Reducing Waste
Recycling, while a pivotal advancement in the materials management industry, is still a resource intensive process. The best solution? To not even need to recycle. That’s where reducing waste comes in.
Why Should I Reduce Waste
We’ll be the first to tell you that landfills are safe and reliable solutions to managing garbage. That doesn’t, however, mean that they are the best solutions. By reducing the amount of garbage we put out at the curb every week we will be conserving valuable natural resources that we and others rely on daily. Additionally, it will likely mean healthier habits in our everyday routines. From the food we eat to extra cash we spend, what we throw away can be connected to every facet of our life.
So, what’s the best way to figure out if you’re able to reduce waste? Probably to just give it a shot!
Keep Food Scraps out of the Garbage
You don’t have to landfill food scraps. You can compost them in your very own backyard. This is important because when food waste ends up in a landfill it decomposes anaerobically (that means without oxygen) and creates methane gas. Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Food waste, also referred to as organics, make up 25-30% of the waste stream. By composting you could divert a significant amount of material from the landfill destination, while also helping to mitigate your personal contribution to climate change. Learn how to start a backyard compost
The US EPA found that an estimated cost of food waste to each U.S. consumer to be $728 per year. (EPA 2025, Estimated Cost of Food Waste to American Consumers) Learning how to be more efficient with planning and purchasing food so it gets eaten when fresh to avoid needing to compost or disposal of it. The WI Department of Natural Resources has resources on their website to help residents to reduce their food waste at home and save month. Visit the Wisconsin DNR Website to learn more.
Collect and Save Plastic Bags and Film for Recycling
Plastic bags and film are recyclable, but NOT IN YOUR CURBSIDE CART. If you put these things in your recycling cart, they will end up being landfilled. If you want to recycle bags and film they must go to a specified collection location, which these days is most grocery stores. It’s very important that the bags are clean and dry.
Bring A Reusable Beverage Container
When you know you’ll be getting coffee out, or thirsty in the middle of the day, take a thermos or water bottle with you. Coffee shops will fill your own to-go cup so you don’t have to take a disposable one. Coffee cups and lids are not recyclable…so this is a great byproduct to avoid. Additionally, water is often available everywhere. As long as you have a vessel for it you should be covered on the hydration front.
Buy Used
Before heading to a local big box store, try the local thrift store first. It may take some patience and planning ahead, but once you get into the routine of buying used, you’ll see how easy it can be. There are so many things that already exist in the world—simply displaced objects—rediscover it and make use once more!
Avoid Packaging: Buy Fresh Food at Farmers Markets
You can find fresh, unpackaged food at most grocery stores as well, but Farmers Markets are often places that offer you the chance to connect more with your community and your food. Additionally, if the food is locally grown (not often available at grocery stores) then you can also count the miles saved on transportation as a part of your waste reduction efforts. A lot of food in the produce section of the grocery store is probably from out of state. At the market, you can usually find beautiful vegetables from within 30 miles!
Bring Reusable Bags Shopping
Instead of using disposable plastic bags find reusable cloth bags for groceries. You can also find lighter cloth bags for produce. You can purchase some at your local grocer, or perhaps online. Remember that these bags will get your food from the market to your home; once at home, items should be stored appropriately based on what kind of food it is.
Reuse Your Veggie Ends
Even the ends of carrots, skins of potatoes, and shells of onions have flavor and nutrients in them. When you’re prepping vegetables for a dish, set those bits and pieces aside to freeze. Once you have a big bag saved up, just add water and boil it down for a nutritious vegetable stock. Onion, carrots, and celery are especially good for this. The same goes for meat products. Whether you’re carving a turkey or trimming fat from a roast, you can use all parts of the animal by making stock from the less-desirable pieces.
