Why aim to reduce your waste?  Because we produce so much of it, often unnecessarily and/or for mere convenience.  The EPA estimates that Americans use over 4 million tons of plastic bags/wraps each year.  According to the Product Stewardship Institute, the junk mail that clutters our mailboxes adds up to 100 billion pieces each year. Worldwide, more than 400 million tonnes (440 million US tons) of plastic are produced every year, half of which are single use items.  We can and must do better – we must use less, and for the stuff we do use, make it as sustainable as possible.

Work towards zero waste by taking the following actions


Reduce or Eliminate Your Use of Single-use Items

    • Bring your own reusable bags when shopping, or carry out items by hand if no bag is needed. This avoids both plastic and paper bags.
    • Stop buying bottled water – buy a reusable water bottle and fill it up wherever you go.  (Read about the alternatives to plastic water bottles.) If you are worried about the quality of your tap water, read the Town of Needham 2022 Water Quality Report.  For another layer of protection, you can buy a water filter or you can find similar products elsewhere online.
    • Take reusable items to events (or work) – regular cups, plates, and utensils instead of disposables.
    • Bring your own container for leftovers at a restaurant.
    • Use real plates, cups and silverware at home instead of disposable products.
    • Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins and rags in place of paper towels.
    • Use reusable, silicon sandwich and food storage bags.
    • When traveling or to prepare for eating somewhere that doesn’t have silverware, you can easily put together your own set of travel utensils.
    • Need some help?  Check out Green Needham’s Alternative to Plastics in our Homes web page.

Refuse Unwanted Stuff, and Proactively Choose Minimal and/or Sustainable Packaging

    • Refuse “free” unsolicited stuff that you neither need not want.
    • Seek out and choose either minimal or recyclable/compostable packaging choices when shopping online.
    • Avoid single serving packaging and single-use utensils  (now that Skip the Stuff is mandated in Needham, such items are only to be given in take-out or delivery orders upon request).
    • Buy food in bulk when available.

Reduce Paper Use
Eliminate unwanted junk mail that’s cluttering up your mailbox!

    • Opt out prescreen – “Opt out” of unsolicited credit card offers for five years or permanently.
    • Catalog Choice – non-profit online resource that helps you cancel the catalogs that you do not want to receive.
    • Direct Marketing Association (DMA) choice – website that allows you to reduce unsolicited mailings from companies with which you have no relationship.


Participate in the “Circular” Economy
Explore where you can buy/take or sell/donate usable items – it’s easy, fun, can save you money, and it keeps perfectly usable stuff out of the waste stream!

Borrow or Give/get Things for Free

    • Needham Library’s Library of Things has many items to borrow – like a Craftsman 57-piece Craftsman Toolkit, a pair of binoculars, a microscope, a go-pro camera, and a sewing machine.
    • Needham RTS’ Reuse-It Swap Shop reduces the amount of reusable materials entering the waste stream by providing Needham residents with a place to conveniently give away usable items they no longer want or need, and find things they can use. The Swap Shop is open from April 1st through Nov. 30th, (and may open on a reduced schedule from Jan. through March), limited with some exceptions such as Paint Saturdays and times of extreme weather. Items are free.
    • With Needham Freecycle, you can offer goods for free, or request goods for free.
    • Upcycle Needham Facebook Group – Give, receive, lend, share, and show gratitude in hyper-local gift economies.


Repair

Watch for a Needham Fix-It Clinic, where a volunteer Repair Coach will work with you through diagnosing and repairing your items such as textiles, clocks, lamps, small household appliances, and houseplants. Sponsored by the RTS and the Sustainability Dept. , the first was April 11, 2026 at the Needham Free Library.
Local Repair Shops:
Shoe Repair:   Needham Shoe – Repair 91 Chapel St. Needham
Tailor:  Hois Tailor Shop – 399 Chestnut St. Needham

 

Resources

Documents
Links on the Web
Bay State Recycling
Recycles worn, ripped and stained textiles into insulation, carpet padding, soundproofing material, and industrial wiping cloths.
Beyond Plastics
Beyond Plastics - Plastic Free/Zero Waste Holiday Gift Guide
Green Needham Recyclopedia
Needham Recycling and Transfer Station
Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles
Educational Resource for Textile Recycling
South Shore Recycling Cooperative
Provides support and education for correct recycling and waste minimization practices
Share