Waste management across the world has become a pressing issue. With an exponential rise in population over the last few centuries, the Earth has accumulated massive amounts of waste without a proper disposal system.
You can do your part to help decrease the amount of waste that is placed in landfills every day. Below are a few tips for better waste management at home that you can start up today, and utilized by both families and companies.
Here are some tips to get started on environmental friendly and efficient waste management in the home:
AVOID PLASTICS
Most plastic waste is not recyclable. Plastic bags, for example, cannot be disposed of using municipal recycling programs, so they’re best avoided. The same goes for plastic storage containers.
Carry your own shopping bag when you go to the grocery shop and use glass containers for food storage. It is healthier for your family and for the environment.
REDUCING WASTE
Using recyclable products and ensuring that they are processed appropriately is a great way to help the planet, but by far the best thing consumers can do to reduce the ecological footprints of their homes is to reduce the amount of waste they produce, to begin with.
MINIMIZE USE OF PAPER
Paper is the recyclable material that is thrown away the most, last year alone about 4.5 million tons of paper were thrown away. Junk mail is a large part of garbage waste, call your local Post Office to see how you can be removed from any undesired mailing lists. Another great way to reduce the amount of paper you use is to switch out paper towels for rags that can be washed and reused.
BUY IN BULK
Buying foods in bulk is a great way to reduce the amount of plastic that enters modern homes. Most consumer goods come in multi-layered plastic packaging and are best avoided. When it’s not possible to buy in bulk, look for products that use less packaging or buy from companies committed to using recyclable packaging.
REUSE CONTAINERS
There’s no reason to recycle glass and durable plastic containers while spending money on storage tins and Tupperware. Instead, save used containers for leftovers, home organizing, and other projects.
DONATE CLOTHES AND HOME GOODS
Make sure that you give away items that are in good condition but are of no use to you. There are several schools, orphanages, and shelters that welcome donations of usable items like blankets, pencils, books, clothing, and shoes. Do not hoard items in your house. It increases clutter and makes waste management a very difficult task.
COMPOST FOOD SCRAPS
An eco-friendly waste management method is to compost your organic waste. Invest in a good composting bin and make rich compost from your kitchen waste. This will reduce your organic waste and leave you with quality manure for your gardens.
Those who have the space to start their own compost bins should note that yard waste can also be composted. In fact, compost piles need carbon-rich items to break down properly. Here’s a list of what belongs in the compost pile:
- vegetable scraps
- coffee grounds
- eggshells
- unwaxed paper
- unwaxed cardboard
- sawdust
- sticks and small branches
- grass clippings
- leaves
If you are in need of a rental dumpster bin after a larger at-home clean up, contact Mr. Waste to learn more, and rent your dumpster bin for your upcoming project or job.