Waste Reduction

There are many ways to reduce your waste in your daily life. Waste reduction looks different for everyone, depending on your family, where you live and work, and your day-to-day needs.

By reducing and reusing, you can: 

Save energy from creating and sourcing raw materials
Reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill
Save money
Extend the life of products and using them to their fullest extent
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent pollution.

Below are some examples of how you can reduce waste across different places in your life.

At Home

Ideas	Examples
Repurpose unused or unwanted items into something new	Instead of using paper towels, turn old clothing into cleaning rags Create decorations and crafts from miscellaneous items (CD’s, beads, bottle caps)
Use reusable or compostable products instead of synthetic	Opt for reusable items, like fabric rags for dishes and washable dishware instead of disposables Use washable fabric rags and scrubbers instead of synthetic sponges and wool dryer balls instead of sheets
Fix, sell, or donate items	Look into local Repair Cafes to fix broken items Sell or donate something broken if you can
Buy secondhand. Secondhand items often have little to no packaging, too	Check out your local thrift stores for secondhand clothing, furniture, and home goods Look for secondhand websites and groups online

At the Store

Ideas	Examples
Refuse plastic grocery bags.	Bring your own reusable bags Use paper bags as needed, and reuse or recycle them. Alternatively, you could use paper bags for crafts or wrapping paper
Buy in bulk.	Shop in the bulk section in stores and bring your own container Avoid individually packaged items and snack-size packages
Buy items in recyclable packaging or less packaging.	Instead of bagged items, choose items in paper, metal, glass, or plastic jugs, jars, bottles, and tubs Opt for bar soaps instead of liquid, since liquid bottle pumps are not recyclable. Or refill liquid soap dispensers by buying liquid soap in bulk
Shop for loose produce instead of prepackaged produce.	Instead of using plastic produce bags, bring your own bags or don’t bag your produce.

At School or Work

Ideas	Examples
Bring a reusable drink container, dishware, and silverware.	Bring your reusable water bottle, coffee mug, or cup Pack washable silverware for lunch Keep spare silverware and dishware at work Pack cloth napkins instead of paper
Pack food in reusable containers.	Swap plastic bags and foil for reusable containers and silicone bags Save glass jars and use them for food storage
Use electronics over paper, where possible.	Take notes on your computer, tablet, or phone, if you have one, instead of using pen and paper Adopt online editing tools/software, electronic fax services, digital surveys, and more.

At the Table

Ideas	Examples
Refuse single-use items from restaurants.	Bring your own water bottle to avoid cups. If you cannot bring your own, skip the lid and the straw Bring your own reusable silverware
Bring your own containers to restaurants and dining events for leftovers.	Don’t waste food, bring it home with you Pack a reusable container for leftovers
Save, freeze, or compost leftovers.	Save and/or freeze leftover food Compost food scraps and food waste instead of landfilling. Learn about composting in Gwinnett County here

Household Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste (HHW) is produced when household hazardous materials are no longer wanted or needed or have been used. Examples of HHW products include paint, thinners, aerosol cans, household cleaners, and vehicle care products. 

When disposed of incorrectly, HHW poses a threat to the environment and human health because the materials can be flammable, reactive, explosive, and toxic. Keeping hazardous materials out of landfills and water systems by disposing of them safely reduces potential pollution and protects groundwater.  Gwinnett County Water Resources and Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful hosts recycling events specifically to collect HHW from residents. Visit the event’s webpage to learn more about event dates and accepted materials. 

In addition, consider reducing the amount of hazardous waste you generate by using non-hazardous products. See some common alternatives below:

Hazardous Waste Substance	Alternative
Drain cleaner	Use a plunger or plumber’s snake or pour a few tablespoons of baking soda in drain, follow with a cup of vinegar, let sit for 10 minutes, rinse with boiling water (non-PVC pipes) or hot water.
Glass cleaner	Mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in one quart of water. Spray onto glass and wipe with newspaper
Furniture polish	Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice in one pint of mineral or vegetable oil. Polish furniture with solution
Rodent bait	Rodent traps
Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides	Pyrethrin; neem oil spray, vegetable oil spray, garlic spray, soap spray (check for plant sensitivities); add compost
Insect repellent	Citronella; marigold plants; garlic or rosemary oil spray
Toilet cleaner	Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar. Allow to fizz and clean toilet with solution and brush
Stain remover	Mix one part liquid dish soap (with a degreaser) and two parts 3% hydrogen peroxide. Apply to stain and dab
Aerosol cans: hair spray, air fresheners, disinfectant spray, rodent/bug spray	Hair gel; candles or essential oil diffusers; hand sanitizer/soap/spray bottle with cleaning product; see rodent bait and insect repellant

Increase font size

Decrease font size