Waste Not, Want Not: Grandma Did It First
Long before reusable totes and eco-influencers, there was Grandma reusing bread bags, darning socks, and rinsing out every glass jar “just in case.” These weren’t trendy choices—they were simply the way things were done. But as it turns out, those everyday habits were incredibly sustainable, and they deserve a little recognition this Earth Day.
Our grandmothers had a lifetime of knowledge about how to make things last, waste less, and live within their means. From sewing buttons instead of tossing shirts, to turning leftover roast into three different meals, their generation wrote the book on mindful living. And now’s the perfect time to dust off that book and start reading aloud.
Here are just a few things our grandmothers did that are being encouraged again today:
Stored leftovers in glass jars or dishes—not a plastic container in sight.
Hung clothes to dry outside in the sun—no dryer required.
Mended socks and hems instead of buying new.
Shopped with reusable bags—because who didn’t have a cloth tote for everything?
Turned scraps into soup and leftovers into next-day lunches.
Used cloth napkins instead of paper ones (and maybe even ironed them!).
Kept a button tin—because you never threw away a perfectly good button.
Wrapped gifts in newspaper or fabric long before Pinterest said it was chic.
Made their own cleaning products with vinegar, baking soda, and elbow grease.
Walked to the store or carpooled before “carbon footprint” was even a term.
One of the most powerful ways to mark Earth Day is by sharing this wisdom with younger generations. You don’t have to lecture—just show them how to patch a hole, save kitchen scraps, or fold a fitted sheet (okay, maybe not that one). These small, simple habits add up to something big: a more thoughtful, less disposable way of living.
So this Earth Day, don’t feel like you need to reinvent yourself as an environmentalist. Just be yourself—and share the smart, sustainable life skills that have stood the test of time.