Every day we throw things away without even thinking. Whether it is food, old clothes, broken objects or just things we simply don’t want anymore, the waste creation is a simple human activity that may seem unavoidable. However, there are ways to reduce waste production that will benefit you financially, and also help reduce pollution. According to the University of Colorado Environmental Center, the average adult spends about $1,497 a month on non-essential items. By streamlining purchases, you can save money, while reducing the number of things that will ultimately be thrown away. If you are thoughtful when buying harder to dispose of items like electronics or household hazardous waste, you will have fewer trips to special disposal locations.

Tips to Reduce Waste

• Learn to compost at home using food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, and more. Compost bins can be purchased through the health department. For more information on how to purchase these bins, visit the Putnam County website at putnamcountyny.com/health/recycle
• Choose reusable items over disposable. Reusable bags, water bottles, and straws are just a few examples. Many grocery stores in New York charge 5 cents a bag. Bringing your own will not only reduce waste but will save you money.
• Buy foods with little to no packaging when possible. Try attending local farmers markets instead of a typical grocery store to purchase your produce. You can find many Farmers Markets in Putnam County, by using Cornell’s food access map. To view this map, click this link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/viewer?ll=41.44279442520374%2C-73.75812283781767&z=11&mid=17vLcgxxvzcHmIWI8RP_sIE2DsjHV2pU  
• Opt out of paper mailings. Visit www.ecocycle.org/junkmail to stop receiving unwanted junk mail.
• Sell or give away belongings you no longer want or need. Try a yard sale, Buy Nothing groups on Facebook, or even eBay.
• When buying takeout, only grab the extras you need, like ketchup packets, napkins, or utensils. Try bringing a container from home for leftovers if you plan to eat out.
• Maintain your belongings and consider repairing an item before replacing it. If you don’t know how, try bringing your item to a local Repair Café. Find one near you, or learn more, at www.repaircafe.org/en/.