10 Simple Ways I’ve Reduced Waste at Home

At Minnie and Moon, sustainability is more than a selling point—it’s an extension of my personal values. I try to choose products that last, that are packaged and shipped thoughtfully, and that won’t leave behind waste at the end of their useful life. That same mindset carries over into how I live day to day. I’m always looking for ways of shifting toward a lower-waste lifestyle. These small changes have helped me reduce waste, save money, and live more in line with what matters to me so I thought I would share with all of you. Note that I don’t have any affiliate program with these companies, this is just an organic and honest list of the things I use myself. 

1. Quite some time ago I swapped out heavy detergent bottles for laundry strips that dissolve in the wash and come in compostable packaging. They work well, take up almost no space, and eliminate plastic waste. TruEarth is great, but these are becoming far more accessible, including in many stores in my area now. Bonus they take up so little space in my laundry room. 

2. I use solid shampoo and conditioner bars Silver Falls Sustainability Company  They last longer than liquid versions and don’t come in plastic bottles.

3. My face soap is also a bar From Silver Falls Sustainability Company . It’s gentle and completely plastic-free.

4. I use our USA made reusable cloths for cleaning and wiping up spills. They’ve replaced paper towels and disposable sponges in my kitchen, and I just toss them in the wash when they need it.

5. For body wash, I either use a bar or the powdered version from Blueland, which mixes with water in a dispenser I already have.

6. I bring cotton drawstring produce bags to the farmers market along with my regular reusable shopping bags for protecting smaller and more delicate produce. It’s a small habit that avoids a lot of single-use plastic over time.

7 For hand soap, I use a glass dispenser and plastic-free foaming soap tablets - also from Blueland. For hands I prefer liquid—and this gives me the convenience I like without the waste. No single-use bottles, and no mushy soap end

8. I buy white vinegar in bulk and pair it with our lint-free flour sack cloths for cleaning windows, mirrors, and more. It’s non-toxic, affordable, and effective.

9. I compost my food scraps with a compost bin from Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm. I don’t have a big yard, but the bin fits neatly in my space and turns kitchen waste into rich compost for the garden. Bonus: I never have to buy bags of compost.

10. I check my local Buy Nothing group before buying anything new, and I regularly post items I no longer need to share with neighbors. It’s amazing how often the right item finds the right person—someone offers an old phone charger, and it turns out to be exactly what someone else was searching for. I’ve seen everything exchanged, from houseplants and clothes to furniture and kitchenware. I also love browsing vintage and thrift stores for beautiful antique plates to use when gifting homemade cookies. It feels more personal than buying new tins, and it keeps perfectly good items in use instead of adding more to the waste stream.

Living more sustainably doesn’t require perfection—just a few thoughtful shifts at a time. These small swaps have made a big difference in how I live, and I hope they inspire you to try a few of your own.

I have no doubt Minnie and Moon customers have some great tips of their own - please share in the comments!

-Emma