From Guest Blogger Brooke Chaplan: How to Reduce Unneeded Landfill Waste by Going Green

Today, thousands of tons of garbage heads to landfills across the country every week. While some garbage is an inevitable part of life, many people do not realize the effect they could have on the amount of waste in the United States simply by making a few easy changes. Here are five ways that you can reduce this waste by going green in a few areas of your life.

Recycle

This is the most obvious change. If you live in a town that offers curbside recycling, take advantage of it by learning more about what products can be recycled. If your city does not offer this, you may be able to find a recycling drop-off location at a nearby school or store.

Reduce Food Waste

Food waste is a huge component of landfill space and is also a great financial burden for many people. You can reduce your food waste by creating menu plans for each week and by ensuring that you only shop from a list. Also, consider starting a compost heap as a way to reuse your food waste while also enriching the soil in your vegetable or flower garden.

Choose Reusable Products

Another huge part of waste is found in products that you purchase, use and toss only to have to purchase them again. Some common items in this category include paper towels, water bottles and batteries. Instead, look for better alternatives, such as microfiber cloths for cleaning, glass water bottles to take on the go and rechargeable batteries.

Stop Trashing Items in Need of Repair

The modern world has become a society that is used to trashing things that are slightly worn. Rather than falling into this trap, find a local tailor to repair your clothes, a shoe repair person to put new soles on your shoes and an electronic repair shop for your malfunctioning televisions or computers. You should also invest in an appliance repair plan for your most expensive household appliances to avoid having to replace them when a part breaks. Of course, there may still be times when you need to get rid of something that you simply cannot use any longer. Rather than trashing it, find a person or a charitable organization to whom you can donate it.

It can be difficult to make changes in your daily habits. Try to start small by choosing just one small change from above and adding another change every one to two weeks. As you go green in your own home, you can do your part to make the world a better and healthier place for your children and the generations to come.