Think before you toss
In 2008, the United States generated 249.6 million tons of trash. That's 4.5 pounds per person, per day. Of that, 82.9 million tons was recovered for recycling or composting (1.5 pounds per person, per day). That's only 33%. The rest is either landfilled or burned. The garbage we throw away contributes to climate change and water pollution. Below are some tips for reducing your waste at home.
- Buy items in bulk from loose bins when possible to reduce the packaging wasted.
- Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33 of what we throw away is packaging.
- Buy products that you can reuse.
- Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
- Check reports for products that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.
- Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
- Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
- Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones.
- Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
- Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
- Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
- Reuse packaging cartons and shipping materials. Old newspapers make great packaging material.
- Compost your vegetable scraps.
- Buy used furniture. There is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.
- Visit your local resale shop to donate gently used old clothes, toys, and household items and to find things that you need.
- Recycle newspapers, magazines, cans, milk jugs, and anything else your local recycling program will accept.
- Donate or sell stuff you don’t want if it’s still usable.
- Repurpose or upcycle stuff you have to make something new.
- Don't throw away your unused medications. Take them to a local drop-off facility or save them for a household hazardous waste collection day.
- Remove yourself from catalog and bulk mailing lists.
Reduce your food waste
Most people don't realize how much food they throw away every day — from uneaten leftovers to spoiled produce to parts of fruits and vegetables that could be eaten or repurposed. One-third of all food in the United States goes uneaten. U.S. EPA estimates that in 2019 about 96% of households' wasted food ended up in landfills, combustion facilities, or down the drain to the sewer system. The remainder was composted. U.S. EPA has a great list of tips for reducing food waste at home.
The links below will help you reduce what you throw away and responsibly dispose of stuff that doesn't belong in the trash.