Each year, trash is piling up faster and faster. But you can help protect the planet by doing your part. Here are eight simple ways that you can decrease the amount of trash you throw away.
Simple and Effective Ways To Reduce Garbage
Learn what to recycle and how to do it properly. Every community has its own guidelines. Follow the rules each time you discard something, especially when it comes to recycling plastics. Learn which ones to throw away and which ones go in the recycling bin in your town.
Reduce what you buy and how you buy it. Before purchasing something, make sure it is something that you really need or want. If you have to have it, can you buy things second-hand or buy them in bulk to save packaging. Not only will you help save the planet, but you will keep more money in your wallet.
Donate, don’t dispose. Just because you don’t want something doesn’t mean that no one does. Before chucking something into the bin, consider whether you may be able to donate it. Just make sure that it is still in good shape. Many charities will even pick it up from your home and provide a tax credit.
Repair what you can and upcycle what you can’t. Cheap products mean it’s often as cheap to buy a replacement as to repair a broken item. But fixing something is about more than just saving money. It is about saving the planet. If you are unable to fix something, perhaps you can find another use for it.
Get a good reusable water bottle and coffee travel mug. There is no reason why anyone needs to buy water in single-serve plastic bottles. Not only will you be preventing trash, but you’ll probably wind up drinking more water. Coffee drinkers on the go should consider an insulated coffee cup that will keep your coffee hot and stop spills.
Stop using plastic bags. Americans use about 100 billion plastic bags a year. All those single-use bags not only require a lot of natural resources but wind up in the landfills or, worse, in the streams and oceans. Think about bringing canvas bags to the store and using reusable food storage at home.
Switch to a digital lifestyle. Modern technology allows us to store all kinds of products on our computers or in the cloud. Protect the environment by moving from CDs, books, magazines and other paper products to digital versions. Try requesting online billing if it is an option for you.
Compost your food scraps. Up to 40% of the food in the U.S. winds up in the garbage. That is not only bad for people but also a waste of landfill space. Composting food scraps keeps them out of the trash, and they can be used to create super soil. Nowhere to compost? Some municipalities run composting programs that accept household food scraps.
Are you starting a home renovation or other project that will create a ton of trash? Make disposing of waste as easy as possible by renting a dumpster. With different sizes to fit your needs, Debris Box is the waste disposal company San Diegans trust. Call 619-284-9245 to find out more.
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