Waste Not

QVCkitty1 · ‎05-23-2015

One thing our current situation has taught me is to not waste anything. I mean I always knew you shouldn't waste food, but it never really bothered me to toss leftovers or so so produce. Now I do a regular inventory and find a way to use everything. I'm careful with paper towels too, I use to tear them off to use as napkins, now I just buy napkins, they are cheap and available. I hope I keep this up even when the supply chain is more reliable.

" You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan

LuvmyLab · ‎06-07-2010

@QVCkitty1 I totally understand. Before this virus hit, I use to use so much TP that my husband asked if I was writing a book! Now I only use exactly what I need. I realized how much I had been wasting all these years. I will definitely keep it up when this is all over. We also used to toss leftovers if there wasn't enough for two people but now we find a way to use them. You have to get creative!

CAcableGirl2 · ‎06-03-2010

@QVCkitty1 I do the same thing. I bought some cloth napkins a while ago and use those instead of paper towels or napkins when eating. They are so much nicer and save me from purchasing and disposing of all that paper.

I also got some of the Campenelli towels a while ago and use some with my swiffer when cleaning the floors to avoid purchasing the swiffer towels too.

......You look like I need a drink.....

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

I have started using washable cloths instead of paper towls to clean my kitchen counter tops

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

@QVCkitty1I'm right with you. I wouldn't say I was ever deliberately wasteful, but I know that some of the habits I've been building during these last few weeks are likely to be with me for a long time.

I've read any number of times that it takes about 30 days to build a new habit. Here's one of mine. I used to stop into the supermarket every few days because I actually needed something but more likely because I'd changed my mind about dinner and wanted something.

Two things were then true - one is that something in the refrig might have looked old before I got back to it so that got tossed. Even more often, as long as I was in the store, I almost always picked up things that weren't on any list, not physically or even mentally. It was just see something, buy something.

Move to these last 30 days. I've been to the supermarket only 3 times. The first time I'm sure I bought too much, but fortunately not too much dairy, meat or produce, so no waste. The next 2 times, I went in fear, carried a list organized by the store layout, and bought no extras.

It's very possible I'm seeing my personal new normal. Certainly no more than once every 2 weeks will be my routine for the foreseeable future.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

If I see anyone using toilet paper for anything else other to wipe their butts they are going to be in trouble!

godi · ‎03-09-2010

I also am using less paper products. I placed microfiber cloths at the sink for drying hands in blue and yellow for wiping up and cleaning. I was astounded that a roll of paper towel lasted me a week! Boy I was definitely a waster.

golding76 · ‎05-19-2012

I, too, have become more mindful and do my best to conserve all stock that I have in every area of my life.

In addition, I've developed a finer understanding of my mother (who lived through the Depression) and her never-ending stockpiling of everything from meat (in her basement freezer) to batteries, canned goods, napkins, goodies, etc.

We always joked that no matter what you wanted, Mama had it available. Really, it was a running joke in our family.

Now I truly understand why she was the way she was.

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

Never was a paper towel user, a roll lasts for more than 6 months. Also never have had paper napkins, just cloth. Easy to wash napkins and have a dedicated load for washing "rags".

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

@QVCkitty1 wrote:
One thing our current situation has taught me is to not waste anything. I mean I always knew you shouldn't waste food, but it never really bothered me to toss leftovers or so so produce. Now I do a regular inventory and find a way to use everything. I'm careful with paper towels too, I use to tear them off to use as napkins, now I just buy napkins, they are cheap and available. I hope I keep this up even when the supply chain is more reliable.

Me too. I bought some microfiber cloths and terry towels to cut down on my paper towel usage. It seems like I'm always spilling stuffl.

And we are eating more leftovers and trying to make sure we don't waste food too. This has really been an eye opening experience.