Fall invites us to slow down, cozy up, and settle into our home routines. But it’s also a season when waste tends to spike. Beyond the usual back-to-school supplies, we see a surge in unnecessary seasonal décor, costumes that are worn just once, and extra food waste as we cook and gather more indoors. Even simple things like disposable plates, utensils, and packaging for seasonal treats can add up. As we enjoy the comforts of autumn, it’s worth pausing to consider how small changes can reduce waste and keep the season cozy without leaving a heavy footprint.
🌱 In the Kitchen: Cook, Clean & Store Sustainably
Fall often means more time in the kitchen — baking pies, roasting vegetables, or simmering soups. But it can also lead to more paper towels, cling wrap, single-use cleaning products, and food waste as we cook and gather for the season.
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Swedish Dishcloths & Reusable Cloth Towels: Replace endless rolls of paper towels with washable, durable cloth alternatives that last for months or even years and not only save trees, but also on single-use plastic packaging.
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Reusable Wax Food Wrap: Skip the plastic wrap and foil. This reusable and versatile wax wrap roll allows you to cut the size you need- perfect for leftovers, baked goods, or covering rising dough.
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Bamboo Scrub Brushes: Ideal for pots, pans, and dishes after all that cozy fall cooking. Durable, plastic-free, and compostable at the end of life.
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Plan, Store + Compost Mindfully: Combat food waste by planning meals, storing leftovers properly, freezing extras, and composting scraps instead of throwing them in the trash. Every bit of composted material helps reduce landfill impact while enriching your garden or home soil.
- Eat Locally for the Season: Choose seasonal, locally grown fall produce such as squash, pumpkins, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, and root vegetables. These ingredients often require less packaging and transportation, reducing carbon emissions and keeping food fresher for longer. Cooking with what's abundant in the season also encourages creative, waste-conscious meals and helps minimize food spoilage.
These swaps and habits don’t just cut down on waste — they add a warm, natural aesthetic to your kitchen while helping you enjoy fall, combatting food waste and greenhouse gases to make the upcoming holiday season more sustainable overall.
🍁 Outside the Home: Rethink Fall Yard “Cleanups”
It’s tempting to rake and bag every leaf, but fallen leaves are a gift to local ecosystems. Why?
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Habitat: Leaves provide shelter for pollinators, insects, and small animals.
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Soil Health: As they decompose, they naturally fertilize the soil.
Instead of bagging them up in plastic, leave a layer in garden beds or mulch them for your lawn. This simple “do less” approach supports biodiversity and saves you time and energy.
🧥 Wardrobe Reset: Cozy Without the Waste
As the weather cools, it’s tempting to refresh your wardrobe with new sweaters, jackets, and boots — but fast fashion comes at a high cost to the planet. There are simple ways to stay cozy and stylish without adding unnecessary waste:
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Thrift or Swap: Explore local thrift shops, online secondhand platforms, or host a clothing swap with friends. You’ll discover unique pieces, reduce demand for new production, and save money — all while keeping fashion out of the landfill.
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Buy Quality, Not Quantity: When you do need something new, choose well-made, timeless staples that last season after season. Investing in durable items reduces overall consumption and ensures your wardrobe stays functional and stylish for years.
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Dressing Up for Halloween? Opt for secondhand costumes! Thrifted costumes are often high-quality and one-of-a-kind, and buying secondhand prevents new materials, packaging, and energy usage from entering the system. You can also swap costumes with friends or family, giving pre-loved costumes a new life while keeping Halloween fun and sustainable.
By choosing secondhand and thoughtfully investing in your wardrobe, you can enjoy all the coziness of fall while minimizing your environmental impact — small changes that add up to a big difference.
🎃 Seasonal Décor: Low-Waste Ways to Celebrate
Fall décor often means plastic pumpkins, synthetic wreaths, and disposable trinkets. Instead, try:
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Thrifted or Secondhand Décor: Thrift stores are treasure troves of gently used seasonal items. Facebook marketplace is the best for the bigger unique finds.
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Natural Décor: Pumpkins, gourds, branches, pinecones, and leaves bring the season indoors — then compost them afterward instead of tossing them in the trash.
🍎 Cozy Fall Scents: Without the Chemicals
Crisp air, baked goods, warm spices — fall has a signature smell. But many store-bought candles and sprays contain synthetic fragrances and toxins.
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DIY Simmer Pots: Simmer apple peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, or orange rinds in water for a natural, inviting aroma.
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DIY Candles: Use soy wax with essential oils to craft your own cozy candles.
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Essential Oil Diffusers: A few drops of clove, cinnamon, or orange oil can set the mood without introducing harmful chemicals into your household.
Fall doesn’t have to mean more waste — it can actually be a season of slowing down and reconnecting with what matters. From rethinking what goes in your kitchen and closet, to embracing natural décor and natural scents, small swaps can make your home feel both cozy and conscious.
So this season, wrap up in your thrifted sweater, sip cider from those locally grown apples, and enjoy the crisp, colorful beauty of autumn — all while knowing you’re making choices that are kinder to the planet. 🌍🍂
