Conducting a waste audit can help you understand the types and amounts of waste being generated, and identify opportunities to reduce and find reusable options to replace the single use ones.
Here are some tips to help you conduct an effective waste audit:
Get the whole family involved! Knowing what is regularly being tossed is an important way to figure out what can be swapped out for a reusable product or buy less of something.
- Set up a checklist near the trash and recycle bins.
- Choose a day to start, doing this for one week will be eye opening but you can do this longer too!
- Every time you throw something away, write it down on the checklist.
- Use tally marks to add up recurring items.
When the week is done, note which items had the highest tally marks and see if it’s something you can reduce or find a reusable item to replace it.
Once you have identified items to replace, choose one item to swap out at a time.
In the U.S., more than 13 billions pounds of paper towels are used each year! Try and reduce this number by placing the paper towels under the sink, out of sight, and choosing reusable not paper towels or dishcloths instead for the daily use. You don’t have to give up paper towels completely, just cut back. 😉
Every small step you take to reduce your waste helps!!
