Waste Reduction

There are many ways to reduce your waste in your daily life. Waste reduction looks different for everyone, depending on your family, where you live and work, and your day-to-day needs.

By reducing and reusing, you can: 

  • save energy from creating and sourcing raw materials.
  • reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill.
  • save money.
  • extend the life of products and using them to their fullest extent.
  • reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent pollution. 

Below are some examples of how you can reduce waste across different places in your life.

  • At Home
  • At the Store
  • At Work or School
  • At the Table
  • Household Hazardous Waste Alternatives

At Home

IdeasExamples
Repurpose unused or unwanted items into something new.
  • Instead of using paper towels, turn old clothing into cleaning rags.
  • Create decorations and crafts from miscellaneous items (CD’s, beads, bottle caps).
Use compostable or reusable products instead of synthetic.
  • Opt for reusable items, like fabric rags for dishes and washable dishware, instead of disposables.
  • Use washable fabric rags and scrubbers instead of synthetic sponges and wool dryer balls instead of sheets.
Fix, sell, or donate items.
  • Look into local Repair Cafes to fix broken items.
  • Sell or donate something broken if you can.
Buy secondhand. Secondhand items often have little to no packaging, too.
  • Check out your local thrift stores for secondhand clothing, furniture, and home goods.
  • Look for secondhand websites and groups online.

At the Store

IdeasExamples
Refuse plastic grocery bags. 
  • Bring your own reusable bags.
  • Use paper bags as needed, and reuse or recycle them. Alternatively, you could use the paper bags for crafts or wrapping paper.
Buy in bulk.
  • Shop the bulk section in stores and bring your own container.
  • Avoid individually packaged items and snack-size packages.
Buy items in recyclable packaging or less packaging.
  • Instead of bagged items, choose items in paper, metal, glass, or plastic jugs, jars, bottles, and tubs.
  • Opt for bar soaps instead of liquid, since liquid bottle pumps are not recyclable. Or refill liquid soap dispensers by buying liquid soap in bulk.
Shop for loose produce instead of prepackaged produce.
  • Instead of using plastic produce bags, bring your own bags or don’t bag your produce. 

At School or Work

IdeasExamples
Bring a reusable drink container, dishware, and silverware.
  • Bring your reusable water bottle, coffee mug, or cup.
  • Pack washable silverware for lunches.
  • Keep spare silverware and dishware at work.
  • Pack cloth napkins instead of paper.
Pack food in reusable containers.
  • Swap plastic bags and foil for reusable containers and silicone bags.
  • Save glass jars and use them for food storage.
Use electronics over paper, where possible.
  • Take notes on your computer, tablet, or phone, if you have one, instead of using pen and paper.
  • Adopt online editing tools/software, electronic fax services, digital surveys, and more. 

At the Table

IdeasExamples
Refuse single-use items from restaurants.
  • Bring your own water bottle to avoid cups. If you cannot bring your own, skip the lid and the straw.
  • Bring your own reusable silverware.
Bring your own containers to restaurants and dining events for leftovers.
  • Don’t waste food, bring it home with you.
  • Pack a reusable container for leftovers.
Save, freeze, or compost leftovers.
  • Save and/or freeze leftover food.
  • Compost food scraps and food waste instead of landfilling. Learn about composting in Orange County here.

Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste (HHW) is produced when household hazardous materials are no longer wanted or needed or have been used. According to the NC Department of Environmental Quality, U.S households generate about 30 lbs. of HHW a year. Examples of HHW products include paint, thinners, aerosol cans, household cleaners, and vehicle care products. 

When disposed of incorrectly, HHW poses a threat to the environment and human health because the materials can be flammable, reactive, explosive, and toxic. Keeping hazardous materials out of landfills and water systems by disposing of them safely reduces potential pollution and protects groundwater. 

Eubanks Road and Walnut Grove Church Road Waste and Recycling Centers accept HHW from Orange County residents. Visit the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off webpage to learn more about drop-off guidelines and accepted materials. 

In addition, consider reducing the amount of hazardous waste you generate by using non-hazardous products. See common alternatives below:

Hazardous Waste Substance
Alternative
Drain cleaner
Use a plunger or plumber’s snake; Or pour a few tablespoons of baking soda in drain, follow with a cup of vinegar, let sit for 10 minutes, rinse with boiling water (non-PVC pipes) or hot water. 
Glass cleaner
Mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in one quart of water. Spray onto glass and wipe with newspaper.
Furniture polish
Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice in one pint of mineral or vegetable oil. Polish furniture with solution.
Rodent bait
Rodent traps.
Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides
Pyrethrin; neem oil spray, vegetable oil spray, garlic spray, soap spray (check for plant sensitivities); add compost.
Insect repellent
Citronella; marigold plants; garlic or rosemary oil spray.
Toilet cleaner
Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar. Allow to fizz and clean toilet with solution and brush.
Stain remover
Mix one part liquid dish soap (with a degreaser) and two parts 3% hydrogen peroxide. Apply to stain and dab.
Aerosol cans: hair spray, air fresheners, disinfectant spray, rodent/bug spray
Hair gel; candles or essential oil diffusers; hand sanitizer/soap/spray bottle with cleaning product; see rodent bait and insect repellant.