Here’s the good news and bad news … even though recycling has increased (good news!), the waste stream still continues to increase (bad news!). This means landfills are filling up faster and we’ll need more of them to keep up with the demand unless we reduce the amount of trash we throw away. Following are a few tips to trim our waste line.

Base buying habits on needs, not wants. Everywhere we look we hear the message “buy!” On the radio, TV, billboards, grocery store aisles, magazines and even in movie theatres companies are encouraging us to buy their new and improved products. Children are especially vulnerable. Remember, if we buy less, we throw away less and create less waste. Challenge yourself and your family members to ignore the hype and buy only what you need.

Borrow or rent. Instead of purchasing tools, videos, CDs or books, borrow them or rent them. Resources are all around you: Your local library, friends, neighbors, rental shops, video stores and family members.

Buy recycled. It makes sense that if we recycle, we should buy recycled products. We need to maintain healthy markets for materials made from recycled products. That means that we should buy recycled whenever possible and encourage manufacturers to make products and packages from recycled materials.

Read labels. Look for labels that indicate post-consumer recycled content. These indicate the product is made from materials that responsible citizens have recycled. The products range from everyday basics, like toilet paper, to backyard sports courts made from recycled tires.

When you buy, make it last. When you purchase items for your home, consider products that are better quality. They may cost a bit more than a cheaper version, but they should last longer, saving you money in the long-run and saving the environment from another throw-away.

Don’t buy disposable items. Before you purchase anything with a one-time use, consider if there is an alternative. Instead reach for multiple use items – re-chargeable batteries, re-usable plastic containers over plastic bags, etc.

Think of the trash as a last resort. Anytime you are disposing of an item, consider if there might be an alternative to the trash. An apple core - put it in the compost bin. An old desk - donate it to a nonprofit thrift store. A VCR - your local haulers have an electronics recycling program. A chipped ceramic mug - break it into small pieces to create a mosaic craft for your garden. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.


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