garbage

The average Minnesotan generates more than seven pounds of waste per day and more than one ton annually! In fact, in the Twin Cities area alone, we generate enough waste to fill the Metrodome 11 times every year. Although Minnesota has one of the highest recycling rates in the country, we could be recycling more. Often the problem is not what you know that can be recycled, but what you don't know. Those items usually end up in the trash.

Although you may recycle everything you can, your trash may be far from empty. Recycling is a powerful way to protect our environment and conserve resources, but it does not prevent waste entirely. By composting, you can eliminate another 25% of what's currently in your trash. When you recycle and compost, you begin to see what's left in your trash can, and it becomes easier to make different choices to eliminate waste altogether.

Keep a log for one week of everything you “toss”—write each item in one of these categories: “garbage,” “recycling,” “reuse” or “compost.” After the week is over, make a plan for the next week to change ways you can put 50% less in the “garbage” category by reusing, recycling, composting or buying things with less or no packaging. For example, did you know a banana has its own natural packaging? You could maybe even challenge your family members or your friends to a waste-free competition for a week.