7 Ways to be Resourceful
Denim jacket and pants are by Etica rented from The Fixx Collective.
Did you know it takes 2000 gallons of water to make one pair of denim pants? It is estimated that every year in the US, 108 billion pounds of food is wasted. And one more shocking fact on this Earth Day, it takes 17 trees (typically virgin trees) and more than 20,000 gallons of water to make one ton of paper towels.
I've been experimenting with ways to reduce my waste from clothes, to food, and even in my art and to find ways to use what I have. It can feel overwhelming to know what issues to tackle and how. For me, I started with understanding my lifestyle to know where to begin making changes. Here are my ways as a mom, an artist, and a fashionista in which I limit my waste and have been more resourceful with what I have.
Instead of using tons of paper towels when illustrating, I use cotton towels.
Babies eventually stop spitting up, but that doesn’t mean you need to get rid of all those burp rags. Do as resourceful Filipinos do and use them as rags for around the home spills. Also, kids are just as messy as babies if not more so. I will always remember that Bounty commercial from my childhood of the kid messily eating and grabbing flimsy napkin after flimsy napkin to wipe his face. Then Bounty shows up with a you-only-need-one messaging. If that commercial taught us anything it was to grab handfuls of paper towels which I’ve seen all of you do! Okay, I do it when I’m in other people’s homes because let’s be real, nothing will ever be as absorbent and durable as a cotton towel. I’m proud to say my kitchen has been paper towel free for eight years! Reuse those burbs cloths for spills, chores, and even wiping up snotty noses. Buh bye paper towels, tissues, and napkins (serviettes for my South African friends).
Other reasonable baby cloth products:
microfiber baby washcloths — no need for cotton balls, these are great for removing make up and applying toner.
Reusable cotton nursing pads — I use these to remove nail polish.
Burp rags — like I’ve already said kids still get messy beyond spit up. Continue to use these wipe faces clean and as napkins during meals.
I buy pasta sauce based on the design of the jar so I can reuse them. My favorite is Prego‘s Fresh Market marinara sauce. Not only is the sauce yummy, but the jar design is dope! The squared design makes it easy for storing. Also the label is so easy to remove! Give it a bit of a soak and the paper label slides right off. I let it dry and then recycle the label. The jars have measurements (the best!) so I use these to make my protein drink. I even propagate baby plant cuttings and the measurements let me know exactly how much water I’m giving them. They are versatile and they look good. I see you, Prego with your cool design and making it easy for me to reuse your jars!
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you can rewear your clothes. I had a commenter say that fashion bloggers should normalize re-wearing their clothes. I couldn’t agree more! My favorite pieces that I wear often (and you will see them styled on this blog) are pieces I’ve had since university and they’re from H&M and Forever21. I’m slowing working my way to owning more sustainable clothes. That’s an investment and it takes time. Until then, reuse your clothes and once they fall apart be like a resourceful Filipino and turn them into rags.
I started renting clothes. Trends and new styles have me wanting to buy all the things. Unfortunately, your girl doesn’t have all the money for all the clothes, nor do I want to own all the things. It’s nice to have clothing rentals so you can try if a trend and style fits who you are. The Fixx Collective and Rent the Runway are my go-tos for experiencing styles and trends.
When I was an art student, I used to use so many paper towels. I may be beating a dead horse here, but I started using cotton towels. I use two in my studio that I alternate between and I rarely wash them. Saving on paper towels and on water!
I use a lot of paper for printing references for my illustrations. On top of that, my kids use a lot for their drawing and crafts. Instead of making them use both sides of the paper (I’ve tried to make it a rule, but they’re too young to remember or understand), I use the other side of their papers that don’t have drawings. Printers these days can handle those crayon marks and winkles. After all, I am just printing not important work stuff that will eventually be shredded. Of course, I give each sheet as many lives as I can before they meet that end.
Having a greener home starts with making small steps. It can feel overwhelming because, I don’t know about you, but being an ethical consumer can be spending up to four dollar signs worth of lifestyle changes. Starting small is what helped me take charge in a matter important to me. I hope these helped and inspired you. What new green changes should I add to my home?
If you have kiddos or just love children’s books give Todd Parr’s The Earth Book, Deborah Underwood’s Loving Kindness, and Evan Turk’s You Are Home a read. Making changes starts with the simple act of caring!
I still wear this Forever21 blazer. I got it in my early twenties and this gem still holds up! Photo by Sarah Robertson.
