10 Disposable Things You Never Have to Buy Again

planetgreen.discovery.com:

One of our favorite green philosophies goes something like, "Less stuff = more good." While that seems simple enough, cutting back on the amount of stuff you use every day can be trickier than it sounds. One of the easiest ways to do this is to cut back on the disposable stuff you buy. Here are then things that you never have to buy disposable again.

#4 Paper towels
It might not seem like a big deal, but since we all prepare and eat food several times a day, this one really adds up; even just one roll per week is hundreds of sheets that used to be a tree (yep, even when you buy the recycled variety. By the numbers: it takes 544,000 trees to feed Americans' paper towel habit each year; throw in disposable paper napkins, and that number tops 1 million according to the National Resources Defense Council. Don't become a statistic; opt for tea towels and microfiber instead.

Read the whole story: planetgreen.discovery.com

Comments

[jukesgrrl]

01:44 PM on 02/06/2009

You people ever hear of toxic shock syndrome? It's fatal and women who don't change their tampons often enough -- let alone reuse them -- can get it.

[Perry Clease]

07:20 PM on 02/05/2009

"Dudes don't get a free pass in the bathroom"

I stopped shaving in 1989, but I do trim my beard and mustache with scissors.

For about 10 years when I was shaving I used a straight razor. It is not too difficult to shave with a straight razor, but it takes patience and care. There is also a Zen thing about it and it helped keep me grounded. Before that I used a traditional "safety" razor, and while they are probably greener than single unit disposables the blades are disposable. Getting hard to find safety razor blades, Long's Drugs carry them and of course you can order them online.

I used shaving soap with a brush or even regular soap when shaving.

[MissElaineous]

01:03 PM on 02/05/2009

Tampons are pretty small. I just can't see people standing over the sink trying to clean tampons. Plus, talk about the infection risk. The person who wrote it obviously never had a yeast infection.

However, I totally agree with the premise of buying quality furniture. When I was younger, I had a sofa bed and a vintage table and chairs and no other furniture. I waited until I could afford a decent piece before I purchased it. I still have the vintage sewing machine and vintage desk from 25+ years ago. Most of my furniture has been with me for 10+ years before they went to goodwill. In these past few years, I purchased some very nice oak furniture that was made in the US. I expect that stuff to last the rest of my life.

Oh, and Trader Joes? Just say no. Overpackaged and it turns out their "organic" vegetables were from China. Organic, my shiny patootie.

[Perry Clease]

07:25 PM on 02/05/2009

In the "old days" women cleaned their pads, my sister once asked our grandmother how they did things.

As to solid furniture, and old days, I have my great-great-grandparents dry sink and use it to store my pots and pans. It is well over 100 years old and is hand made out of maple, nice 19th Century carpentry.

[JScott]

10:45 AM on 02/05/2009

1. I don't buy it
2. Not applicable but I've heard they
make great car shiners/dusters
3. I have one you wash off
4. Haven't bought em in years, I got
plenty of rags.
5. I'm still trying to get rid of mine
6. I find it's really not very convenient
7. I notice lotsa places are not using
stryofoam anymore.
8. Not applicable
9. I use an electric shaver
10. I have slip covered furniture with extra
slipcovers, I can wash em in the machine
and mix and match em for a diffrent look.

Takeout chopsticks-I can use em but I'd rather
use a fork and if I'm taking it home, I'll use
my own flatware.