Trash Reduction
Living by the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) reduces our need for new sources of plastic, paper, metals, and other finite resources. It also cuts down on the amount of garbage that needs to be sent to landfills. Reducing trash can save you money (on new products and trash pickup) and eases strain on our ecosystems.
Looking for a little inspiration? Check out Eric Park’s blog from his 2010 Trash EcoChallenge.
For my EcoChallenge action(s), I will:
- Bring my own reusable mug every time I’m on the go
- Bring my own bags every time I shop during the EcoChallenge
- Refrain from buying bottled water/juices/soda throughout the EcoChalleneg, and instead use a reusable mug or thermos
- Make sure that my office has reusable cups/mugs/plates and silverware to minimize disposables
- Refrain from buying unnecessary items during the EcoChallenge
- Start a compost collection to reduce the amount of trash my household or workplace produces
- Recycle and select products that are made from recycled materials (at home and at the office)
- Set up a recycling center at work if there isn’t one already in place
- Clean out unused appliances, items, clothes, etc. and donate unneeded items
- Reuse 100% of non-recyclable plastics
- Reuse office supplies, like binders, folders, rubber bands, etc.
- Send inner-office mail in reused envelopes
- Buy foods that are available in bulk from the bulk bins, in order to reduce the packaging that I buy and bring home
- Buy used whenever possible (from garage sales, Craigslist, Freecycle, secondhand stores, etc.)
- Borrow, rent or share things I don’t use often, for example, I’ll share a lawnmower or rent a carpet cleaner if I need one
- Stop “shopping by habit” – I’ll weigh purchases carefully, always asking “do I need this?”
- Buy milk in glass bottles that can be washed and reused
- Buy durable, high-quality products, and maintain/repair items instead of replacing them
- Reuse paper and print on both sides
- Take action to reduce the amount of unwanted mail I receive
- Maintain my vehicle so that it lasts as long as possible
- Buy larger packages when possible (for example, one large bottle of detergent uses less plastic than three smaller bottles)
- Avoid single-serving goods and foods
- Cook at home or dine in rather than getting take-out food, which generally requires excessive packaging
- Buy used electronics if possible, such as a refurbished laptops, recycled cell phones and rechargeable batteries
- Talk to others about reducing their waste
- Take a field trip to the local dump or landfill to learn about where trash goes in my community
Resources:
- Tips for reducing waste, from Metro
- EPA’s tips on waste reduction
Facts and Stats on Waste:
- The average American generates 4.6 pounds of trash a day
- Americans make up 5 % of the world’s population and generate 40% of the world’s waste
- 1/3 of the waste generated in the US is packaging
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