10 Ways to Create Less Trash at Home
1. Switch to shopping bags that are made from canvas, burlap or other eco-friendly materials. Plastic bags are a huge problem for landfills as they do not breakdown easily and contain toxic chemicals that are released into the soil. Many stores now offer their own branded shopping bags that are quite affordable, or you can purchase creatively designed bags from a variety of venues, including online sites such as Zazzle.com, Etsy.com or even your local craft fairs. Have a sewing machine handy? Why not create your own shopping bags for you, your family and friends.
2. Buy dry goods in bulk. Flour and grains as well as nuts and legumes are just a few of the items that can be purchased in bulk, which reduces the amount of packaging you generally throw away.
3. Cancel your newspaper subscription. You can greatly reduce the amount of paper that is trashed on a monthly basis by switching to an online version of both local and national newspapers. Can't do without the Sunday edition? Opt for a "Sunday-only" or "weekend-only" subscription.
4. Start composting. Not only can you recycle kitchen scraps, but leaves and shredded paper are just two more of the items that can be added to a compost bin. You'll be creating rich soil for your garden while reducing the amount of trash you put in your curbside bin.
5. Switch to cloth napkins and towels for kitchen and dining. You'll save money (and trees) when you choose to refrain from using paper napkins and towels.
6. Opt to purchase items with minimal packaging. Many of the consumer products found in general on store shelves are "over-packaged", creating volumes of potential trash.
7. Store leftovers in reusable or recycled containers and ditch the aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
8. Invest in a paper shredder. Shred junk mail, old bills and any other documents that you might normally toss in the trash can. Among other things, shredded paper is an excellent packing material for breakables. Research online to find dozens of additional ways to use recycled shredded paper.
9. Choose reusable over disposable whenever possible. From diapers to dinnerware, options are available for you and your family that can greatly reduce the amount of trash you produce. While cloth diapers may not be practical or convenient for you all the time, chances are you can use them for your baby or toddler at home more often than you think. While styrofoam cups and paper plates are less of a mess to clean up, choosing biodegradable or reusable dinnerware instead is definitely an option to consider.
10. Recycle various plastic containers. From prescription pill bottles to empty milk jugs, there are hundreds of ways you can reuse or recycle common household plastic containers for storage, crafts or even gardening. A quick search online will net lots of creative ways to recycle them.
Published by Angela Fuller
Angela is a freelance writer with a passion for all things relating to "green" as well as things that make households and small businesses run better. She has written more than 400 articles and maintains two... View profile
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14 Comments
Post a CommentThere are definitely some groovy bags you can buy to shop with. Don't forget to wash your cloth bags regularly if you carry food in them.
Great tips.5* Thank you.
These are all really great ideas. It is so important to do our part to help reduce waste.
Good tips on reducing waste at home.
Good writing.
Excellent suggestions. We do a pretty good job of this but just can't bring ourselves to cancel the newspaper... yet.
Great ideas! I do a few of these, always recycle and finally canceled the newspaper.
Wonderful tips! I already do some of them, such as composting and using cloth bags to grocery shop. Wonderful article!
Excellent tips. Thanks.
Great ideas to help the planet.