We have two clear choices to resolve the waste crisis our modern-day society and the products we consume create – recycle our waste or produce less waste. Our landfills are filling quickly and much of the waste we put in them such as plastics are not bio-degradable. Plastics break down into smaller particles and pollute our soil, our water and planet. We must recycle and learn how to generate less waste to protect our planet for future generations.
Incorporate the following tips into your everyday routine and generate less waste.
1. Think about what you buy. Think in an eco-friendly way. Before you make your purchase, ask yourself what type of packaging does the product come in? Is there an alternative? Buy loose vegetables and fruits instead of pre-package types. Buy products in glass, metal, tin and or cardboard and paper. All packaging easier to recycle than plastics. Buy in bulk when available you will have less packaging to discard. If you won;t use all the bulk quantities, share with a friend or your family.
2. Buy used instead of new. Instead of purchasing the product new and throwing away all the original packaging away, buy a used one from a thrift store, Craigslist or the classifieds. For items you no longer need sell them or give them away and not pitching them, which generates less waste.
3. Use reusable products instead of disposable ones. For example; use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins; replace paper towels with sponges or a small cloth; use containers instead of tin foil or plastic storage bags. Although paper plates, plastic knives and forks seem to be great ideas for picnics’ use reusable utensils and plates, they generate less waste.
4. Don’t drink bottled water. Studies show that bottled water is no safer than tap water. Buy a filter to put on your water faucet to filter your own water and use reusable containers. Plastic bottles are an eyesore and they are not bio-degradable.
5. Stop junk mail. Cancel all your junk mail. If you receive on average of one to two pieces of day, then in the course of a year you are generating 700 plus pieces of waste. Simply stopping your junk mail can go along way toward cutting your yearly waste.
6. Cook from scratch. Cooking from scratch eliminates all the prepackaged containers from your trash that go with the pre-made meals. In addition, they are healthier for you.
7. Use Compost Bins Use composting bins to dispose of vegetable peelings and garden trash. This will reduce your trash significantly and improve your soils quality.
8. Look at your magazine and paper subscriptions. Can you read the same material on-line? Or in the library? Another great idea is to share subscriptions with friends or family.
9. Don’t put products with handles into plastic bags. Carry products like milk, laundry detergent and anything that already has a handle, instead of placing them in plastic bags. This greatly reduces the number of plastic bags you have to dispose. Reuse your plastic grocery bags as trashcan liners for the office, kitchen or bathroom.
10. Bring canvas bags when shopping. Instead of using plastic bags to put your groceries in bring your own canvas bags.
These are just a few practical tips that can help to you to generate less waste. Start today, by doing a trash audit, look for ways to merge these tips for generating less waste into your life and be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.
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