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Contributor: Tammie Williamson, Assistant Director
Austin Resource Recovery | City of Austin, Texas
As Austinites, we are always looking for innovative ways to reduce waste and improve our environment. While we continue to move forward in our efforts to reduce waste, there are some of the easiest ways to “contain” your waste (pun intended).
Find out what goes where
Did you know that Austinites can access the Austin Resource Recovery What Do I Do With… tool through the Austin Recycles mobile app or online? If you’ve ever wondered what to do with your empty milk cans or excess garden waste, the What Can I Do With… tool can help answer these and more questions. Using this tool can help you and your family reduce waste by showing you the many ways to reuse, recycle, compost and donate in Austin.
Avoid using single-use plastic bags and packaging
Aside from being more attuned to your waste stream, there are other small changes you can make that will have a profound impact on how much you send to the landfill. One of the best ways to free up space in your garbage truck is to throw away single-use plastic bags. When you go to the grocery store, bring your reusable bags. Most grocers sell inexpensive reusable bags, or you can make your own. Another alternative to plastic bags is to use paper bags that can be recycled or composted.
Another easy replacement is to use reusable food storage containers. Try replacing your disposable sandwich bag or plastic wrap with reusable food wrap or containers for yesterday’s leftovers to avoid waste. Protect the integrity of your packed lunch and the environment by adding reusable storage space to your kitchen pantry.
Repair, reuse, or donate items
Finally, a great way to limit the junk you produce is to repair, reuse, or donate items that you would normally throw away. Join a fix-it clinic to fix a household item that you thought was ready; Donate items that you no longer have a use for but that are still in good condition; or reuse items that can be used for a new purpose. You can even turn an old t-shirt into a reusable tote bag. There are many ways to give new life to unwanted household items.
I encourage everyone to implement some of these tips and see how much they can cut their waste the next time they roll their trash cans to the curb for pickup. Remember, if you reduce your waste significantly, you can potentially save money by downsizing your garbage truck. Thank you for everything you do to keep Austin clean!
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