- Instagram and Facebook @ReduceReuseRenew
- Website: www.reducereuserenew.com
When did you get the idea for your blog and why did you decide to start it?
Laura originally started the blog in 2017, after the birth of her child, when she experienced crippling anxiety. She started researching ways to manage her anxiety better through minimalism and mindfulness and started the blog as a way to hold herself accountable. Shortly after the blog launched, her family was accepted into a program called The Zero Waste Challenge, where they spent 7-8 months eliminating waste in their house. After the challenge was over, her family reduced their household waste by 35-45 lbs a week. This motivated her to keep going with the reduction based living lifestyle and eventually re-branded her blog to Reduce Reuse Renew.
Did you find de-cluttering and reducing items to be a helpful tool in reducing your anxiety?
Yes, there have been many studies that show that visual clutter can often trigger anxiety for people. Additionally, when you have less items, you have less to manage and takes a load off your plate, which helps with anxiety as well.
What topics do you usually write about on your blog?
Mindfulness, Reduction-Based Living, Anxiety, Zero Waste Living.
How do you re-purpose items around your house vs throwing them away or buying new?
Laura takes clothes and burp cloths that are ripped and cuts them up into reusable tissues. She also likes to take old pillows and put them in front of doors or windows to prevent drafts in the house. She also recommends using old socks to put at the end of swiffers and use it for a mop or duster. Another great tip is to make a no-sew tshirt bag out of old t-shirts for grocery shopping instead of using plastic bags.
Are there locations that people can drop off used textiles and fabrics for recycling?
Nike will take used athletic shoes back for recycling. H&M, Northface and Levi’s will also take used clothing and shoes donations. Often stores will even provide a coupon upon receiving the donation. Another great place to donate used textiles is Animal Shelters.
Do you now purchase items and shop more intentionally, to prevent bringing more items in your house?
Yes, Laura focuses now on the longevity of an item and if it will be frequently, used as well as would it be an item that is easily recycle. More often than not, Laura tries to find a way to go without and try to find an existing item that she can use instead, vs. buying new.
Are there any stores or companies that you would recommend that help prevent excess waste and clutter in your house?
- Tare Market in Minneapolis-Minnesota’s first zero waste store.
- Minneapolis Toy Library
- St Paul & Minneapolis Tool Library
- Art Lending Library
- ArtScraps Reuse Center-St. Paul
- Restore Outlet- Home improvement materials
- Fix it clinics- county-wide
- Book Libraries
- Repair Lair- Clothing repair and outdoor used gear.
- Farmers Markets-Bring your own bag
- Co-ops-Bring your own bag/container
- Junobiebags- Midwest company with reusable breast milk bags.
What are some good ways for beginners who are just starting to prevent waste?
Bring reusable bags to the grocery store and for shopping, there are even reusable produce bags that you can purchase instead of using the plastic bags at the store. Another way is to buy in bulk and bring your own containers for nuts, beans etc. If you can, try to go without or borrow items from others, instead of buying new.
What were the largest items that you used to throw away before that accumulated the most waste?
Food waste and paper products were the main source of waste, prior to the zero waste challenge. Now Laura and her family compost, to help prevent excess waste. She also has an “Eat Me” sign in her fridge where food goes that is about to expire and will be the first thing her family eats for snacks/lunches.
Can you share a little bit about the process of composting and how to get started?
Laura learned that 40% of all food is wasted. When it goes to a landfill, it is lacking basic nutrients and slowly breaks down and releases methane which is 4x stronger than carbon dioxide and is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas. Many counties do offer discount compost bins, or you can re purpose an existing bin to turn into a compost spot. There are also indoor compost bins that you can create, that often involve worms, for those who live in apartments or condos. Another option is to connect with farmers or gardeners who are looking for compost and supply it to them. There are also a lot of items that you can compost that are not food waste such as: cardboard, newspaper, basic shredded office paper, unscented tissues, toilet paper, egg cartons, coffee filters and coffee grounds.
Do you have any recommendations on how to reduce and reuse items with our children?
Laura has a soft rule where if something comes in that something has to come out such as a toy for example. Also using the toy library is a wonderful resource for families where you can check out used toys instead of buying new for a period of time.
Are there good places to donate used toys?
You can donate to the Toy Library, or you can donate to friends/family/social media. Another great option is to attend or host a Toy swap where everyone brings some of their used toys and swaps them around to have new toys at home without spending more money.
Do you have any books or podcasts you would recommend for reduction-based living?
Podcasts:The Sustainable Minimalist
Books: Braiding Sweetgrass, 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste, Kiss the Ground, Transforming Communities.