When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Go Green

Americans have enough yearly waste to fill a fleet of garbage trucks wrapping six times around the earth and reach halfway to the moon. Each American uses around 20 tons of raw materials each year. Even if you are not an American, there are chances you, too, are being wasteful. Waste goes to landfills or incinerators, two places that harm the earth. Landfills take up space we could use for other things. They also emit methane and carbon dioxide (greenhouse gases) and often contain poisonous substances that can leach into groundwater. The trash also is not able to biodegrade because it is compacted so tightly. Incinerators are not much better. They create gases that are harmful to human health and cause air pollution. Also, the ashes are often dumped in a landfill, so what's the point, anyway? Since there really is no great way to get rid of trash, look below for tips to simply reduce it.

The production of paper is one of the most detrimental things to the environment there is. Cutting down trees puts more carbon dioxide in the air, since plants are pretty much the only things that take it out, while also destroying natural habitats. Here's what you can do:

• Use dishtowels, sponges, and cloth napkins instead of paper towels and napkins.
  
• When you're printing, print double sided or on the back of paper that's already been used.
• Buy recycled paper products including regular paper, toilet paper, and tissues. Look for the recycling symbol on it!
• Try to send e-mails instead of printing as much as you can. 
• The obvious one: RECYCLE all paper instead of throwing it out.
• Sign up here to choose what mail you want: junk mail creates 4.33 million tons of waste 

Plastic is awful for the environment. It is not biodegradable so it ends up in places like oceans, forests, or other ecosystems polluting and littering. Plastic is also made from oil, so saving plastic is technically saving energy. Here's what you can do:

•  Buy a reusable water bottle (preferably aluminum, check out our green products page) instead of constantly buying plastic water bottles.
  
• Use a reusable bag (or bags) when you go grocery shopping or just shopping in general.
  
• Replace plastic items you use in every day life with biodegradable alternatives. 
• Try not to purchase a lot of packaged items.
• Bring reusable spoons, forks, and other utensils to school or work.

Composting converts organic wastes like food and yard clippings into a mixture that can be used to improve the soil (as opposed to fertilizer). If you put organic waste into a compost bin instead of the trash, you are reducing the waste you create by a ton.

There are many do's and don't's to making a compost bin, so remember to check out this site before you begin.