Say goodbye to disposable cups.
No, they are not recyclable and Americans use way too many of these landfill fodder for it to be good anymore. I'm challenging my friends and family to not buy coffee or tea in a single use cup for 2018. If you must get a delightful warm beverage while out and about be willing to bring your own cup. Yes, I realize this is already on your list but I wanted to second it.
Limit the use of your garbage disposal.
Did you know that our very limit freshwater already has too much nutrient pollution in it? Everytime you use the garbage disposal you are making a solid waste problem a liquid waste problem. Instead of using the garbage disposal put the same waste into the green waste bin you put on your curb. Most municipalities accept household compost in these bins, including not only vegetable waste but also meat, dairy, oily pizza boxes that cannot go your recycling.
Leave the lid on!
When you recycle plastic bottles. Keep the lid screwed on tight. Its the only way the lid plastic can make it through the recycling process.
Try leaving your house without getting into your car.
Chances are when you walk out the door to your home the first place you go is in the door to your car. This is not good for you, your community or the planet. Think about ways to get where you are going without a personal car. You'll get to be outside. You'll get to meet your neighbors, You'll get more exercise. You'll save money. You'll protect local waterways and land. You'll protect the atmosphere. Walk. Bike. Use public transit. They are all great.
If you're saying you can't carry what you need when you walk, bike or use public transit, consider investing in one of these cheap additions to your non-motorized transit tools:
Don't idle.
Leaving a car at idle while you wait for someone or run back into your house is bad for air quality and the atmosphere. Turn your car off.
Use your water wisely.
Waiting for warm water from a tap? Collect the cold water that is just running down the drain in a bucket instead. You can use this water to flush your toilet. If you've never done this, there are (of course!) many helpful websites https://wtop.com/news/2013/07/water-shut-off-heres-how-to-flush-your-toilet/
Don't use the disposable utensils.
You've got heaps of other stuff in your bag, why not carry spork!
http://www.lightmyfire.com/products/products/spork/spork-original.aspx
Forego the plastic straw!
Out in Seattle they've banned plastic straws and are encouraging those who must use straws to get paper straws that can be composted. If you really need a straw, get a reusable metal straw. They're super cool looking and they can be used for the rest of your life.
Order takeout in your own containers.
You bring a cup to get your latte and reusable bags to buy your groceries, but did you know you can bring your own containers to your favorite take out place and have them use those for your delicacies.
Let your veggies breathe-don't bag your veggies!
Your vegetables grew outside in the dirt, unprotected from seed to harvest. Now when you go to the grocery store you pick them up and individual bag them. Why? In the 1990s I noticed this folly and have not used a produce bag for anything larger than a button mushroom since.
BYOC-Bring Your Own Container.
Buying bulk at the grocery store? Bring your own containers to fill. Weigh the container before you will it and the store will reduce the price to accommodate the extra weight.
Frisbee plate.
My office mate in grad school carried a frisbee to the dining hall everyday and used it to eat his lunch off of. Then he washed it off and played frisbee on the way back to our lab. Win-win!
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, in that order.
Don't get what you don't need to begin with. Don't get something if you already have something else that can fill the need. Don't landfill the things you bring into your life, find the right waste stream to have them recycled into something else.
We also want to say a special thank you to Lara Hansen for providing us with this useful information!
No, they are not recyclable and Americans use way too many of these landfill fodder for it to be good anymore. I'm challenging my friends and family to not buy coffee or tea in a single use cup for 2018. If you must get a delightful warm beverage while out and about be willing to bring your own cup. Yes, I realize this is already on your list but I wanted to second it.
Limit the use of your garbage disposal.
Did you know that our very limit freshwater already has too much nutrient pollution in it? Everytime you use the garbage disposal you are making a solid waste problem a liquid waste problem. Instead of using the garbage disposal put the same waste into the green waste bin you put on your curb. Most municipalities accept household compost in these bins, including not only vegetable waste but also meat, dairy, oily pizza boxes that cannot go your recycling.
Leave the lid on!
When you recycle plastic bottles. Keep the lid screwed on tight. Its the only way the lid plastic can make it through the recycling process.
Try leaving your house without getting into your car.
Chances are when you walk out the door to your home the first place you go is in the door to your car. This is not good for you, your community or the planet. Think about ways to get where you are going without a personal car. You'll get to be outside. You'll get to meet your neighbors, You'll get more exercise. You'll save money. You'll protect local waterways and land. You'll protect the atmosphere. Walk. Bike. Use public transit. They are all great.
If you're saying you can't carry what you need when you walk, bike or use public transit, consider investing in one of these cheap additions to your non-motorized transit tools:
- Backpack: Get one that is long and has good compression straps. These can be acquired for less than most people spend on lattes in a month.
- Grocery panniers: Brilliant framed side baskets for your bike. You will need a rack (~$24) and the panniers (from $10-50, or make your own http://www.bikehacks.com/bikehacks/2011/09/diy-bike-grocery-panniers.html)
- Folding shopping cart: ~$30
Don't idle.
Leaving a car at idle while you wait for someone or run back into your house is bad for air quality and the atmosphere. Turn your car off.
Use your water wisely.
Waiting for warm water from a tap? Collect the cold water that is just running down the drain in a bucket instead. You can use this water to flush your toilet. If you've never done this, there are (of course!) many helpful websites https://wtop.com/news/2013/07/water-shut-off-heres-how-to-flush-your-toilet/
Don't use the disposable utensils.
You've got heaps of other stuff in your bag, why not carry spork!
http://www.lightmyfire.com/products/products/spork/spork-original.aspx
Forego the plastic straw!
Out in Seattle they've banned plastic straws and are encouraging those who must use straws to get paper straws that can be composted. If you really need a straw, get a reusable metal straw. They're super cool looking and they can be used for the rest of your life.
Order takeout in your own containers.
You bring a cup to get your latte and reusable bags to buy your groceries, but did you know you can bring your own containers to your favorite take out place and have them use those for your delicacies.
Let your veggies breathe-don't bag your veggies!
Your vegetables grew outside in the dirt, unprotected from seed to harvest. Now when you go to the grocery store you pick them up and individual bag them. Why? In the 1990s I noticed this folly and have not used a produce bag for anything larger than a button mushroom since.
BYOC-Bring Your Own Container.
Buying bulk at the grocery store? Bring your own containers to fill. Weigh the container before you will it and the store will reduce the price to accommodate the extra weight.
Frisbee plate.
My office mate in grad school carried a frisbee to the dining hall everyday and used it to eat his lunch off of. Then he washed it off and played frisbee on the way back to our lab. Win-win!
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, in that order.
Don't get what you don't need to begin with. Don't get something if you already have something else that can fill the need. Don't landfill the things you bring into your life, find the right waste stream to have them recycled into something else.
We also want to say a special thank you to Lara Hansen for providing us with this useful information!