Tips On How To Reduce Household Waste By Beverly Saltonstall At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

If we continue on our present course, in the next thousand years or so, the planet could be completely covered with trash. As the population increases and the amount of trash we generate grows, this idea isn’t so farfetched.

The United States, Canada and Australia, have the dubious distinction of generating the most garbage of all the countries in the world. At nearly four pounds of trash per person, per day, this amounts of a lot of garbage. This is becoming a problem because landfills are closing at an alarming rate due to their effect on the environment, and less and less land is available to build more landfills.

Each and every one of us can make simple changes to lower the amount of garbage we generate. This will reduce the amount of garbage that goes into the landfills, and is better for the environment.

Product packaging makes up the bulk of our trash. One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of garbage you generate is to buy products that have minimal packaging. As products come from farther away, the amount of packaging that is needed to protect an item from damage increases, and so does the amount of your garbage. Purchase items locally so they don’t need as much protective packaging.

If you do buy packaged products, be sure they are made of aluminum, tin or paper. These products are the easiest to recycle.

Purchase durable products that will last a long time, or that can be reused for a different purpose. An example of this is to use regular tableware and dishes rather than paper plates and plastic silverware. Avoid the use of disposable products such as razor blades, napkins and diapers.

Reduce the number of plastic bags you use. The average household uses thousands of plastic bags yearly. They are filling up our landfills and they are an extreme hazard to our wildlife. Reusable plastic bags or cloth bags are becoming more and more popular.

Limit the number of product you buy that require batteries. These disposable batteries make up 20% of the hazardous waste in landfills. Using rechargeable batteries are a much more environmentally sound decision.

Don’t waste food. Only purchase and cook for you know you can consume. Freeze leftovers so they don’t go to waste in the refrigerator and have to get thrown in the garbage.

Recycle electronic products such as computers, printers, ink cartridges, and cell phones.

Make it your business to find out which of all the items are recyclable that you would normally throw out in the trash.

Limit the amount of packaging material you dispose of by buying in bulk.

If you only need an item for a short time, consider renting the item instead of purchasing.

When going to a restaurant, bring your own plastic container to take home leftovers.

Learn how to compost. Your garden and the environment will thank you.

Take unwanted items to a thrift store; donate them to charity and dispose of them on FreeCycle.

These are only a few of the ways you can reduce, reuse and recycle. There are literally hundreds of other easy ways to reduce the amount of trash you generate.

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