Reducing the amount of waste you generate has benefits that radiate into many areas of sustainability. Keeping waste out of landfills lengthens their lifespan, reducing the need to dedicate more land to garbage. The waste management and disposal process requires the use of energy and water—precious resources that we can’t afford to waste. And, of course, the use of energy to dispose of garbage generates greenhouse gas emissions, the primary driver of global warming. Thus, reducing the amount of waste you throw away will curb the need for new landfills, save energy and water, and reduce your contribution to global warming greenhouse gas emissions.

Explore what YOU can do to reduce the amount of waste you generate:

• Reduce your consumption (and your waste) and purchase products made with recycled materials.
• Reuse items and Recycle those that can’t be used again.
• Replace disposable items with items that can be reused.