How Can Humans Reduce the Number of Landfills?

You’re walking along a pristine beach in the Bahamas. You and your partner saved up for months for this vacation, and it was all worth it.

The crystal clear water, the shady palms, and fresh coconuts scattered along the beach.

Everything is so clean and refreshing it feels like you’re the first to experience it all.

But you step on something during your evening beach stroll. You’re worried it might be a crab or some other sand-dwelling animal.

While it won’t bite, what you found is much worse than getting your toe nipped by a hermit crab.

It’s an empty yogurt cup. Peach flavor.

Right here on this pristine beach. Unfortunately, at the rate we pollute, garbage can be found in even the most remote parts of the world.

So how can humans reduce the number of landfills and garbage going straight into our oceans?

It all starts with you. One person can start making a difference. This article will show you how to start reducing the amount of waste we use every day.

How much trash is normal?

The average American adds close to 5 pounds of trash a day to our annual collective 254 million tons of garbage.

This is over 1,600 pounds of garbage created by each American every year.

It might seem excessive but think about every disposable item you use throughout the day: coffee cups, utensils, even glass bottles.

But there is good news. In 2013, 87 of those 254 million tons of garbage were recycled.

That means we’re recycling just over a third of our garbage every year.

How to Reduce Waste at home

Wondering how to reduce waste but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry. There is plenty you can do starting today to live a greener lifestyle.

1. Reusable Food Containers

Food and food packaging make up close to half of what gets thrown into landfills. On average each American throws away about a half a pound of food every day.

That could fill a football stadium every single day with uneaten food and containers.

Meal prepping with reusable food containers doesn’t just save on waste, it’s healthier for you too.

2. Raise the Cutting Height on Your Law Mower

Keeping your grass too short overexposes the roots to too much sun. You’ll have to water more often and you’ll still probably notice some brown spots that get too much sun.

Throw grass clippings back on your lawn as a sort of expedited composting system. The clippings return nutrients to the soil and dissolve fairly quickly.

Keeping your lawn and landscaping tools clean will protect them from damage so they don’t end up in a landfill when you buy your fourth pair of pruning sheers this season.

3. Have a Yard Sale

Before you call Bin There Dump That for a rental dumpster, try making a little money off your old stuff.

It gives someone else a chance to get more use out of items before they head to the recycling plant or landfill.

If you don’t have time to spend an entire Saturday swapping old clothes for nickels and dimes you can list your stuff on Craigslist.

This way you can deal with selling your stuff on your own time.

4. Reusable Cleaning Supplies

Stay away from the Swiffer and skip the paper towels. All those old clothes that didn’t sell at the yard sale finally come in handy.

You can tear them up for rags. Even if you wash them you’ll still use much less water than it takes to manufacture a roll of paper towels.

Steam mops also avoid the need for strong-smelling chemical cleaners. You can even make your own all-purpose cleaner with a little ammonia and lemon juice.

5. Reuse School Supplies

Heading to the store before school starts for new supplies is an American tradition. But is it a tradition that needs changing?

Before running out to buy all new sets of pencils, markers, and paper for the kids, go through last years supplies to salvage any unused supplies.

Make sure your kids have a designated spot for pencils and pens so they aren’t constantly losing track of them.

Using what you already have reduces waste and saves you money.

6. Print on Both Sides

You can cut down on half your paper use by simply changing the settings on your printer.

Unless specifically asked for a hard copy try to keep all your records digital to reduce paper waste.

Recycled printer paper is nearly indistinguishable from virgin paper. The cost is also similar so there’s no reason not to make the switch.

7. Don’t Forget to E-Cycle

Electronics can’t go into the landfill because they leak dangerous chemicals into underground water supplies.

And yet somehow thousands of electronics make their way into landfills every year. Unlike some garbage pick up services, you can almost always find a free local drop off site for e-waste.

E-waste is so detrimental to the environment which is why there’s been such a push to throw these items away correctly.

Rechargeable batteries from cell phones and laptops can cause landfill fires leading to even more pollution.

How Can Humans Reduce the Number of Landfills Without Giving up Our Lifestyle?

Landfills are bad, but leaving our garbage out to get swept away into the ocean or littering residential streets is worse.

If you’re moving or planning a remodel, you’re going to have enough waste to make garbage island look small.

But dumpster rental companies that make their customers do all the work do more harm than good.

Residents avoid renting dumpsters and end up littering the town with their unwanted debris.

When you partner with Bin There Dump That you don’t have to do anything more than making a call and fill up your dumpster.

That’s it. They take care of the rest. And you don’t have to work around city pick up times.

Bin There Dump That can have a dumpster at your doorsteps within 24 hours, so call now!