Green Tip of the Day

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2. Reduce the amount of Garbage your Family Produces

The average American produces about 1569.5 pounds of garbage per person per year. Here in Canada we produce an average of 844 pounds per person per year. Canadian environmentalist Davis Suzuki maintains that his family (him, his wife and their two children) only produces one bag of garbage per month (or about 84 pounds per person per year). The secret to Suzuki's success is simple and achievable for anyone.

Reduce: Take inventory of what you are throwing away. Is there an excessive amount of plastic or other non-recyclable materials, if so can they be reduced?

Example: When given the choice to buy your coffee in a plastic container or a paper bag, chose the packaging that can be reused or recycled.

Reuse: Is your family throwing away things that could be reused? Often times we think something is junk because it's broken, dirty, worn-out, or even just out of style. Sometimes we even just throw things away because we don't want it cluttering up the house.

Example: Donate and buy used clothing; buy a refurbished computer instead of a new one; purchase video games, movies and CD's at pawn-shops.

Recycle: Are you throwing away items that can be recycled, such as paper, metals, milk containers and glass. Take the time to sort through your garbage and dispose of recyclables properly and don't forget to compost your organic waste.

Don't forget to support businesses that recycle by purchasing items that have the recycling symbol on their containers and packaging.

Image courtesy of Elkmont High School

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