Talking Trash: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Waste Not, Want Not
by Judy Wolfram, originally published in October 2007
Let’s talk trash about the three R’s this month: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Did you know that the average person in the West throws out their own body weight in the garbage every three months? That’s a lot of garbage!
Let’s reduce -- garbage that is. Reducing garbage does not start at the garbage can but in the store. Almost 75% of garbage from any average household is from packaging. Buy fruit and vegetables in loose form if at all possible. See if you can find products packed in recyclable packaging. If you buy in bulk packs, that includes less packaging than several small packs. If you brown back your own lunch or pack a lunch for a husband or children, don’t snack-size packages. Buy in bulk size and make your own lunch box portions wrapped in wax paper, reusable bags, or containers.
To reuse, check containers to see if you can use them for food storage. Dry goods such as beans or cereals can be stored in containers with tight lids. You can freeze foods in butter or cottage cheese containers. If you keep some plastic bags in your car or purse, you can reuse them when you shop or donate your plastic bags to thrift or second-hand stores. If you have clothes that you or your children have outgrown, plan a clothing swap with friends or neighbors.
Recycling is really easy for all of the region. Local recycling centers take newspapers, magazines, junk mail, tin cans, plastics, clean aluminum foils, pop cans, and batteries.
With a little effort, reduce, reuse, and recycle helps save a little piece of our planet.
Do you have savings tips for Judy? You may write to her at: Judy Wolfram, Route 31, Box 83-H, Five Forks, WV 26136-9725.
Judy Wolfram is a board member of the Calhoun County Solid Waste Authority housed in Cabot Recycling Center, located two miles outside of Grantsville on Route 5 W.
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