Reduce, Reuse, Refill

BY SAMANTHA KRUSE PHOTOS ZOE CRANFILL

Reducing wasteful product use and reusing products are great ways to start working toward an eco-friendly lifestyle. Reusable products help the environment by reducing plastic waste and can decrease spending on singleuse products, saving the buyer money in the long run. These products reduce plastic going into landfills and save energy from the creation of new materials.

There is a diverse selection of food storage options that can replace single-use plastic. Resealable jars come in all different sizes and can hold foods such as nuts, chips, coffee beans, candy, oats, and rice. Grocery stores typically have a food dispensary section, providing different options for refillable products. Grab a tote bag and hit the “Grab grocery store with some a tote of these reusable bag and jars. There are also reusable/ hit the refillable wolven grocery produce bags that are store with machinewashable some too. Cups are another of these fun product that comes in different reusable shapes and sizes for a jars.” person’s beverage needs. Reusable water bottles have been around since the late 1940s and can now be found in almost every household. Metal water bottles are highly coveted pieces now because they have the ability to keep water cold at all hours of the day.

Another reusable cup option is travel mugs, which come in different patterns and sizes, elevating the coffee-drinking

experience on the go. Local coffee shops usually have a discount for bringing in reusable cups, saving plastic and money on that latte. Hygiene products typically “These generate a sufficient amount of plastic waste. Refillable shampoo and conditioner reusable containers bottles come in different sizes and usually include a save money pump. Purchasing hair care products in bulk and dividing it up in smaller containers and reduce waste is one way to limit plastic waste. Different shampoo and conditioner brands are now selling reusable bottles, which polluting the environment” usually include a pouch of the product to refill once the first bottle is emptied. There are refillable container options for many other products as well, including body soaps, moisturizers, and makeup. Make sure to check other brands to see if there are refillable product options. These reusable containers save money and reduce waste polluting the environment. There is a diverse selection of refillable products varying from hygiene to food storage. These items are easily accessible on Etsy —shout out to small businesses!— and Amazon. Both Kindred Market and Krogers in Athens, Ohio have a refillable station ideal for utilizing these refillable jars and alternative storage options.