This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tom’s of Maine for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
April is Earth month, and Tom’s of Maine has launched the #lesswastechallenge. I’m already wasting a lot less than I used to: my food scraps go into my garden, I recycle my glass bottles and jars, I re-use old clothing items making them into rags and using them on cleaning the house), and so on. But I can still waste less recycle more.
For example, I haven’t been able to get rid of my Ziploc bags, or take my reusable bags to the grocery store, even though I have lots of them. Also, my husband uses a lot of paper towels, even though I have a hand towel handy. These are things we are working on and hopefully we’ll conquer them slowly.
Tom’s of Maine is encouraging everyone to pledge to reduce one pound of waste each week for a year. I am taking this pledge today: won’t you join me? Together we can make a difference. But how can you reduce a pound of waste every week? Here are just a few ideas:
How to Waste Less Recycle More
- instead of throwing away your old clothes, reuse them to make a beautiful quilt, or a pillowcase full of character
- remember to take recyclable bags when grocery shopping
- recycle your glass jars: use them for storing food (nuts, rice, beans, etc.), use them as drinking glasses, vases, and even as containers for beauty products you make yourself
- grow a garden: this will not only give you fresh food and help you get some exercise and fresh air, but it will also help you keep food waste to a minimum
- buy used: from books to clothing and even appliances. For example, I bought a bread machine for my mom from a thrift store for $6 and she’s been using it successfully for the past 2 years
- look for products that use less packaging
- donate what you no longer need: turn trash into treasure 😉
- come up with crafts that use packaging that you can’t avoid
Less Waste Challenge – My Up-cycle Project
A couple months ago I shared some new products I’m using from Tom’s of Maine, and my lavender and tea tree oil body wash bottle is empty. Today I’ll show you a cool project I made with this empty bottle.
I went to my stash of threads that are waiting for me to knit and crochet a project (waiting for years, I might add), and picked a couple threads to cover my bottle and turn it into a pretty vase. There were lots of threads in my stash, but I chose black and yellow, since it’s spring an the bees are about to come out. I also dug out some old double sided tape, to hold my thread on the back of the bottle. I love how it came out! 
Once I found what I needed for this project, it only took about 10 minutes. I’m not a very crafty person, but I think I’m going to love using this “vase” throughout the summer. 
I love that Tom’s of Maine is working towards zero waste to landfills by 2020.
I also love my Tom’s of Maine products.
Take a Peek At My Tom’s of Maine Products
I’ve been using Tom’s of Maine products for many, many years. I started with their toothpaste, and couldn’t be happier. Here’s my fresh mint toothpaste. It cleans my teeth really well, without too much foam (which I HATE!) . Visit Toms of Maine’s website for more information.
Now I also use their soaps, both soap bars and moisturizing body washes. These body washes come in 2 flavors (lavender & tea tree oils, and creamy coconut) and in a fragrance free bottle made with aloe vera for those with sensitive skin. I get my Tom’s of Maine products at Target. 
One of their products I haven’t tried yet is their deodorant. With the summer coming up soon, I might just give them a try (I am blessed to not need a deodorant in normal circumstances). I love their products because:
- All Tom’s of Maine® natural personal care and oral care products are made with no artificial colors, flavors, fragrances or preservatives, nor are they tested on animals
- All Tom’s of Maine® packaging is recyclable through TerraCycle®
- 10% of profits to human and environmental goodness
- Together we can help to keep waste out of landfills and make the world a better place for future generations.
If you’d like to try their products check out your Target store, or, use this Cartwheel offer for a great deal!! And to celebrate Earth Month, I challenge you to reduce 1 lb. of waste per week. Let’s work together to save our Earth!
Great idea!!