The latest data from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency estimate that the average American disposes of 4.4 pounds of trash every day. However, this has since reduced, especially after the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), introduced the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” campaign. More households have already adopted refill and recyclable waste management systems and try to dispose of non-recyclables responsibly. In Africa, more than 90% of waste generated is usually disposed of at dumpsites and landfills, often with associated open burning.
Unfortunately, since only 14% of plastic packaging is collected and recycled globally, recycling isn’t a permanent solution to environmental pollution. This is why agencies call on households and businesses to reject single-use options and instead adapt refill and reuse behaviors at home. That said, below are tips for refilling and reusing at home.
- Food Waste
While it may seem negligible, 30% of food in the U.S goes to waste. Below are a few tips for reusing and refilling food scraps instead of disposing of them.
● Coffee grounds – they contain nitrogen, which benefits plants and seedlings. You can also use them to keep slugs and ants away. Placing them in your freezer also neutralizes odors.
● Avocado seeds – contain beneficial fiber and antioxidants. Dry and grind them into fine powder for use in shakes and smoothies.
● Onion skins – contain healthy vitamins and minerals. You can boil the skins with bone broth or soups.
● Eggshells – rich in calcium. Add them to your shakes and smoothies.
● Lemon and orange peels – when frozen or dried, they can be used together with citrus peels and vinegar to create homemade cleaner.
2. Egg Cartons
Most egg cartons cannot be recycled. Therefore, instead of sending them to landfills, reuse them in the following ways;
● Plant seedlings – simply add soil to the holes and plant your preferred seeds. You can then transplant the seedlings or bury biodegradable egg cartons with seedlings in the ground.
● Create packaging materials – line the bottom and top of packaging boxes before sealing when shipping fragile items.
You can also donate excess egg cartons to farmers.
3. Glass Jars
More than 11.6 million tons of glasses are trashed annually in the U.S, while only 28% is recycled. Below are simple ideas for reusing glass jars;
● Make an outdoor windproof candle using a heat-resistant glass jar.
● Organize your kitchen using jars to store dry goods and spices in your pantry. You can also use them in the garage to store nuts and bolts.
● Used mason jars can be used to store drinking water.
Written by the Rumpke Family