Earth Day is almost here, and it’s time to celebrate the wonderful planet we call home! One of the lesser-considered actions for Earth Day is tackling our waste challenges, in part due to its complex nature. We’re here to make taking action for Earth Day – and every day – easy! Read on for tips to tackle your waste challenges by reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Reduce
The first of three “Rs,” reduce refers to limiting the items that enter our waste stream by seeking out sustainable alternatives.
- Switch to a reusable water bottle or mug. Single-use water bottles cost roughly $1,400 a year for one person. Make the swap to start saving your wallet and the planet today. Additionally, a travel mug can bring you savings at your favorite coffee shops. Check out incentives from Starbucks, Peet’s Coffee, and more here.
- Buy second-hand. Did you know that the average American produces 35 pounds of textile waste annually? By purchasing pre-loved clothing and household items, you can reduce your waste output and find a great bargain!
- Wrap gifts sustainably. Gift-giving and receiving is a time-honored tradition for birthdays and holidays. However, it also produces more than four million pounds of waste every year from wrapping paper alone. Enjoy all the fun and none of the mess by seeking out materials in your home for reusable gift wrap. Learn how to apply sustainable holiday practices year-round!
Reuse
Managing waste also comes in the form of reuse, during which we find new ways to use an item that would otherwise be discarded.
- Upcycle old clothes. Did you know old t-shirts and scrap fabric can be used to make your own reusable paper towels, tote bags, and quilts? You can even make a tote bag from a shirt with no sewing required. Leave a comment with how you plan to upcycle your old clothes and inspire others!
- Repurpose glass jars. With a bit of elbow grease and soap, discarded jars can turn into handy containers for around the home. Use clean jars for food storage, organization on your vanity, or rustic vases and drinking glasses.
- Use recyclables for DIY decorations and toys. Recyclables are cheap and versatile art supplies for creative minds of all ages! Try your hand at turning recyclables into a homemade wind chime, bird feeder, or even an instrument for children!
Recycle
Perhaps the most popular of the three “Rs,” recycle refers to transforming materials into new products, thus keeping them out of landfills.
- Cut out contamination in your curbside recycling. Those who chose to recycle do so with the best intentions, but did you know that recycling correctly is just as important as deciding to recycle in the first place? Luckily, recycling correctly is easy with our guidelines. When in doubt, throw it out!
- Bring recyclables to The Woodlands Recycling Center. Recycling is for everyone, even those in multi-unit homes without curbside recycling. Simply sort your recyclables and bring them to The Woodlands Recycling Center during our service hours. Find hours and accepted items here.
- Recycle grocery bags at the store. The average person uses more than 300 plastic bags a year! While plastic bags cannot be recycled in your curbside cart, they can be recycled at your local grocery store, such as Kroger or H-E-B and reused for composite lumber. Learn about how to turn your bags into benches today!
Take action today to honor the Earth and simplify your waste streams! The Environmental Services Department is always happy to help you learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Call us at 281-210-3800 or email us at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov. Together, we can make every day Earth Day!
