Did you know that the average person produces about four pounds of trash each day? That’s a lot of waste! Luckily, there are easy ways that we can reduce the amount of trash we produce. Here are four easy ways to reduce waste at home:
1. Get into the habit of recycling and composting
One of the easiest ways to reduce waste at home is to start recycling and composting. These two simple practices can go a long way in reducing the amount of waste that you produce.
New to composting? Here’s a couple easy steps to get you started:
- Start a compost bin in your backyard. Products you can compost include:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Crushed eggshells
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags
- Nut shells
- Shredded newspaper
- Shredded cardboard
- Shredded paper
- Don’t have the space to compost in your yard? Collect kitchen scraps in a container and take them to a local community garden!
Additionally, recycling helps keep products out of landfills. Here’s some easy steps to help you recycle properly:
- Separate recyclables from your regular trash. Most neighborhoods in Northern Nevada offer designated recycle bins that you can use.
- Find out what materials can be recycled in your area. This is important as if you put non-recyclables in the recycling, all of your recyclables can be thrown out. When in doubt, skip the plastics and recycle glass and cans.
- Take recyclables to a local recycling center. Northern Nevada has several locations to choose from! Learn more HERE.
2. Bring your own reusable shopping bags to the grocery store.
By switching to reusable shopping bags, we can eliminate that waste– which amounts to about 307 bags per person per year.
Bringing your own reusable bags is not only good for the environment, but it can also help you save money! Most stores offer a discount if you bring your own bag, so you’ll be saving money and helping the planet at the same time.
If you forget your reusable bags at home, don’t worry! Many stores now sell reusable bags, so you can always purchase one when you’re at the store. Just make sure to keep them in your car so you don’t forget them next time!
3. Use a water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
The average person uses 156 plastic bottles per year. Additionally, 60 million plastic water bottles are thrown away each day in America. That equals 35 billion empty water bottles that are thrown away in the US each year, with only 12% being recycled. These bottles end up in landfills or worse – littered in our environment.
Do you part to reduce waste and instead of purchasing plastic bottles, invest in a reusable water bottle. This way, you can fill it up with water from home and take it with you on the go.
There are a variety of different types of water bottles available, so you can find one that fits your needs. For example, if you’re looking for a water bottle that will keep your water cold, then you might want to invest in an insulated water bottle. There are also water bottles that come with filters, so you can be sure that you’re drinking clean water.
No matter what type of water bottle you choose, you’ll be saving money and helping the environment by using one.
4. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
Buying in bulk is another way to reduce waste. Bulk quantities eliminate the need for individually packaged items, thereby saving an immense quantity of bottles, jars, cans, and paperboard.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when buying in bulk:
- Check the expiration date and make sure you will use the product before it expires.
- Make sure you have enough storage space for the product.
- Compare the price per unit to see if you’re really getting a good deal.
Start reducing your waste today!
If everyone takes small daily steps to reduce their waste, together we can make a positive impact on the environment and the world around us. So what are you waiting for? Start reducing waste today!
