5 Tips for a Low-Waste Lifestyle

With U.S. landfills reaching all-time highs for municipal waste, there’s never been a more important time to take action on our environmental impact. At Abbot’s Butcher, sustainability is one of our core values, and we’ve built that philosophy into every aspect of our brand. We’re adjusting our products to be the best they can be, and we’re getting even closer to having fully recyclable packaging.

But beyond the strategies that corporations use to cut down on waste, we know that it’s still essential to make individual choices that contribute to a low-waste lifestyle. Big-ticket items like using public transportation instead of driving are obvious ways to make long-lasting environmental impacts, but there are other, smaller details that give us a chance to practice low-waste living in a practical way.

1. Be mindful about deliveries.

Online retailers have made shopping irresistibly easy. It only takes a few clicks to have practically anything delivered right to your front door, and although individually we might only be ordering a few things each week, it adds up. And the COVID-19 pandemic brought online shopping to new extremes; in the second quarter of 2020, UPS had a daily average of over 21 million package deliveries.

From packing peanuts to bubble wrap to the actual box or envelope the product comes in, even shipping something as small as a USB stick can still generate a lot of material waste.

To cut down on the amount of unnecessary waste caused by packing supplies, one method is to request that multiple items be sent in the same package. It might add extra time for delivery, but the no-rush shipping method helps combine extra orders and minimizes waste.

If Amazon is your go-to retailer, you can also improve your carbon footprint by participating in the Frustration-Free Packaging Program. Although not all of Amazon’s products can be shipped this way, there are over one million products that ship in 100% recyclable packaging, and you can search for “frustration-free packaging” in the search bar to find eligible items.

Finally, it’s essential to understand how to properly dispose of delivery packages, no matter how many boxes you have. Amazon has a comprehensive guide to disposing of its own packaging. For example, the classic bubble-lined plastic bags are eligible for curbside recycling, but paper mailers with air bubble padding aren’t and need to be thrown away. If you’re not sure where an item should go, take a look at the packaging and match it up to the guide photos to understand what your next step should be.

2. Swap out your products and habits.

Practicing a low-waste lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight, but small, manageable changes really do add up to create a lasting impact. By simply swapping out some of your existing products for sustainable, environmentally friendly products, you can make a change in every aspect of your life.

• For example, instead of using rolls and rolls of aluminum foil or parchment paper when cooking, try switching to reusable silicone baking sheets that are easily washable.
• If you’re an avid coffee drinker, consider swapping single-use coffee or espresso pods for reusable cups that allow you to fill the grounds yourself.
• Another impactful swap is to cut down on meat in your diet, even if just for a few days each week, and replace it with plant-based alternatives. Red meat has 100 times the environmental impact of plant-based food, and we have a collection of plant-based recipes filled with wholesome ingredients.

3. Get creative with reusing.

When we go out for pretty much any excursion, there’s so much waste that can easily be reduced. If you’re frequently visiting coffee shops, buy a reusable coffee container so you don’t have to purchase single-use cups that easily add up. Many beverage companies even offer discounts for reusable containers — at both Starbucks and Peet’s, you can get 10 cents off your drink for bringing in your own cup.

Takeout containers are another easy change to form low-waste habits. If you’re going out for a meal, try bringing an extra container so you can package your own leftover food instead of grabbing your takeaway in the restaurant’s to-go container, which is usually made out of unrecyclable plastic.

4. Less new, more old.

Although it can totally be tempting to buy a range of new products to keep up with sustainability standards, it’s important to remember that less is more. Buying more items in general can be harmful, especially when trying to kickstart a new habit. Before completely replacing what you have, like your coffee pods, make sure to use everything until it’s finished before tossing.

That tip also applies to clothing — buying secondhand clothes is a great way to lean into a low-waste lifestyle. In 2018, over 9 million tons of clothes were deposited in US landfills. Thrift stores, charity shops, and resale apps are effective ways to reduce, reuse and recycle an important part of our everyday lives.

5. Minimize food waste.

In North America, almost 40% of the food consumers buy is thrown away. It can be hard to use everything in your fridge, but here are a few simple steps to cutting down on food waste:

• Plan your meals & make note of what you have — Before you go grocery shopping, develop a rough meal schedule to determine what products you actually need. Have a constant list of what’s in your fridge and pantry so you can reference it for future meals and keep an eye on expiring items.
• Freeze — If you have the space, consider storing items that are close to their expiration date in your freezer before they go bad. So many products from hummus to bananas stay fresh in the freezer and get another chance to be used.
• Recipes — Get creative and search for recipes where your almost-expired foods shine. If your vegetables are starting to wilt, try making a soup or a stew that incorporates and makes use of their flavors and features.

It may seem daunting to make changes to your daily lifestyle, but these tips can help manage your sustainability efforts in an easy, practical way. If you’re curious about your current contributions to the environment, this carbon footprint calculator gives an idea of where you’re at now.