Packaging
When shopping, choose products that have little or no packaging. For example, rather than buy apples that come in a plastic container, get a thin plastic produce bag, or better yet use your own reusable bag, and put loose apples in that. Buy things in large packages rather than a few small packages to use less plastic. For example, buy a large container of water rather than many small ones. Or, get a reusable water bottle and fill it up as needed.
Compost
Create compost from waste to use as fertilizer in your yard. Create a compost pile in the backyard and add items such as fruit and vegetable waste, eggshells, and waste from your yard as well, such as leaves and grass clippings. Depending on the method you use, your compost can be ready to use in either a few weeks or many months.
Recycle
Recycle your household waste. Start out with two bins, then move to three as you become accustomed to this new habit. One is for trash, one is for plastic and glass, and the third is for paper products. When the plastic and glass bin fills up, put it out for local pickup, if any, or take the bins to a recycling center and sell the waste products.
Animal Awareness
Be aware that your household waste goes out into nature, where animals live and can be harmed by it. When throwing away plastic bags, tie them into knots. This way they are not blown by the wind and animals cannot crawl into them and suffocate. Another animal-friendly tip is to cut open the plastic rings that hold cans together. Animals can get stuck in these and be hurt or killed. Apply this same practice to other round objects, such as rubber bands.
