Why aim to reduce your waste?  The EPA estimates that we  use 380 billion plastic bags/wraps each year.  Plastic is now everywhere, including in our seafood and drinking water.   The junk mail that we receive destroys 100 million trees a year—the equivalent of deforesting all of Rocky Mountain National Park every four months.

Work towards zero waste by taking the following actions:

  • Bring your own reusable bags when shopping, or carry out items by hand
    • Grocery bags, produce bags, and shopping bags
  • Stop buying bottled water
  • Take reusable items to events (or work)
    • Regular cups, plates, and utensils instead of disposables
  • Limit disposable items at home
    • Cloth napkins instead of paper napkins
    • Rags in place of paper towels
    • Reusable sandwich bags
    • Cloth diapers
  • Reduce junk mail
  • Consider packaging when making purchase decisions
    • Buy food in bulk when available
    • Avoid single serving packages
  • Fix or re-purpose items rather than discarding them
  • Reduce your plastic use
  • Buy or rescue gently used items
  • Check out our Recyclopedia Needham resource for information on how to donate/dispose of specific items

References:

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/sustainability/plastic_bag_facts.html

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0262-stopping-unsolicited-mail-phone-calls-and-email

 

Resources

Documents
Links on the Web
Share