It’s time to get innovative when it comes to your garbage. It’s also time to get a hold of how we treat our trash. Our garbage should be handled with care and deserves our time. Best of all, there are plenty of creative ways to cut down our waste and repurpose discarded materials. As technology continues to advance, our recyclables have more options than ever before as more and more rubbish removal companies are taking part in a greener economy. Compost has also hit waves of popularity across the country as more and more people are discovering the joys of independent gardening. Above all, getting creative with waste disposal can be rewarding on its own. Whether that be the satisfaction of contributing to a cleaner world, or reaping a healthy harvest of fruits and vegetables.
1. Track your recyclables.
Don’t know where to start? Save your aluminum cans. In fact, aluminum cans are 100% recyclable and brand new cans can be produced simply by recycling empty cans. The billion dollar industry of recycling aluminum cans is one to cash in on, by recycling one aluminum can, this simple act can save enough energy to run a television for three hours. Recycling your cans is a simple, straight-forward process. Once you drop off your aluminum can to a recycling center or a bin, the can is transported to a processing facility which then gets plopped onto a massive conveyer belt. The can is shredded, hosed and cleaned, then turned into aluminium chips that are scorched and melted down in a large furnace. From there a new aluminum product, or can once again, is formed from the molten metal to be delivered to your nearest grocery store to await starting the process all over again. Each locality and its respective recycling centers will have limitations on what to recycle that will outline what they accept and what they will not. Be mindful of what you throw into the recycling bin as not all that is added to your bin will find its way out of a landfill. Research centers through your local government to find out whether or not you can arrange for a recycle pick-up service, how to pick up a bin, and where to drop off the goods.
2. Throw your scraps into a compost.
Recycling is a great way to get consumption conscious. Take greening your waste to new heights by composting. Select a bin that is specifically reserved for food waste and scraps that are biodegradable. Include organic materials like dead leaves, branches, grass clippings, and twigs. Add kitchen leftovers to your mixture like coffee grounds, eggshells, along with fruit and veggie scraps to name a few. Finally, add water to blend your compost. The key to composting is to find organic material that will break down. The purpose of the compost is to add nutrients back to soil, be mindful of selecting earth-enriching ingredients that will strengthen any windowsill or greenhouse garden. A properly managed compost bin will not attract pests or produce unpleasant odors. Be sure to strike a balance of materials of different-sized particles that can be alternately layered with organic materials. Healthy bacteria will thrive with equal parts carbon, nitrogen, and moisture. Before getting started, check out what not to compost before you get started in order to cultivate a healthy base for your compost. Benefits of composting includes soil enrichment that will decrease the risk of plants contracting diseases and pests, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and will reduce methane emissions from landfills. There are also a wide variety of environmentally friendly rubbish removal companies that are worth looking into!
3. Shop used or fair-trade.
Fair-trade encompasses a sustainable model of ethical trade that focuses on low emissions to keep our planet healthy, and fair wages to garment workers. If you must buy new, research companies with a fair trade certification in support of livable wages for laborers and eco-friendly manufacturers. Buying used is far from a recent phenomena and spans back decades. Today, many environmentally conscious people are opting to move from fast-fashion brands to opt for buying gently used items through a multitude of popular online platforms. This includes utilizing apps to buy sell gently worn clothing and online thrifting sites. The fashion industry is the second largest global polluter next to the oil industry. Tons and tons of waste is compiled of thrown away clothing that sits and seeps in landfills. To cut down on the amount of waste our discarded fabric creates, research companies that will take and repurpose your old fabrics to create new items. Even donating clothing does not ensure that your old threads will be put to good use as they may likely be dumped if the charity or group you have donated with has reached an intake limit which is quite common. There are plenty of creative ways to cut down on your carbon footprint, one of them is being a mindful consumer and disposer in areas outside of food.
