Reduce Waste

Solid waste generation was responsible for approximately 4% of 2018 community GHG emissions. 

Materials that go into a landfill are wasted resources. Solid waste (garbage) often needs to be shipped long distances, creating air pollution and contributing to GHG emissions from transportation. Decomposing waste in landfills also release pollution from methane gases.

The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making a new product requires a lot of materials and energy for both manufacturing and transport. 

Remember to follow the three R’s, listed in order of effectiveness: 

• Reduce the amount of waste you create
• Reuse items whenever possible
• Recycle (or compost!) properly

Food and Organics Waste

Washington residents throw away more than 250,000 tons of edible food each year. When we throw away food, we're also wasting all the water, energy and other resources used to produce, package and transport food to our plates. 

Wasting food also wastes money: a family of four spends an average of $1,600 a year on wasted food. Taking steps to plan meals, store food correctly and embrace leftovers can go a long way towards reducing food waste and saving money. 

Make sure you dispose of any food waste correctly! Composting food scraps creates a rich soil additive and keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.