Going low waste is one of the best ways to reduce your personal impact on our environment. When you think of low waste you probably imagine a super crunchy, maybe even hippy-like person. And you might think that going low waste is some unattainable goal but with a few simple changes, it can actually be a very easy and eco-friendly reality. In fact, some of these items in this post may be things you’re already doing and didn’t even know that they’re low waste activities! From buying in bulk to meal prepping, here’s what you can do to make 2022 your greenest year yet.

1) Buy in Bulk

You probably are already buying in bulk for your home but you could be buying in bulk for your PT clinic. Buying in bulk means fewer trips to the store thus reducing your carbon footprint. Bulk products usually require less packaging which can reduce landfill waste. Finally, buying in bulk also reduces transportation costs for manufacturers and retailers.

2) Swap Out Your Shampoo + Conditioner For Shampoo and Conditioner Bars

Shampoo and conditioner bottles are often made of hard to recycle plastics and are usually used only once until the product is finished. Bar shampoo and conditioners eliminate the need for plastics. Plastic bottle shampoo and conditioners typically only last 1 month. Whereas bar shampoo and conditioners can last upwards of 3-4 months. The best part about bar shampoo and conditioners is that there is no product waste. Because you don’t have to deal with product stored in oddly shaped bottles, you can utilize the entire bar until it’s done.

3) Skip Takeout, Pack Your Lunch

While takeout is pretty great and it can be hard to replicate some of your favorite dishes at home, bringing your lunch helps to reduce waste. How? Well, as you know when you get takeout it often comes with lots of “extras.” Extra napkins, cutlery, packaging, etc. When you pack your lunch you know exactly what and how much you’re packing. You typically use reusable containers and cutlery and avoid bringing additional extras like napkins that you might not end up using.

4) Bring Cutlery and Dishes to Work

Ok, so we get it. It’s not totally feasible to say no to takeout. Sometimes you just need to order your favorite Thai dish when you’re having a particularly hard day. Bringing your own cutlery and dishes to work can help you reduce the amount of packaging and extras from takeout. Don’t forget, when you call-in your favorite order, to ask for no napkins, cutlery, dishes, etc. because you are already equipped with your own reusable options.

5) Meal Prep

Meal prepping is good for the environment and good for your health! Planning out your meals for your week saves you time, leaves you with one less daily decision to make, and is good for the earth. Meal prepping helps to avoid useless food waste. When you know exactly what and how much you are going to eat tomorrow, you don’t need to worry about making any impulsive decisions when it comes to food. Worried about getting bored? Understandable! Consider meal prepping by choosing 1 to 2 proteins, 1 to 2 starches, and 1 to 2 different vegetables. You can mix and match to make your meals exciting!