop gives me a discount on hot chocolate if I bring my own cup, so that's an incentive!

April 20
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Jenna B.

3:43PM PDT on Apr 20, 2013

I wish more people would realize these things are killing our planet. It's such a shame that first-world people have come to thrive on convenience items.

Heidi H.

12:49AM PDT on Apr 14, 2013

The ease of a disposable life is ruining our planet but there is hope, paper plates and cups are now being made from biodegradable materials. It's a small start but it is a start.

April 14
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Magdalen B.

6:02AM PDT on Apr 11, 2013

In general i agree with this article. However using cloths on greasy pans just results in greasy cloths and peaches, particularly, keep better when sold in protective packaging.This saves waste, money and my temper.

April 11
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Fi T.

5:54AM PDT on Apr 11, 2013

Let's treasure what we've got

Diane W.

7:32AM PDT on Apr 2, 2013

I LOVE all these ideas. But good luck getting new moms to use cloth diapers. I used them for my son (he now 37) and got strange looks that long ago! Not easy to find them, either. I've looked for them since grandson is two.