With the new year comes a time to pause and reflect on our habits. Did you know that in California, we generate 6.2 lbs of trash per person per day (2024, CalRecycle)?  Many of the things that we use on a daily basis are only used for a few minutes before throwing them away. It doesn't have to be that way! By choosing to reuse instead of throw away, you can help keep materials out of the landfill, and often save money in the process. 

Last year, we resolved to remember our reusable cup, darn our socks, start regifting, bring a tupperware to restaurants, and remember reusable bags at the grocery store. Thanks to these actions, in 2025 one person would have saved from the landfill, on average: 

• 146 disposable cups 
• 91 disposable takeout containers
• 83 plastic bags 
• sources: cups, takeout, plastic bags

Daily habits can compound into big changes! With successful habits adopted into our lives in 2025, these are the actions we're prioritizing in 2026. 

1.  Stop buying paper towels.

We're replacing paper towels in the kitchen with reusable alternatives that we can throw in the wash at the end of the week. Some local stores sell "paperless paper towels"-- small cloths made of absorbent fabric, that you can use the same as regular paper towels and just wash in the washing machine after use. But making the switch doesn't require an investment, you can also use old rags or cut up t-shirts for the same purpose!

2. Shop at the bulk bins.

Pantry staples, like rice, pasta or coffee, often come in un-recyclable single-use plastic packaging. This new year, we're bringing our own containers to the store, to fill up just the amount we need without any packaging waste (pro tip: old pasta sauce jars work great for bulk shopping). There are lots of grocery stores locally that sell a variety of products in bulk, try checking out Sunshine Health Foods in Morro Bay, the SLO Food Co-Op, or the Central Coast Refillery in Atascadero to get started.

3. Check local thrift stores before buying new.

Before we go to buy something new from the store, we're checking to see if we can find it first at a local thrift store or online "buy nothing" group. This can be a major way to save money on shopping and give items a second life. 

4. Save scratch paper for notetaking.

When we misprint at the printer, or only use one side of a document, we're saving the sheet of paper for the next time we need scratch paper, so we don't need to use fresh paper to jot notes. 

5. Continue to use reusable water bottles. 

In 2026, we're never forgetting our reusable water bottle when we leave the house, because paying for plastic water bottles is silly. Here's to saving the planet and staying hydrated!