10 Ways to Reduce Waste

The average person generates 4.3 pounds of waste per day. 55% of 220 million tons of waste generated in the U.S. ends up in more than 3,500 landfills each year. There are many ways to help reduce your daily waste that can help you save time and money later, all while making the Earth a better place. By incorporating these ten simple steps into your everyday routine, you can make a big difference!

1. Reusable bags and containers. Bring them with you when you shop, travel, and when packaging food! We recommend using bags made from recyclable material and glassware for food storage.
2. Reuse water bottles, coffee mugs, and plates too! Skip the plastic or paper and get yourself some reusable and refillable kitchenware.
3. Skip on individually wrapped items, specifically food in snack packs or single-serving containers.
4. Start composting in the kitchen and yard. Food scraps and yard debris can be composted into fertilizer, helping the soil too!
5. Pay your bills online! Going paperless with your bank and other bills helps saves trees! On average, Americans receive about 30 pounds of junk mail each year. Taking a few minutes to “unsubscribe” to this excess mail can help reduce paper usage.
6. Go paperless in the kitchen too! Forget paper towels and start using reusable wash cloths and napkins.
7. Recycle more! Fill up a notebook before starting a clean one. Make shopping list on your recycled paper or old envelopes and print on both sides of the paper.
8. Buy in bulk! This helps to reduce packaging waste and can save you money, too!
9. Repurpose old things like using old tee shirts as cleaning rags or food containers as storage containers for other things like office supplies.
10. Donate your old goods. Old clothing, furniture, books, and really anything can be donated! It’s better than throwing it away and can help someone in need!

For more ways on how to reduce waste check out more how-to guides on reducing, reusing, and recycling.