By subtly shifting your shopping and consumer habits, you can prevent a great deal of waste from ever even reaching your home. See if any of these tips might apply to your life:
When ordering food for take-out or delivery, politely refuse excessive packaging, bags, and napkins.
Bring your own durable bags to local stores to avoid the “paper or plastic?” dilemma.
If you drink coffee on the go, bring your own reusable mug to be filled.
Consider buying food and other home products, like cleaning supplies, in bulk to avoid overpackaged individual goods.
Bring glass jars or other sturdy containers to farmers’ markets and natural foods stores to fill with ingredients.
Share newspapers and magazines with friends and coworkers, or read them online. Most major newspapers are now available online. Even if you hate reading on the screen, you can print out (double-sided, of course!) only the articles you want, which, unless you’re a serious news junkie, will be a considerably smaller amount of paper than the whole thing.
Keep a mug in your office instead of using paper cups.
Use sponges or rags instead of paper towels.
Refill pens and pencils, don't toss them.
Use razors with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors.
Avoid junk mail lists at all costs. Register with the Mail Preference Service online or by calling (888) 5-OPTOUT, and be diligent in keeping your name off of future lists.
The above list is just to start you on your way to reducing waste. Visit ecomii Tips to learn more.
