Go paperless in the kitchen - Easy on your budget and the environment

October 28, 1:30 PMFrugal Family ExaminerMelissa Newby

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Going paperless in the kichen saves money and the environment
Photo: stock.xchng

Throughout the day, how many paper towels, tissues, napkins, paper plates and other paper products do you use in your kitchen?  All those items are used once and go right in the garbage, draining your wallet and clogging up the landfills. Instead of using disposable products, going paperless in the kitchen to saves you money and lightens your load on the environment.

Switching from disposable to reusable products often means you have to spend money to save money.  But the long-term saving are worth the initial expense.

Use reusable dishes and silverware

If you are used to the into-the-garbage clean-up of paper plates, the thought of switching to dishes might seem like it adds another chore to your already overflowing to-do list.  Uses dishes doesn't have to mean loads of extra work. Staying on top of dishes is the best way to keep stacks of dirty dishes away.  Rinse dishes right after each meal and load the dishwasher, if you have one, or wash the dishes as soon after a meal as possible. 

Switch to cloth napkins

Paper napkins are so easy, but they are horrible for the environment and can be costly.  Switching to cloth is easier than you think.  Pick a color napkin for each family member.  That way, napkins that are dirty, but not yet laundry-worthy, can be used again by the same person.  Check out  Etsy for some fun colors and designs.  A family of four can use 1040 napkins a year just for dinner, so think how much money and garbage you can save by switching to cloth. 

Lose the paper towels

This might sound harder than it is.  Paper towels are so handy in the kitchen, from cleaning up spills to serving as a plate in a pinch.  But everything you do with paper towels you can easily do with a small set of cloth towels.  Consider color coding the towels in your kitchen - one color for drying hands, one for cleaning up spills, one for miscellaneous uses.  That keeps you from drying your hands on a towel you just used to clean up chicken juice.  Reuse the towels that stay fairly clean, like the hand towels.  Toss dirty towels in a basket to be washed whenever you're doing a load of laundry.

Reusable alternatives to items you use daily are not only a way to save money and help the environment, they also often come in fun colors and designs.  Get your children involved by letting your children choose their own napkins or dish and help them learn the importance of reducing consumption.