Waste is piling up in landfills and harsh chemicals are seeping into our groundwater. Reducing waste starts at home. Follow these tips for a waste-free lifestyle.

1. Start a compost pile
Reduce waste, keep your garbage clean and make your own organic fertilizer with a compost pile (shown at right).  You can build or purchase a compost bin or simply create an open pile outdoors. If you live in an urban area, vermiculture (worm composting) is a self-contained, indoor alternative. Kitchen scraps, yard waste, saw dust, animal products (unless you have a pest problem), egg shells, newspapers, cardboard and paper bags can all go into the compost pile.
Compostinfo.com

2. Choose long-lasting products, instead of disposables
               Reusable tupperware, rather than disposables
               Re-writable CDs
               Refillable razor blades rather then throwaways
               Rags and cloth napkins instead of paper towels and paper napkins
               Mops and brooms with replaceable heads
               Cloth diapers instead of paper diapers
               Lunch box instead of a paper bag
               Rechargable batteries
      Shop for green products: ECO-Tips: Buying Green

3. Look for low-waste products
Choose products with minimal or no packaging.  Avoid styrofoam packaging, which takes a long time to biodegrade in the landfill. When possible, buy in bulk quantities. Choose low-waste items such as:
               Large bottles of juice instead of individual juice boxes
               Full-size boxes of cereal or oatmeal instead of packets     
               Concentrated detergent and cleaning products
               Bar soap instead of liquid dispensers
               Squeeze toothpaste instead of pump dispensers
               Butter or margarine wrapped in paper instead of in a plastic tub

3. Buy “Recyclable”
Look for products which are recyclable in your community or through the manufacturer itself. In Sarasota County, #1 and #2 plastic bottles, steel cans, aluminum cans, glass bottles and drink boxes can be recycled. Products recyclable through the manufacturer include:
               Dell computers
               HP computers
               Recycline toothbrushes and razors

4. Recycle as much as possible
In addition to the common items we place in the recycling bin every week, there are many more products which can be recycled.
              Rechargable batteries from cell phones, cameras, computers and other electronic devices
             can be recycled at Staples, Inc. or through .
              Paper or plastic shopping bags can be recycled at Publix or Winn Dixie grocery stores.
              Used paint, pesticides, fertilizers, electronics and other itams  can be recycled through
             Sarasota County Hazardous Waste: Household Chemical Collection Center, 8750 Bee Ridge
             Road, Sarasota 941-861-1530
             Motor oil can be recycled at your local auto repair shop or auto parts store.
             Old clothing, appliances and furniture can be donated to your local thrift store.
             Goodwill, Inc.
             Construction materials and debris can be recycled through salvage and reuse centers.                       Sarasota Architectural Salvage 1093 Central Ave., Sarasota  941-258-7730
                 Habitat For Humanity Home Improvement Outlet 1757 East Ave., Sarasota 941-363-0777
             Find a center to recycle almost anything: Earth 911 or call 1-800-CLEANUP

5. Give your electronics a second life
In the age of technology, electronic devices become obsolete at an alarming rate. Use these resources to recycle your computer, cell phone and other goods.
               Cell phones can be donated to Collective Good, which has donation centers at many
              Staples, Inc. stores.
               Computers can be recycled with the National Recycling Coalition or Earth 911. 
               Choose a brand that recycles: Dell Recycling allows you to recycle or donate your old
              computer when you purchase a new one. HP Planet Partners recycle computer equipment for
              a fee.

6. Reuse anything and everything
Get creative and try to reuse as much as possible.
               Save plastic bags to reuse as shopping bags, lunch bags or storage.
               Reuse jars for preserves, spices or other foods.
               Reuse plastic containers to store leftovers, grains or flour.
               Reuse coffee cans and tins as flower vases or decorative containers.
               Reuse fabric scraps to create quilts, art, rags, gift wrap or patches.
               Reuse holiday cards you receive by cutting off the second page and writing on the back.

7. Bring your own
When possible, bring your own container to avoid using a disposable item.
               Coffee cup
               Produce bags
               Shopping bags
               Bags or containers for self-serve bulk items
               Silverware to avoid using plasticware

8. Save trees in the office
Saving paper saves trees! Think twice before hitting the “Print” button on your computer. Instead, save information in electronic files on your hard drive. Always choose “double-sided” when printing or making copies. If you have a printer that only prints on one side, refill it with scrap paper which has already been printed on one side. When possible, do business by e-mail or phone, rather than through memos or letters. Remind your co-workers to save paper as well. 

9. Cut out junk mail
Junk mail is a major source of paper waste, as well as a nuisance for many of us. Seek out freedom from junk mail with these tips:

• Avoid giving out your mailing address. Many businesses create a mailing list when customers sign up for discount “customer cards” at grocery stores and drug stores. If you sign up for an online service, do not fill in the mailing address portion of the questionaire
• When you sign up for a credit card, aks that the company not share your address with others. If you are receiving unwanted credit card offers, call the company and request that your name be removed from the mailing list.
• Remove your name from Direct Marketing lists. Send a signed letter stating your address and your wish to be removed from mailing lists to:
  • Mail Preference Service
    P.O. Box 643
    Carmel, NY 10512
  • Telephone Preference Service (to be removed from telemarketing lists)
    P.O. Box 1559
    Carmel, NY 10512
• When you receive unsolicited mail, use the postage-paid envelope to send a letter asking to be removed from the mailing list, or call the toll-free number.
• If you receive someone else’s mail, write “Return to Sender: Wrong Address” on it and give it back to your postman.