The average person produces 4.9 pounds of waste dailymore than 146 million tons of waste ends up in landfills. However, each of us can reduce waste by changing our daily habits. This New Year, let’s resolve to waste less in the coming year. Here are some tips to get you started.
While there are many depressing statistics about waste, there are also some inspiring examples of green living with almost zero waste. bea johnsonauthor of the book zero waste home, She and her family have been living virtually zero waste since 2008. Her family of four produces just a quart-sized jar of waste each year. In addition to helping the environment, it was also an uplifting experience for Johnson.
“Since we started living a zero-waste lifestyle, our lives have changed for the better. We feel happier and live more meaningful lives based on experiences rather than material possessions.” Johnson says. “My goal is to share its amazing health, financial, and time-saving benefits.”
Get inspired by Johnson and her family and start the year with a New Year’s resolution to waste less. These simple tips will get you started on your zero waste journey.
Reduce trash around the kitchen
The kitchen is one of the best places to start, as this is where much of the waste is generated.
1. Break the paper towel habit
Instead of using paper towels, make cotton cloth from old clothing, towels, blankets, sheets, cloth diapers, etc. When making a rag, remove zippers, hems, and other obstructions. Save button for later use. Cut the dough into pieces approximately 18 inches by 18 inches.
Please note that synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester have low water absorption. However, these fabrics are useful for use as rags for tasks such as painting or car maintenance that are too dirty to wash.
Tip: To save energy, line dry your rags whenever possible.
2. Stop stocking up on single-use food packaging
Plastic wrap, sandwich bags, wax paper, and aluminum foil are useful, but they leave behind trash and can be difficult to recycle. The best way to change this habit is to stop stocking your kitchen with these items and keep jars and other reusable food containers on hand.
3. Extend the life of your kitchen sponge
Although it’s not obvious, kitchen sponges are loaded with germs that come from raw eggs and meat. Many people put a sponge in the dishwasher, but this isn’t very effective at killing germs. Instead, sterilize the sponge in the microwave to extend its useful life.
A 2007 study found that this method could kill 99% of live bacteria and bacterial spores, including: Escherichia coli. Recently, 2020 survey confirmed these findings.
- To effectively kill germs, moisten a sponge and place it in the microwave on high for 2 minutes.
- Be careful if you microwave a dry sponge, and be careful when removing it from the microwave as it can become very hot.
- Old kitchen sponges that can no longer be used for tableware can also be reused for less hygienic purposes.
4. Bring reusable containers to stores and restaurants
When shopping, bring cloth bags, glass jars, reusable food storage containers, and reusable cloth produce bags to the store. Avoid single-use packaging and use reusable packaging whenever possible. Some of these fabric items can also be made by reusing clothing, including simple DIYs. No-sew T-shirt tote bag Written by Mamy Potamus. I sometimes bring reusable food containers to restaurants to avoid overeating or wasting packaging.
5. Buy in bulk
This means buying food in bulk, such as 50-pound bags of rice or beans, to reduce packaging, or shopping in the bulk aisles of the store. Both strategies can significantly reduce packaging materials and potentially save money.
When shopping in the bulk aisle, bring a reusable container and indicate the tare weight. Don’t forget liquid items such as soy sauce, shampoo, and cleaning supplies. Johnson also has a useful app Find an aisle without a large amount of luggage It’s near you.
6. Compost organic waste
In my household, using a compost bin easily diverts more than half of the waste from the landfill. Simply chop your food scraps into 1-inch pieces to help break down and use a pitchfork to aerate your compost pile each week. It also incorporates garden waste to help maintain the ideal brown to green ratio and repurpose even more waste. If you have limited garden space, bug boxes may be helpful.
7. Make food from scratch
Ready-to-eat and processed foods require a lot of packaging. Making food from scratch can significantly reduce waste, save money, and create healthier alternatives.
Bread, yogurt, granola, ice cream, cookies, crackers, hummus, spreads, and salad dressings are all good candidates.
This strategy is especially effective when materials can be sourced with little or no waste.
8. Use cloth napkins
Reusable cloth napkins are not only kind to your skin, but also kind to the environment. It’s even more sustainable if it’s made from upcycled fabrics.
Reduce waste outside of the kitchen
9. Make homemade cleaning supplies
Not only will this tip reduce the spread of toxins in your home and save you money, but it will also save you a lot of money on packaging, especially if you buy materials in bulk.
Glass cleaners, laundry powders, laundry stain removers, natural disinfectants, etc. are all easy and suitable to make yourself. Check out these DIY recipes to get started.
10. Download media
For nostalgic types, this might be a little hard to swallow. Instead of buying CDs, DVDs, books, and magazines, download these items and reduce waste. Many libraries have digital databases of materials available to patrons free of charge.
Bonus: Give a Green Gift
A zero-waste lifestyle also includes reducing waste in the gifts you give to others. Consider giving an experience instead of a physical gift, like tickets to a special event or a delicious home-cooked meal. DIY items made from upcycled materials can add a personal touch and truly show your loved ones that you love them. Consumables, such as food and specialty personal care products, or products with high recycled content also benefit from waste reduction.
These 10 tips make great New Year’s resolutions to reduce waste. Use what you need and recycle as much as possible. We wish you a prosperous new year filled with green life.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on January 11, 2016 and updated in December 2024.
