how to reduce waste

Each year,1.3 billion tonsof waste is generated.

The average person doesn’t think twice before throwing something in the trash. That trash has two main routes from your trash can, sitting in a dump or finding its way to our oceans.

Neither of these routes is good for the future of our planet.

Help cut back on the issue with these seven tips for how to reduce waste in your home and daily life.

1.可重复使用的产品

可重复使用的产品对您的日常废物生产产生巨大影响。每次使用塑料水瓶或外出容器时,您都会进一步促进废物问题。

Start by choosing one reusable product to carry around with you. You’ll see how easy it is to reuse products. Another added benefit is that you will save money by not having to buy disposable items. Some stores, like Starbucks, even give you a discount for having a reusable item.

Do some research to find products that are environmentally-friendly. Here are a few reusable products to consider:

  • Water bottles
  • Coffe cups
  • 购物袋
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Food containers

2. Try Composting

食物废料和院子里的废物组成20 to 30 percentof what gets thrown away. When food breaks down in a landfill it releases harmful methane gas into the atmosphere. Composting allows food scraps to break down naturally for you to use as fertilizer.

堆肥可以在室内和户外倒闭,具体取决于您的家庭需求。室内堆肥存储在一个可以手工制作或在本地五金店购买的垃圾箱内。可以使用后院桩系统完成室外堆肥。

所有堆肥都需要三种主要成分来实现:棕色,绿色和水。棕色包括死叶或树枝,绿色包括草剪液或蔬菜和水果废物。水量会根据您的其他成分含量而有所不同。

3. Eat Whole Foods

Eating whole foods is not only a way to reduce waste but is also healthier for you. Processed foods come with unnecessary packaging. Buying loose food items eliminated the need for that packaging. Bonus points if you bring your reusable shopping bag.

农民的市场是食物松散,整个食物的好地方。像整个食物一样的批量箱子商店也让您购买松散的食品并使用您自己的包装。通过将这些食物存放在适当的容器中,您还将延长食物的寿命。

When you’ve finished your meal, make sure that you are using all of the leftover food. Save food scraps and use them in soups or stir-frys. Whatever remains goes straight in the composting bin.

4.制作自己的清洁用品

Cleaning supplies come with an excess of packaging and use toxic chemicals. Homemade cleaning supplies are one of the many ways to reduce garbage while also helping the environment.

制作自己的用品可让您控制成分并消除对浪费包装的需求。柠檬,小苏打和醋是使用的热门成分。您还可以为混合添加精油以获得清洁的气味。

If you don’t feel up to the challenge of completely making your own supplies, try buying concentrated products. These reduce the packaging necessary and require less processing.

5. Go Paperless

美国使用68 million treesto produce paper and paper products, every year. Much of the paper used in your household isn’t necessary. Going paperless not only reduces waste but it also makes for better organization.

The first step is to ask companies like your bank and utilities for paperless billing. You will receive electronic statements, which then can be easily sorted on your computer.

Use a scanner to upload all your old documents to your digital filing system. You will save room in your home by getting rid of filing cabinets and this will reinforce the paperless habit.

6. Recycle the Rest

Once you know what’s recyclable and your drop-off or pick-up method, the rest is easy. Buy a set of stackable bins for the different categories of recycling. It’s best to sort recyclables right away to save you time in the future.

一旦你知道什么是可回收的,下降or pick-up method, the rest is easy. Buy a set of stackable bins for the different categories of recycling. It’s best to sort recyclables right away to save you time in the future.

任何回收也比没有回收,所以明星t a system that makes the most sense for your family.

Here are a few recyclable items you may not be aware of:

  • Perscription drugs – search for a local prescription drug drop-off location.
  • Packing peanuts – many packaging companies will reuse these.
  • Water filters – stores like Whole Foods have drop-off locations to turn these into toothbrushes.
  • Moto oil – auto shops will collect these to dispose of them properly
  • Phones and ink cartridges – stores like Staples offer drop-off locations for these items.

7.维修或重新灌注

Your first instinct may be to throw away an old or broken item but don’t. Odds are you have the ability to repair or repurpose it with the help of a little research.

For broken items, Youtube is your best friend. A quick search and you’ll be able to find a repair tutorial for your broken item. Most tutorials break down repairs step-by-step, making them easy to follow no matter your skill level.

For things that aren’t fixable, find a new purpose for them. Old clothes serve as rags to use with your homemade cleaning supplies. Tissue boxes make a great storage solution for small items or mail. Think outside the box and you’ll find a new purpose for your old items.

More Help With How to Reduce Waste

When it comes to how to reduce waste in your home and daily life, the key is to start somewhere. Start with one of these tips and add more as they become new habits.