10 Steps to Reduce Household Waste

It's easier than you think to reduce your household waste. Learn the steps you can take today to make a difference.

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It may come as a surprise, but the average American family throws away $2200 worth of food each year.

This is often due to buying too much food and letting it spoil before it can be eaten.

The same goes for household waste. We buy products and accumulate them over years, and don’t know how to recycle them properly.

By being mindful of our purchases and using up what we have before buying more, we can cut down on the amount of waste our families produce each year.

Imagine if this waste of money can go to your next favorite purchase, like a Peloton, or your favorite smartphones. So to discuss how to reduce waste and save some money, in this guide, we’ll introduce you to 10 practical steps that you can take to reduce household waste and make a difference in your home:

1. Compost your food scraps. This is a great way to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills. You can either start your own compost pile or use a worm bin.
2. Recycle. This includes items like paper, cardboard, glass, and aluminum cans. Most communities have recycling programs in place, so be sure to take advantage of them!
3. Donate unwanted items instead of throwing them away. There are many organizations that will gladly accept your gently used clothing, furniture, and toys.
4. Avoid buying products with excessive packaging. This is often unnecessary and creates a lot of waste. When possible, buy in bulk or choose products with minimal packaging.
5. Use reusable bags and containers. This includes items like Tupperware, Ziploc bags, and water bottles. Not only will this save you money in the long run, but it will also reduce the amount of waste produced.
6. Try to purchase local produce. This can be found at farmers markets or community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Local produce is often fresher and doesn’t require the energy to transport it long distances.
7. Reduce your energy consumption. This can be done by making simple changes like turning off the lights when you leave a room or unplugging appliances when they’re not in use.
8. Avoid using disposable products. This includes paper towels, napkins, and plates. Instead, opt for reusable options like cloth towels, washable napkins, and glass or metal plates.
9. Educate yourself and others about waste reduction. There are many resources available online and in libraries to help you learn more about this important issue. You can also talk to your friends and family about ways to reduce household waste. By working together, we can make a difference!
10. Avoid single-use plastics. This includes items like plastic straws, grocery bags, and water bottles. Instead, opt for reusable options like metal straws, cloth bags, and water filters. 

If you want to be a responsible environmentalist, it is important that we make changes now and not tomorrow. You can start by blocking some time on your calendar for taking these simple yet effective actions in order to better the environment around us!

At Turning The Tides, we carefully source and design sustainable products that are environmentally friendly and aesthetic to use. 

We offer a range of products like our bamboo toothbrush or coconut bowls, which is not only eco-friendly but also stylish! 

Our goal is to make sustainable living easy and convenient for everyone. Visit our website to learn more about our sustainable product offerings!

What are some other ways that you reduce household waste? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to check out Turning The Tides for all your sustainable living needs! Together, we can make a difference!

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