I hate to see things go to waste. Maybe I go a little far. But every time I get that last little drop, that last little morsel, I feel like I scored a victory over waste. I’ve reaffirmed by creativity and resourcefulness and feel downright smug.
I’ve got it all down to a science. Elevated to a fine art. Got a very slim spatula that gets out that last bit of mayonnaise along the sides of the jar.
I know just how to tilt the dishwashing liquid bottle against my canisters to force those last languorous drops down the cap where it can be easily accessed.
And recently, just when the Secret deodorant container was starting to rub against my underarms, I figured out how to unscrew the bottom, and force a pencil under the little elevated platform – and voila – another inch of deodorant.
Oh joy! That’ll stave off another purchase for at least a month.
What do you do in your house to get that last little bit of worth out of your goods? How are you getting creative?
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June 4, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Always a breath of fresh air, even when dealing with garbage!
Much love,
john
June 5, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Last drop of dishwashing liquid? Fill the container with water, shake and voila, one last wash!
I’m sure you too press that sliver of soap onto the new bar.
But oh, not as good as you with the slim spatulas in my kitchen. They would have been long gone!
All the best to you Jacquie. You’re a winner.
Love,
Laurie
June 7, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Jacqui you are a woman after my own heart! I tip *every* container on end to get the last little bit, esspecially chip bags!
Now how do we get the masses to do the same?
- the other Laurie
June 8, 2012 at 11:44 pm
Great ideas. I’ll have to try the deodorant trick!
I’ve done the add water to the dregs of dish washing soap for years.
A question. We have an difference of opinion. I feel one doesn’t need all that much dishwashing soap for dishes. It’s the hot water which does most of the work. The other dish doer in the house feels the more the better and can go through a third of a bottle for a sink of dishes. I’ve looked on the bottles, looked on line, but haven’t found any guidelines. I’d love to have documentation so I can curtail the waste of dish washing soap. Any thoughts anyone?
Peace, Mike
June 21, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Hi Mike!
You brought up a very interesting question! We decided to check this out and called Palmolive asking about the recommended amount of soap for dish washing. Their answer was that it is all about personal preference! The only time they give ratios about their products is when it comes to multi-purpose cleaners.
We also looked on our Method Dish Soap bottle and again, no recommendations either! To all the WasteHaters out there: How much dish washing liquid do you use when you do the dishes?
August 9, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Re dishwashing soap: Since there are only two of us in the house, it takes several days to fill the dishwasher. So I prefer to quickly wash cereal bowls, spoons, mugs, etc., by hand and get a few more uses out of them throughout the day. I keep a bottle of Dawn Direct Foam on the counter, pump a dollop directly on my scrubber sponge, swish, rinse and set in the dish drainer to dry. The Direct Foam is pretty pricey (about $3.79 for 10 oz.), but I discovered that the magic is all in the container—the soap is diluted with water and injected with air. So I simply purchase the regular Dawn liquid (which is frequently on sale for 99 cents for 10 oz.) and use it to refill the “foam delivery device” as needed. I find that 1 part soap to 5 parts water does the trick, but you can experiment.
June 28, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Update on my post, folks. I have now successfully gotten — count’em — three more rounds of Secret anti-perspirant out of the same container I described in this post a couple of months ago, by forcing a pencil up inside the container. Shudder to think how much deodorant is going to waste when consumers feel they’ve wound up the product to its fullest. Keep trying folks! There’s more deodorant in that stick than you think!
August 3, 2012 at 1:23 am
When I make my coffee each morning, if I put a little too much water in the coffeepot, I pour the extra into my cat’s bowl. It ain’t much, but I feel good not to just dump it out. Every little ounce helps!
August 10, 2012 at 10:19 am
After you’ve got everything through the cap–unscrew the cap. Usually quite a bit more left.
Two of the ways I reduce waste the most: NOT running the water while washing a dish, brushing teeth, etc. (wet brush or sponge, turn off, turn on again when ready to rinse)–and only using 2-3 squares of toilet paper at a time, and getting another 2-3 if that wasn’t enough.
–Shel Horowitz, primary author, Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green
August 27, 2012 at 12:04 pm
This discussion would not be complete without making mention of the debate over the health impacts of deodorants (e.g. aluminum issue) and the option/advantages to simply doing without. Those are easily google-able.
August 27, 2012 at 3:28 pm
You’re absolutely right, Dan, though I haven’t studied the aluminum issue personally, though of course, I’ve seen mention of it over many years. And sure, if we don’t need deodorant/ APS, then absolutely not, though I’ve had a few experiences on hot NYC subways that would definitely warrant! A medium way point: refillable deodorant/APs containers.
November 14, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Great point, Dan. One natural deodorant that I have come to love after trying many is http://www.etsy.com/listing/35641572/deodorant-cream. It is hand made with oils and salts. Instead of using heavy metals to block sweat, this deodorant uses salt. Additionally, the jar container makes it easy to make sure you get every last ounce and you can even reuse the jar when you have finished!
PS. Despite being a small jar, I have found it lasts almost a whole year (given one application per day).
September 15, 2012 at 5:15 pm
I love to wash those Jiffy containers so that I can use them to hold random odds and ends. My basement is filled with them! They hold nails, screws, washers, and I even have some strictly for change. I know they are easily recyclable but this is an easier way to organize and much cheaper than buying the fancy containers from IKEA. Plus, you end up getting more out of your peanut butter than you thought you ever would.
November 14, 2012 at 6:40 pm
I am know to always known for getting the most out of body creams… I get creative and add coconut oil to everything to make lotions last longer and it give it an extra moisture boost. Smells great too! : )
November 15, 2012 at 9:41 pm
I thought I was a manic when cutting the end of the toothpaste tube, digging in there with my toothbrush in order to get the last stuff out. The body lotions with the pumps also require some creativity. The pump just doesn’t let me finish the container. I use the pipe of the pump to scrape out the last of the lotion, or I slam the bottle upside down to release the remains. If anyone has better solutions, let me know.
January 7, 2013 at 9:06 am
I’m gonna try this!
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January 18, 2013 at 1:40 pm
When cooking pasta, try heating the water to a boil with the pasta. As opposed to heating water independently then adding pasta. You’re saving time and energy by cooking the pasta to a boil then reducing heat as necessary. The leftover water is high in starch and can be used to water plants. Plants will thrive from the high nutritional value of starch water.
I have also heard you can cook pasta in a frying pan. This method may save energy as the wide bottom provides greater surface area to the burner requiring less cooking time.
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March 12, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Wow, an extra inch of deodorant. Sometimes it’s the little things that make us scratch our heads. I’m pretty surprised that much product is going to waste, although maybe I shouldn’t be. Imagine if everyone conveniently threw out a months worth of breakfast cereal, gasoline at the pump or any other commonly used good. Looks like we need a few savvy green product engineers on the case, not to mention a few marketers to spread the word!