Enter to Win Our Grand Prize Giveaway!
We love our customers and very much appreciate your feedback. It’s not too late to enter our Grand Prize Giveaway Contest and win a LG Smart TV just in time for Christmas.
7 Tips to Reduce Food Waste at Home
The holiday season is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the future. One of the ways to ensure a better future is to protect the environment. Did you know that the United States throws away 35 million tons of food each year? That is an average of $2,200 worth of food annually per household or 300 lbs. per person. The following tips will help you lower that statistic and reduce the amount of money you waste on unconsumed food each year.
- Plan a Weekly Menu and Make Sure You Stick with It – A weekly menu will ensure that you eat all the food you have in your pantry or kitchen. This is also extremely helpful when budgeting.
- Share Excess Food with Friends, Family, & Neighbors – If you have too much food, give it to someone who can use it before it goes bad. This is also helpful if you have a garden that produces more food than your household can eat.
- Compost Fruits and Vegetables to Grow More Food at Home – Compost fruits and vegetables. You can use compost to grow more food while reducing the amount of refuse leaving your home.
- Only Buy What You Need When You Go Grocery Shopping – Don’t overbuy when you go to the grocery store. Only purchase items in quantities that you know you will eat.
- Monitor Portion Size to Keep Food Out of the Trash – Keep portions small when serving food. Everyone should feel satisfied and leave little to no food on their plates.
- Have a Method for Saving and Eating Leftovers – If you have leftovers, save them. Make a point to ensure that they are eaten. You can always have “leftover night” once or twice a week for dinner.
- Know How to Store Food to Maximize Shelf Life – Learn about the foods you keep and how to maximize their shelf life. This gives you more time to eat them before they spoil.
If your business has questions about waste management or recycling, contact Priority Waste. We can help you find more ways to reduce refuse.
How Can You Help Reduce the World’s Plastic Waste Problem?
If you walk into the average household, you can easily spot many things that are made of plastic. It’s a common find in modern society. It’s lightweight, versatile, and can last a long time. The problem is that it often ends up thrown away, adding to landfills and environmental pollution.
How Much Plastic Waste Does Your Community Produce?
A total of 242 million tons of plastic waste were generated globally in 2016. That amounts to 12% of municipal solid waste. East Asia and the Pacific were the top plastic waste producer with 57 million tons. Europe and Central Asia followed close behind with 45 million tons. North America came in third with 35 million tons.
Managing Plastic Waste at the Household Level
If every household was to change their behavior, we could put a dent in plastic waste. It all starts at home. Find ways to reduce your plastic consumption. Switch to reusable containers and fabric shopping bags. Stop buying bottled water and use a thermos for coffee and other beverages. Switch to cardboard over plastic. Other methods include switching to reusable razors, stop using single-use plastic straws, and try cloth diapers instead of disposable brands.
Push for Better Waste Management Policies
Know your local policies when it comes to waste management. Voice your opinion and push for improvement wherever it is needed. Each community is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Stay informed and make your opinion known.
Start a Plastic Recycling Program
Reusing and recycling can also reduce plastic waste. Find creative ways to get more use out of the plastic items you already have at home. Contact Priority Waste today to learn more about setting up a neighborhood or business recycling program.
Happy Thanksgiving from Priority Waste
Working with our local community provides us many opportunities to meet people and build new relationships. Priority Waste would like to take a moment to reflect on all that this year has brought us. We are thankful for our hardworking staff and our loyal customers. You help us feed our families and keep our company thriving. As you gather for this year’s feast, please know that we are grateful for all you do – whether you work for us or let us provide waste services for your home or business. We wish you all a happy Thanksgiving in 2018 and every year after!
Waste Management Effects Everyone
There’s always room for improvement, especially when discussing living conditions around the world. Priority Waste is always searching for better ways to recycle and manage refuse. Solid waste management is a growing issue for everyone. Here’s why you should care, even if your neighborhood is clean and green.
Solid Waste Management Can Harm Vulnerable Communities
According to a report released by The World Bank, over 90% of waste is openly burned or dumped in low-income countries. This disproportionately harms some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities.
It’s a Huge Problem That Is Expanding at a Rapid Rate
Population growth, economic development, and rapid urbanization are projected to increase annual global waste production by 70% over the next three decades. In 2016, the world produced 242 million tons of plastic waste, which is equivalent to 3.4 million blue whales.
Poor Waste Management Hurts Air, Land, and Sea
Poor waste management practices hurt us and the planet. It causes clogged drains which lead to flooding, transmits diseases, and contaminates oceans. It also lowers air quality due to garbage burning.
Global Waste Management Can Be Expensive
Many local governments find that waste management can be the single most expensive item on their budgets. In low-income regions, it can comprise an average of 20% of municipal budgets.
Informal Management Can Create Hazardous Conditions
Informal recycling and waste management efforts can create employment opportunities, but can also be hazardous. Over 15 million informal waste pickers are made up of children, seniors, women, the unemployed, and migrants who must work in unhealthy conditions with a lack of health care or social security.
The best way to help combat the solid waste management issue is by pushing for a sustainable program in your area. Contact Priority Waste to learn more about recycling programs.
