Here’s a fun surprise about parenthood: who knew your trash output would quadruple overnight? From diapers, to snack wrappers to those plastic toys that seem to multiply like rabbits.
Minimising household waste in the thick of all this feels about as realistic as getting everyone out the door without a meltdown.
Another secret: less waste equals less stress. When you reduce household waste, it isn’t just a win for the planet. It’s a victory for your wallet, a life lesson for your kids and an upgrade for your quality of life.
Ready to bring some method to the madness? Here are 11 practical (and fun) ways to cut waste and make a positive impact.
1. Wrap it up, without the plastic
First off, ditch the plastic wrap. It clings to everything except what it’s supposed to, refuses to tear neatly and may just outlive your great great grandkids.
Worse, cling wrap contains a DEHA plasticiser that leaches into food, particularly high fat items. Some studies even link it to serious health problems, like the formation of liver tumors.
Instead, make friends with these safer, eco-friendly alternatives instead:
Beeswax wraps: They’re colourful, washable, antibacterial and biodegradable — plus, they hug your bowls better than plastic ever could.
Reusable glass or stainless steel containers: Sure, they’re not as flexible as plastic wrap, but they reduce household waste by knocking it out of the park in the durability department — plus, they’ll save you on spills.
Silicone lids: Think yoga pants for your bowls — flexible, durable, reusable and available in various sizes for all your containers.
2. Wave bye bye to bottled water
Time to address the elephant in your recycling bin: bottled water. Single use plastic bottles take around 450 years to decompose and in the US alone, people throw away 60 million of them daily.
That’s too much plastic sticking around for far too long, particularly for such an easy fix. Quench your thirst with these planet-friendly options:
Reusable water bottles: Swap out single use plastic bottles for stainless steel or BPA-free alternatives. They’re durable, eco-friendly and offer perks like insulation.
Filtered water pitchers: Quit hauling heavy bottled water bundles home. A filtered water pitcher in your fridge offers access to fresh, clean water anytime.
Here’s an added incentive: drinking the recommended eight glasses of water a day costs you $0.49 annually from the tap. But bottled water? That’s a whopping $1,400 per year.
3. Say no to single use plastics in the bathroom
It may be the smallest room in your house, but bathrooms are hubs for unnecessary plastic. Think disposable razors, shampoo bottles and, of course, plastic wrapped toilet paper.
The razor that you toss after a dozen shaves? It spends a mind boggling 20 to 500 years decomposing in a landfill.
Give your bathroom a glow up with these sustainable swaps:
Safety razors: Ditch the flimsy disposables for a sturdy reusable razor or shaving service. Their replaceable blades offer a smoother shave and reduce household waste.
Shampoo bars: Say goodbye to bulky bottles and hello to shampoo bars. Long lasting, travel ready and budget friendly — they’re the whole package.
Eco-friendly toilet paper: Who Gives A Crap offers 100% bamboo TP comes wrapped in recycled paper, meaning reduced deforestation, plus no plast to unwrap.
4. Pack a waste free lunch
The days of prepackaged snacks and endless Ziplock bags are officially over. Waste free lunches don’t just help the planet — they make meals feel a little more homemade, thoughtful and satisfying.
So, here’s your waste free lunch gameplan:
Reusable containers: No more plastic baggies or constantly misplaced lids. Reusable bento style boxes keep everything separated and easy to grab.
Reusable snack bags: washable, leak proof, and kid friendly — these are perfect for keeping snacks fresh.
No individually packaged items: Drooling over single serve chip bags and granola bars? Go for bulk packs instead — same flavours, but you’ll reduce food waste.
5. Shop smart for less waste
Reducing waste while grocery shopping requires a savvy shopper. Steer your cart away from individually wrapped everything and toward bulk buying. Not only does shopping in bulk keep you stocked for longer — it reduces mountains of packaging waste.
Consider this: if Americans bulk bought all of their almonds for just one year, they’d save 72 million pounds of packaging. And coffee? That number jumps to a staggering 240 million pounds.
So shop mindfully — meaning avoid single serve items, opt for products with minimal plastic packaging and buy only what you need. And don’t forget the grocery golden rule: remember those reusable tote bags!
6. Ditch disposables in the kitchen
The kitchen is a hotspot for one time use products, from traditional paper towels to plastic utensils. But every napkin, fork and wipe you toss adds to the landfills.
Reusable and sustainable alternatives are game changers to reduce household waste. Choose bamboo or wood utensils that you can use repeatedly. Replace paper napkins with sustainable cloth ones. And wipe up spills with machine washable dishcloths, or shop for paper towels made with sustainable materials.
These small swaps can lead to big wins for the planet (and your wallet).
7. Embrace the power of "no"
We totally get the lure of the takeout menu or a quick drive thru run. But single use cups, straws and utensils? They’re a major contributor to the plastic problem.
So when you’re ordering, kindly decline any non-essential disposables. And if you can, bring along your own reusable cups (great for coffee orders!), straws and cutlery. Every item you refuse is one less piece of trash cluttering the planet.
The ripple effect? The more people make the switch, the more businesses follow suit. Plus, you’re teaching your little ones that small actions can make a big difference. Win win!
8. Repair and reuse with upcycling
It’s second nature to toss things that aren’t new and shiny anymore, especially when quick fixes and cheap replacements exist. But here’s a game changer: reusing just 10% of plastic products cuts the waste reaching oceans by 50%.
So, before you toss that torn tee or broken toy, get crafty. Creativity (and a YouTube tutorial or two) is all it takes to breathe new life into items around the house.
Plus, upcycling is a fun family project. The kiddos learn practical skills like sewing, woodworking or basic home repairs. And the best part? They’ll beam with pride every time they use something they helped make.
9. Borrow, don't buy
Before making a one time purchase, pause and check with friends or family — odds are, someone has exactly what you need and will be happy to lend it.
If borrowing’s not an option, try renting or buying secondhand. You’ll save money, free up closet space, and help the planet by reducing single use purchases.
10. Organise a clothing swap
Kids grow fast — one minute their clothes fit perfectly, the next you’ve got a closet full of nearly new outfits they’ve outgrown. Don’t just trash those hardly worn duds and rush out to the store for replacements — organise a clothing swap with other families instead.
Your kids get “new” clothes, you clear out wardrobe clutter and everyone feels good about reducing textile waste. It’s a triple threat of good deeds.
11. Create a Little Free Library in your community
Want to spread some literary love and connect with your community? Build a “Little Free Library” in your neighbourhood!
These DIY book sharing boxes promote literacy, reduce paper waste and give your community a great reason to come together. Bonus points if your family designs and manages it as a team.
Conclusion: Your Eco-Friendly Journey Starts Here
Ready to reduce household waste without feeling overwhelmed? Start small with easy swaps: trade plastic wrap for eco-friendly alternatives and bottled water for reusable bottles or filtered pitchers — a win for your wallet and the planet.
In the bathroom, level up with safety razors, shampoo bars and plastic-free TP. For the kitchen, choose bulk packs over individually packaged goods and try packing waste-free lunches with bento boxes and cloth bags. Grabbing food to go? Skip the single use stuff where possible.
Before you toss anything, think upcycling. Borrow, swap clothes, and share books to build community connections. These small steps can add up to big change.
Not sure where to begin? Take the first step with Who Gives A Crap! We make all sorts of planet friendly household essentials, from bamboo toilet paper to forest-friendly tissues and paper towels.
Make every roll count by turning your household purchases into a force for good. 50% of our profits go to non-profits dedicated to providing clean water and sanitation globally.