All over the world, waste is becoming a huge problem. In the USA alone, Environmental Protection Agency studies showed that we generated 262.4 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2015 – an increase of 3.5 million tons from the previous year. The average American produces 4.4 pounds of waste a day, most of which is shipped at great cost into landfills. And this is just household waste, the stuff that we throw out on a daily basis for trash collection. The EPA statistics show something else too – that most of this waste is paper and cardboard, yard trimmings, plastic products and electronics – much of which could have been recycled, reused or avoided completely. It’s more important than ever before that we each do our part to protect the environment, and it doesn’t have to be difficult! Here are our favorite tips for reducing household waste.
Stop your junk mail
Junk mail is awful – it usually gets thrown directly into the trash as soon as it arrives or gathers dust until we get the urge to spring clean. While a lot of it can be recycled, it’s better if it isn’t produced in the first place. Call local companies who have you on their list and opt out of their catalogue and mail services – you can always opt for an email to stay in touch. Move your monthly bills to email (it’s often free of charge as this actually helps companies save money), and don’t allow companies to share your information with others (always tick “no” when filling out forms that ask for mailing information). There are also companies who specialize in removing you from mail listings for a small fee.
Start composting
About 25% of our waste is compostable and your garden will love it! Invest in a backyard composter and follow the easy instructions to make your own, you’ll be impressed at how much waste you can use up. Alternatively, offer your compostable waste to a neighbor who composts, or sign up to a compost collection service who will collect your waste on a weekly basis for a small fee. Not only are you reducing your waste, you’re also helping to reduce the dangerous methane emissions that organics emit when trapped in landfills.
Stop buying bottled water
Did you know that bottled water has a 280,000% markup? Rather than buying bottled water, opt for a home filtration system. There are many great, affordable products that simply attach directly to your faucet to deliver fresh, filtered water whenever you need it. A reusable water bottle looks better and lasts longer too, so you can still have filtered water wherever you go. This reduces water wastage (it takes an incredible 22 gallons of water to make a pound of plastic for water bottles), helps you save money and reduces your home’s plastic waste.
Change your coffee or smoothie habits
If you love buying a fresh coffee or smoothie on your way to work, take a reusable travel cup with you rather than buying a disposable one each time. If you make coffee at home, try to avoid those single-serving pods as they create a huge amount of waste and often cannot be recycled – what’s more, fresh coffee from a French press is a real treat! If you love smoothies, a good idea is to buy some reusable straws rather than using plastic ones. They come in bamboo, metal and paper, and are a great way of not only reducing your plastic wastage but also protecting turtles, birds and other wildlife.
No more plastic bags
This one is becoming more and more common in shops around the USA and the world, and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of the most effective and easiest ways to reduce your plastic use! Cloth bags last a long time and it’s as simple as keeping some in the trunk of your car, so you always have them when you go shopping.
Start planning your meals
After a long day, the last thing we want to think about is what to make for dinner, so many of us just grab single-serving premade dinners or takeout. The problem is that this costs us a lot of money each month, often leads to food wastage, and it comes with a lot of packaging! Planning your meals will make it easier to make healthier and more environmentally-friendly food choices, reduce our waste, save us money and – just as importantly – make dinner time less stressful.
Get to know your local recycling rules
Recycling does mean sorting your waste properly and this is off-putting to many people, but the reality is that it’s really simple! Recycling rules can vary from place to place, so check out your local rules and regulations. Buy bins for your major recycling products – usually plastic and paper – and get everyone in the household onboard with how to dispose of their waste. You may also have to look up where you can dispose of your recycling as you may be required to take it to a depot or collection point, or it may be possible to have it collected right from your curb. Alternatively, there are companies who will collect and sort your recycling for you for a small fee – all you have to do is keep recycling separate from your organic waste and they’ll take care of the rest.
Once you decide to take action to reduce your waste and do more for the environment, you’ll quickly make these tips second nature – and our planet is worth it!