Ending Garbage Pollution: Practical Steps For A Cleaner World

The world is drowning in waste, and it's up to all of us to do something about it. The good news is that we have the solutions to solve the waste pollution crisis. We can all take action at home, school, and work to ensure a cleaner community and healthier waters. This includes reducing the amount of waste we create, embracing reusable products, and buying used clothing and household items. Governments and businesses also have a role to play, by investing in waste management and implementing eco-design standards to reduce resource use and hazardous chemicals in production.

Reduce the amount of waste you create

To reduce the amount of waste you create, you can start by replacing single-use plastic packaging, bottles, and containers with reusable products. You can also try to eliminate packaging when possible, for example, by buying food from bulk bins and using reusable bags. Buying second-hand clothing and household items is another way to reduce waste, as is repairing broken items instead of replacing them.

You can also reduce waste by buying only what you need, embracing less appealing but perfectly edible fruits and vegetables, and storing food wisely. Use up leftovers, and compost food scraps instead of throwing them away. You can also donate food before it goes bad, using apps to make this easier.

Another way to reduce waste is to modernise the waste collection process. This can be done by increasing the scope and scale of recycling to reclaim materials such as plastics, glass, and metals, as well as organic waste for composting and energy value. This cuts down on what ends up in landfills and can create new income streams for waste management companies.

Finally, producers can follow nationally determined eco-design standards to reduce energy and resource use while minimising hazardous chemicals in production.

Dispose of your waste properly

The most effective way to prevent trash from polluting our waterways is to reduce the amount of waste you create. This can be done by buying only what you need, embracing less appealing but perfectly edible fruits and vegetables, storing food more wisely, using up leftovers, and composting food scraps instead of throwing them away. You can also donate food before it goes bad, something made easier by a bevy of apps.

You can also replace single-use plastic packaging, bottles, and containers with reusable products or eliminate packaging when possible. You can buy used clothing and household items. Repair, rather than replace, broken items.

Producers can follow nationally determined eco-design standards to reduce energy and resource use while minimizing hazardous chemicals in production. Municipalities can promote urban agriculture and use food waste in animal husbandry, farming, green-space maintenance, and more. They can also fund food waste composting schemes, segregate food waste at source, and ban food from dumpsites.

Modernizing the waste collection process is another way to dispose of waste properly. This includes increasing the scope and scale of recycling to reclaim materials such as plastics, glass and metals, and organic waste for composting and energy value. This cuts down on what’s sent to landfills and yields new income streams for municipalities and waste management companies, which can help offset the cost of asset upgrades.

Don't litter

The most effective way to prevent trash from polluting our waterways is to reduce the amount of waste we create. We can all play a role in helping to prevent and remove trash from the environment, at home, at school, and at work.

One way to do this is to not litter. This means not throwing rubbish on the ground or in bodies of water, and instead disposing of it properly. This could be by recycling, reusing, or composting it.

Recycling is an important way to reduce waste. We can recycle plastics, glass, and metals, as well as organic waste. We can also buy used clothing and household items, and repair broken items instead of replacing them.

We can also reduce waste by not using single-use plastic packaging, bottles, and containers. Instead, we can use reusable products or eliminate packaging when possible.

By not littering and reducing our waste, we can help to keep our communities clean and our waters healthy.

Buy used clothing and household items

The most effective way to prevent trash from polluting our waterways is to reduce the amount of waste we create. One way to do this is to buy used clothing and household items. By purchasing second-hand goods, we can reduce the demand for new products, which helps to cut down on the amount of raw materials used in production and prevents the destruction of natural spaces.

When buying used clothing, look for items made from durable materials that will last a long time. This way, you won't have to replace your clothes as often, further reducing waste. You can also repair clothing instead of throwing it away when it becomes damaged. The same goes for household items – opt for second-hand goods that can be repaired or refurbished if they break.

Another benefit of buying used items is that it supports a circular economy. Instead of sending old items to landfills, we can give them a new lease of life by passing them on to someone else. This reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and creates new income streams for municipalities and waste management companies.

In addition to buying used items, we can also reduce waste by embracing imperfections. For example, when buying food, opt for less appealing but perfectly edible fruits and vegetables. This reduces the amount of food waste, which is a significant contributor to trash pollution.

Participate in local waterway cleanups

While there are many ways to reduce garbage pollution, such as reducing waste, reusing and recycling materials, and buying used items, one direct way to make an impact is to participate in local waterway cleanups.

Waterways are often clogged with trash, which can contaminate drinking water and threaten the safety of wildlife and people. By participating in a waterway cleanup, you can help to protect clean drinking water, conserve natural habitats, and encourage biodiversity.

If you're interested in getting involved, the first step is to choose a location. You can contact a local watershed association or outfitter, or look for an existing program like Keep Texas Waterways Clean, which provides support and supplies for waterway cleanups. Once you've found a location, pick a date and time—weekends are usually best, and it's a good idea to choose a date at least a month in advance to allow for preparation and recruitment. The length of the cleanup is up to you, and you can even ask a local business to sponsor lunch and snacks for participants. Don't forget to get permission from the land manager, whether it's public or private land.

You can also organize your own waterway cleanup in your community. It takes around 10 hours to prepare and recruit for a cleanup, and there are guides available online to help you get started. By leading a waterway cleanup effort, you can make a direct impact on the environment and connect with like-minded people in your community.

Frequently asked questions