You may have heard reports that our planet could be in big trouble if we don't change our consumption habits. In the fashion industry alone, "about 85 percent of textile waste in the United States goes to landfills or is incinerated," according to The New York Times. You may be asking yourself, "What can I possibly do to help the environment, especially if I'm on a small budget?" Don't be fooled by the marketing campaigns that make it seem as if new, fancy products are a necessary purchase on the path to living more sustainably. The truth is quite the opposite. Rather than running out and purchasing new products, which creates more waste, all it takes is a little creativity to create more sustainable habits that can add up to big impact over time.

*Buy Used

Purchasing used goods is an amazing way to both save money and extend the lifetime of items that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Everything from clothing to household goods to kids items is available in the secondhand market in places like Facebook Maketplace, Craigslist, thrift stores and garage sales. Kids outgrow their clothing and toys so quickly that many secondhand items are still in great condition. Prepping for the next season on the mountain or an apartment switch? Sports gear and small appliances can also be found. These items can be pricy when bought new, and it's not uncommon for people to sell them at a fraction of retail price in the hopes of making back at least some of what they spent.

*Eat Less Meat

Animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions. You don't need to become a vegetarian to help the planet; eating fewer meals with meat certainly helps! Fortunately, meat-free options are inexpensive, healthy, filling and more readily available in popular grocery stores and restaurants than ever before. Most popular fast food chain restaurants offer a meat-free burger. Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, for example, now feature Beyond Meat breakfast sandwiches and burgers. And when cooking at home, mushrooms, lentils and tofu are a few noteworthy meat replacements.

*Make Quality Purchases

One of the most effective ways to create less waste is to focus on quality over quantity. If you absolutely need something new, strive for a well-made version that has longevity, rather than the cheap throwaway version. Research is key here, but the payoff of your time is huge. Consider, for example, a stainless steel Takeya water bottle that will keep your beverages cold for 24 hours, is leakproof and is easy to clean. It will be around for several years and without environmental impact, compared with cheap disposable plastic bottles. Although you may pay more upfront for a resuable bottle, you'll pay less over the long run and enjoy the quality.

*Use What You Got

It may be tempting to purchase new everyday products like reusable zip-close baggies, eco-friendly lunch bags and bento boxes to be more sustainable. You can certainly do so, but if you're hoping to not break your budget, just use what you already have in new ways. Consider packing your lunch in a simple reusable grocery bag if your destination has a refrigerator. They're easy to wash, and they can hold plenty more than a typical lunch bag. Old towels and linens are perfect to use as cleaning rags and reusable napkins. Jars and containers of all sizes that carry things like olives, marinara sauce and jam are incredibly versatile for food storage. Smaller jars can be used to tote around snacks like trail mix or fruit and help you ease off of single-use plastic bags.

*Create a System

Sending as little waste to the landfill as possible starts with having a good understanding of your city or town's recycling program. Items like greasy pizza boxes and certain plastic bags can't be recycled in some cities, for example. Learning what can and cannot go in the bin will make your sorting process that much easier. Then set up a convenient system for storing and sorting recyclables to ensure that you and your family can easily make the effort to change your recycling habits. It doesn't take long to learn the ins and outs, and best of all, it's a free way to make a positive change.

Big changes in habits are just as impactful when they start as small steps. Take inventory of what you have, want and need, and be mindful of where you put your dollars so you can do your part to help the planet and have an affordable lifestyle you enjoy.