Reduce

We hear it all the time, the three R's; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. For most of us recycling is now a habit. Glass, cardboard and cans all get sent away to become something new. For me reusing is easy too, in fact I tend to keep lots of things just in case I can reuse them at some point in the future. Whether it's old bits of fabric, leftover parts of candles or empty food containers I'll store them up. Sometimes I find a use for them, other times they sit unused and eventually recycled.

The part I find hardest is the reducing. Looking at our bathroom today I see at least a dozen different bottle of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and bubble baths. Not all mine, but more are mine than I really need or want. It's easy to buy new exciting small things, and then not notice them building up. So that's my new challenge, especially since we're having a bit of a clear out at home. Once all the old, unwanted things are taken to charity or recycled (and I'll try not to store too much for potential one day in the future reusing!) I'll try not to buy new unwanted or unneeded things. It's amazing how hard it can be to go a whole day without buying anything sometimes. But thinking about if something is really needed, as well as if it can be afforded or if it's eco friendly before buying is just as important.