The benefits of recycling are self-evident. What may not be, however, are ways in which you can recycle more and thus, reduce your carbon footprint. It is simply about making conscious choices and sometimes, not taking the easy way out.
Use refillable water bottles
Refillable water bottles save you money over time, reason enough to consider using them. Consider the amount of plastic generated for beverage containers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the plastic industry generated over one million tons of soft drink bottles in 2007. Of that figure, just over one-third was recycled.
Use eco-friendly ways to manage yard and household waste
Leaving grass clippings on your lawn reduces the amount that ends up in trash. Besides that, it will benefit your lawn by providing a nutrient source. With food scraps, placing them in a compost bin rather than the trash is a more earth-friendly solution. These two sources of waste alone made up nearly one-quarter of all the municipal solid waste in 2007, according to the EPA.
Choose the more durable or sustainable product
Whether you are building a deck off your house or buying a new purse, you can make a difference by choosing products made with more durable materials. This means you will keep them longer and avoid adding to your carbon footprint with new purchases.
You can opt for natural fibers such as organic cotton that have less of an environmental impact in its manufacture for clothes rather than choosing polyester-based items that might not last as long. Nearly anything you can buy has an eco-friendly choice.
Simple choices can make a difference. For example, rather than buying plastic flatware and paper plates for your next picnic, choose metal flatware and plastic plates. Both will last much longer, helping you avoid the expense of buying new. Plastic flatware and paper plates typically are not recycled and some cases, cannot be.
To recycle more, you only have to choose the product that can be recycled easily and follow through to make a positive impact. Next time you go shopping, take that extra moment to compare your choices. Opting for the more earth-friendly option is a conscious choice to help maintain the health of the planet.
