If one was to try to identify my shopping “addictions,” jeans would definitely be near the top of the list. I love a good pair of jeans that fits just right and matches everything! When I was a kid, we’d drive over an hour from my hometown to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where I could get the coolest jeans that weren’t even available in the USA (thanks, Mom!).

Years later, when I’d started buying most clothes from consignment stores, I would still argue that buying a good pair of new jeans was worth it. And there is definitely is some validity in that argument. But I couldn’t really make it anymore when I had 10+ jeans in my closest. I didn’t need anymore; new or used.

However, jeans wear out. Holes can be patched of course, but sometimes you do need to retire a pair. Your body changes due to time and life and sometimes your old pair of favorite jeans just doesn’t fit anymore.

A few months ago, when the weather got colder, I found myself with numerous jeans in my closet, but none of them were ones I could wear. I know that sounds dramatic, and you’re probably thinking, “Yeah right, Melissa, I’m sure they fit, you just didn’t like them.” But honestly, they either had holes in them (great style for the spring and fall; not so much for the winter) or they were too tight. (Plus I had a couple great pairs of black jeans, but everyone needs a blue jean option!)

In an attempt to bolster my jean wardrobe, I went consignment shopping. In person and online. And yet, it didn’t quite work out. I ended up with more pairs that didn’t fit well. I started to think I might need to buy new again. I was almost going to go online to a store when one of the people I follow on Instagram reminded me that it takes almost 2,000 gallons of water to grow enough cotton for a pair of jeans. I couldn’t do it. I had to find some pre-loved ones. I doubled down on my consignment skills.

I am pleased to report that as of last weekend, I have two pairs of completely serviceable blue jeans without holes in them!

Here’s what I learned from the bumpy process of buying a few too many pairs of not-quite-right jeans. Hopefully these reminders will help you if you, too, find yourself in a “I need new jeans” moment:

one. // Try them on. To some this probably sounds like a no-brainer, but it the world of buying used clothes there are often situations in which you don’t have the opportunity to try something on. Many brick-and-mortar thrift stores have closed their fitting rooms since the pandemic for health or staffing issues and online stores like thredUp and Poshmark have great selections of like-new jeans but you can’t try them on before they arrive in the mail. Not trying them jeans on is almost always a mistake. Sometimes you get lucky, but often you don’t.

two. // Sizes are not always the same. I currently have jeans that fit me in at least three different sizes. The fit of even the same brand can vary so much depending on the cut and material and who has previously worn them. This factor points you back to tip number one: try them on!

three. // Don’t be too committed to one brand. Like many, I love Madewell jeans. Everlane is great too. But when I’ve shopped at consignment stores, I’ve found some great jeans from new-to-me brands. “Low-end” brands can actually be thicker material than a more expensive brand. Jeans made by a brand you’ve never purchased before might be just the ticket.

four. // Be thoughtful about whether or not you want holes. I mentioned this in my intro: the trend of jeans with holes in them is cool, but not always practical. I like wearing hole-y jeans during the warmer months, but they sit in my closest when it’s cold out.

five. // Ask your friends about their jean stash. There’s no way you’re the only one who has a pair of jeans or two that doesn’t fit quite right. I was lucky enough to grab a couple pairs from a friend recently. Maybe even arrange a jeans swap (that would get me in trouble!).

What about you? I want to hear your jean stories! I know you have one!

Some of my most popular posts on Instagram are when I share what I’ve found at Goodwill and other thrift stores. I always get a few questions about where I go, and what other tips I have, so I thought I’d put a few thoughts here on the blog, for people to reference!

Of course this is all based on my own individual experiences, and I usually go to thrift stores close to where I live; I’m sure there are some GREAT ones elsewhere in the Denver area.

Which stores do you go to?

Goodwill. I like the variety of product they carry, as well as the fact their prices are generally determined by type of product not by brand. This means a kids’ shirt is $2.99 whether it’s originally from Target or JCrew. People have mixed feelings about the organization…I’ve heard some “horror stories” but I’ve also read a lot of good press about what Goodwill does for the secondhand market worldwide. Obviously no company is without their flaws, and Goodwill has to deal with an excessive amount of donations (we’re all over-consumers!). I generally feel good about shopping secondhand, and Goodwill makes it easy to do that.

I also shop at Kid-to-Kid in Arvada when I’m looking for specific products for my kids. I do find this spot to be a bit pricey, so that’s a deterrent for me. I like a deal!

Treasure Trunk Community Thrift Store in Lakeside is one of my favorite local spots. You definitely have to be ready to dig through the products here, but you can find some real gems! I love their crafting section and they often have school supplies.

I used to shop at Arc Thrift Stores more (they have great sales - every Saturday is 50% off most items, and they also have 99 cent days!) but there isn’t one very close to where I live now, so I don’t find myself there very often.

Which Goodwill location do you like best?

All of them! Ha. I usually go to the Central Park location because it’s closest to my house. They get a lot of Target overstock there, which is good or bad, depending on your view. If I find myself over on the west side of Denver, I like to go to the Lakeside Goodwill because it’s across the street from Treasure Trunk! The Archer location on Broadway has lots of good stuff and two floors! And I’ve been to locations in the suburbs that are fantastic, too. Just go to wherever is most convenient!

What are you favorite days/times to go shopping?

I generally avoid the weekends, especially during pandemic times (but that is when they often have good sales). I find if you go early in the week, the shelves are well stocked. But mostly I just go whenever I get the chance; it’s pretty random! I personally avoid the big sale days because I don’t like crowds (especially these days), but if you are looking for a lot of clothes or big items, it could be good to check the Goodwill calendar.

How do you find such good things?

Time! It takes time and patience to comb through the racks. I usually can’t get to all sections of the store during one visit; it just takes too long. I always keep a list of things I need on my phone, and I look at my list and prioritize the things I need most, or am most hopeful to find (things I really don’t want to buy new).

When looking for clothes, I look first at the material. For myself I like 100% cotton and wool products, but my kids often need polyester clothes for outdoor school. You can look at the edges of the clothes to get a sense of the material without pulling each item off the rack.

It’s also important to see what you find, not to just be looking for specific items. If you need something very specific, you will likely be disappointed (although it feels GREAT when you get lucky!).

Do you also shop online?

Yes! For specific items or when I can’t get to a store, I like to shop on Poshmark, Kidizen, thredUp, and eBay. And Facebook groups and Marketplace of course! (If you click the links above you can get $5-$10 off your first purchase.)

Tip: people often cross-post items on Poshmark and Kidizen., but you can barter on Poshmark but not Kidizen.

Other tips?

Keep a list: As I mentioned above, keep a running list of things you think of that you need in life. Instead of ordering them immediately, wait if you can and look for them the next time you’re thrifting.

Look for quality items: fast fashion is alive and well in thrift stores. Instead of getting the shiny new thing, look for well-made items that will last awhile. But on the flip side of that spectrum, if you need something cheap, better to get it used than new!

Stock up: if there are things you use a lot (like crayons or cloth napkins), stock up when you see them at a thrift store, even if you don’t need them that moment. We don’t need to become hoarders, but if you know you’ll use something in the future, it’s worth getting it secondhand at a cheaper price.

Put a few things back: Thrift shopping plays on our impulses just like “regular” shopping. Before checking out, double check your cart to see if you really need/want everything. Maybe you don’t need that holiday decor? Or maybe you do!

So many of you are experienced thrifters! What tips do you have?

When I became pregnant with my first child in 2011, I registered for glass baby bottles. I was planning to breastfed, and ultimately did breastfeed. My daughter never really took a bottle. Neither did my second baby, or my third. Back in 2011, I never really thought about why I was registering for baby bottles. Babies just needed bottles, right? Well maybe. But mine didn’t.

From the moment you think you’re pregnant (nay, from the moment you decide you’d like to maybe become pregnant), our capitalist society is ready to sell you something. Messages bombard you from all directions about what you need, what the baby needs, what will make your life easier.

I fell for a lot of it. We all do. We’re human. We’re products of our environment. We’re persuadable. And, honestly, some of it does actually make your life easier. You need some of it. You just don’t need all of it.

Here’s what I’d say to my 2011 self; the advice I’d give on what to buy and not buy and how to start off on the right foot in terms of low-impact, minimalist parenting:

Wear what you have. It might be tempting to buy a lot of maternity clothes, but try to first “shop your closet” for your baggier clothes, pants with a larger/lower waist band, and all the spandex. You can use a rubber band on your jeans button for a couple months, and if it’s summer, dresses are always a good choice for a growing belly. Yes, you will probably need some new clothing, but not as much as you might think.

Seek out pre-loved maternity clothes. When you run out of options from your current wardrobe, it’s time to find some pre-loved options. Ask your friends, look on Facebook groups, or shop consignment online. You’re sure to find plenty of used maternity clothes. During this process, keep in mind: women are, by design, pregnant for only a relatively short period of time (I know it might not feel that way when you’re in the throes of it). This idea is important to remember for two reasons: you won’t need clothes that last a lifetime, and any used clothes you buy will likely be only lightly worn.

If you buy new, select a few key pieces from ethical brands that will work postpartum. If you do buy new clothing, seek out ethical brands that use natural materials. Undergarments and sleepwear that you can nurse in are items you’ll wear over and over again.

Do you really need the maternity pillow? Probably not. Think about it: what will you do when you’re no longer pregnant? Put it in your guest room? No. Use a few extra pillows to make yourself comfortable at night. Even buy a few new ones if needed; they’ll be much more useful in the long run.

But, if you do feel inclined to “stock up” on gear: GET IT USED! Parents love to get rid of things! Once a child is done with something, parents want it out of their house to make room for new items. As a result, they’re often happy to give things away or sell them for a reasonable price. Strollers, high chairs, baby bouncers, you name it! There are several online website dedicated to reselling kids’ gear, and Facebook groups are always a great place to look, too.

Rethink the registry. Once you have thought through what you can obtain for the baby from friends or neighbors, decide whether or not you want to create a baby registry. People love to show their affection through gifts, and you’re sure to have many well-wishers. Be very clear about what items you want (or don’t want!) for your baby. If you don’t give any guidance, you’ll get 25 Carter’s pajama suits in size newborn. And those are not very useful! Think about the items you truly want or need for the baby that might be more expensive and/or hard to find used: cloth diapers, a baby carrier, a crib. You also might ask for take-out gift cards, meal services, laundry service, a massage, etc.

Make goals + take classes. I didn’t love the idea of taking classes when I was pregnant, but I’m so glad that I had wise people in my life who encouraged me to do so. I gained a great deal from taking prenatal yoga and breastfeeding classes. The tools I gained from these classes definitely helped me during my pregnancies and postpartum periods.

Seek out like-minded friends. Generally, I think it’s great to have friends who have a wide-variety of views and ways of doing things. But when it comes to parenting, there are so many ways to do it and to do it well. As you think about your parenting style, it helps to talk to others who have similar intentions for how they want to raise their kids.

Focus on the baby and your health; the “staff” can wait. So often we want to prepare for a big event like a baby by buying all the things we “need.” But, remember, babies don’t need very much besides warmth, food, and love. Try to focus on your health during pregnancy and your relationships. Enjoy some alone time (trust me on this one). Of course you’ll get a few things for the baby, but you can still shop once the baby arrives!

A few of you might remember: I set a goal not to buy any clothes this year. Definitely nothing new, but nothing consignment either. I’d been feeling like I had too many clothes, and a lot of my clothing was items I didn’t really like but I’d picked up at Goodwill or a clothing swap. I wanted to stop consumption of any kind and reassess my wardrobe.

Turns out, I unwittingly picked a pretty good year for this endeavor. Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, I was certainly not doing any ambling Goodwill hunts.

Nevertheless, I haven’t managed to keep to my commitment 100%. I’ve had some slip ups. But I’ve also resisted a lot of shopping! Which, I’ve learned, can be extremely challenging for me.

Given that today is “Black Friday,” a day that tempts our materialistic tendencies with sales galore, I thought it’d be the perfect time to share an update on my successes and failures:

I had a few impulse-buy moments:

• An Everlane black cardigan.
  I’ve been on the hunt for a “go-to” black cardigan for years. Seriously. Might sound silly to some but I bet others can relate! In early 2020, an Instagram influencer I follow posted about her favorite Everlane cardigan being on sale, and when I clicked the affiliate link, I discovered not only was it on sale, but there was only one left in stock! Before I knew what happened, I’d ordered it. FAIL. The positive side is that Everlane is an awesome company doing good things, and I do think this will be a high-quality staple in my wardrobe for years to come.

• A J.Crew bikini from thredUP.
  I was very sad that the pools in Denver were closed this summer. Going to the pool with my kids has always been how we pass summer days. Then, mid-July, I found a pool that was open! As a result, my kids needed some new swimsuits. I took to thredUP.com to find some options, and late one night I suddenly was ordered a J.Crew high-waisted bikini in my size. Second fail. At least it’s pre-owned?

• A romper from Goodwill. When COVID-19 cases started to go down mid-summer, I made a glorious solo trip to Goodwill. I was mostly getting school clothes and shoes for the kids, but I stumbled upon a beautiful linen romper in my size that was only $2.99. Despite my 2020 goals, I’m not a complete idiot. You snatch up a 100% linen romper when you see one!

I made a couple thought-through purchases:

• Underwear. I needed a few new pairs. Ordered them from Pact, and awesome Colorado-based B Corp where I get most of my family’s undergarments.

• Gloves: I didn’t have a good pair of gloves to wear on school runs. I was always taking my mittens off to help the kids with their stuff and it was getting cold. Ordered some, pre-owed, from thredUP.

• Everlane jeans from Poshmark. As the weather got cooler this fall, all 3 pairs of my “around the house” jeans ripped. I was able to patch one pair, but the other two were beyond repair. I bought a used pair from Poshmark. I love Everlane and their jeans, but still always try to buy used when I can.

I accepted a few gifts:

• A bikini bottom from a friend: Like I said above, swimming was front of mind over the summer. I had to help a friend out when it didn’t fit her. ;)

• Shoes from a friend: I have trouble saying no to free things that are looking for a new home. And I thought it through long enough before saying “yes” to make sure they were shoes I’d wear regularly.

• A hand-knit sweater from my mom: My mom has knit sweaters for decades. They’re beautiful. When I visited her a few months ago, she had one that didn’t fit her that she wanted to give me. I will always feel good about accepting a made-with-love warm sweater from a loved one.

I donated repurposed a lot of clothes.
A big part of my mission this year was to edit my wardrobe. I had too many clothes that I didn’t like and didn’t wear. I tried to donate as much as I could, directly to people who could use it (thank you, Facebook!). I also have a few bags in the attic to take to Goodwill sometime soon. (I recently read Adam Minter’s new book, "Secondhand", and was pleased to learn that most clothes donated to Goodwill find a second life and don’t go directly to the landfill. But those details are for another post!)

In conclusion: I resisted so, so many purchases.
My experience this year has taught me that even though I like to consider myself a minimalist who’s against excess consumerism, I have a real problem with consumption! I felt myself turning to shopping as a response to a whole range of feelings: boredom, sadness, moments of low self esteem.

This year has been challenging for all of us (and yes, I’m fully aware I’m writing about something very insignificant right now!), and I found myself often looking for a little “pick me up.” Buying clothes is a way we try to make ourselves feel good; a way to bring some excitement into our lives.

And there’s not necessarily anything wrong with that. There are worse vices. But I think it’s important to take a metaphorical look in the mirror and decide what’s really driving your shopping. That’s my aim, going forward. I’m not sure what my 2020 goal will be in regard to buying clothes, but I am very glad that I made an effort to curtail my shopping this year.

Now, if I can also make it through Black Friday without any impulse purposes!

What about you? Do you have any thoughts or goals around shopping? Are you comfortable with how much you buy?

I no longer own any cloth diapers.

After almost eight years of cloth diapering my three little ones, the youngest is officially potty trained. HURRAY!

Cloth diapering actually came pretty easy to me. It always just made sense to me. Use, wash, repeat. No trips to the store, one-time investment, use for multiple children.

However, while the big-picture decision to cloth diaper was a no-brainer, there was definitely a steep learning curve and several bumbles along the way. There are literally thousands of guides to cloth diapering on the internet, so I’m not going to rewrite one of them here. Instead, I’m going to give my eight biggest tips for cloth diapering. One for each year!

one // All-in-one diapers (AIOs) are a great starting place, but they are less versatile and don’t last as long as other diaper options. With my oldest, Willa, I registered for exclusively cloth diapers. I got bumgenius newborn diapers and a set of 12 bumgenius AIOs. They worked great and I loved them! But, I’d gotten one pocket diaper for free with one of my bumgenius orders, and found myself gravitating towards it when we had babysitters or wanted to stuff the diaper with extra cloth for nighttime. By the time my second baby came, I wanted more pocket diapers. But pocket diapers need to be stuffed, and when you’re sleep-deprived and swimming in laundry, that’s a lot. Enter: diaper covers. Just lay the cloth inside the cover, and you’re done. By the time I had my third baby I was using mostly diaper covers with cloth, and a few pockets.

two // Do not use too much detergent. Less is more! I completely whiffed on this one. The first time I cloth diapered I used way too much detergent and ended up with terrible build-up in my diapers. This means the soap is lodged in your diapers and so they can’t absorb the pee. I had to wash those first AIOs I had a bagillion times to get the build-up out and that ruined the elastic. I gave them away to someone who knew how to sew, and got new diapers for my second baby. This was a big fail, as ideally cloth diapers should last for multiple babies. Don’t use too much soap! Less is more! Just a teaspoon or so, depending on the soap.

three // Babies get diaper rash. Statement of the obvious, right? It is, but I think often parents think one type of diaper is more likely to give them a rash than others. This may be true (it probably is; you know your baby!) but I think it’s good to just accept that your baby will have some rashes and carry on with the cloth. That said, I recommend using diapers of natural fibers (cotton, usually). And there might be bits of time when you need to use some disposables, but don’t give up on the cloth. Change is the only constant and everything is a phase. I recommend a cloth-friendly cream for daily use. There’s a good list here, and I like this one.

four // Use what you have or what’s cheap. The cloth diaper options these days are extensive. It’s a huge market. There are tons of cute patterns and fancy buttons etc. etc. It’s easy to drop hundreds (perhaps thousands?) of dollars on new cloth diapers. But I don’t recommend that! If you get diaper covers, you can use a variety of cloth inside to absorb your child’s pee and poop. We used cotton towels that we already had, and I also bought some 100% cotton flour sack towels from WalMart. At less than $1 per towel they’re much cheaper than what you’ll find from the cloth diaper companies.

five // It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. So often people make a decision that they’re going to use cloth diapers OR disposable diapers. While I would obviously encourage you to use cloth diapers, replacing even a small number of disposables with cloth will save you money and help the earth.

six // You can travel with cloth! I shied away from traveling with cloth diapers for a long time. It just seemed like disposables were what you should use “on the road.” But eventually I realized that it’s not that hard to bring the cloth along. If your destination has a washing machine that you and your host are comfortable with you using, you’re all set. Or, if it’s a short trip (such as a long weekend camping), just bring a wet bag for the dirties and bring them home with you. I always figure it’s better to lug home laundry than trash!

seven // You do not need disposable swim diapers OR a special cloth diaper for swimming. Just use one of your diaper covers! Or even an all-in-one diaper. You’re going for containment not absorbency. Any tight fitting undergarment will do. These are one type of diaper we can definitely keep out of the landfill.

eight // It’s not easy, but nothing is with parenting… Oftentimes people will remark that cloth diapering is hard, or not as easy as disposables. I would respectfully disagree. Meeting a baby’s needs takes time and energy and diapers don’t change themselves. Any way you slice it, you’re parenting.

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Did you cloth diaper? What would be your biggest tip?

Happy 2020! I have been thinking about a few goals for the year recently. I realize that one can make goals anytime, and every moment is a chance for a change in one’s actions or behavior. I can see the argument against resolutions; against trying so hard at something you could have been doing all along just because it’s a new year. But there’s no denying that change from one year to a new one prompts people into a state of personal reflection. For me, this has felt especially true this year. I’ve been craving some changes; some goals. It feels like the right time to set some intentions for the months ahead.

I just reading a New York Times piece about eco-resolutions. The piece noted: “Climate change is not a problem that can be solved or mitigated enough by individual behavior, though it is good, important and a place to start.”

Well, shoot. I guess I should nix my resolutions then.

NO! Duh. The NYT goes on to say:

“We can’t fix this alone. We can’t all do everything. But, we can all do one thing. So just pick one thing — whether it’s eating less red meat, or composting, or riding your bike to work, or cleaning up plastic litter in your community, or buying secondhand clothing — and actually do it.”

This year, I’m picking five things. Four of them have something to do with my environmental impact. One of them might be slightly bad for the earth, but good for preserving and cultivating relationships. One or two of them are actions that I’d consider significant individual efforts to combat the climate crisis.

one // Don’t buy any clothes.
I like to shop. I like new clothes. I like feeling pretty. For years now, I’ve mastered the “art” of consignment shopping. I can find pretty good pre-owned clothes. And because I’m buying $2.99 shirts at Goodwill, I tell myself it’s okay. But, really, I have way too many clothes. I have many things I like, but a lot of items I don’t really like. And too many things that don’t fit quite right. It seems, for a long time now, I’ve prioritized quantity over quality.

Having a small wardrobe of high-quality items is the ideal for which many of us are striving. However, I don’t really know how to get there without (irresponsibly) ditching most of my clothes and buying new items (that have used a lot of resources to create).

I don’t really have the answers right now, but I think a first step is to stop bringing more in to my closet. To wear what I have. Hopefully I’ll wear out a few things. After a year, I’ll reassess. Any and all suggestions and comments welcome!

two // Send a card by mail to someone once per month.
There was a time, long ago, that I was really good at sending letters. As a kid, I was all about pen pals. But in recent years I’ve totally sucked at sending mail to those important to me. I could blame it on technology or kids or both, but really all that matters is that I’d like to change. Each month I’ll send a card to someone. A “thank you” or a “happy birthday” or just a “hi.”

three // Walk or bike for any trip less than 2 miles (one way).
This is more of a “keep” than a “start.” I’ve been aiming to do this for most of 2019, but I’m going to keep prioritizing carbon-neutral transportation for short trips. I’m hoping to expand my range a bit too. If all of us made this change, it would have a huge impact on the amount of fossil fuels we’re putting into the atmosphere.

four // Make homemade pasta at least once.
We have a pasta maker. I never use it. I really like pasta. I want to make it. Hopefully more than once. But at least once this year!

five // Learn some basic sewing skills.
I’m not planning to make my own clothes or anything crazy, but I’d like to be able to fix things and maybe make some simple items like produce bags. I found an old sewing machine for free on Facebook. I’m going to pick it up tomorrow, and hopefully get started soon after that!

//

What are your goals for the year? I’d love to hear! Particularly your “eco-resolutions!”

one. // Use what you ALREADY own.
Being “eco-friendly” is trendy. There are stores that will sell you many things to help you go forth on your “zero-waste” journey. Some of these things are very useful (metal straws). Some of these things are beautiful but not necessary (Wreck jars). Use up the things you already own. Using items that are already in your life is always better than supporting the manufacturing of new materials. Even if those companies are sustainable and ethical. Just a few examples of many:

• There are some health reasons to avoid using plastic for food, but you can still find other uses for the plastic containers lying around your house. Use them to organize toys, or screws and other hardware.

• If you’re having a party, don’t buy new decorations; decorate with what you have!

• Shop your closet before buying new clothes. You probably have forgotten about some of the things you own.

• Break out your grandma’s china. It should be used more than once a year!

• Have you kids make art projects with “trash” instead of buying new art supplies.

two. // Buy LESS and buy USED.
The cold, hard truth is that the world is against us in this crusade. It might change in the future, but for now we live in a disposable economy and it’s incredible hard to avoid having trash come into your life. The best way to create less waste is to just consume less. When you need or want something, first shop your house. Maybe you have something like it that you’ve forgotten about. If not, ask around. Maybe you can borrow it or get it for cheap from someone you know. If that fails, buy it used. There are lots of online or local consignment options.

Food is obviously a semi-exception to this point because you have to buy some amount of food. It’s still a good area to think about buying less (statistics about wasted food are crazy!) but when talking about shopping for food, this is an area it’s more important to consider the packaging…

three. // If you have to buy, CONSIDER the PACKAGING and the MATERIAL.
Best choice = buy without packaging.
Better choice = buy with compostable packaging.
Good choice = buy in paper, glass, or aluminum packaging.
Less than ideal choice = buy in recyclable plastic packaging.
Worst choice = buy in non-recyclable packaging.

Packaging is pretty easy to “rate” but the material of the product can be harder. But the key question to ask yourself is “what is going to happen to this when I can’t use it anymore?” For this reason, I try to buy mostly clothing of organic fibers and toys made of wood or paper. And you always want to think about the quality of the item. If it’s really high-quality plastic that won’t likely ever break or is something you’ll use for years and years to come, then you should buy it!

four. // COMPOST and seek out COMPOSTABLE items.
Food scraps, brown paper bags, pizza boxes, wine corks, tissues, tissue paper, paper towels, paper napkins, toothpicks, bamboo = all compostable. Many cities, including Denver, have city-wide compost collection. It’s pretty ridiculous that in Denver we have to pay for it yet trash is free. However, the bin is large, so you can certainly share with several neighbors to defray the cost. Backyard compost is always an option too; look for free 101 classes at your local library or through the city.

If you need a single-use option, try to find one that’s compostable. It’s easy to order food “for here” at a coffee shop or restaurant and then pick it up off the plate with a compostable napkin. Much better than getting a plastic container! However, you should always try to use reusables before turning to compostable paper products. Paper towels, plates, tissues, etc. all take a lot of resources to manufacture and ship. This makes them less ideal for the environment.

five. // Develop a “rag system.”
In our house, we use different-sized towels or cloths for all kinds of tasks:

• Towels are for kitchen clean up.

• Large rags are for one-time messes like Zoë’s food on the floor.

• Small cloths are used as baby wipes, tissues, or as toilet paper.

• We use tablecloths and cloth napkins.

• Cloth produce bags are for grocery shopping and taking food on the go.

After use, baby wipes (and cloth diapers) go in a wet bag and all the other soiled cloths are thrown in a big laundry basket in our unused downstairs shower. Everything gets washed on the “Sanitize” cycle in the washing machine and is used again. Our towels are an assortment of dish towels, and all the smaller cloths are cut-up old clothes. When I am out of the house I will sometimes throw away a “baby wipe” cloth. I figure the old clothing was destined for the landfill anyway, so at least it got a few more uses.

This is our system, but there are lots of ways you could do it depending on your family’s needs and your house/washing set-up. Also, everyone has a different tolerance for and understanding of germs…do what you’re comfortable with but I’m sure you can come up with a system that works for you!

six. // Use CLOTH BAGS and a WASHABLE MARKER at the grocery store.
Stock pile a whole bunch of cloth bags to use at the grocery for produce and bulk items. These can be bags you have bought (I, personally, avoid bags made of synthetic fiber, but that’s a personal choice), bags you already have (I have several cloth bags that purses or other items came in like TOMS shoes), or you can make your own if you’re a sewer (make me some too, please!).

The washable marker is to write the PLU number on your cloth bags for bulk items. The cashier can then see it clearly and it’ll wash right out in the laundry. If your grocery requires you to print out stickers for bulk items, your hands are probably tied, but you can always ask!

(A more “advanced” option is to take your own jars to places like Whole Foods that will tare them for you, but I don’t recommend tackling this if you’re just starting out.)

seven. // RECYCLE but only minimally. REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, REPAIR and ROT are all better choices!
Recycling is not the answer, particularly when it comes to plastic. Plastic gets downgraded each time it’s recycled and there’s not much of a market for thin/cheap plastic. I often hear people complain that their recycling bin is overflowing every week and they wish it got picked up by the city more often than their trash is collected. I agree with this to a certain extent, but if your recycling bin is super full, then you should still take a closer look at your materials consumption. Recyclables often end up in the landfill.

eight. // ANALYZE your waste.
Everyone is different and we all consume different types of products. Check out your own trash and recycling bins to see what you are throwing away on a regular basis. Ask yourself if you could procure those items in a different or better way.

Examples from my house:

• Yogurt containers. Even though I was buying the big tubs of yogurt, we’d still have one in our recycle bin each week. As a first response, I started buying yogurt in a glass jar. That helped from the waste perspective, but it was expensive. I then started making my own yogurt which has worked really well for us. And it’s really not that hard!

• Bread. We eat a lot of bread, and it was our main source of plastic bags. I used to occasionally bake bread, but now I’ve found a recipe that I can make weekly to keep us stocked. If I don’t get my act together to bake, I try to get to a local bakery and buy a package-free loaf.

nine. // Don’t be too SELF-CONSCIOUS.
Eighty years ago, people would have thought the idea of using something one time and then throwing it out was absolutely bonkers. But, today, it’s the norm. When you challenge the norm, people sometimes get a bit confused. When I first started asking for drinks without straws people looked at me like I had three heads. But now, they often reply, “oh of course, we don’t use straws anymore!”

The grocery worker often thinks I’m a bit weird when I ask them to put deli meat or salmon in my Tupperware, but then, sometimes, they have an “ah-ha” moment when they’ll respond “oh wow, that’s a good idea!” My family has rolled their eyes at me more than a few times, but I have observed subtle changes in their own behavior over the years. If refusing single-use packaging is important to you, just be friendly and polite, and usually you’ll get a decent response. Sometimes you’ll get a dirty look or a “no,” but just keep on trying!

ten. // Remember THIS:
All the plastic ever created still exists. It won’t go away in a period of time that we can conceptualize. That one fact keeps me up at night, but has helped me dramatically change my behaviors of consumption!

Now, go forth and reduce your waste. Fist bump, friends!