Okay, so how can less waste be generated? Here I consider three types: compostable, recyclable and food. I’ll talk about food first.
Food waste
The way I cut down on my food waste is by consuming older food items first. Very little food gets uneaten that way.
Take bananas, for example. These can get ripe and in a hurry. To avoid there having to be thrown away, I’ll slice them and put it a freezer bag and place in the freezer. I can eat at a later time after letting the slices first thaw.
Some background
So, from a Jan. 9, 2025 University of California at Davis news release, I learned that American citizens create an average 328 pounds of food waste per year. Reducing per-capita food waste to an average 164 pounds per annum is a worthy target to shoot for. That’s a decrease of half.
Next, food waste by and large is compostable, so that which is, doesn’t need to go in with the regular trash. (See the section on Compostable matter below). It’s organic matter we’re talking about here and in the natural environment organic matter is able to decompose. Excluded from this, of course, are items like bones and nut shells, for example; nearly all, if not all, designated as regular refuse and destined for landfilling. That which is able to be composted, meanwhile, avoids being landfilled altogether. And, by virtue of that, landfill-generated methane gas can be made less.
Recyclable waste
Glass, metal, paper and plastic is recyclable. Not all plastic, mind you. I find it helpful to check the packaging to learn which is recyclable and which is not.
As consumers, Americans seem to go through such items as paper and plastic in particular, as if there were a limitless supply.
With regard to all cardboard boxes, I take the time to break all of these down (to separate at the seams, in other words) before placing in the recycling bin.
Being that I also handwrite few if any letters anymore and given that all picture taking is done with my mobile device, a lot of the paper waste I used to create I no longer do.
Of course, there is so much that arrives at my abode via the postal service. Nearly all of that will get recycled. Of that, it’d be nicer if I received less — a lot less. (Hint, hint).
Meanwhile, any item I must purchase, be it food-related or what-have-you, I prefer that which comes in containers made of glass: Things like bottles and jars that can be recycled easily. And, this goes for the metal lids of jars too.
Compostable matter
The waste I put in the green bin has gotten less and less over the years. My yard used to have four mature pine trees and all are gone. While I lost some summertime shade, now courtesy of these being removed, generated on my property is less green or foliar waste. I consider the trade-off worth it.
Xeriscaping
A lot of green waste can be eliminated or significantly reduced through the process of xeriscaping. Xeriscaping provides an alternative to the traditional yard with a grass lawn. Many people prefer the former from the standpoint that xeriscaping typically results in less water being needed for plant watering. And, such watering can be targeted and timed making for watering that’s more efficient. Pinpoint watering can be achieved through drip irrigation lines.
For many yards, a xeriscaping approach makes sense. Plants are trimmed accordingly and based on need. The beauty of xeriscaping is that where such is applied, maintenance is relatively easy.
If interested in learning the practices the City of Fresno follows regarding the proper disposal of its holiday waste, and given it’s that time of the year again, I recommend reading: “About the City of Fresno’s holiday recycling flyer,” here.
Above and corresponding, connected home-page-featured images: George Chernilevsky
— Alan Kandel
Copyrighted material.
Good points!
Thanks.