Reduce Waste in Your Home Today

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A lot of people feel overwhelmed by the problems facing our environment, but awareness is spreading across the globe people are realizing that they need not let the size of the issue stunt their potential for change. Recent studies show that the environmental movement is catching on and more and more people are living an eco-conscious lifestyle. By continuously learning what changes we can all make we are on the path to preserving the earth, and these simple tips can be implemented today- without spending a dime! In fact, you will save money by turning your house into a conservation station!

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If you want to reduce waste in your home then you can easily do so by following one or more of the following tips.

• Reuse store-bought containers: Maximize the life of any store-bought containers that hold the many items you buy at the grocery store (Cool Whip containers, plastic sandwich containers, etc.) by reusing them. Many of these containers are so durable they can go in your dishwasher and be added to your permanent tupper-ware collection. For the flimsy ones, handwash them; they are perfect for things like packaging a lunch, but probably can be reused only once. When it is time to toss it out, recycle it of course.

• Use cloth rags to clean and cloth napkins for mealtimes: Using cloth rags (preferably organic cloth) to do your household cleaning and cloth napkins for mealtimes can significantly cut back on the amount of trees being used to make the abdunance of paper products in the market today. They can be rinsed out or thrown in the laundry machine and then be reused over and over. Old t-shirts make excellent rags, saving you the need to buy new.
  

• Reuse rain water: You can have a complex system set-up for reusing rainwater for many things, but a simple way to reuse rain water is to place bins or watering cans outside during the rainy season; you can also get rainbarrels for this purpose. You can collect the rain water and use to it water your household and outdoor plants (the ones that are not reached by the rain) and gardens.

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• Food compost: You can reduce tons of waste by composting your food scraps. There are many ways you can compost your food- you can use worms to turn your scraps into compost, or you can make a compost bin in your backyard or home. Using worms is said to help reduce smell, but according to Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) website, if done properly no method of food composting should smell. By turning your food scraps into compost you will reduce waste and produce one of the best, nutrient-rich potting composts for your garden. For more information about how to create your own compost piles, visit the EPA's website using the link in the resource section below.

• Donate old possessions: Recyle or donate your old clothes, toys, electronics, etc. instead of throwing them right in the garbage. If you know of anyone who needs second-hand clothing or any of your unwanted goods, then by all means share your unneeded items with them. But if you don't have anyone in mind then the best thing to do would be to donate it to a local charity. Not only are your old possessions much needed by many people, but you won't add to the tons of unwanted waste piles that are constantly growing at the garbage dump. You can even sell a lot of your old stuff to many second-hand shops if you'd like to make a little cash. But no matter what you decide to do with your old things, you never need to throw them away!

Just by doing some or all the mentioned tips you will save loads of money and the planet at the same time. Everyone person's efforts truly does count, so spread the word, pass this article on, and history will tell a story about a generation of people who faced possible doom and conquered it through positive action. Every household is a battle ground and you have ability to choose sides. So choose wisely- go green!

Resources:

The Environmental Protection Agency

Images:

http://www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/images/column/3108/plastic460.jpg

http://www.ecolab.com/CompanyProfile/GlobalSustainabilityPrinciples/Environmental.asp

http://mcdowell.ces.ncsu.edu/content/images/library/59/recycle%201.jpg