Category: Reduce Reuse

How to Practice “Reduce” at Home

Posted on by Joanna Rosales

If you are looking for ways to work towards a zero to low-waste lifestyle, look no further than the 4 R’s hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot (Compost). Reduce, which means to lessen waste by using fewer items and resources, is at the top of the pyramid and the one we should all be practicing the most. Check out these tips to practice reducing at home to conserve our natural resources and decrease your environmental footprint! 

The 4 R’s Hierarchy

If you are looking for ways to work towards a zero to low-waste lifestyle, look no further than the 4 R’s hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot (Compost). Reduce, which means to lessen waste by using fewer items and resources, is at the top of the pyramid and the one we should all be practicing the most. Check out these tips to practice reducing at home to conserve our natural resources and decrease your environmental footprint! 

Discover What You’re Throwing Away! 

A good first step to understanding how much waste you generate is to conduct a waste audit right before your home’s collection day. A waste audit of the three bins gives you a means to discover what you are throwing away so that you can lessen that material. For this exercise, you will want to take account of factors like: what rooms you keep the waste bins in, the bin contents, what items take up the most space, and how many landfill bags you fill each week. Record your detailed findings and add any surprising discoveries or bin similarities!  

Once you have a chance to reflect on the contents of your three bins, it will be easier to see how reducing can be applied in your home. You can even examine your energy and water bills to understand how to utilize the natural elements to lower your energy usage.  

Things to consider post waste audit: Composting is an important part of reducing one’s household waste, but if your compost bin is overflowing with spoiled food, this could be due to overbuying or improper food storage techniques. Have a plan when you go to the grocery store, and keep your leftovers organized in reusable containers. It is important to eat food that will spoil first, but always remember an overripe banana can make delicious banana bread or a yummy smoothie! Another way to get creative with the contents of the green bin is if you have a lawn, to leave grass clippings on it to return nutrients to the soil. Another way is to mix wood ashes from fires into home compost piles to provide nutrients to the garden. 

If your landfill bin is filled with a lot of soft plastic wrappers, try buying snacks in bulk and storing them in reusable containers. While it eliminates individual wrappers, it also saves a trip to the grocery store.  

Get Creative With Your Belongings 

Use what you have! Reusable containers do not need to be purchased. Consider utilizing takeout containers, pasta sauce jars, empty plastic bottles, tin coffee cans, and so on. You can even reuse items like shoe boxes to keep your shoes in great condition or create storage for household trinkets.  

If you must obtain things by mail, try opting to go paperless for bills or requesting recyclable packaging from companies. Packaging materials and newspapers can be saved and reused for gifting, moving purposes, making textbook covers, and so much more. Tap into your creative side!  

Used textiles such as cotton shirts can be turned into tote bags, wash rags, or braided into rugs or toys for your dog, quilts, or napkins. However, before you cut up an item to repurpose it, think of whether it can be fixed or of those who might benefit or need it. Clothes, toys, food, plants, appliances, and books that are no longer desired can be donated to friends and family, local shelters, or displayed at a yard sale to find their next loving home. 

We hope these tips help you and your household reduce the waste that you generate. By taking care of the things you already own, less waste will be generated, and more items can be diverted from the landfill – leaving us with a brighter, greener future.  

Share with us how you’re reducing your waste at home by tagging us on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

Let’s Talk Textiles Webinar Follow-Up

Posted on by Joanna Rosales

RethinkWaste held a textiles webinar on February 15, 2023 featuring three expert presenters – Dr. Joanne Brasch, Dr. Connie Ulasewicz, and Shana McCraken. The three presenters shared textile recycling and mending projects and answered questions from the audience.

This page provides the presentation slides, links to resources, the recording of the event, and questions and answers from the audience.

Resources

Webinar Recording

Questions and Answers

1. What are the most effective methods for reducing the amount of textile waste generated?

Dr. Connie Ulasewicz: The first thing you can do is support a circular economy. Instead of purchasing clothing, wearing it, then throwing it out, you can rent it instead. You could also do a clothing swap with others, and even include a sewing machine at your clothing swap to mend pieces and make them special again. Another thing you can do is buy garments that are 100% made of one kind of a fiber content that is easier to recycle than other types of fibers. Lastly, you can seek out local organizations that offer textile recycling or reuse events.

2. I use a lot of fabric and textiles, and often am left with fabric scraps. What can I do with these?

Dr. Connie Ulasewicz and Dr. Joanne Brasch: First, I recommend utilizing and cutting garments in a way that uses as much of the fabric as possible to reduce waste. Another option is textile recycling through various organizations and services. I recently worked with a company who mails bags to customers to fill with their leftover textile scraps to then be sent back and recycled. However, I can’t always be 100% sure that these scraps were actually recycled by this company. That’s why it’s important to do thorough research. There are also several paid and subscription-based companies where they claim to send textile scraps to be recycled in places like Europe, but don’t end up actually recycling them. We shouldn’t have to ship scraps off to Europe to be recycled in the first place. We should have local textile recycling options here with no extra costs.

3. What is being done to make textile recycling more accessible locally?

Dr. Joanne Brasch: California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) is sponsoring legislation this year on textile recycling and reuse in California. Hopefully, if that bill is passed, there should be some local solutions available down the line. Our goal with this legislation is to create an equitable circular economy in which the funds follow the materials, so that everyone in the circular economy is supported financially.

4. Can you speak to the current state of chemical recycling in California and the US?

Dr. Joanne Brasch: It’s important to be wary of anyone who calls themselves a chemical recycler. Chemical recycling is one of those blanket terms that’s commonly misused because you can use chemistry to recycle in a lot of different ways. But most of the chemical recycling processes are not transparent in their energy use, their water use, and the pollution they generate from the process. We know a lot of textiles have PFAs, which are chemicals that are added to our textiles and fibers. So, it’s important to question where those are going during the recycling process. But I will say the chemical recycling space is growing, and there are some advanced recyclers that use different types of processes including depolarization. Because chemical recycling is a blanket term, it’s important to ask questions to understand what specifically their process is like and what their system inputs are. I will add that these recyclers are thirsty for textiles. So, if we don’t continue to supply them with our textiles and scraps, they will start turn to usable materials, just to keep their technology fed.

5. Can you talk about what textile waste in Ghana and what can be done about that?

For context, Ghana is one of the many victims of the fast fashion industry. It has become a dumping ground for unwanted textile apparel, which has started to quickly accumulate on its beaches and lands. As fast fashion causes the quality of clothing to worsen, clothing articles generally have shorter average lifetime use. This increases textile waste, and leads to environmental disasters similar to what Ghana is currently experiencing.

Dr. Joanne Brasch: Ghana and the accumulations of textiles in secondhand markets is ultimately what results from these textile waste problems being externalized. So, when everyone turns a blind eye and no one is really paying for the recycling, it begins to accumulate and affect our most vulnerable communities.

6. Is there a market for street banners after they’ve been turned into bags and other products? I know there’s been no demand in some places due to high prices.

Recyclestuff.org is a great resource for residents of the counties of San Mateo and Santa Clara. This website helps patrons identify how and where to recycle a variety of materials (including various fabrics) in order to increase waste diversion from the landfill.

Dr. Connie Ulasewicz: Yes, there is definitely demand here. I know of two organizations that are currently working on this now. They’re able to upcycle street banners into tote bags as well as create other things like zippered pouches.

From You, with Love (for the Planet!)

Posted on by Joanna Rosales

Holiday season is here, and it’s time to celebrate those you love with gifts they’ll appreciate. What better way to show them you care for both them and the planet than with a gift free of excess packaging and with a personal touch? Check out our full guide on how you can practice sustainable gifting this December, and year-round! 

Key Tips 
–> Shop locally and small
–> Avoid single-use packaging (especially if it can’t be recycled or composted)
–> Try non-physical gifts 

Homemade with Love
Get crafty and creative this year with a homemade gift. The time and effort you put in to making your gift will show the recipient how much you care! 

  • From Your Kitchen to Theirs
    • Bake a dish with their favorite flavors
    • Make homemade jam, jelly, soup, salsa, or granola
    • For an easy homemade cookie mix, put all the ingredients in a jar for them to bake on their own time
    • For fellow bakers, reusable baking accessories like silicone baking mats can be a great addition to the gift
  • Handmade Pottery or Ceramics 
    • Visit a local studio to create a personal and long-lasting gift 
    • Got an aspiring artist in your life? Send them a gift card to the studio so they can enjoy the freedom of creating whatever their heart desires! 
  • Handmade Jewelry, Clothing, or Art 
    • Art, clothing, and jewelry-making supplies are a one-time (or infrequent) purchase that can make many personalized gifts for family and friends. Try your hand at crocheting a scarf or fashioning a beaded necklace

Gifting in the Digital Age
Eliminate the need for packaging and physical gifts altogether with a completely digital gift – perfect for family and friends that spend time online. 

  • Subscriptions: Streaming services offer subscription services for music, movies, TV shows, and more
  • E-books: Digital books offer readers the ability to carry limitless books in their pocket! For those readers in your life that enjoy a physical book, shop at a secondhand bookstore
  • Classes: There are many hobby classes offered online (or in-person) from arts and crafts to language learning and more
  • Donations: Donate online to a charity or local organization that is close to their heart 

Experiences to Remember
Gifting experiences rather than physical gifts is another way to avoid single-use packaging and to create memories instead! 

  • Restaurant Gift Cards: Or take them out to a delicious meal 
  • Tickets: Tickets to local museums, sporting events, concerts, theme parks, zoos, theatre shows, and movies
  • National/State/Regional Parks Pass or Botanical Garden Membership: Purchase yearly free entry passes to local parks and gardens for the outdoors-enthusiast in your life! San Mateo County offers an annual pass that allows free entry into 22 local parks
  • Classes: Music, dance, cooking, language, workout, and rock-climbing classes 
  • Outdoor Adventures: Plan a camping trip, hike, boat trip, or ziplining excursion

Low-Waste Gifts
Choose long-lasting and low-waste gifts with little packaging that the recipient can use over and over again. 

  • Gift Reusables: Water bottles, lunch/bento boxes, to-go cups, mugs, baking trays/molds, metal or silicone straws, dishes, glasses, and utensils
  • Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Kits: DIY kits are available for many hobbies from knitting to candle making  
  • Zero Waste Health and Beauty Products: Toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, and more are available online and at local refill stores
  • Seeds and Plants: A perfect gift for the people in your life with a green thumb! Houseplants are a source of air-purifying home décor. Herb, fruit, and vegetable plants are a gift that keeps on giving! Repurpose old jars and containers into pots for an extra zero waste touch
  • Repair Kits: Gift your loved one the option to repair their broken items for years to come! 

Packaging Tips 

  • Recyclable packaging (bonus points for no tape and origami type folding!): Use wrapping paper without glitter, glue, or plastic decals (these aren’t recyclable!). Newspaper, tissue paper, old maps, artwork, or scratch paper are all recyclable options 
  • Reusable packaging: For a reusable packaging option, try wrapping your gift in a hand or tea towel or using dedicated reusable packaging. You can also wrap your gift in socks, a scarf, or a reusable tote bag for two gifts in one! 

We hope you take some inspiration from these tips and gift a little greener this year. Remember to limit packaging and try reusable, secondhand, homemade, or non-physical gifts. Happy Holidays from RethinkWaste!  

Share how you’re celebrating sustainably by tagging us on social media – #RethinkHolidays on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Rethink Picnic Waste

Posted on by Julia Au

When we reflect back to one of our favorite pastime activities during the height of the pandemic, outdoor picnics were among one of our favorites. We hope this guide will help introduce a more sustainable way to picnic by applying the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

  1. REDUCE: Plan ahead for the menu
    1. Prepare finger foods and bite sized items: Cupcakes, cookies, pastries, cheese boards, sandwiches, chicken wings, pizza, hot dogs, and burgers are examples of finger foods. Pre-cutting fruits and vegetables also eliminates the need to bring plates and extra utensils. Please note that not all parks have compost receptacles/services; therefore, composting the undesirable and inedible parts at home helps divert more organic materials away from the landfill.
    2. Bring a reusable cooler with reusable ice packs to keep drinks cold or pre-chilling drinks and keep in a portable cooler. It keeps drinks cooler without wasting water/ice cubes.
    3. Avoid plastic garnishes in drinks. Spice up your drinks with herbs, spices, and fruit instead. Not only are the garnishes edible, but also elevates the flavor profile of any drink.
  2. REUSE: Bring your reusables
    1. Use cloth napkins. Use cloth napkins that can be washed and upgrade a picnic experience and avoid paper ones.
    2. Use reusable sandwich bags and containers, to put your food in and for leftovers!
    3. Use reusable utensils and straws. Eliminate single-use utensils, by bringing your own silverware and reusable straws. Single-use utensils not only contributes to microplastics into the environment, but also creates additional unnecessary waste.
    4. BYO cups and/or bottles. Avoid single-use cups, instead bring reusable cups or reusable water bottles. Water bottles can keep drinks colder and longer and can be used for any occasion.
  3. RECYCLE: Use what you have
    1. Picnic Blanket– If you don’t already have one, try using a throw blanket around the house or DIY a picnic blanket out of old clothes.
    2. Table cloth– Try covering picnic tables with an older tablecloth instead of using plastic table covers.
    3. Picnic Basket– Utilize your reusable grocery bags to carry your picnic materials.   

There are so many different ways to re-think picnic waste by reducing, reusing and recycling. Share how you are rethinking picnics this year by tagging us on social media on Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook! However you choose to picnic this year, remember to continue to sort your waste by placing any single-use utensils and soft flimsy plastics in the garbage bins at parks!

Rethinker Spotlight Webinar Follow-Up

Posted on by Joanna Rosales

RethinkWaste held a Rethinker Spotlight Webinar on June 29, 2022 featuring local artist, Harriete Estel Berman. Harriete shared in-depth details about her art, the materials she uses, and the messaging behind the art pieces, followed by a discussion where attendees got to ask Harriete questions.

This page provides the links to resources, the recording of the event, and questions and answers from the audience.

Resources

Webinar Recording

Questions and Answers

1. What inspired you [Harriete] to turn ordinary waste material into extraordinary pieces of art? Can you talk a little bit about your inspiration?

In 1980 moving to California, there was no curbside pick-up recycling. I lived in Palo Alto near the Stanford campus and became aware that they had recycling on campus. I would collect newspaper, glass, and tin cans.

In 1988, I simply decided that I was only going to use recycled materials. At that time, I started using recycled tin cans. And using this material inspires new work all the time. The patterns on the tin cans, the lettering, and the messages from our consumer society are all the things that inspired me. When I started working with plastic waste, I must admit it was kind of embarrassing. The piece that I show you with a necklace in the fruit crate label, I submitted to an exhibition, and a colleague of mine admired my jewelry piece made up of plastic waste. So, I was admitted because my craftsmanship is impeccable, but truly, I am working with waste material.

2. When you [Harriete] heat and bend the plastic, what tool do you use, and do you do it outdoors?

I’ve done lots of experiments that don’t require heating. While I don’t heat the plastic, I am always doing new experiments with plastic! I work with the garage doors open, as I believe in the fresh air, but try to be as nontoxic as possible. Heating plastic is not something I would generally recommend. I did experiments with laser cutters, and that doesn’t work either because it is essentially hot. So, the point of my answer is to think about how you can use your materials in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

3. What is your [Harriete] favorite kind of scissors to use? And how do you avoid accidentally cutting your fingers when working with cans?

I learned to work with my materials very carefully! When I work with my tools and materials, I always rethink my approach to the material. You’d be stunned to realize how difficult it is to cut plastic waste. I investigate all different kinds of shears that will cut the plastic. So, when I work with my materials, I am always as safe and environmentally conscious as can be. I’m also thinking about the impact that it has on my body. So generally, if I’m cutting plastic, I’m only cutting a few hours out of the day because it’s difficult to cut. You’re going to want to think about how you can be aware of using your materials in a way that you can sustain that for yourself as the artist.

4. What kinds of tools do you [Harriete] use for cutting metal and how long have you been cutting metal?

I have the privilege of having both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Metal Smithing. I have a lot of technical skills, but I will say that I have an aptitude for working with materials. Even though I have a lot of technical background, it was a leap to take my traditional metalsmithing skills and work with tins cans and waste to turn waste to art. That’s one of my objectives- to truly transform my materials! I am really not inspired if the final outcome looks trashy. I want people to look at my work and be like “Wow, how did she make that!?” and not have it be so obvious that it might have been an old tin can, milk bottle, or orange juice container.

5. Do you [Harriete] have a favorite material to work with and if so, why?

I don’t really have a favorite material, but I am always experimenting. I am always going back and forth with tin cans and plastic, which I have been doing for eight years. The bigger project that I like is the black plastic necklace which took about four months. Also, I am always focusing on one project or the next, so therefore I am always experimenting.

6. What inspires you [Harriete] to make art that addresses the economic sphere of society?

I am more inspired by what I see in politics and just around me in my own neighborhood, so I feel like I must address that. The children are not bulletproof pin was made for a show about politics. The message and children are not bulletproof is more resonant now than it was 20 years ago when I made it. With my grass sculpture made entirely from tin cans, I was thinking about the environmental impacts of lawns. Keep in mind that this was 22 years ago, and people thought I was insane. But now- as we continue to have lawns, face related climate change, experience a 100-year drought- for the first-time, people must realize the environmental impact of having a grass lawn.

7. Do you [Harriete] have a favorite personal art piece?

My favorite personal art piece is the functional chair I created that is attached to the wall. It describes what I am seeing in our consumer society where people create an identity for themselves by what they buy and why they buy it. I am very, almost painfully, aware of the impact of our consumption and overconsumption. We are talking about plastic waste, packaging, consumption, and climate change. It all has to do with our consumption. I cannot stop thinking about that! So, I am generally aware, which is the reason why I only get takeout once a year. Not only that, but I also get a guilt attack when they use a plastic container. I mean, there are a lot of places that are changing the law that they can’t use single-use plastic for takeout, but instead must shift to containers that are recyclable or environmentally friendly. Still, we continue to create volumes of waste in our society. That is hard for me too!

8. We are starting to see white plastic being used to replace black plastic containers: are those recyclable?

The response to that is that it depends. If you see a chasing arrow symbol with numbers one or two, then yes, it is recyclable! If it does not have these, then unfortunately, it will have to go in the garbage bin, or you can do something else with it. Hopefully after this webinar, you get inspired to rethink it and use it for another time or creation!

Clean Your Home without Toxic Chemicals

Posted on by Joanna Rosales

Dust, mold, stains, and dirt are inevitable in any household. Environmentally friendly cleaners not only tackle these common household issues, but can also lower waste production.

Switching from toxic chemicals to environmentally friendly cleaners can eliminate hazardous waste-related accidents that can affect an individual’s health and safety. Creating your own cleaning solution can also reduce the time and cost associated with bringing hazardous waste directly to San Mateo County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program for special disposal. Lastly, having safer cleaning products can lead to developing healthier habits sooner as some of these cleaning alternatives can be found right in your pantry!

Let’s jump into some examples of common household hazardous chemicals:

Examples of Common Household Chemicals

  • Bleach
  • Drain cleaner
  • Shower cleaner
  • Degreaser
  • Antifreeze
  • Automotive cleaners
  • Pesticides
  • Paint strippers and removers
  • Pool Cleaner

How Can Toxic Chemicals Be Harmful?

  • Prolonged exposure to chemicals can lead to adverse reproductive risks and cancer-related illness
  • Can cause irritation to skin and eyes
  • Can cause corrosion to pipes
  • Can catch fire, react, or explode
  • Some chemicals can deplete the atmospheric ozone
  • Can lead to groundwater contamination when disposed improperly in landfills
  • Chemicals that enter storm drains can pollute the water we drink and swim in, and pollute the marine life in the water
  • Hazardous to children and pets if left unguarded around the house
  • Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets

Tips to Reduce Cleaning Waste

When purchasing cleaning supplies for long term usage, keep an eye out for these:

  • Refillable bottles
  • Paper packaging
  • Recycled-content packaging
  • Pump sprays rather than aerosols
  • Reusable towels
  • Purchasing in bulk

Preventative Measures

  • Clean and dry any damp or wet areas within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
  • Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by:
    • Venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
    • Using air conditioners and dehumidifiers
    • Increasing ventilation
    • Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
  • Wiping up spills and stains immediately can reduce the need for stronger solvents
  • Increasing monthly cleaning routines reduces the need for household chemicals 

Cleaning Alternatives

All Purpose Cleaner:2 cups water, 2 cups distilled vinegar, (Optional: Juice of 1 large lemon or 20-30 drops of tea tree oil for fragrance and antibacterial properties) Mix ingredients, spray on surface, and wipe after 5 minutes.
Deodorizer:Sprinkle carpet(s) with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
Drain Cleaner:The first option is to use a plunger or plumber’s snake. The second option is to pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow up with half a cup of vinegar. After 15 minutes, follow with 2 quarts of boiling water.
Glass Cleaner:Mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in one quart of water. Spray on and use newspaper to dry.
Furniture Polish:Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice in one pint of mineral or vegetable oil and wipe furniture.
Limescale Remover for Kettle:Lemon wedges and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, turn the burner off, and let the kettle sit for a few hours. Rinse with clear water.
Silver Polish:Boil two to three inches of water in a shallow pan with one teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon of baking soda and a sheet of aluminum foil. Totally submerge silver and boil for two to three more minutes. Wipe away tarnish and repeat if necessary.
Mothballs:Use cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mint or white peppercorns.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner:¼ cup baking soda mixed with 1 cup vinegar; pour into toilet bowl and let it sit before scrubbing
Weed Remover:30% Vinegar. Spray over weeds
Check out these products instead of household chemicals:EPA certified products
More safe cleaning tips can be found via San Mateo County Environmental Health

We hope that these tips help you reduce toxic chemicals in your home! Share with us how you have switched to greener cleaning products this season by tagging us on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Sources:

https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw

https://cfpub.epa.gov/npstbx/files/riswchemicals.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/greenerproducts/identifying-greener-cleaning-products

https://www.epa.gov/mold/ten-things-you-should-know-about-mold

Rethink New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on by Joanna Rosales

From actions big to small, every new commitment to sustainable living can have a dramatic impact on our environment! As the year draws to a close, RethinkWaste would like to provide a few sustainability tips that we could all put on our New Year’s Resolutions! Consider adding some of these ideas to your everyday routine. Every bit helps!

1. Reduce and Reuse

At RethinkWaste, we like to guide ourselves using the 4R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot). While these are all important in reducing our environmental impact on the planet, reducing and reusing are the most significant actions we can take on an individual basis. Reducing and reusing is a guarantee that items will not end up in the landfill!

Here are a few ideas to get started:

  • Start using a refillable water bottle
  • Make a grocery list to avoid purchasing excess food
  • Save and reuse plastic bags
  • Repurpose old clothing (for example, to use as a rag)
  • Repurpose glass jars into handy containers

2. Make your own coffee

If you’re a coffee drinker, you may enjoy a nice cup of coffee in the morning. However, buying from coffee shops produces a lot of waste! Usually, the cups and straws are not recyclable or compostable. By making coffee at home, you’re able to eliminate waste, and try out all sorts of different coffee blends. We recommend using coffee grounds in a french press or drip coffee to avoid extra waste from single-serve coffee machines. After brewing, you can place the grounds in your compost bin or in your own garden: it makes for great compost!

3. Take a sustainability-themed class

Education is really important! Attending a sustainability-themed class or workshop can all help us learn to live with less waste. For example, RethinkWaste just recently hosted a kombucha workshop, where our participants learned to lower their grocery store waste! Many organizations also teach classes in areas such as zero-waste cooking, which can help lower grocery bills, reduce environmental damage, and make our food last longer! Keep posted on events by subscribing to our newsletter or check offerings from our partners at San Mateo County Office of Sustainability!

4. Get educated about waste

Are you afraid that you’re disposing of things in the wrong bin? Fear not, RethinkWaste can help! RethinkWaste hosts public, school, and business tours of our Shoreway Environmental Center (currently virtual), that can help you figure out exactly how to sort your waste and where it goes afterwards. Questions can also be sent to info@rethinkwaste.org, where we can answer any further waste-related questions you may have!

5. Unplug devices you’re not using

Did you know? Even if you turn off your electronics, they may still draw power from your outlet. While this is a small amount, it can add up over the course of a year! Just by unplugging, you’d save on your electricity bill while helping eliminate fossil fuel emissions from electricity consumption!

6. Try some plant-based meals

According to the United Nations Special Report on Climate Change and Land, reducing our consumption of animal products is one of the most effective strategies at countering climate change. We can reduce our impact on this planet one meal at a time! There are many plant-based recipes and restaurants that would surely be delectable. 

7. Invest in rechargeable batteries

Did you know that you can purchase rechargeable AA and AAA batteries? By using rechargeable batteries, you’ll be able to lower your electronic waste (e-waste). Every year, e-waste is becoming a bigger part of our waste stream. This is a worrying trend as e-waste is very harmful to the health of our workers, our community, and our environment. A one-time investment in rechargeable batteries helps reduce battery waste on a longer-term basis. 

8. Use public transit

If you’re able, catch a ride on the train or the bus! Not only does this help with urban congestion, you’d also be reducing urban pollution and carbon emissions. Of all the actions that help the environment, taking public transportation is one of the most impactful and immediate on our environmental outcomes. 

9. Reconsider: Do I really need it?

Whenever you are deciding on a purchase, ask yourself: Do I really need it? Sometimes, it might be easy to impulsively put things in your shopping cart. By asking ourselves this one simple question, we can make sure we think about everything we’re buying. It helps us recall that reducing and reusing are our most powerful tools in eliminating waste. 

We hope that these tips were helpful! Every action counts towards reducing our waste and improving the health of our communities and environment!

‘Tis the Season to Reduce Your Waste!

Posted on by Joanna Rosales

With the holiday season comes an increase in gifts and celebrations, which leads to an increase in packaging waste and food waste! Here are some gifting and celebration ideas that are a little easier on the planet.

Gifts:

1. Mindful Shopping! Support local businesses and online stores that use recyclable and/or less packaging.

2. Reuse! Repurpose last year’s gift bags or wrapping paper. Or get creative and use children’s artwork, old maps, and calendars to wrap gifts.

3. Celebrate! Rather than buying gifts, give homemade baked goods and handmade treasures. More importantly, make time to celebrate and share new experiences with your friends and family (in-person or virtual).

4. Regift! Don’t know what to do with gifts that you’ll never use? Regifting to someone that you know needs or would like it, is perfectly acceptable. Donating unused gifts to shelters and other non-profits is also another great option.

5. Rethink Gifting! Ask your gift recipient for a wish list so that you can get them exactly what they want, rather than accidentally giving them things they don’t need!

Celebrations:

1. Reduce Food Waste! Buy only what you need to avoid excess leftovers. Make a list before you do your food shopping.

2. Signage! Label a paper bag or your compost pail with “Food Scraps” so your guests know exactly what to do with any food scraps, such as bones or shells, from their plates.

3. Sort Waste Correctly! Brush up on what goes where by referencing our sorting page.

4. Reuse! Consider using cloth napkins and reusable cutlery to avoid purchasing single-use items that get thrown away after one use.

5. Enjoy leftovers! Repurpose leftovers into new, interesting recipes. You can even freeze them for easy-to-grab meals.

Although holiday gifts and celebrations naturally bring more waste during this time of the year, intentional preparation helps to reduce unnecessary waste. There are plenty of ways to show your love to friends, family, and the planet!

Share with us how you’re reducing your waste this holiday season by tagging us on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Enjoy this video of RethinkWaste staff sharing why waste reduction is important!

Prepping for Plastic Free July Webinar Follow-Up

Posted on by Joanna Rosales

RethinkWaste held a Prepping for Plastic Free July Webinar on June 29, 2021. We presented on the history of waste, shared a video showcasing different experiences in waste reduction, followed by a discussion with our community about reducing waste solutions.

This page provides the presentation slides and links to resources. If you have questions, fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

Resources

If you have questions, fill out the form below!

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The Benefits of a Circular Economy

Posted on by Joanna Rosales

If you’ve heard the term “circular economy,” you probably know that the system’s goal is to make waste virtually nonexistent. The name describes its meaning – a circular economy is a closed loop system where a product is made and reused until its true end of its life. This is very different from our society’s linear system where products are made, used, and then disposed of.

For example, consider a pair of jeans that have recently ripped. Nowadays, mending jeans has almost become a best-case scenario. In a linear system, those ripped jeans would get donated or landfilled and a new pair of jeans would be purchased. However, a circular economy would have a vastly different approach: the denim from the old jeans could be collected and re-purchased by manufacturers who would use the material to make more jeans. With a more environmentally-friendly approach, a circular economy sounds promising! However, circular economies are challenging to instill.

For starters, a true circular economy has no waste­. Zero waste generation is already difficult for individuals, let alone on larger scales. Additionally, the quality of some materials deteriorate as they are remade, like plastics. A circular economy would move away from convenient products and toward products with longevity. Finally, circular economies often come with a large upfront cost. Transitions within companies may require a change in supplier and/or infrastructure. Still, a 2015 study found that a circular economy could be worth $4.5 trillion by 2030 if businesses prioritized “circular supplies, resource recovery, product life extension, sharing platforms, and product-as-a-service.”

Despite a few potential challenges, many companies see the value in moving toward a circular economy. Here are some examples of circular economy approaches that large companies are using now:

  1. Reusable Packaging for Everyday Items: As many companies focus on making their products more “environmentally friendly” by incorporating recyclable packing, others are flipping that model on its head. By making the conscious decision to package products in reusable containers, businesses ensure that their packaging will continue to be in use. There are even companies that put products from well-known brands that we already love and trust – from a favorite ice cream brand to a beloved haircare brand – into reusable containers! When the product is empty, consumers send the container back to be cleaned and either request a refill or are refunded the deposit. Companies like this set the precedent for making widespread reuse possible for modern brands.
  2. Focusing on Repair: Other companies are popularizing sustainable material use by focusing on “repair” instead of “replace.” These organizations showcase a closed loop system by fixing old and/or worn items from their brand. Despite being able to capitalize on those seeking to buy new items to replace their old gear, there are some companies choosing to minimize waste by mending fabric that is already in existence. These companies extend the lifecycle of their clothing by giving store credit for old or broken textiles, mending the items, and reselling them at a discount.
  3. Innovative Reuse: Yet another approach to closing the loop is to think outside the box: how can old materials be made into a completely different item? Look no further than the tech industry, where brands are trying to reduce electronic waste with innovative ideas. From “pollution printer ink” made of soot from diesel generators to a jewelry collection made using gold recovered from old laptops, the circular economy approach shows that we can create value from materials that already exist, without having to add many new resources!

Manufacturers play a large role in moving toward a circular economy, but consumers can also help by changing our everyday habits. Recycling is a step toward closing the loop, but we can do even more! To most efficiently use materials, we should try and limit our own waste and support businesses working to do the same.

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