Zero Waste: 5 Things I Won't Buy

Paper clips are on my double duty list, keeping me from buying something I don't need.

On March 1st, a new law went into effect in New York City that requires us to bring our own bags, or pay 5 cents for a paper bag at the supermarket. Last week I had my 1st experience taking my reusable fabric bag with me. You can get one free sent to your home by taking a zero waste pledge, click here. Now I carry my orange fabric bag everywhere I go as I don't know all the types of stores participating in the city's plastic bag ban ... and I'm too cheap to start paying for (1) paper bags, i.e. items I'm accustomed to getting for free! (It's a waste of my money!) As it turns out T. J. Maxx follows the plastic bag ban too. Extra tip: Don't forget to laundry your reusable fabric bag to keep it clean and germ-free.

This got me thinking: In all my adult life, I've never bought a garbage bag, so when my supply of plastic grocery bags is depleted, I must figure out an eco-friendly substitution. I will put the environment first! (But, must I start paying for my trash bags? To be determined.)

Another item I'm too darn cheap to buy is a (2) food bag clip. If you buy special chips to keep your potato chips or salad bags closed, surely you're not applying yourself! I just use office paper clips (like the top image↑) to keep a clear bag with servings of food in it closed.

Moreover these days I'm more mindful of not buying certain kitchen, or household tools if something I already own gets the job done! At times I'm tempted to buy a (3) lent brush for my clothes. However I find they work no better than a household bristle scrub brush. So I decided against a special lent brush.

Another example, I sometimes eyeball, but decided not to buy a (4) cookie dough scooper because it works no better than a tablespoon to get out the right amount of cookie dough to drop on a cookie sheet. What's more do I even make cookies enough to buy a special tool? And will a cookie scooper make my task easier? Nope ... pass.

I also decided not to buy a special (5) watering can for the 2 house plants I have in my living room. Water cans come in tiny and big sizes with narrow or wide nozzles, but I use either a cup, or my tea kettle to water my 2 house plants. I think it makes more sense to buy a watering can for a garden because you are unlikely to drag your tea kettle or cups outside.

This year I intend to buy EVERYTHING I need, but NOTHING I don't need. Small purchases can add up to clutter and waste, not to mention less money for big-ticket items or your emergency fund.

What are some everyday items you won't buy because if you think about it, you can get them for free; or you really don't need them after all?


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