Aside from recycling, there are other ways to reduce waste and become a steward for the environment. The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. The EPA estimates that between 1960 and 2010 the amount of waste each person generated increased from 2.7 to 4.4 pounds per day, resulting in about 250 million tons of waste in the U.S. in 2010 alone.
Reduce
- Just say no to the plastic bag. About 380 billion plastic bags are used in the U.S. every year, more than 1,200 per resident. Only 12% are recycled.
- Use a reusable container and bottle. Containers and packaging make up nearly 30% (76 million tons) of U.S. trash. Reusable containers for meals on the go and a refillable bottle make a real difference.
Reuse
- Most communities have reuse centers. Donate unwanted but usable goods like clothes and electronics to Goodwill or Salvation Army.
- Turn waste into a resource. Use one-sided paper as scratch notepads. Old incandescent light bulbs can become terrariums or flower vases.
Recycle
- Identify items in your household or office waste stream that can be collected and recycled. RecyclingBin.com offers products to make the collecting and recycling process easy and convenient.