Reducing the amount of waste that your family produces is one of the best things that you can do for the environment, but this process can be daunting. Here is a quick look at some tips that will help you join the zero waste movement without disrupting your daily life or making any major sacrifices.
Compost
According to a recent study, the average American wastes one pound of food per day. Over the course of your lifetime, you could literally waste tons of food if you aren’t careful. Instead of tossing that food into the trash, you should compost it in your background. Food scraps can be used to fertilize your lawn and help you grow a lush garden that is filled with healthy produce. Some of the best foods for composting include coffee grounds, eggshells, tea bags, pulp from juicing, and animal bones.
Avoid All Single-Use Items
One of the best ways to reduce your impact on the environment is to replace most of your single-use items with reusable products. An example of that would be switching over to a refillable water jug instead of drinking out of plastic bottles. You should also think about using cloth towels as an alternative to paper towels. Bar towels are inexpensive, highly absorbent, and very easy to clean. It might take a little extra effort but the reward is worth it.
Clear out Unused Recyclables
You might have hundreds of pounds of recyclable materials in your home and not even know it. Cardboard, electronics, wood, plastics, metals, and more can all be properly disposed of instead of just tossed in the trash. One of the best ways to get rid of those items is to contact a local waste removal company that offers recycling services. In addition to recycling metal and paper products, you should also recycle all of your old electronic devices. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones often contain toxic materials, and tossing those items in the trash is banned in many areas.
Make a Zero Waste Kit
If you don’t want to produce as much waste when you are outside the home, then you should make a zero waste kit for everyone in your family. That kit might include reusable bamboo straws, metal cutlery, cloth napkins, and an insulated water bottle. Grabbing single-use items at a restaurant or in your company’s break room won’t be as tempting if you have a zero waste kit with you at all times.
In addition to these few tips and tricks, you should also think about where your household products are coming from. Even if you make sweeping changes around your home, the companies that you do business with could be wreaking havoc on the environment. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find eco-friendly food companies that focus on minimal waste production.
