Garbage is everywhere. From your kitchen to your office and your car, it seems that waste at home can pile up without you even noticing it. Considering the fact that up to $11.5 billion is spent every year on trash removal, it’s safe to say the issue is larger than your garbage alone, too. And that’s where recycling comes in. Not only does recycling save money, it keeps Mother Nature clean for all of us to enjoy!
While it is crucial to develop and harness great recycling habits, it’s also important for us as individuals to take a step back and figure out exactly how to reduce the waste we produce. But what if you don’t know where to start? No worries — here we have compiled some easy tips and tricks you can try out in your home today.
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- Bring your own coffee cup to work to cut down on paper and plastic waste. Some coffee shops even offer a discount if you bring your own cup for them to fill.
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- Invest in reusable batteries. They’re easy to charge and keep tons of batteries out of the landfill, where they take eternities to break down.
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- If you have to buy drinks in plastic bottles, do not buy single-serve containers. Instead, buy the largest option and pour out into reusable cups.
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- Only use cloth towels and napkins. Better yet, swear off use of all paper products entirely.
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- Never, ever, purchase bottled water. Every plastic bottle you use is another item that could end up in a landfill.
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- When taking your lunch to work, use a lunchbox. Ditch the paper or plastic bags unless you reuse them over and over again.
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- When it comes to plastic bags, get rid of them all together and bring reusable bags with you whenever you go shopping. Plus, you’ll be able to fit more in them and make fewer trips when unloading the groceries from the car!
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- Give away your old clothes and home furnishings to charity — you’ll get them out of the landfill and into the hands of people who will give them a good second life.
- Make recycling convenient in your home. Sometimes, things go into the garbage because the recycling bin is too far away. So put special recycling bins into every room so there won’t be an excuse not to recycle.
While they may seem small, these simple tips and tricks will cut down on the amount of garbage you produce in no time at all. Being sustainable doesn’t mean having to make large changes, so start out with these waste management hacks and see what else you come up with!
