by Yasmeen Espinal
Is it possible to live a zero-waste lifestyle? According to one expert, it’s easier than you think.
The United States passes laws to keep our planet as clean as possible. Still, One Green Planet’s website says the U.S. generates about 30 percent of the world’s garbage.
Where to start? Steve Weihe is a recycling specialist for the city of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department. He says to first look at the amount of waste you produce, such as how often you have to take your trash out.
“There are easy ways to reduce waste by using durable, reusable products over single-use ones,” Weihe says. Reusable items that people have at home include food containers, dryer sheets and shopping bags.
For snack foods, Weihe says, “Products like chips, crackers, cookies are always going to come in some sort of packaging and many times, this packaging cannot be recycled unless it comes in a cardboard box. Places like Whole Foods, Sprouts and Jimbo’s have bulk sections where you may be able to buy a lot of what you need without the packaging.”
Even take-out food packaging isn’t out of bounds. “Pizza boxes can be recycled," he says. “Typically, the bottom section is greasy, and this should go in the trash. However, if the top section is clean, this can be torn off and recycled. As for fast-food or packaging from eating out, you can always bring your own container or eat in the restaurant to avoid excess waste. Farmers' markets are also another great way to limit packaging and everything comes loose.”
There are websites dedicated to helping people interested in going waste free, such as goingzerowaste.com. The site displays ways you can recycle school supplies and buy products that last longer than those sold at Walmart or Target. They also show where you can buy eco-friendly backpacks and lunch boxes.
Adapting to the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle method takes a lot of willpower. Sometimes it’s difficult to determine what items can or cannot be recycled. On the San Diego County’s website, there are links dedicated to showing the difference. They also have links on subjects such as learning about composting and what to do with items that cannot be recycled, such as appliances.
Anyone who takes the time to educate themself on how to recycle, has the ability to make a world of difference for our planet.
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