Did you know that waste reduction is a simple act that helps to take care of the planet we love so much? Poor waste management pollutes the air, land, and soil. It is a major source of ocean pollution. It also harms animals and plants.
The good news is that each of us can do something for the environment. Find out how to lower the impact of all the garbage we humans generate by minimizing your household waste.
Waste reduction: 4 actions to do at home
We love our planet and Mother Nature – the beautiful oceans and seas, incredible sweeping mountain views, fresh air, and even the lovely plants that grow in our yards. We are part of it and we want to take care of it! This is the guiding principle of deep ecology. How can a person put it into practice in easy ways?
Grow a vegetable garden
We encourage you to grow some vegetables and aromatic herbs for your kitchen. It is an accessible form of self-sustainability, that is, producing something you can consume at home instead of buying it at a grocery store. In addition, you save on your monthly bills.
You can also use the husks, seeds, and leftovers to compost your plants, instead of throwing them in the garbage. If you don’t know how to compost, you can buy a composter and install it on your balcony or in your garden or patio. Surprise yourself by seeing how your indoor vertical gardening area and your plants grow every day!
Waste reduction by recycling and reuse
There are so many common household ítems that you can reuse, reuse, and reuse again. This way you take care of the planet, and also your economy. Here are some ideas:
- Aluminum cans make amazing planters or flowerpots.
- Tea bags: let them dry and place them in closets, drawers, or shoe boxes to absorb moisture.
- Old toothbrushes: they are effective for cleaning jewelry and other metal objects.
- Papers from magazines or newspapers: they are very useful for cleaning glasses with alcohol and leaving them spotless.
We can’t talk enough about the benefits of recycling to help waste reduction. You can give a second life to most of the things you buy.
Bulk purchases for waste reduction
Take a trip to a bulk store near your home. You can find plenty of fresh and delicious produce to buy by weight. You can even purchase (once!) a pack of handmade bags for produce and other bulk items online.
Cereals, cocoa powder, ground spices, legumes, and even cookies: stock your pantry with everything you need while taking care of the planet. Have fun finding new ingredients to cook with “Refilleries”, or stores that sell ítems like shampoo and soap in bulk, are popping up around the nation. Maybe there’s one in your area – and one more way you can avoid buying more plastic packaging.
Know the “clean spots”
In many cities there are waste collection points, which are then sent to recycling plants. Find out where you can take your plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, and food containers.
Get into the habit of leaving a separate bag set aside for these types of waste. Once you fill it up, take it to the clean point in your city, you will be surprised to see how much waste you reduce!Waste reduction is the grain of sand that we can contribute to making a better world. Apply these tips every day and you will notice the difference in the amount of garbage your home generates.
Bibliographic References
- CEUPE. (s.f.). 7 measures to reduce waste production at home. CEUPE Magazine.
- The Nature Conservancy. (2022, 22 de abril). Eight ways to reduce waste. The Nature Conservancy
