Want to reduce your household waste? You can! There are many ways to reduce household waste, while saving money and helping the environment at the same time. Just read on.

10 Simple Tips To Reduce Household Waste

1. Avoid disposables, do you really need that item? Choose reusable household products over disposable products when possible. Opt for reusable cups, utensils, napkins, and more. Pack a lunch for school or work? Utilize a reusable container rather than sandwich bags. Also, when purchasing products, select items comprised of recycled content when possible and help save our natural resources.
2. Bring reusable bags when shopping for groceries or other items. Many grocers like Whole Foods and Stop and Shop reward their customers for utilizing reusable bags (and also accept used plastic bags for recycling). Just buying a small item? Opt for no bag.
3. Go paperless, take advantage of online billing. Request bank statements, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, and more be sent electronically. Reduce junk mail, have your name removed from mailing lists.  Click Here for instructions to register for an account to view Concord's utility bills and sign up for paperless billing.
4. Use reusable bottles for water, juice and other beverages.
5. Buy In bulk and choose products with minimal packaging. Purchase items like cereal and snacks by the box or bag, rather than small individual packets.
6. Buy concentrates or powder mixes when purchasing juice, lemonade, and more. This will not only reduce your household waste, but will likely benefit your grocery bill as well concentrates and powder mixes are typically less expensive than cartons.
7. Don't throw away, donate for reuse. Many items that may no longer be of use to you could be helpful to someone else. For helpful information on donating household goods, sporting equipment, books, furniture, appliances, clothing, children's items, and more items, click here.
8. Compost kitchen scraps, composting kitchen scraps and food waste is a great way to reduce the volume of household waste and help the environment. Many kitchen scraps are appropriate for composting: fruit, vegetables, cereal, corn cobs, tea bags, coffee grounds, and more. For information on purchasing a compost bin or kitchen scrap bucket, view the Backyard Composting page.
9. Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products. You may be interested to know that household products like baking soda, lemon juice, white vinegar, cornstarch and almond oil can be used as alternatives for many cleaning products. And aside from helping your budget, you'll also be benefiting the environment. For a list of ideas view additional information on non-toxic home cleaning.
10. Find another use for that item, there are alternate uses for many items you may no longer need. You can find creative alternate use ideas for many products and items on the following websites:
    
    • Thrifty Fun
    • Real Simple