In recent months we’ve been transitioning to non-disposable wherever possible. Whenever I can make an economical and environmental switch to something non-disposable, I jump on the opportunity. Who doesn’t want to save money and natural resources? Here’s my rundown on what once was but is now not a disposable item in our house:

• Shopping Bags: We have actually been doing this for years. Even decades! My mom used canvas bags before canvas bags were popular. And I’m now the proud owner of what the cashier admiringly calls “vintage” Lucky store bags. (Are things from my childhood already considered vintage?) I’ve taken this to the next level, however. If I forget my bags, I still refuse plastic and instead carry out my purchases or load them back into my cart and then into my vehicle. No. More. Plastic. Bags.
• Napkins: This was the next and most obvious thing to change. Well, obvious to us anyway. I’m still a bit surprised over the number of people who have asked if they could instead use a paper napkin because they didn’t want to “get the cloth napkins dirty”. I’m still not sure what else they assumed they were for.
• Towels: I did love my paper towels. Simple, easy and as the commercials say, more sanitary, right? I’m actually shocked since not using paper towels anymore just how obnoxious those commercials can be. Are our homes really that infested with disease that we need to spray, wipe and throw anyway anything that touches the counter or :GASP: the floor? Now we have a large stack of cloth towels of varying colors and I love them just as much.
• Dish Sponges: Okay, so these weren’t a one-time use item, but they certainly don’t last as long as our homemade crocheted washrags. When we miss the added scratchiness, we wrap the washrag in the mesh bags that some veggies come in. Works like a charm.
• Water Bottles: I made the switch to reusable water bottles many years ago but am very happy to announce my switch from plastic reusable bottles to stainless steel water bottles. No more need to worry about plastic leaching chemicals into my water, especially in the heat. And my new water bottles will last a lot longer.
• Feminine Products: This has got to be my most favorite switch. After years of purchasing very pricey, organic, unbleached feminine products, the monthly savings alone gets me excited! I made flannel cloth pads myself and purchased a Moon Cup as well, although I much prefer my pads. Never, ever going back. I just soak them and wash them like I wash my…
• Cloth Toilet Paper: This was a slow transition for our family. I started out just using cloth wipes for Numero Uno, until we all were comfortable making a full switch. I used scrap material cut into squares (about 4×4 or bigger) with a simple stitch around the edges to minimize fraying. Our whole system is rather simple:- Cloth wipes (also known as the “family cloth”) used for urine only are put into a handmade wet bag I purchased from Etsy. Urine is basically sterile so I have no worries about smell or bacteria.
  - Wipes used for #2 are put into a container with a water and vinegar mixture to kill bacteria and odor.
  - Washing uses no extra resources, as cloth wipes can be washed in any load of laundry not containing napkins, dish rags or towels. We line dry them for the added benefit of the sun sterilizing them.

There are still several things that I’m finishing up before switching to more sustainable options – like razors. And as I become more proficient at growing my own foods, I’ll also be preserving and therefore reusing canning jars. I’d also like to invest in some easy to clean yet still sustainable dinnerware for parties and BBQ’s (our recent 4th of July party created more trash in one evening than we create in a month!). But overall, we are pretty good at avoiding one-time use items. In doing so, our family of three only creates one kitchen sized bag of trash a week! Not to mention the appeasement of my frugal streak.