Waste is a byproduct of all human activity. No matter what activity in which we engage, we create waste. In Tennessee, the most commonly used solutions for managing waste include incineration or burying waste in a landfill. Reducing the amount of waste we generate makes sense from many different perspectives. It reduces the expense the county pays through tax-payer dollars for collecting, transporting, and disposal costs at a landfill. It reduces the amount of waste that is stored in a landfill assuring there is space to continue using the landfill.
Look into your trash can. Most of the discarded waste is packaging. Packaging is a part of almost every item that is purchased. Goods are wrapped in plastic, foam and cardboard. Packaging consists of plastic bottles and other plastic containers that keep food fresh or clean.
There are several ways that we can reduce the amount of waste we generate. The first is easier for some than others: Reduce the number of purchases you make. No shopping equals no waste. Less shopping equals less waste. Reuse items you already have instead of buying new ones. If something can be repaired – repair instead of replace. Recycling also reduces waste. Recycling properly reduces waste generated by each person by approximately half. Materials must be clean, dry and sorted. Another way
to reduce waste is to compost food waste. Food (organic) waste makes up approximately 25-30% of waste generated in each household. Managing waste properly through these three methods can reduce the amount of waste you generate by at least 75%. That is a huge reduction.
The first step in managing waste properly is to actually take a look at the trash before discarding. It is human nature just to “unsee” trash because it has no value unless you give value to it. As you head over to the garbage can with a piece of trash in your hand take a closer look at it. Can it be composted? Can it be recycled? Can it be reused if donated? If the item is in poor shape, it should be discarded. Much of what thrift stores receive is garbage that someone didn’t want to throw out. Nobody wants to wear worn clothing with holes in it- even if it was your favorite bathrobe for thirty years.
Choosing environmentally friendly packaging is better than packaging that cannot be recycled. For example, plastics cannot be easily recycled. There is less demand by companies for recycled plastic than there used to be because virgin plastic is easier and less expensive to use. Instead of buying milk in plastic containers, buy it packaged in cardboard. The waxed cardboard cannot be recycled but it is better to put that in a landfill than a plastic jug. Instead of buying yogurt in plastic containers, buy them in glass containers. Or make the yogurt yourself at home using your own glass containers. It doesn’t take much effort or skill to make it.
Remember to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost organic waste.
Lisa Luck is Program Manager of Education for the Putnam County Solid Waste Department in Cookeville, TN