Being waste aware is just as important as being a resource aware (see H4H Habitude 006). Taking the time to consider what the options are for a product at the end of it's life can help reduce the overall impact of your purchases.
According to zerowaste.com, the average American sends 4.4 pounds of waste to the landfill EACH DAY. Between the actual products that get thrown away, from food and clothing to appliances of all sizes, and the packaging they come in, there are many, MANY ways to reduce waste.
Buying second hand, buying higher quality, buying the right amount of a product, taking care of products, and buying products that can be recycled or upcycled at the end of their original useful life are all ways that you can proactively reduce waste. Plastic waste is especially problematic due to the overall amount of plastic waste being produces and the fact that it breaks down into microplastics which has additional negative impacts on human health and the environment.
Resources
>> EPA Reducing Waste: What You Can Do
>> Medeline Olivia's "30 Ways to Reduce Your Waste
Aditional Reading
- Readfearn, G. 2019. How worried should we be about microplastics?The Guardian.
>> Jump to more Habitudes
Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
