We all know that it is important for the environment to avoid waste. What sounds complicated, however, is not. In this blog post, we will introduce you to simple methods for producing less waste with minimal effort while doing something good for the environment.
1. Consume leftovers
Did you know that a third of all food ends up in the trash? I think we all know it when we go shopping hungry again and buy too much. After a few days, the excess food is no longer appealing, yet still too good to throw away.
Therefore, our first tip on how to avoid garbage is to use up leftovers. Because using leftovers
is not only sustainable, but it can also save you money.
We always advise writing a list before shopping in order to buy only what is truly needed. Never go shopping hungry; this will automatically reduce the amount you shop. To create a shopping list, it often helps to create a weekly meal plan, i.e., a plan where you write down what you will cook on which day. With this Weekly Meal Plan, the shopping list is created in no time.
We also need to address the issue of best before dates at this point. Just because products have exceeded their expiration date does not mean they have to be automatically thrown away. For many foods, it is sufficient to first conduct an odor test, followed by a taste test, to determine whether the products are still edible.
In our blog post on the topic "How to use your food residues creatively and deliciously" , we also provide you with 3 tips on how to avoid or reduce food waste.
Our Verival breakfast products are also great to utilize. For example, do you only have half a serving of porridge and half a serving of crunchy? Then stir the porridge and use the crunchy as a topping.
2. Fabric bags instead of plastic bags
Every one of us knows it. You go shopping spontaneously and, of course, don’t have a fabric bag with you. It would be so easy: just pack a fabric bag, and you’ll always have one with you. With this simple trick, spontaneous shopping no longer leads to unnecessary plastic bags, of which you likely already have 1,000 at home.
In addition to fabric bags, baskets, or backpacks are also great for more sustainable shopping. For foods such as fruits and vegetables, it’s super easy to do without the plastic bag. Simply put the items in the bag, basket, or backpack you brought with you, and you will have avoided waste.
Our Verival fabric bag
The Verival fabric bag made of 100% organic cotton fits in every backpack and handbag – every day. It is a small, simple step toward more sustainability in everyday life.
3. Unpackaged stores
One step further is for those who shop in unpackaged stores. These are shops where you bring your containers and fill them with everyday foods such as oatmeal, flour, or nuts. This is a great way to save on packaging material. In addition to unpackaged shops, we also advise purchasing fruits and vegetables at weekly markets.
4. Use reusable to-go cups
There’s nothing wrong with taking coffee to work in the morning. However, it is recommended to use a reusable to-go cup for your morning pick-me-up. This can easily be washed and reused. With this trick, you can effectively avoid plastic waste.
And what should you do if you forget your to-go cup? Why not take your time and sit down for coffee instead? If that’s really not an option, we recommend going without the plastic lid.
Many bakeries or cafés now even sell their own branded cups. You only need to invest once, and you are already doing good for the environment. There are even cafés, such as Starbucks , where you can even receive a discount if you bring your own to-go mug. This also saves you money.
Coffee at home
For home use, we recommend using a filter machine or a fully automatic machine. Capsule machines produce an unnecessary amount of waste, require a lot of energy to manufacture, and are therefore absolutely unsustainable.
And what about food?
If you take food with you to school, university, or work, we suggest not using aluminum foil but instead packing the food in cans or Tupperware containers.
Instead of aluminum foil, we recommend beeswax wraps.
5. Drink tap water
Especially in countries like Austria or Germany, where tap water can be consumed without any issues, it makes sense to refill glass bottles repeatedly instead of buying a new plastic bottle every time. Of course, it is not sustainable to drink from plastic bottles and then throw them away.
We recommend, for example, brands like Soul Bottles or those who prefer sparkling water: Sodastream .
6. Sharing is better than buying everything on your own
Only recently, we shared a sack of carrots at work, as they are only available in large packs. So why not buy a bigger package more often and share it? This method not only saves money, since larger packages are usually cheaper, but also produces less waste.
Items such as tools can also be shared with neighbors. We also recommend trying a shared newspaper or vegetable subscription.
At Verival, we recognize that families often need more cereal in the morning. Our large packs are ideal for this. The whole family can participate. Our XXL packs are definitely environmentally friendly. They contain more product, so you have to order or buy less frequently. This saves CO2 and reduces additional packaging waste.
7. Second-hand shopping
Plus, you don't always have to buy everything new. From clothes to cars, pretty much anything can be purchased second-hand. This also saves waste and money. However, you can not only buy used items but also resell them. Instead of leaving your old mobile phone or other electrical appliances in a drawer, simply resell or give them away.
8. Repair instead of throwing away
There are so many products that can be easily repaired. Not everything has to be thrown away immediately if it is broken. Our generation especially tends to just throw away socks instead of mending them. But other clothes do not have to be disposed of just because of a small hole.
For example, if our iPhone screen cracked, why not have the phone repaired? In the past, shoes were often taken to the cobbler rather than thrown away. It often pays to buy a pair of good quality shoes and have them repaired by a cobbler when necessary, rather than owning a lot of cheap shoes that do not even last a season.
The longer products such as clothing, shoes, or mobile phones are used, the less often they must be thrown away, leading to less waste production.
9. Swap instead of throwing away
Pretty much anything can be exchanged, from books to clothes and toys. Clothes exchange parties are ideal for exchanging garments. You meet up with friends, everyone brings a few pieces they no longer wear, and then they exchange. Each participant leaves with something new without having to produce anything new and without creating waste. It also saves you money! Sustainability can be this simple.
10. Refill instead of buy
For many products, it makes sense to refill them rather than buy them from scratch. This includes many personal care products. There are also refill options for laundry detergent and spices. Just as care should be taken to refill products, you should prioritize buying those that can be refilled.
Just as it is important to produce less waste, it is equally important to separate waste correctly. Waste separation is sustainable because residual waste is usually incinerated, resulting in greenhouse gases, and raw materials cannot be reused. However, if items are recycled, they can be reused.
Of course, it is even better than recycling to completely dispense with disposable products, such as cotton pads or drinking straws. They are only used briefly but persist for a long time in the environment. Nowadays, there are many alternatives available, for example, reusable cotton pads.
We very much hope that we were able to provide you with a few tips in our blog post. Of course, not everyone has to stick to everything, and not doing anything wrong, but if everyone makes a small contribution, the whole world can become more sustainable! Because great things can be achieved together.
