Just Use Less!

I had a dentist who once told me that toothpaste wasn't really that necessary: the toothbrush itself does the majority of the work. It's the brushing action that really matters.

Now, I still use toothpaste, but it made me realized how much toothpaste I waste. How often do you have little blobs of toothpaste left in the sink. So I made an effort to just squeeze out a teeny tiny bit of toothpaste every time I brush. As a result, my toothpaste now lasts twice as long as I used to.

It's the little daily efficiencies that will really help you in your quest to reduce, save money, and use fewer resources. Many bloggers advocate using metal safety razors instead of the disposable kind, but I still use my Venus. Why? Because I've had it for years and I change the disposable blades about once a year. I bought a pack of blades two years ago, and still haven't run out.

In the end, the most important thing is to stay aware of the disposable products you are using, and how much you're using. This awareness will lead you to realize where you are being excessive (like with the blobs of toothpaste), and it will make you aware of the resources you consume.

In the end, reducing your use is like about the same thing everything in personal environmentalism is about: staying mindful.