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what to throw & buywhat to throw & buy

Did you know the average person in the Twin Cities throws away 7 pounds of garbage a day? That's enough to fill the Metrodome 11 times each year! Help solve our growing garbage problem. Know what to Throw. From aerosol cans to yard waste, see the Green Guardian's advice for dealing with your garbage.

The first step to managing waste is to go straight to the source - what you buy. Your shopping habits can keep your community cleaner, your family healthier, and stretch your budget further. It all starts with reducing the amount of waste and toxic materials in your home. Check out the following tips to get started.
  1. Choose Less Harmful Ingredients
  2. Buy (And Bring!) Reusable Containers
  3. Bring Home Goods, Not Packaging
  4. Buy Products Made from Recycled Materials
  5. Reuse, Repair and Rent
  6. Have a No-Waste Holiday

1. CHOOSE LESS HARMFUL INGREDIENTS

Become a label reader
  • Choose products containing the least harmful ingredients in order to avoid disposal problems and reduce environmental impact.
  • Product labels provide a quick and easy way to judge the product's hazard level or the type of hazard it poses. Look for signal words - Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison - which indicate the level of hazard to your family and the environment.
  • Reduce the number of cleaning products in your home by using one general-purpose cleaner or by making your own non-toxic cleaners with household products such as baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar.
  • Reduce or eliminate pesticides in your yard.

2. BUY (AND BRING!) REUSABLE CONTAINERS

Returnable products
  • Take a reusable coffee mug to work or school. Many coffee houses provide a 5 to 10-cent discount per cup.
  • Bring water and other beverages in reusable bottles when away from home.
  • Buy milk, water or other beverages in refillable containers.
  • Bring reusable cloth bags when grocery shopping. Many stores offer credit for bringing your own bag. Only accept bags from the store when you need them.




3. BRING HOME GOODS, NOT PACKAGING

Waste reduction is
  • Purchase products such as pasta, fruit, grains and nuts from self-serve bins. Use your own containers when possible.
  • Purchase items such as dish soap and laundry detergents in concentrate forms.
  • Look for products with the least amount of packaging and buy in bulk when possible.







4. BUY PRODUCTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS

  • Hundreds of everyday products, such as polar fleece and toothbrushes, are made from recycled materials. Look for products labeled "post- consumer", "pre-consumer" or "recycled-content."
  • Use the Minnesota Recycled Products Directory and Recycled Products Guide to identify products and where to buy them. Buying recycled not only closes the loop on recycling, it saves valuable resources, conserves energy, and reduces pollution.

5. REUSE, REPAIR AND RENT

reusable boxes
  • Before shopping for new, think about used. You can find one-of-a-kind items at consignment, thrift and antique stores, often at low cost.
  • Donate unwanted items to a local charity, or post them on the Twin Cities Free Market, an internet-based listing service for residents who want to give away or get free reusable goods for their home, garage or garden.
  • Repair broken items rather than throwing them away. Use do-it-yourself guides, search the internet, or contact your local hardware store for assistance.
  • Consider renting infrequently used items such as power tools, camping gear and sporting equipment.
  • Properly maintain items such as lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners and appliances to avoid replacement and repair costs.




6. HAVE A NO-WASTE HOLIDAY

Use earth-friendly gift wrapping alternatives

No-Waste Holiday Ideas
  • Scarves, handkerchiefs, bandannas
  • Old posters and maps
  • Pages from a child's coloring book
  • Newspapers
  • Home-sewn, reusable cloth bags
  • Pillowcases
  • Reusable decorative bags
  • A present in a present (example, cookies in a reusable tin, kitchen gifts in towels, etc.)
  • Last year's holiday paper (press with warm iron if wrinkled).
  • Wrapping paper made from recycled paper

Reduce waste at holiday parties

  • Plan meals wisely and practice portion control.
  • Use reusable dishes, cups, silverware, and napkins; if you don't have enough, ask to borrow reusable tableware from friends or family.
  • Cut up last year's holiday cards and use as place cards.
  • Place easily identifiable recycling containers at your celebration so guests can recycle their pop cans, bottles, etc.
  • Encourage the host or hostess to reuse and recycle bows, wrapping paper, etc.
  • Save packing material, wrapping paper, and tissue paper for reuse.
  • Save bows, ribbon, tags, festive bags and boxes for next year.

Reduce waste after the holidays

  • Recycle your tree! Some communities make discarded holiday trees into mulch for use in community parks. Contact your county or waste hauler for more information.


For more holiday waste reduction tips, visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's no waste holiday page at http://www.reduce.org/.

Try your county's website for additional items.

Anoka County
Carver County
Dakota County
Hennepin County
Ramsey County
Washington County