10 Ways to Reduce Your Pile

© woodywonderworks

Don't contribute to the trash heap!

Every year, more than 1000 pounds of trash falls from your hands. You already know where it ends up. So instead of talking about that, lets talk about how to reduce your impact by taking simple, effective and money-saving steps to reduce what you send to the landfills.

1. Recycle

Here's an easy one a lot of us don't do. Recycle! Most municipalities make recycling easy by providing recycling bins (or making them available at affordable prices). However, if you live in an apartment or condo there's a good change you don't have access to recycling bins. In most places, this is against the law. So, how do you get your apartment or condominium to comply? Contact your city. It's possible that all your building has to do is purchase the bins (just like they purchased that dumpster your currently use). 

2. Use Biodegradable Disposables

If you've shopped for disposables lately you've probably seen something cool - disposable plates, forks, knives and cups made out of corn. They cost a bit more than your standard plastic disposables, but they won't stay in a landfill for hundreds of years. Corn-based disposables biodegrade so you can have the convenience of using disposables without the guilt.

3. Compost

Landfills are not the most efficient place to put your compostable garbage like coffee grounds, banana peels or egg shells. Combined with your yard waste, these things can be turned into dirt in your back yard or even on your balcony. All you have to do is put them together in the hot sun and give them a good stir every day or so (or as you add more waste). Your food scraps and yard waste will break down and turn into high-nutrient dirt that you can then use for gardening. Note: If you have a dog, make sure to put a fence around your compost pile to keep fido out.

4. Give to Charity

Instead of throwing your old stuff away, or kicking it to the curb, see if someone else wants it. You can give to the usual suspects like the Salvation Army or Amvets (who will come to you). Also, there are many "freecycle" groups on the web that can hook you up with people more than happy to take your unwanted junk off your hands. Remember, one man's trash is another man's treasure.

5. Fix It

When something breaks, instead of reaching for your wallet, reach for your wrench (or gluestick, or telephone). A lot of things nowadays are made to break; manufacturers purposely create shoddy products in order to increase sales over the long term. Fight back by fixing your stuff when it breaks.

6. Sell It

You might not want your old roller skates, but someone on eBay is probably willing to pay a premium for the vintage wheels. So, get them out, clean then up and take a picture. With the money you earn from selling your old stuff you can go out and have some fun.

7. Don't Buy it in the First Place

Studies show that a whopping 99% of all the things bought are thrown out within 6 months. So, save your money and the environment and consider whether or not you really need something before you buy it. Also consider how long it will be of use to you and what you plan to do with it when it's no longer of use.

8. Or, Buy it Used

Every "vintage" piece of furniture, pair of jeans or exercise equipment you buy means one less thing in a landfill. (And, less resources being used to make new things.) So, buy your stuff used, fix it up and make it your own.

9. Spend More for Quality

Instead of replacing your sneakers every year, spend more money up front to get a pair that will go the mile. This also goes for kitchen gadgets, household furnishings and clothes.

10. Share the Love

Encourage your friends and family to consider their impact on landfills and the oceans. If everything you save from a landfill is multiplied by just one or two people, that adds up to a whole lotta stuff.