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Turn your yard waste in to compost
and mulch. In Passaic County, New Jersey we estimate that
18% of our waste stream is yard waste and about 7.5%-8%
is food waste. When properly composted yard wastes become
natural soil additives used on lawns and gardens and as
potting soil for house plants. Chipped brush and
trimmings are valuable as mulch.
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- Grass clippings do NOT cause
thatch; this problem is caused by the
accumulation of dead roots and stems
- The time saved by not bagging
can amount to as much as 30-35% of your total
mowing time
- By cutting and leaving you
probably will only have to mow one or two extra
times a month in order to clip off the top inch
of grass.
- Heavy grass clippings can be
used as garden mulch.
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- Chipped brush used as mulch is
an excellent way to hold moisture during hot
summer months.
- Brush mulch gives any yard a
professional look and help to cut down on weed
growth.
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- Leaves are the perfect main
ingredient for a compost pile.
- Leaves decompose naturally
when piled and kept moist and aerated.
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- Simple bins filled with a
mixture of shredded newspaper and leaf mulch,
watered occasionally and "fed" an ample
supply of kitchen scraps, will keep red worms
happy and eating twice their own weight every
day.
- Fruit rinds, vegetable scraps,
tea bags and egg shells can easily by converted
into valuable compost.
- A worm farm can be made from a
spackle bucket or other similar containers or
bins.
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  REDUCING WASTE, CHOOSING PRODUCTS WISELY AND
REUSING TO SAVE MONEY EVERY DAY YOUR CHOICES AS A
CONSUMER
The lifestyle choices we make every
day can be choices for the environment and our wallets as
well. Each of us can easily cut down on the amount
of trash we throw away and in doing so save money too.
The following tips and ideas that
will help you today and the environment tomorrow.
- Cut down on the amount of
disposable materials by choosing products more
carefully when you shop.
- Look at labels to avoid
products with toxic ingredients that are
hazardous to store and difficult to dispose of
properly.
- Keep in mind that items that
we use every day can have more than one use and
more than one user.
- Consider handling organics
like yard wastes and kitchen scraps at home
rather than throwing them in the trash.
Take the time to shop wisely,
purchase durable products, show your strength as a
consumer and reuse whenever possible. The kinds of
product choices we make effect manufacturing decisions.
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SHOP WISELY IN TERMS OF HOW PRODUCTS ARE
PACKAGED AND TRANSPORTED
Packaging accounts for up to 1/3 of
the average family's garbage so:
- Buy refillables. Disposable
packaging adds to the cost of foods.
- Look for products with the
least amount of packaging. Avoid individually
wrapped items and ask clerks not to bag small
purchases.
- Bring your own reusable cloth
or paper bags instead of accepting a store's
disposable bags.
- Buy items sold without
packaging to avoid extra packaging and expense.
Typical products available include: nails,
screws, cereals, pasta, nuts, spices and dried
fruit.
- Buy large packages of the
products you use often.
- Make a shopping list of items
you really need. Buying on impulse may add to
your household waste.
- Buy products packaged in
materials that are recyclable in your community,
like glass, aluminum or cardboard.
- Buy products that are in a
concentrated form such as juice and detergent.
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Durable products may cost more but
they will create less waste and will save you money in
the long run.
- Buy well-made products that
are easy to repair and have long warranties.
- Check consumer publications
for lists of long-wearing items.
- Buy long-life reusable
products, such as cloth napkins and reusable
razors.
- Take a reusable coffee mug to
work instead of using disposable cups.
- Use flatware or heavy-duty,
reusable plastic items for parties and picnics.
- Use cloth diapers. These
usually cost less than disposable diapers.
Consider a diaper service.
- Buy 50,000 mile tires and keep
them filled to the proper air pressure for best
wear. High mileage tires cost less per mile
traveled.
- Repair household appliances
instead of buying new ones.
- Regular cleaning, maintenance
and repair can lengthen the lives of tools,
appliances, vehicles, shoes and clothing.
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- Let store managers know the
kind of products you want to see them carry.
- If the stores were you shop
don't offer returnable containers or products
that aren't over-packaged, ask for them.
- Take the time to contact
manufacturers with your concerns over a product
you like, but that may not be packaged well.
- Get your name off the junk
mail lists by writing to or calling the Mail
Preference Service, Direct Mail Marketing
Association, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY
11735-9014.
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Use products and materials over
again to keep them out of the trash. You will be
conserving the energy and raw materials that went into
making the item.
- Make up a
"waste-reduction kit" of twist ties,
cloth, paper bags and plastic bags to take along
when you go grocery shopping.
- Carry a cloth bag with you for
everyday shopping needs.
- Use glass jars for storing
foods, screws, nails and sewing supplies.
- Wash plastic flatware to use
again at your next party or picnic.
- Use scrap paper that's printed
on one side. The blank side is great for phone
messages or notes.
- Save styrofoam peanuts and
other packing materials to use for your next
fragile package and ask the package recipient to
use it again as well.
- Save used gift wrap and use it
again for a smaller package.
- Cut old bedding, draperies and
clothes into pieces for rags or craft projects.
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Less waste is created when we share
items that are used only occasionally.
- Consider buying expensive
equipment with a group of neighbors or friends.
- Books, power and hand tools,
landscaping equipment, audiovisual equipment,
specialized tools, office furniture, medical
equipment, baby furniture, ladders, moving
equipment may not need to be owned.
- Party decorations and supplies
can be expensive to purchases and may be more
practical to rent or borrow.
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Your trash can be another person's
treasure. Thrift shops, local organizations, institutions
and charities will appreciate your donations.
- Give your unwanted household
items, clothes and appliances that are still
usable to charitable organizations. You can also
sell them through classified ads, community
bulletin boards, consignment shops or at garage
sales.
- After you've read a magazine
give it to someone else such as a friend, nursing
home, hospital, doctor's office or the local
library.
- Buy used products and goods
when they will do the job just as well as a new
item. They cost less, and reusing them helps
reduce the wastes created and conserve energy and
raw materials.
- Consider helping to conduct a
food or clothing drive. You, your neighbors and
your local merchants can have real impact in
helping local shelters and charities.
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 Many of the powerful chemicals used by
industries can also be found right at home. Whenever we
use or store products that have hazardous components in
them we are breathing in toxic fumes. If these products
are thrown away they very often pollute our groundwater
and environment. READ THE LABEL FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON
PROPER DISPOSAL.
Think Before You Throw Things
Out
- Most of the toxic household
cleaners, solvents, paints and pesticides you
have around the house can be disposed of safely
at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day or
through a hazardous waste disposal firm.
- Don't put anything into the
garbage or down the sink unless you're sure it's
safe.
Recycle Or Reuse When Ever You
Can
- Used motor oil, oil based
paints, antifreeze, household batteries and car
batteries are all recyclable and accepted for
recycling at a Household Hazardous Waste
Collection Day.
- Paints and unused household
products may be useful to one of your neighbors.
Prevent The Need for Using Toxic
Products
- Always use sink strainers to
avoid clogged drains.
- Don't let food or water stand,
it will attract pests.
- Use latex paints to allow for
cleanup with water rather than toxic solvents.
Think Before You Shop
- Read labels to compare product
ingredients. Try a product with less toxic
ingredients first to see if it will do the job.
- Buy only as much of a product
as you will use up quickly.
TRY SOME SAFER ALTERNATIVES WHEN
YOU GO SHOPPING LOOK FOR PRODUCTS WITHOUT TOXIC
INGREDIENTS
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