Reduction (of your landfill contribution)

So the last post I did was on Recycling, and what a post it was!  This one's going to cover how to reduce first your intake of non-recyclables (and recyclables), and how to reduce your output.

Just because something is recyclable, doesn't mean that you should buy as much as you want of the product.  Recycling takes energy and water to complete, and isn't the best solution.  Reduction is, in my opinion, the best of the three (recycle, reduce, reuse).  Reusing is the most likely to happen out of the three (besides just tossing the item out) <<< BAD.  :)

If you reduce what you take in, the company that makes the wasteful product will make less of it, as there seems to be less demand for the product.  If they make less of it, less natural (and sometimes non-renewable) resources are used up.

You'll also need to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals and hazardous materials you buy.  This isn't so much for not filling landfills as it is for not destroying our groundwater sources and rivers.  SO much of our municipal water (and backyard well water) comes from rivers and groundwater.  rivers go to lakes and oceans and ruin wildlife with the pollution they carry.  This is water people and animals depend on for survival, so let's do our part to consume less toxic materials.

You'll save money if you reduce your intake, and you'll save your community money if you reduce your output.  They have to pay for that trash being taken to the landfill too.  Consider where else that money could go in your community if you didn't have so much being allocated to landfill filling.  fantastic.

Here are some ways to reduce your intake:

If you notice that one brand has way way way too much packaging, look for another brand with less.  Buy the brand with less packaging, and be sure to write the company of the product indulging in wrapping, letting them know why you switched to the other brand.  Let them know that there are other people out there who think the same as you, and you require less packaging for your groceries.

Use canvas bags rather than the disposable plastic bags given away at supermarkets.  Settle the Paper or Plastic dispute once and forever with the best option of all: Canvas.  It's an initial expense, but it's worth it in the long run.

Purchase goods that are durable, not disposable.  Some coffee shops here in Ann Arbor will give you a discount if you bring your own mug or cup to the shop, instead of using their paper cups.  There are now ceramic cups that look just like the paper ones that you get from the coffee shop, but they're more insulated, they aren't disposable, and they'll last SO long.  Here's a pic of what I'm talking about:

Isn't that cute?

Plus you've always got the option of not buying a new mug, and just using that one you got from the company picnic, or as a reward from your bank, or whatever... another pic:

Again, adorable, and it saves trees!

If none of the coffee shops in your area will let you bring in your own mug for a discount, (or even for no discount), suggest they start a program.  Talk to the manager if you have to.  Tell them to just consider it.  If one shop in town does this, let the other ones know that they should start similar programs.  It's so great for the environment, and it would actually save them the cost of buying those cups!  

Other things to consider:  don't do paper plates, and don't do the plastic ones either (nor the foam ones).  all difficult to recycle.  Buck up and wash the dishes.  Have little hands help with the drying if necessary, but DON'T use those landfillers just cause they're "convenient".  Not a good idea long run, and really a money waster.

That brings me to dish washing:  A dishwasher has been shown to be one of the best options   "The Bonn study proves that the dishwasher uses only half the energy and one-sixth of the water, less soap too. Even the most sparing and careful washers could not beat the modern dishwasher. The study also rated the cleanliness achieved, again in favor of the washing machine (sorry grandma)." (treehugger.com)   If you have no dishwasher, say you live in an apartment without one, just use as little water as possible, reusing a half-full sink of water (plugged up) to do the initial wash, and install and aerator to reduce the water you consume during the rinse.  

Re-wear jeans and shirts that really don't need to be washed each time.  You can reduce your laundry by a third!  how excellent.  And Kleenex is propagating this idea that hand towels are really bad for you... and maybe they are.  Invest in some hand sanitizer if you're really worried about the germs.   And maybe keep your hand towels out of reach of the dog's mouth.  Don't use those paper towels.  Bad.  Bad consumer!  :P

Buy appliances only when the old one breaks, or is severely obsolete (think VCR).  Buy the best new one you can buy, that uses the least amount of electricity.  You want it to last a LONG time, and not be an energy hog... you'll save money on your bills and save the environment.

My final plug:  Buy these to replace all burnt bulbs:

These are the new bulbs... get one today.

They're pricey, but they'll last longer than you'll be able to remember when you last put one in.  It's worth it.  You can not just throw these away, after nearly 20 years, they'll have to be recycled because they contain small amounts of mercury.  There is no threat imposed by the mercury, unless your kid is eating the lightbulbs, in which case, you've got more problems on your hand than a little mercury.

I hope you've enjoyed this post as much as I have: and here's a little picture for you all to enjoy... See you next time, when we talk about Reusing!  

Bahahah