Reduce the Amount of Trash

Recycling and reusing are two ways to reduce the amount of material entering the solid waste stream. Here are some other ways. You probably won't implement all of them, but even adopting just a few will help cut down on the amount of trash you throw away.

Whenever possible, but durable rather than disposable items.

• Use cloth rather then paper napkins
• Use sponges or cloth towels rather than paper towels to wipe up spills
• Use newspapers instead of paper towels to clean your window. Old newspaper are free, and they don't leave lint.
• Store food in containers rather than covering them with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. If you must use a wrap, try cellulose or waxed paper, which are biodegradable.
• Use a lunch box or small tote bag instead of a paper bag of your lunch and a thermos bottle instead of single-serving containers of juice or milk.
• Remove makeup with a washcloth rather than tissues or cotton balls.
• For your morning cup of coffee and doughnut, use a ceramic coffee mug and plate, not paper or styrofoam cups and plates. Use metal instead of plastic cutlery. It's foolish to throw away something you've used for just a few minutes, which will then take decades or centuries to decompose in a landfill.
• If you're having a party, borrow glasses and dishes from a friend rather than using disposable ones.

Try to avoid buying overackaged products. By overpackaged we mean those that are needlessly packaged in nonbiodegrable material, like foam or plastic, or those packaged in single-serving units.

• A classic example if needless packaging is oranges on a styrofoam tray with a plastic overwrap. Whenever possible, buy loose fruits and vegetables that you bay yourself instead of prepackaged produce. Many supermarkets have bins of nuts, candies, dried fruit, trail mis, and the like. You can help yourself to the amount you need and avoid the excess prepackaging.
• If you need nails, washers, fuses, or other such items, patronize a hardware store that sells them in bulk. You will be able to get the ten nails you need instead of twenty that are packaged in cardboard and plastic
• Whenever there is a choice, avoid products packaged in nonbioegradable material. Thus, you should buy butter or oleo that comes wrapped in paper rather than in plastic tubs. Buy bars of soap wrapped in papaer, not liquid soap in a plastic bottle. Buy soft drinks that come in returnable or recyclable containers, preferably bottles or cans.
• Try not to buy products packaged in single-serving units. This includes individually wrapped slices of cheese or single-serving packages if milk, juice, pudding, raisins, cookies, and crackers. In general, buy nonperishable food items in the largest size that you can afford and can store. You will reduce the amount of packaging waste and also save money.