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Did you know that
Massachusetts residents fill enough trash bags each year to circle the
earth two-and-a half-times?
Did you ever wonder where all that trash goes?
 Two-thirds of
our trash could be recycled or composted, but only one-third of it
actually is. The rest is
either burned or buried in Massachusetts, or shipped out of state for
disposal. What a waste!
There are lots of simple things you can do to reduce
waste, save money and protect our environment.
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Ten
Ways to Be a
“Trash
Terminator”
- Recycle
more! Find
out about all the items you can recycle at 1-800-CLEANUP or www.
earth911.org.
Choose products with minimal packaging and buy in bulk.
Avoid individually-wrapped items.
A jumbo box of cereal uses less packaging than several
single-serving sized boxes.
- Choose
durable, reusable products over single-use, disposable items.
Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
Get your coffee in a refillable mug.
Use canvas bags for shopping.
-
 Reduce
junk mail. Find out how to get
your name removed from unwanted mailing lists at www.mass.gov
- Reuse
bags, containers, packaging materials, and other items.
Bags, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and
padded envelopes can be used many times.
Be creative!
Compost.
Recycle leaves, grass, food scraps and paper towels into
great garden soil.
- Donate
unwanted items to charities or have a yard sale.
Choose items with a recycled-content label.
This
saves precious resources and is the key to making recycling work!
- Keep
toxic home and garden products out of the trash.
Learn about non-toxic alternatives at www.turi.org/community
Reduce your use of paper. Use
e-mail, get bank statements and newsletters on-line, and use the
library
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