Are you looking for eco-friendly ways to reduce waste in your home? Landfills are filling up quickly, and the effects of waste on the environment are becoming more evident. The good news is that it’s possible for you to make small, sustainable changes that can have a huge impact.

Reducing household waste creates a more organized living space and benefits the planet. This guide will help you get started with waste reduction and make your home more sustainable.

Start With the Basics: Declutter Your Home

Over time, we tend to accumulate items we no longer use or need, which eventually end up as waste. Taking the time to clear out the clutter can prevent items from being tossed into the trash unnecessarily. Here are some steps to decluttering:

• Sort your possessions: Go room by room and evaluate what you haven’t used in the past six months. Be honest with yourself about what you need and don’t need.
• Donate or sell: Donate Items in good condition to local shelters, thrift stores, or community centers. You can also sell things online, giving them a second life and keeping them out of landfills.
• Organize your space: When we have overflowing cabinets, shelves, and storage areas, we struggle to keep track of what we have in the home. Have you ever cleaned out a cupboard or pantry, only to discover you have three half-used bottles of the same spice because you didn’t know you already had one in your home when you bought another?  A tidy home makes it easier to see what you have, helping you avoid buying duplicates and reducing future waste.

Repair and Reuse Before You Replace

Before throwing something out and rushing to buy a new one, ask yourself: Can this be fixed?

Repairing broken items is a powerful way to reduce household waste. So many things can be easily repaired with a little time and effort. Like furniture, small appliances, clothes and toys. Here are tips for repairing Instead of replacing:

• Clothing: Sew up small holes or patch worn areas.
• Furniture: Tighten screws, re-glue joints, or give older pieces a fresh coat of paint.
• Electronics & Appliances: Look up troubleshooting tips or replacement parts online. Many manufacturers and YouTubers provide step-by-step guides.
• Toys and gear: Mend broken toys or gear instead of sending them to the landfill.

Reusable Products Over Single-Use Items

Disposable materials like plastic bags and bottles significantly contribute to home waste. These items are often used once and discarded. By switching to reusable alternatives, you can significantly reduce the trash generated in your home. Here are some swaps to consider:

• Reusable shopping bags: Invest in durable, reusable shopping bags which are better than plastic or paper bags. Keep a stash in your car so you always have them when shopping. Reusable shopping bags are often sold in your local grocery store or big box store.
• Reusable containers and bottles: Reusable water bottles are easy to refill and, over time, are cheaper than plastic water bottles. Glass jars or containers to store leftovers are a more sustainable and healthy option than plastic ones.

Composting: A Great Way to Reduce Food Waste

Food waste is a very common type of waste generated in households. The good news is it doesn’t have to end up in a landfill. Composting helps you repurpose food scraps into nutrient-rich soil for gardening. It’s a simple process that can be done even in small apartments or homes with limited space. Here’s how to get started:

• Choose a composting system: There are various composting methods for different spaces. Outdoor compost bins, worm composting, and countertop composting containers are just a few.
• Know what to compost: You can compost food scraps such as vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and yard waste like leaves or grass clippings. Don’t compost meat, dairy, and oils.
• Maintain your compost bin: Regularly turn the compost to help it break down faster. Once fully decomposed, use it as a natural fertilizer for your garden.

Conserve Water and Energy

Water and energy are precious resources; using them more efficiently will lower your household’s environmental impact. Here are some tips for conserving water and energy:

• Fix leaks: Leaky faucets or running toilets waste gallons of water every day. By fixing these leaks promptly, you’ll save money on your water bill and conserve water.
• Install energy-efficient appliances: Choose energy-efficient models when replacing appliances. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to identify the most efficient products.
• Turn off lights when not in use: Turning off lights when you leave a room is a simple step that can reduce electricity consumption and lower your carbon footprint.
• Use low-flow showerheads and faucets: These fixtures use less water, helping conserve water while enjoying your home’s comforts.

Recycle Responsibly, Reducing Household Waste

Recycling is an important step in reducing the amount of trash that ends up in landfills. It helps keep reusable materials like metal, paper, and plastic out of the waste stream.

Here are a few common materials that can typically be recycled:

• Paper products (newspapers, cardboard, office paper)
• Plastic containers (check for recycling symbols)
• Glass bottles and jars
• Aluminum cans

If you’re looking for more details on recycling many items in Southern Colorado, you can check out the Pueblo County Recycling program here. It provides great guidelines and information about what to recycle.

Buy in Bulk and Avoid Over-Packaging

Packaging waste contributes heavily to household waste. Consider buying items in bulk, which often have less packaging. Many stores now offer bulk bins for common items.

Try to buy products with minimal packaging or products that use recyclable or biodegradable materials. Look for alternatives that use cardboard or glass instead of plastic whenever possible.

Support Eco-Friendly Brands

When shopping for new products try to choose brands that are committed to sustainability. Many companies today are making efforts to reduce their environmental impact by using recycled materials, biodegradable packaging, and environmentally friendly production processes.

• Look for certifications: Products that are labeled as organic, Fair Trade, or certified by environmental organizations are often better for the planet.
• Buy second-hand items: For items like clothing, furniture, and electronics, consider buying second-hand. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces offer gently used items that don’t cost as much. This reduces the demand for new products and the waste associated with them.

Partnering with Mountain Disposal for Waste Management

Reducing household waste takes effort but the benefits make it worth it. These tips can help you make a positive impact on your surroundings. If you are located in Pueblo, Huerfano, Custer County, or the San Luis Valley contact Mountain Disposal when you need help managing your waste responsibly.