Insider's top 5 sustainability tips to save time and money

• Food waste is a massive issue that affects several industries; mindful shopping can help remedy it.
• Many communities have resources you can use to lend, borrow, and trade tools and small appliances.
• It's important to find and support recycling programs that successfully help you live sustainably.

Food waste is a massive issue that skews supply and demand, raises prices, and leads to more trash than our infrastructure can handle. Additionally, carelessly discarding household appliances and clothing can be detrimental to the environment. Thankfully, mindful lifestyle choices can help alleviate the harmful effects that contribute to the climate crisis.

But can you make more sustainable choices without paying more? Can sustainable habits actually save you time and money, or is it all a hassle no matter how you slice it? Our list of tips are here to help you reduce food waste, slow down wardrobe turnover, make better use of community resources, and so much more.

Tip #1: Get involved with Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Donate, shop, and volunteer at your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Home improvement items, extra lumber, materials, and appliances can be donated and purchased at hundreds of the nonprofit's stores. Proceeds help build homes for low-income families.

Tip #2: Ditch the cardboard boxes during your next local move

Moving? Rent and use reusable plastic totes on your next local move. They're easier to deal with than cardboard boxes, come with easy to lift handles, and many moving companies now offer them.

Tip #3: Take time to assess your shopping

Every time you want to buy something that isn't a staple or necessity, write it down and wait three days. The urge to shop will often pass.

Tip #4: Find ways to give new life to old clothing

Organize a clothing swap of new and gently used items that no longer fit with friends and family members. You can also donate to a clothing or home-goods drive nearby. Another option? Visit a local thrift store to drop off items. Bonus: you can typically get a receipt for the value of your donation, which is tax-deductible up to a certain amount.

Tip #5: Utilize tool libraries

Instead of buying items like blenders and drills, borrow them from a tool library (and donate your unwanted, working, small household appliances and tools there too) or explore local thrift/secondhand options before buying new from a hardware store.

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