Make More With Less: How to Reduce Waste + Live Sustainably

Have you ever thought about the full lifecycle of your waste and its environmental impact? It’s estimated that in 2018, approximately 146.1 million tons of waste was thrown into landfill in the US. The environmental impact of the waste in landfills is significant as it is increasing air and water pollution, and it also has effects on the Earth’s biodiversity and soil fertility. Reducing the waste we generate is not only an important factor to conserve the environment but it can also have a positive financial and social impact.

By reducing the amount of waste we generate, we conserve landfill space and resources. Less waste means less landfill space needed for storing waste, and the air and water pollution are reduced. Most importantly, it will help us to build a cleaner planet, which is more sustainable for future generations. 

“There is no such thing as “away”. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.” 

-Annie Leonard 

One of our core values at Mache is to Make More With Less. We strive to do this in all areas of our business and lifestyles from making good use of our time to living zero waste, avoiding plastic and everything in between.

We are committed to reducing waste in all of our processes at Mache by embracing the beauty of biodegradable materials, which are made from natural and renewable resources. We truly value the process of decreasing waste as it encourages consumers to live with a higher level of consciousness when making purchase decisions. We work hard to use sustainable practices in everything we do from the materials we use to the production process, shipping methods and product lifecycle.

As individuals, we share this value by being conscious of our own consumption and lifestyles. By following waste reduction practices we can all do our part to make more with less by creating a virtuous cycle. Waste reduction is a highly important factor in terms of conserving our environment, improving wellness and saving our natural resources.

Adopting waste reduction practices is important for us as individuals but also for businesses. It is critical for businesses to take part in building a more sustainable planet by reducing waste through creative and responsible resource use. 

At Mache, making more with less is one of the most important values of the company. We are committed to sourcing and reusing local materials that help to cut down on waste. Our products are engineered to minimize waste from the conceptual phase all the way through to production and shipping. We maximize material usage as well as celebrate the reuse of scraps created from the production process in the design of new products and packaging. In our packaging design process, we make sure to use any discarded materials as part of the packaging to ensure safe delivery with a low impact on the planet. 

There are various practices that we, as individuals, can adopt to reduce waste in our daily lives. We have listed the five most important actionable tips to take on today!

Reusables

One of the easiest and most efficient ways to reduce waste is to switch from disposables to reusables. Make a habit out of taking your reusable water bottle and coffee cup with you whenever you leave the house. This helps you to avoid buying plastic bottles and disposable coffee cups when you need some water or caffeine on the go. When you go to the grocery store, take your reusable shopping and produce bags with you to avoid the one-use plastic bags. Furthermore, there are many other reusable products to consider switching to such as reusable food containers and straws. Did you know that it is estimated that as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world’s beaches?

Purchase wisely

The first thing to do when you are planning on buying anything is to stop and consider if you actually need the product, or if you are buying it as an impulse purchase. One of the most efficient things to do to reduce waste is to stop buying unnecessary things. Many times we are driven to make a purchase due to marketing ads convincing us that we need this item or thinking that it will make us happy. 

Each item in your possession needs to be useful and bring you joy. We can all learn a thing or two from Marie Kondo’s Netflix series Tidying Up, who claims, “I have yet to see a house that lacked sufficient storage. The real problem is that we have far more than we need or want.” We can avoid the problem of clutter by making conscious purchase decisions saving us money while helping us to live more intentionally. 

Shop second hand

Buying second hand is not only a great way to save money but it is also a way to lower waste and save the environment as the worldwide textile demand is decreased. Second hand shopping is a fun activity as you never know what you will find, and when you do find something it is often unique that can’t be bought new from stores. All around the US you can find Goodwill locations to find purchase second hand items, which help support their non-profit operations to help educate, train and place individuals facing barriers to employment into empowering jobs. You can also donate your items to Goodwill and other thrift stores helping to lengthen the lifecycle of your possessions. Next time you’re in need of furniture, clothing, shoes, gifts, books or toys look first for used options to save money and valuable resources!

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Make your own products

Have you ever thought about making your own products at home? Since most of the food products bought from the grocery store are still wrapped in plastic, making your own food can help lower your plastic waste. There are many great recipes you can find online from plant-based milk to homemade soap bars, bread and everything in between. It will take more time but can be a healthier, more sustainable option for you and your family to reduce waste!

Make mindful use of your time 

When people think of making more with less oftentimes there is only a focus on physical items but we believe making good use of your time is also a key way to optimize your resources. In the end, what resource is more valuable and finite than our time? With so much of our lives spent on digital products including smart phones, computers, televisions, ipads and more it can be easy to spend our lives in ways that are encouraged by companies that profit from our attention and time. 

Do you feel more fulfilled after an hour binge watching Netflix while scrolling through Instagram or do you feel more fulfilled after an hour walking outside while catching up with a friend? The latter requires more effort and mindful use of your time calling the friend to see if they are available, getting dressed, peeling yourself off the couch and walking out of the door while the prior requires a couple clicks on the remote and phone. We are ultimately in control of making more happiness, wellness and fulfillment with less time, money and resources as long as our actions reflect mindful decisions.

Making more with less is a simple concept that can provide radical positive change to your life and our planet when practiced daily. We will continue to share more of Mache’s core values to help you design a lifestyle, which revolves around wellness, sustainability and above all, happiness. Share this article with your community to help ignite a movement to make more with less! 

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