EPA defines containers and packaging as products that are assumed to be discarded the same year the products they contain are purchased. Containers and packaging make up a major portion of municipal solid waste, amounting to 77.9 million tons of generation in 2015.

There are a number of things you can do to minimize packaging waste to help reduce the pollution caused by the packaging.

• Buy in bulk. Buying lots of smaller packs generates more waste.
• Always carry your own bags while shopping.
• Try to buy loose products where available. For instance, in case of vegetables and fruits.
• Opt for brands that have less packaging.
• Avoid buying bottled water unless tap water in your area is unsafe for drinking.

Read More

Waste managers often call this wishful or aspirational recycling. But, unfortunately, putting these objects in with the rest of the recycling can do more harm than good. While rules differ in every municipality (check your local recycling website to find out what’s acceptable), we have picked out some key offenders to keep in mind.

Too many of these items will contaminate a batch of recycling. That means waste managers might not be able to find buyers for the materials — especially now that China, one of the world’s main importers of recyclable waste, has said it will reject shipments that are more than 0.5 percent impure. Contaminated loads could be sent to the landfill instead.

What could you be recycling incorrectly?  Check with your local recycler prior to

disposing the following items.

• Disposal Cups – many are lined with polyethylene which makes recycling difficult & expensive
• Pizza Boxes – the oil seeps into the cardboard fiber making it less valuable
• Yogurt Cups – there is little demand for plastics numbers 3 – 7
• Takeout Containers – the containers themselves may be fine, but be sure to rinse all food scrap away
• Plastic Bags – can only be sent to special facilities, do not include with your everyday recycling as they plug up machinery

Learn More