Every day Americans throw out approximately 200 million tons of garbage and less than a quarter of it is recycled. Poorly maintained landfills can lead to harmful health effects like cancer, birth defects, and genetic mutations for local residents. They can also harm the environment through excess methane and carbon dioxide production as well as adding pollutants to local soil and groundwater. Simply by reusing or recycling something rather than throwing it in the garbage can, you will save money and possibly help someone in need.
- Switching to paperless billing for your bills will not only keep hundreds of tons of paper out of landfills, it will also save you money on stamps. Click here to get your address removed junk mail lists.
- Have electronics that are out of date or barely work? Donate them rather then throwing them in the garbage. Many companies will take your old computer monitors or radios and reuse the parts. Also, many charities will take still working electronics and may even offer a tax deduction for them. This can even be done with your old beat-up car, cell phone, or television.
- Buy used furniture. It’s cheaper, it keeps it out of a landfill, and it may have more character then your run of the mill couch.
- Invest in a reusable travel mug for your coffee and other beverages. Many coffee shops and convenience stores offer a discount for bringing in your own cup.
- Avoid bottled water. Tap water is free and two of the biggest producers of bottled water, Pepsi and Coke, have both recently admitted that their products come from sources no different than your faucet.
Dutchy originals (2008). Composting [Electronic version]. Garden organic. Retrieved Feb. 24, 2008, from http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/schools_organic_network/leaflets/Composting.pdf
Jones, M. (2006). Bottled up [Electronic version]. Willamette Week. Retrieved Feb. 25, 2008, from http://wweek.com/editorial/3305/8332/.
Supermom_in_ny (2006). 10 ways to save money recycling [Electronic version]. Getting out of debt. Retrieved Feb. 24, 2008, from http://www.getting-out-of-debt.info/2006/11/10-ways-to-save-money-by-recycling.html.
. |
