How to Reduce Your Household Trash
Think about what kinds of trash you and your family produce at home. At first, these items may seem small – a used tissue, coffee k-cup or paper plate – but over time, these pieces of trash add up and, if not disposed of properly, can damage our community’s waterways. Did you know IFCD 3 collects more than 35 tons of trash from Valley Ranch each year? That’s equivalent to roughly 23 cars!
An easy first step to maintaining a trash-free Valley Ranch is to simply reduce your waste. There are lots of cost-efficient, easy ways to cut back on your family’s trash – check out a few of our favorite tips, below.
Start in the kitchen
A vast majority of America’s food waste comes from our favorite room in the house: the kitchen. By re-thinking your family’s use of plastic bags, aluminum foil, cling wrap and paper plates/utensils, you start to make a big difference. Search for alternatives to bottled water and coffee pods, such as water filters or washable pods. Changing just one thing at a time can make a difference.
Shop with reusable bags
Reusable bags aren’t just for grocery shopping! Store a few in your car and use them while running errands. You’d be surprised at how many plastic bags you collect throughout the month – and how many end up in the Valley Ranch waterways from improper disposal. This litter can be dramatically reduced with just one simple habit.
Swap paper towels for washable rags
While paper towels are convenient, they are often an unnecessary source of litter and trash. Try to limit your household’s paper towel usage by cleaning with reusable rags and cloths. When they’re dirty, just toss them in the laundry and have a clean set in no-time.
Go digital
Opting out of paper mailings, bills, ads, bulk mail and phone books not only helps conserve trees, it helps curb litter, too. Most banks and billing companies offer digital statement options, and websites like Direct Marketing Association Choice and Opt Out Pre Screen will take your address off of marketer’s databases. By reducing the amount of paper products you receive, you reduce the potential of unwanted trash floating through our community.
Creating less trash at home makes it easier to control and reduces the amount of litter in our neighborhood, as well as the IFCD 3 waterways. Everyone can play a part in keeping Valley Ranch beautiful, starting at home.
We hope these tips will inspire a conversation with your family on how your household can reduce its waste. Tell us how your family is cutting back on trash on Twitter or Facebook, and you may be featured on our next Waterways blog!