What to Throw Away
1. CHOOSE LESS HARMFUL INGREDIENTS- Choose products containing the least harmful ingredients to avoid disposal problems and reduce environmental impact.
- Product labels provide a quick and easy way to judge the product's hazard level or the type of hazard it poses. Look for signal words - Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison - which indicate the hazard level to your family and the environment.
- Reduce the number of cleaning products in your home by using one general-purpose cleaner or by making your own non-toxic cleaners with household products such as baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar.
- Reduce or eliminate pesticides in your yard.
2. BUY (AND BRING!) REUSABLE CONTAINERS
- Take a reusable coffee mug to work or school. Many coffee houses provide a 5 to 10-cent discount per cup.
- Bring water and other beverages in reusable bottles when away from home.
- Buy milk, water or other beverages in refillable containers.
- Bring reusable cloth bags when grocery shopping. Many stores offer credit for bringing your own bag.
3. BRING HOME GOODS, NOT PACKAGING- Purchase products such as pasta, fruit, grains and nuts from self-serve bins. Use your own containers when possible.
- Purchase items such as dish soap and laundry detergents in concentrate forms.
- Look for products with the least amount of packaging and buy in bulk when possible.
4. BUY PRODUCTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS
- Hundreds of everyday products, such as polar fleece and toothbrushes, are made from recycled materials. Look for products labeled "post- consumer", "pre-consumer" or "recycled-content."
5. REUSE, REPAIR AND RENT
- Before shopping for new, think about used. You can find one-of-a-kind items at consignment, thrift and antique stores, often at low cost.
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Donate unwanted items to a local charity or post them on social media sites.
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Repair broken items rather than throwing them away. Use do-it-yourself guides, search the internet, or contact your local hardware store for assistance.
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Consider renting infrequently used items such as power tools, camping gear, etc.
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Properly maintain items such as lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners and appliances to avoid replacement and repair costs.
6. HAVE A NO-WASTE HOLIDAYUse earth-friendly gift wrapping alternatives
- Scarves, handkerchiefs, bandannas
- Old posters and maps
- Pages from a child's coloring book
- Newspapers
- Home-sewn, reusable cloth bags
- Reusable decorative bags
- A present in a present (example, cookies in a reusable tin, kitchen gifts in towels, etc.)
- Last year's holiday paper (press with warm iron if wrinkled).
- Wrapping paper made from recycled paper