Making waste reduction practices a part of your lifestyle is one of the most beneficial things you can do to protect our environment and save resources, time and money. Practicing waste reduction refers to reducing both the amount and toxicity of waste. By reducing the amount of waste we make each day, we conserve on all the resources, energy and money extended to manage our waste. If each person in Westchester reduced their waste by a half pound a day, Westchester could save over $3 million annually. This savings represents tipping fees alone; it does not include other costs such as facility overhead, salaries and fuel. Here are ways we can all start to reduce waste at home.
Yard and food waste make up to fourteen percent of Westchester’s solid waste stream. You can reduce the volume of yard and food waste by composting leaves, grass clippings and food scraps at home. Composting fallen leaves, branches, other woody material and food scraps is also a good way to return nutrients to your soil in a usable form for the healthy growth of plants.
Residents can also reduce waste by donating items for reuse. Consider donating unwanted items to charities. Alternatively, residents can sell or donate their used goods by utilizing a variety of different marketplace applications and websites.
Repair old products and buy products which are reusable and durable. For example, use wash cloths instead of paper towels, reusable containers and utensils instead of disposable ones. The initial cost of reusable items may be higher, but by not repeatedly buying disposable items it will make for the cost in the long run.
Household paper consumption can be reduced by using both sides of the paper to print and by taking advantage of electronic media for the news instead of newspapers and magazines.