Every day, each person in the U.S. produces approximately 3.5 pounds of trash, taking a serious toll on the environment and public health. Fortunately, you can make a difference by reducing your home’s waste output. From recycling to buying reusable water bottles, here are a few simple ways to produce less waste.

4 Ways Your Home Can Create Less Garbage

1. Use Cloth Products

Paper napkins, towels, and diapers frequently end up in landfills, so use reusable cloth versions of these items. When they’re dirty, simply toss the used cloth napkins and towels in the washing machine or hand-wash them if the material is delicate. For cloth diapers, put the waste into the toilet before placing them in the washer on a cold cycle. Then, add detergent and run a second cycle on warm or hot. Dry your cloth products according to the brand’s instructions.

2. Sharpen Your Repair Skills

Instead of tossing a torn t-shirt or broken clock in the garbage, try your hand at repairing it. The internet is a valuable resource, and you’ll likely find an online tutorial, video, or article to teach you how to repair the item. This allows you to use your belongings for many years to come, keeping them out of landfills.

3. Get a Reusable Bottle

Plastic water bottles and paper coffee cups contribute to a large amount of waste. Buy a reusable water bottle and keep a washable coffee thermos at the office. These beverage holders are inexpensive and sold in almost any store. Additionally, since they’re sealable containers, you can bring your drink wherever you go.

4. Recycle

Recycling keeps waste out of landfills, and it processes used materials to make them usable for new products. To make this task easy for everyone in your home, place a recycling bin in each room to collect common recyclable materials, like paper, cardboard, aluminum, and glass. When the bins are full, call a waste disposal company to pick up the bags and take them to a processing center.

If your home has accumulated a lot of recyclables, contact the team at Rainbow Waste Services in Kapolei, HI. These professionals have over 50 years of combined experience, and they work hard to make the recycling process easy and stress-free for each client. Learn more about their services online, or call (808) 682-4797 to schedule a pickup.