Reducing waste doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul, just a few smart changes. For example, a lot of coffee shops offer discounts when you bring your own mug or container — usually 10 to 50 cents off. This way, you can avoid using disposable plastic and paper cups and, in the long run, those savings add up to a free coffee. Even Starbucks offers these discounts if you bring your own mug — it doesn’t even have to be an expensive, official Starbucks mug!
Another easy win? Ditch plastic bottles. Buy a reusable one instead! When I first arrived in Canada, I was surprised to learn that tap water is safe to drink. I no longer needed to buy plastic bottles every time I went out. It’s so great to be able to carry my water bottle everywhere, knowing that there is usually at least one water station where it can be refilled, especially on UFV’s campuses.
Learning how to reuse old items is a key part of living sustainably. Upcycling turns everyday “trash” into free, useful stuff. That old, washed out band tee from 2013? Cut it into squares for cleaning spills or dusting. These DIY rags are softer than paper towels, and last practically forever.
Glass jars are the ultimate multitaskers; pasta, jam, chilli oil, any glass jars deserve a second chance. If the edges are not sharp, you can use them as drinking glasses. They also make great vases! You like cooking and growing your own herbs? Create an herb garden with them. Or maybe you like painting? Glass jars are great for holding supplies, especially with materials that could ruin plastic or paper. If your love language is gift giving, a glass jar filled with cookies is an adorable gift too.
Speaking of second chances, don’t toss those brown bananas! They aren’t trash, they’re smoothie gold. The same goes for any overripe fruit, frozen or fresh, they are perfect for a smoothie. Pro tip: add peanut or almond butter to make it even better.
Reusing isn’t just eco-friendly, it’s also budget-friendly! Another thing that surprised me when arriving in Canada was that thrift shops actually exist outside movies. Turns out you can find amazing things. It’s not just everyday clothing either, they even have items to create the best halloween costumes. Besides the fact that you are giving new life to old items, experimenting with cheap ones takes the pressure off, no guilt if you ruin a $3 shirt while making a costume.
Thrifting isn’t just for clothing, though. As someone who loves to paint, I have to always be careful with floors and walls since I rent and share my space with a roommate. A great solution to paint comfortably without worrying about making a mess, was buying an old bed sheet from Value Village. Now I can paint freely without stressing about stains. It’s a win for my wallet and the planet.
Another great thing to reuse is plastic containers, any plastic containers. When my roommate and I moved here, we couldn’t justify buying a bunch of Tupperware right away. Instead, slowly but surely, we’ve been saving every single container we emptied: sour cream containers, yogurt, cream cheese, dips, all of them. I admit it is funny to see my roommate take her chicken soup to school in a greek yogurt container, but it’s also cost-effective and keeps plastic out of landfills longer.
Sustainability isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being mindful. Maybe you’ll forget your reusable mug, or cave and buy a plastic water bottle sometimes. That’s okay. What matters is the effort; one thrifted find, one repurposed jar, or one banana smoothie, can make a difference. Start with what’s easy, laugh at your roommate when they crave cream cheese for their bagel and instead find a tub full of beans, and know that every little bit counts!
