Persuing Zero Waste

Momentum Recycling, a USEE Member, compiled a great list of suggestions for lowering your waste output. Some suggestions are from their own clients!

__________

From Momentum Clients

· Stop using paper towels and use rags/microfiber towels instead. (Mary Jacquin, Rowland Hall St. Marks);

· Buy local, organic fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets to cut down on packaging. (anonymous);

· Compost your green waste or, if your community has one, use the municipal brown bin for your green waste. (anonymous)

· Buy food in bulk. (anonymous)

· Take durable, reusable containers with you to restaurants for leftovers. (Crystal Frost, 3-form)

_________

From “Zero trash family lives without clutter, excess” (USA Today) and the “Zero Waste Home” Blog

· Buy goods with minimal packaging and make sure the packaging can be recycled.

· Bring glass jars, fabric bags, and canvas totes when you shop at super markets.

· Eliminate garbage bag liners and use either stainless steel or glass reusable containers instead of sandwich/Ziplock bags.

· Learn to love tap water (avoid purchasing water).

· Use bulk castile soap as a dish/hand cleaner, baking soda as a scrubber with a compostable cleaning brush (a wooden one with natural hair). Choose dishwasher detergent in a cardboard box.

· Turn your trash can into a big compost keeper. Use your tiny compost keeper as a trash can (on the market, the sizes for these seem to be reversed).

· Reinvent your leftovers before they go bad. Go thru your recipes and only keep the recipes that can be achieved with zero waste in mind.

· Refill your bottles with bulk shampoo and conditioner.

· Use ceramic dishes, cloth dinner napkins and cloth appetizer napkins at all times.

· Give the gift of an experience as a birthday present.

What do YOU do to strive for zero waste?