5 Easy Tips to Reduce Waste

There is a bigger amount of waste generated now more than ever. Since the rise of the industrial era, the amount of pollution and disposable products have reached unprecedented heights.

This has led to the adoption of many eco-friendly policies by national, state, and local governments, in addition to strict “green” measures taken by businesses the world-over to reduce their carbon footprints.

Many people tend to lose sight of the fact that the only way mankind can have a major, long-standing impact with respect to waste reduction is through a collective effort. Furthermore, taking an individual stand on the matter and implementing measures to ensure one is living an environmentally-friendly lifestyle is equally as important.

You may not think it so, but you can have a powerful impact on the world around you, and it doesn’t take much to make a big contribution.

Take CO2 emissions, for example. If everyone was to apply more fuel-efficient methods in their day to day driving, the amount of carbon expelled into the atmosphere would be markedly less. Here are a few ways you can start treating Mother Nature right and be a part of an ever-growing community of environmentally conscious citizens!

How to be less wasteful

Did you know that one million coffee cups are discarded in Toronto every day? This figure is staggering, but is also common for most major metropolises. Many organizations are even actively working to raise public awareness and consciousness about these types of wasteful measures.

They are doing so in creative ways, such as decorating used coffee cups to be put on display in public art galleries.

Joining a non-profit group like this can inspire others to reconsider their actions, and thus have a prolonged effect on how people see what they are doing as indeed wasteful.

When shopping, always bring a reusable bag or container with you. Most of us toss plastic grocery sacks in the garbage anyways, which inevitably end up being placed in a landfill. This tip requires minimal effort and is one of the best ways to stop the excess generation of waste.

Store bought dish soap and laundry detergent should always be purchased in bulk, concentrate form, since it lasts longer and is also more cost-effective. If you really want to save money and protect the Earth, consider making an all-natural alternative!

The practice of composting has been around for a long time, and continues to be an excellent method for preventing waste buildup. One-tenth of the garbage disposed in most urban areas is comprised of food scraps and yard waste, so that is definitely something to consider.

We live in the digital era, so do not forget to take advantage of the many conveniences it has to offer. If given the option to receive electronic statements instead of snail mail, choose the former. This especially applies to junk mail, which is almost always thrown away anyways.