Reducing Waste – Simple Steps you can Take

Day to Day Ideas for Reducing Trash in Landfills

Change your Habits or Routine

  • If you must have something new, then give something old away

  • Use reusable cups or containers for coffee or water instead of the paper or plastic ones supplied by the store

  • Remember your childhood training and turn off lights and water when not in use

  • Forget about paper towels and use cotton dish towels, just like your grandma

  • I use a reusable coffee filter instead of buying paper one

  • Make your own cleaning products

  • Take the bus or ride a bike – leave the car in the garage

  • If you’ve got babies then use washable diapers instead of putting dirty diapers in the landfill

  • Lower your thermometer in the summer and raise it in the winter

  • Bring your own bag to the store instead of using plastic or paper bags

  • Recycle — paper, plastic, metal and glass.  Also see:  Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

  • Save energy by keeping the fridge door open only for as long as you need to

  • Wash full loads of dishes and/or clothes instead of half loads.  This habit will save both water and energy

  • Start a garden and grow your own food

  • Send an eCard instead of a paper one

  • Compost your garden and kitchen waste  Food and garden waste like vegetable peelings, grass and plant cuttings can be turned into compost

Evaluate your Purchases

  • Select items that aren’t over-packaged
  • Buy fresh food instead of processed foods which are often over-packaged
  • Buy bulk and then package at home in smaller reusable containers
  • Repair electrical goods.  It will probably cost you less than buying a replacement.  It will certainly reduce the landfill.
  • Reuse or re-purpose stuff
  • Buy bulk and share with your friends or neighbors
  • Buy locally grown produce – saves on transportation costs
  • Buy the best that you can afford, hopefully it will last longer
  • Shop the thrift stores
  • Buy recycled products whenever possible.  You can ask your local authority about recycling in your area.
  • Use refill packs like washing powders, liquids, fabric softeners and dishwasher products.  You buy one original large bottle, then simply refill when empty
Reduce Water Use

  • Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth 
  • Take a shower instead of a bath because showering uses 2 to 3 times less water
  • Take the time to fix dripping faucets
Conserve Energy

  • Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent tube [CFT]) ones
  • An easy thing to do is to turn the lights off when you leave a room
  • Turn your thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer.  I keep mine set at 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer
  • Turn of  electronics when not in use because leaving them on stand-by uses large amounts of unnecessary energy
  • Make sure the damper on the fireplace fits tightly to conserve heat and reduce energy loss
  • Insulate properly – sealing off drafts and unnecessary air vents will help to keep warm air in and cold air out
  • Check the pressure in you tires and keep your care properly tuned to save fuel, money and energy
  • If you’re stuck in traffic for more than a couple of minutes, turn off your engine to save fuel
  • Use a park & ride whenever possible
  • Find more ways to conserve energy

Suggest of ideas     

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