Reduce and Reuse

• Drink tap water instead of bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle at home to take with you while you're on the go.
• Ditch the plastic wrap, small plastic bags, and aluminum foil when possible. Instead, opt for reusable food containers, washable fabric pouches, and reusable food wraps.
• Keep a reusable straw (or forgo the straw altogether) and a set of reusable cutlery in your bag for your takeout meals.
• Avoid items that come in single serving packages such as juice pouches, yogurt tubes or coffee pods. 
• Bring your reusable grocery and produce bags when shopping. To further reduce single-use plastics and emissions from transportation buy products directly from local farmer’s market.
• Reduce plastic packaging. Buy loose fruits and vegetables or use reusable bags.
• Learn about reuse options available for diapers.
• Choose a toothbrush with a replaceable head to avoid having to throw out the handle each time you need a new one.
• Invest in a reusable metal razor with a replaceable head. 
• Swap your facial wipes for a reusable washcloth.
• Buy hair-care products and soaps in economy sizes and decant them to smaller, reusable containers when needed. (The same goes for laundry detergent and cleaning products. Also, look for options sold in concentrate.)
• Substitute your dryer sheets with wool dryer balls.
• Stock up on washable towels and cloth napkins instead of paper towels and napkins.

• Make your own cleaning products using common household ingredients. This eliminates excess packaging, is less harmful to the environment and can save you money.
• Repair items, when possible, instead of throwing them away.
  • The library provides many resources to learn how to repair a range of items.
  • iFixit is a wiki-based site that teaches people how to fix almost anything.
• Rent or borrow items you rarely use. 

• Participate in the second-hand economy by buying and selling used items. Always take appropriate precautions when conducting transactions. Post items that are in good condition in a local buy and sell group.
• Freecycle Network
• Facebook Marketplace
• Kijiji
• Swapsity
• Varagesale
• Donate reusable items to charity, remember to 'donate responsibly' by contacting organizations first to find out what they accept.
• Diabetes Canada
• Habitat for Humanity Restore
• Salvation Army Thrift Store
• Sell and shop second-hand clothes stores.
• Plan a clothing swap with friends or host a yard sale. 

Looking for a donation box near you? Check out the National Association for Charitable Textile Recycling's Donation Site Locator.

Find a donation box near you

• Think about your purchases. Do you need it? Can you buy it with less packaging? Consider buying local, second- hand or items made from recycled materials.
• Purchase products that are made to last. That way you won’t have to replace them as frequently.
• Stores are increasingly offering the option to bring in your containers to refill household items.

• Practice proper meal planning to buy only what you need.
• Eat what you buy.
• Proper food storage means less waste.
• Get creative with leftovers.
• Compost what's left or put it in the green bin.