Recycling must continue to grow in the United States to meet important environmental goals, such as the net zero emissions by 2050 objective outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Part of expanding America's recycling efforts should involve expanding waste reduction strategies. While recycling refers to converting waste back into a usable material or product, waste reduction emphasizes using less material, using more durable materials, and avoiding unrecyclable materials.
There are several minor changes individuals and households can make to reduce their waste output. Reusability is vital when it comes to products that support waste reduction. Reusable water bottles, for instance, save consumers money and minimize waste. While many plastic water bottles can be reduced, Americans collectively purchase an estimated 50 billion water bottles annually. Manufacturing processes require considerable energy, not to mention the fossil fuels burned during shipping.
Individuals should also invest in reusable grocery bags, which are useful for more than groceries. It can be helpful to write down reminders so consumers do not forget their reusable bags before leaving home, such as writing "BAGS" at the top of a shopping list. Other consumers might prefer to store their bags in their cars.
As mentioned, there is a close relationship between recycling, reusability, and waste reduction. Individuals can mitigate the amount of waste they produce by making waste-conscious purchases. Certain products have excessive packaging or use unrecyclable materials, including certain plastics. Products carry various labels describing the types of resins and plastics used and whether they are recyclable.
Americans can further minimize their annual waste output through composting. Up to 25 percent of the average household's trash could be removed from waste processes and composted in the yard. Food scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings are examples of garbage that can be turned into compost for home gardening and landscaping.
Considering that the ultimate goal of recycling is to get as many uses out of the same materials as possible, any person concerned about waste reduction should refrain from buying food or drink items with single-use containers and utensils. Single-use coffee cups are especially troublesome: Americans throw away over 50 billion paper cups with plastic lids yearly. It can be helpful to store silverware at work to minimize the need for plastic utensils.
Another way to approach waste reduction is to consider reducing another person's waste. Buying secondhand items is a great way to prevent usable products from entering a landfill. Similarly, it is better to donate used goods than throw them away. Americans can also reduce their annual waste output by shopping at local farmer's markets and paring down their use of paper products, including mail, receipts, and magazines.