Austinites pride themselves on green living and sustainable shopping — the Capital City has maintained a record of being one of the greenest cities in the US.
A new study from WalletHub ranked Austin the No. 26 most eco-friendly city in the country and the most sustainable city in the state. However, there’s still room for improvement: The average Austinite generates ~4 pounds of waste per day as of 2022.
Most locals already have a stockpile of reusable bags, cups, and straws, but here are a few other tips + tricks to keeping Austin green.
Buy in bulk or packaging-free when you can
From food to self-care and cleaning supplies, many items can be found in refilleries — or stores with bulk purchasing options — that eliminate the need for a new container each time you return for more. Pro tip: Most locations allow you to bring your own containers.
- H-E-B and Central Market | Multiple locations | The bulk bar at your local H-E-B or Central Market is an untapped resource of spices, candy, tea, snacks, coffee, and goodies at your fingertips.
Parker + Scott’s general store offers snacks, sustainable cleaning supplies, gifts, and more in addition to its refill bars.
Photo courtesy @clairemalabyphotography for @parkerandscott
- Parker + Scott | Multiple locations | Bring your own container (or purchase one in-store) to fill with dish soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, sunscreen, all-purpose cleaner, and more. This general store also sells snacks, plastic-free cleaning supplies, and locally made goodies. Psst — both locations have a refill bar, but the original location on West Anderson Lane has more options.
- Slow North | 2700 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. #410 | Slow North’s refill station allows customers to stock up on loose incense, dried flowers, body care, essential oil blends, laundry powder, and more by the ounce. This shop also offers a candle refill station where you can use any vessel.
- Farmhouse Delivery | Online + delivery | This farm-to-table food delivery service sends produce + goods from over 200 local farmers and makers to your doorstep in eco-friendly packaging. It’s not just produce — baked goods, eggs, meat, flowers, herbs, meal kits, and more are up for grabs.
Utilize the Austin Reuse Directory
It’s easy to find businesses to buy, sell, donate, recycle, repair, or rent items through the Austin Reuse Directory, which will populate a map of viable options based on your needs.
Donate or repair your used items
Not only does donating your used goods help you by cleaning out your home, it helps keep those items in circulation. You can donate almost everything — clothes, dishes, linens, books, toys, and more — and Austin Habitat for Humanity or The Salvation Army will even come pick up donations from your home.
If you’re not quite ready to part with your things, consider taking them to be repaired (see the Austin Reuse Directory above) or learn to repair them yourself with a Fix-It clinic through the city.
If donating or repairing isn’t an option, Seattle-based company Ridwell helps keep items like plastic, batteries, textiles, corks, and more items that you can’t put in your recycling bins out of landfills by picking it up at your door.
What are your favorite sustainability hacks? Tell us so we can share the love.
