Responsible Production & Consumption

Garbage: A tool to a Sustainable You

Blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Company
Feb 17, 2011 2:21 PM ET

Taiga Company blog by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner at Taiga Compa…

Were you aware that the average American throws out 550 pounds of paper, 318 pounds of food, and 90 pounds of glass per year?   About 80 percent of that garbage ends up in landfills.  Garbage isn't necessarily a fun thing to think about but it certainly is an opportunity to evaluate ones choices and lifestyles. 

As a green living consultant, I oftentimes ask clients, "What is in your garbage?"  Your garbage can give you clues as to how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. 
 
Clue #1:
This is an easy one.  If you look in your garbage and notice paper, plastic, aluminum, kitchen waste and more all combined together, then your first step towards building a personal sustainability program is to embrace the sustainability concept of recycle.  Separate the paper, plastics, glass, and aluminum into bins and begin a recycling program. 
 
Clue #2:
Inspect the paper and plastic in your garbage.  Are the paper products you are using made from recycled content?  Do you receive a lot of junk mail? Are you using reusable containers?  What kind of garbage bags do you use?  Take eco action and make a difference.  Address each area and explore ways to reduce your waste as well as make more environmentally friendly choices.  Following are some suggestions from our eco friendly training classes:
 
Reduce Food Waste:
•    Pre plan your meals, buy in bulk, and prepare what you need.
•    Compost and turn your old food into healthy soil.
 
Reduce when you shop and shop with the environment in mind: click here to continue reading.

 

Home to one third of the earth's trees, the Taiga is the largest land-based biosphere and encircles the globe. Its immense oxygen production literally changes the atmosphere and refreshes the planet. It is this continuous renewal that has shaped Taiga Company's vision to drive similar change in the business world. Taiga Company seeks to be the "oxygen for your business".

TAIG11937