I was recently working with a client who has "Thrower's Remorse;" she hates to throw things away because she knows they'll just be going to a landfill. 

I resonate with her desire to create as little waste as possible.  So I shared with her the only way I know of to prevent over-contributing to the landfills:  Be careful what you buy in the first place.

Everything you bring into your home, from the smallest cheap plastic toy to the largest stainless steel appliance, is going to leave your house someday.  It's going to break or stop being useful, and you are going to need to get rid of it.  If we keep that fact in mind whenever we're shopping (or accepting freebies from friends), we may just bring less into our homes in the first place.

In an effort to prevent your own case of "Thrower's Remorse," here are five questions to ask yourself before you buy something:

1. How often will I use it?
2. How long will it last?
3. Is it reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable?
4. Could I borrow it from a friend?
5. Is it made of renewable resources or energy efficient?

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