Earth Day – D is for Decreasing Waste
A big factor in helping the planet and the environment is to cut down on how much waste is generated by each of us personally, our homes and our workplaces.
In our sixth Earth Day blog post, we’re discussing how you can reduce waste and be more eco-friendly!
Why is Decreasing Waste Important?
When it comes to lessening how much we waste, there are many different aspects to consider.
First is the energy that it takes to create something in the first place. Factories that manufacture the products we use daily, the materials (paper, plastic, glass, metal) that go into making items, as well as the carbon gas emissions from these creations. Then, there is the future to consider as well. When you throw something away or get rid of it, where does it go? Is it recyclable, or will it end up in a landfill?
Currently, around 30 percent of the trash in landfills is paper. Food scraps make up about 18 percent and 16 percent is plastic.
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Tips to Decrease Waste
Decreasing the amount of waste sent to landfills every day is something simple that we all can contribute to.
- Recycle, recycle, recycle! The more items that can be kept out of landfills the better!
- Donate reusable items when possible. There are many organizations that accept donations of large items like furniture, old bicycles, etc.
- Repurpose items that can’t be donated. For example, old t-shirts can be used as cleaning rags or even turned into reusable tote bags. You can find ideas for how to repurpose almost anything on pinterest and other tutorial sites online.
- Switch from disposable items to reusable ones. Water bottles, baby diapers, dishes, cutlery…there are TONS of items that are just as convenient when not disposable, and you can eliminate a lot of trash that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
- Purchase food that you know you will use and avoid purchasing perishable items long before you intend to use them. If you have the ability, compost food scraps instead of throwing them away.
Summary
There are many things you can do to personally eliminate waste and decrease the amount of items from your household that are ending up in landfills. With a few simple changes to our everyday lifestyles, we can make a huge difference!
