https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:46:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-847232 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:11:30 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 847232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsInformation: we should look into those mesh bags as well!!</p> <p>We use Tupperware or reusable snack baggies for lunches instead of plastic bags. My husband just installed a drip system for our yard/plants instead of using a sprinkler. We're talking about starting to compost, even though we don't know what we'd use the compost for. We use rags instead of paper towels, reusable grocery bags, reusable water bottles, wash things by hand instead of running the dishwasher so often. Lots of little things, although we could stand to improve on lots of other things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-847231 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:11:27 +0000 avivoca 847231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've found that the two of us don't generate much trash, just a lot of recycling. I honestly wish they would reduce garbage pick-up to every other week and encourage more recycling in our area. We have reusable bags that we take to the store, and any plastic bags we get are used as cat box disposal bags. I buy green plastic doggie bags for poop, they are supposed to break down a lot faster than regular plastic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-847195 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:05:39 +0000 immabeetoo 847195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weagle: I wish our town was that way! I cringe to drive by on garbage day and see overflowing pop cans (which is really ridiculous because we have a deposit), cardboard, etc.</p> <p>@regberadaisy: I really like our barrels! we got them from menards and they have a spot on the top for a plant so they're all bright and flowery. that is a good point about pasta water, I should do the same when I steam veggies too!</p> <p>@MsInformation: I think I need to get some mesh produce bags! I've been trying to re-use the plastic ones but they just keep ripping. We used to reuse them for dog waste but now that we have a yard they're piling up. Good call! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-847031 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:33:13 +0000 MsInformation 847031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I are not great about this, and most of what we do arose out of a sense of frugality rather than being particularly mindful about the environment. But we do vermicomposting (mostly because the eight-year-old boy in me likes the idea of feeding garbage to worms) and we reuse plastic Ziploc bags. They hold up remarkably well! I also got some reusable mesh produce bags so we don't have to use the plastic ones at the grocery store, and for single produce items I'll skip the bag entirely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-846820 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:20:57 +0000 PurplePumps 846820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have well water, so I already feel like consumption of water doesn't have as big effect as if it were city water. We don't buy any trash bags, all our trash cans take grocery bags and I try to alternate between reusable bags and acquiring plastic bags for trash. We found that we actually dont generate a lot of actual trash, but the recycle bin is always overlfowing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-846799 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:14:09 +0000 MediaNaranja 846799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've eliminated things like paper towels, etc. We only wash clothes when it is a full load, and hang dry most things. I prefer to buy things like oatmeal, rice, etc, in bulk rather than in packaged containers. Once we are in our own house we will do more composting. Just in general we ride our bikes or take the bus most places because I hate paying for gas :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-846707 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:38:10 +0000 MusicaV 846707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also use sponges, cloths, or rags instead of paper towels... need to get DH to do this more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-846701 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:35:47 +0000 Weagle 846701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need to start saving water a bit better. In our town, recycling is mandatory, so the threat of a fine is very good incentive to recycle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-846695 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:32:53 +0000 heffalump 846695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What great ideas! I've been reusing a lot of things for birthday party decoration. For LO's 1st birthday I made vases out of soup cans, toilet paper rolls, etc. It was a garden theme so I wanted a lot of flowers. This year I'm going to do some flowers again so I've been saving our glass jars for vases. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-846691 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:29:56 +0000 regberadaisy 846691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: I want to set up a rain barrel as well!<br /> Sometimes when there's leftover water from washing veggies et al I remember to use it to water our potted plants.</p> <p>I also read to use water from boiling pasta etc to water the garden! I just need to set up a 5 gallon bucket outside the door for this. Save on the water bill too! ;)</p> <p>We also compost pretty much everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-846503 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:00:31 +0000 MusicaV 846503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In our old place we had a compost bin, but we don't have a place for one now. I try to buy food with as little packaging as possible - loose fruits and veg instead of bagged or wrapped in plastic. </p> <p>In terms of energy consumption, we replaced our drafty windows and patio doors with energy efficient insulated ones.</p> <p>When we move into our next home, I would love to add some daylighting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-reduce-reuse-or-recycle#post-846481 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:16:24 +0000 immabeetoo 846481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're living in our first house and see our recycling/trash build up each week, which has led me to try and think outside the box to reduce our trash load and energy/water consumption. </p> <p>We just set up 2 rain barrels and I've started emptying our dehumidifier into our watering can. </p> <p>Tell me one way that your family cuts down on waste generated or utilities used! </p>