The most important things individuals can do to reduce waste are to:

1.  Become aware of what you throw away.

Try this game with your family for a week: The Race to Zero Waste (or pretty darn near!) See videos and read stories of the game in action.

How it works: For one week, you carry around a bag with all of your trash - anything not recyclable (that includes plastic #3 and #6) or compostable goes in the bag. Your goal: Make decisions which result in an empty bag! You just try not put anything in it. TRY IT AND REPORT BACK

2.  Get the food waste out of your garbage.

However surprising, the number one thing you can do for the planet is to get the food scraps and food waste out of your garbage and start composting. Food waste in landfills generates methane, an incredibly potent greenhouse gas, plus, it's heavy, and doubles the number of trucks and time for garbage collection and disposal. 

 

3.   Make a difference with your purchasing choices.

• Buy for durability and longevity.  Use sites such as Consumer Reports to research quality and buy for the long haul.  Don't buy junk.  Pledge no more additions to the small appliance graveyard, the cheap ripped clothes pile or the broken kids' toys box.

• Add "packaging" to price and product considerations when you buy . This is really simple to do if you break it down room by room or category by category. 

• Thrift is a venerable old idea - bring it back!
  

4.  Let people know that less waste matters to you.

Say it out loud when you're making a purchasing choice based on packaging, so that information filters up, so your decision's not misconstrued as solely product features, price or merchandising.

5.  Finally, encourage your friends and family.

Like anything else you want to change, catch 'em being good. Provide praise for waste reduction, for carrying their cup, for caring.  Letting manufacturers, retailers and legislators know you care matters, too.