If you’re worried about the health of the environment and looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint by reducing everyday waste, then you’ve come to the right place. Waste reduction can be made easy with a few simple adjustments to your daily lifestyle and habits. Read on to learn some easy ways to reduce everyday waste and create a bigger impact on the earth.
What is Everyday Waste?
Everyday waste is the excess trash and packaging that we produce on a day-to-day basis without much thought. Think discarded food packaging, plastic bags, water bottles, and other items we discard without considering their environmental impact. This type of waste production affects the quality of the air, water, and soil – and ultimately, the health of the planet.
Makes Sense to Reduce Everyday Waste
Reducing everyday waste is as important as conserving energy, as one has a direct affect on the other. When we produce less waste, it requires fewer resources to dispose of it. This means fewer emissions released into the air, better air quality, and fewer resources needed in the production process.
5 Easy Ways to Reduce Everyday Waste
The good news is that reducing everyday waste isn’t as hard as it sounds. Here are 5 easy ways to reduce everyday waste and start a positive environmental ripple-effect in your day-to-day life:
1. Bring Your Own Reusable Bags
Do away with plastic, single-use shopping bags by always carrying a few reusable bags with you. Reusable bags, such as those made of cotton and lyocell (which is a sturdier version of paper made from wood pulp), look great and are durable enough to last for years. You can also store them in your car or purse, so you’ll always have one with you.
2. Use Reusable Water Bottles
Stop buying bottled water and instead invest in a reusable water bottle made of either stainless steel or silicone. These types of water bottles are BPA-free and come in cute, fun shapes and sizes. Best of all, they can be reused again and again and help you stay properly hydrated all day.
3. Choose Reusable Containers and Utensils
There are plenty of reusable lunch containers on the market that are made of durable plastic, glass, or stainless steel. These containers can be used over and over again and make packing lunch a breeze. Invest in some stainless-steel utensils too, as these can be stowed away in a bag and brought for lunch or for picnics in the park.
4. Ditch the Disposable
Regularly take inventory of all your single-use items like paper towels, napkins, and paper plates, and replace them with reusable versions. Reusable items like cloth napkins, sponges, and washable plates can go a long way in helping you reduce your waste output each week.
5. Cut Back on Junk Mail
Every time you order something online or subscribe to an email list, you’re likely to start receiving a lot of junk mail. To reduce this type of waste, consider unsubscribing from junk mail by using online tools such as Unroll.Me and opting out of paper-based marketing campaigns.
Reducing everyday waste can be easy if you make a few simple adjustments. By following the tips outlined here, you can make a big impact on the planet by cutting down on your own waste production. Start today and join the other people who are diligently preserving our environment by doing their part in reducing everyday waste.
