# Simple Ways to Reduce the Amount of Waste You Generate

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/simple-ways-to-reduce-the-amount-of-waste-you-generate/
- Published: 2020-04-18T00:17:10-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

We all know how important municipal waste and recycling is. Especially if you want
to live green. Reusing what you can or giving someone else, the chance to use what
you throw away has a huge impact on the health of the planet.

The amount of municipal waste that is recycled in the US has increased at a phenomenal
rate since the 1960s. In 1960, only 5.61 million tons of waste was recycled. By 
2012, 81 million tons was being recycled across the US.

However, there is still a lot more that can be done. At the moment, only 34.5% of
municipal waste is being recycled.Here are a few ways to increase how much you recycle
and improve those figures.

#### Reduce what you buy⏎  The first tip is to make recycling a part of your daily life. Before you buy something, ask yourself if you really need it. The less new stuff you buy the less need there will be to recycle.

**Buy used goods when you can**
 If you do need something consider buying it second
hand or re-purposing something you already own. Perhaps you could swap something
with a friend or family member.

#### Think before you bin

Before you throw something away, ask yourself if you could use it in another way.
Failing that, try to ensure that it is recycled. There are thousands of curbside
waste disposal facilities available, so recycling your trash is no longer difficult.

Just invest in a couple of extra bins to make separating out your rubbish easy. 
All you have to do then is to drop it off at a recycling [zone](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/03/recycling-the-rain-test-water/)
once a week. In most cases, there will be one on a route that you use regularly.
If there are not many recycling points in your neighborhood lobby your councilor
to have some set up.

Any green waste you have can easily be composted. Setting up a compost heap in a
garden need not cost much or take up much space.

#### Green home improvements

Being green on a daily basis soon becomes a habit. One that is easy to maintain.
However, many people forget to be green when they are carrying out home improvements.
This is a shame because much of the good work that they have done throughout the
year. All and as a result of reducing consumption and recycling. It is all canceled
out when they carry out a home improvement project.

When planning a project try to be greener. For example, use second hand building
materials when you can. Repurposed furniture and soft furnishings. If you have to
buy them, new try to buy [products made from recycled materials](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/07/6-unexpected-products-made-from-recycled-materials/)
or products with good green credentials.

If you are going to generate a lot of rubbish, make sure that the municipal waste
does not end up in landfill. You can easily find [skip hire companies that recycle on SkipandBin.com](https://skipandbin.com/).
The best firms will be able to ensure that at least 70% of what you skip is recycled
rather than ending up in landfill.

#### Green transport

In conclusion and whenever you can use public transport, it is much greener. Greener
than traveling in a single occupancy car. When that is not possible, consider car
pooling or cycling instead. Buying a greener vehicle will also help, as will trying
to holiday closer to home and visiting family that live close together in one day
rather than making multiple trips.

But also let’s not forget when driving there’s [car insurance](https://www.moneyexpert.com/car-insurance/)
too. So make sure you go online to websites which talks about as well as if you 
reduced your annual mileage?

Finally and of course, there are other ways to live a greener life. However these
are the changes that make the biggest difference.

Image Source: [Green Wikia](https://green.wikia.org/wiki/Wikia_Green)

### 󠀁[⌊Recycling our municipal waste for home improvements too⌉⌊Recycling our municipal waste for home improvements too⌉󠀁[

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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