Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Waste Reduction

Waste Reduction Photo Banner
 

The amount of waste produced is influenced by economic activity, consumption, and population growth. Among industrialized nations, the U.S. generates the largest amounts of municipal solid waste per person on a daily basis.

~US EPA 
Waste reduction (consuming less and/or throwing away less) is also referred to as pollution prevention, source reduction and pre-recycling and results in a reduction in the amount and/or toxicity of waste generated. Waste is generated throughout the life cycle of a product, beginning with extraction of raw materials, throughout transportation, processing and manufacturing, during use and by its disposal at the end of its useful life.

In general, reduction and reuse are cost-saving, resource-conserving, environmentally sound alternatives to traditional forms of solid waste management.

Waste reduction is anything that reduces waste by using less material in the first place. Reducing waste can be as simple as using both sides of a sheet of paper, using ceramic mugs instead of disposable cups, or buying in bulk rather than individually packaged items. The end result for producing less waste is money saved, resources conserved, pollution reduced, and landfill space saved.

The idea is not to generate waste, but to  reduce waste at or near the source of generation (in our homes, businesses, and institutions). Practicing waste reduction and reuse are the best ways to divert the growing volume of waste.

Reducing waste reduces needless consumption. Reducing needless consumption preserves renewable and non renewable resources. Reducing waste conserves energy and reduces the air, soil, and water contamination that is often caused by the manufacture of those materials and supplies that become waste, and from the fossil fuel powered transportation that delivers those goods and hauls them away after they become waste. Reducing waste also reduces the use of landfills and resource recovery facilities.

The less waste we generate, the less waste there is to dispose.

Is it the Same as Recycling?

No. Recycling is an important part of any waste management strategy, however, the greatest environmental benefits are achieved through source reduction or waste prevention and reuse . Consider a simple example: we can reduce trash disposal and save raw materials if we collect plastic grocery bags for recycling and incorporate them into a new product such as plastic lumber. However, a better option would be to take no bag at all, as no natural resources or energy are used to first produce, then collect and reprocess disposable bags. Using a reusable canvas or string bag would have similar environmental benefits as the bag could replace thousands of disposable bags over its useful life. Any organization reviewing their waste management strategy should first consider ways to reduce waste and incorporate reusable products to achieve the maximum benefit to the environment.

How Do We Practice Waste Reduction?

Like we practice most new things, take on a new strategy one at a time. Once you’ve mastered one strategy in your home, business or institution, add more.

Waste reduction is the highest priority in the hierarchy of effective waste management and is generally acknowledged to have the greatest benefits. It is also perhaps the most challenging option for managing waste since it involves changes in how we live, work and have fun.

Ideas to Get Started: Reducing the Amount of Our Trash

  • Print on both sides of paper

  • Read/subscribe to on-line newspapers

  • Switch to paperless bills

  • Reduce your junk mail

  • Implement tray-less lunches in the cafeteria

  • Buy items that you can recycle

  • Use reusable bags when you shop 
  • Avoid products with excess packaging

  • At work, use a reusable coffee mug

  • Practice GrassCycling; Leave grass clippings on the lawn

  • Write your favorite company to rethink how they package their products

  • Reduce food waste by eating leftovers and/or prepare only what you will eat

  • Buy in bulk

  • Avoid using single-use packages

Ideas to Get Started: Reducing the Toxicity of Our Trash

Major concerns regarding toxicity in solid waste relate to the presence of toxic substances such as mercury, lead, dioxin and cadmium in products and materials that are disposed and the generation of those toxic substances during the manufacturing process.

Look for the signal words: Poison, Danger, Warning, Caution

Try using alternative less toxic products in your home

When you need to use solvents or toxic chemicals, use up all the product before disposing of the container

Take household hazardous products to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event

If you’re a business, learn if you’re a small or large quantity waste generator

Learn More about the toxicity of your trash

General Waste Reduction Resources

What Do I Do With…?  (CT DEEP)  A list of materials by name. 

The Story of Stuff  A short interactive on-line movie about the extraction, manufacture, distribution, consumption, and disposal of stuff. 

Getting Rid of Catalogs (Catalog Choice) 

Learn About Zero Waste

Source Reduction and Reuse (US EPA) 

Alternative Gift Registry (New American Dream)  

Plastics Primer  Learn about BPA  (CT DPH) 

Waste Reduction Resources for Businesses

Managing and Reducing Wastes: A Guide for Commercial Buildings (EPA)

Why Should You care About Preventing Waste?  Small Business Guide  (EPA)

Waste Reduction Tips for Hotels and Casinos in Indian Country (EPA)

Waste Reduction: A Hospital Case Study (MN)

Practice Greenhealth Waste reduction resources for health care facilities – includes how to conduct a waste assessment.

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (Book, 2002, Bill McDonough) 

Waste Reduction Resources for Schools

Tips on Waste Reduction and Reuse in Schools (CT DEEP)

School Waste Reduction (California Integrated Waste Management Board)

A School Waste Reduction, ReUse, Recycling, Composting, & Buy Recycled Resource Book (NYS DEC)

Toolbox for Community Change Tools and resources about changing individual behavior and attitudes toward litter. (Keep America Beautiful)  

Tools for Zero Waste Schools K-12 (Grassroots Recycling Network)

Waste Reduction Resources for Universities 

Water Bottle Refilling Stations (UCONN)

Resource Reduction Initiatives (Notre Dame) 

What Do I Do With…? (CT DEEP) A list of materials by name.

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (Book, 2002, Bill McDonough)

Cradle to Cradle Community Forum  A forum hosted by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry for the discussion of the Cradle to Cradle framework and it's implementation.

Waste Reduction Resources for Municipalities

Spotlight on Waste Prevention: EPA’s Program to Reduce Solid Waste at the Source (EPA)

Waste Prevention, Recycling and Composting Options: Lessons from 30 US Communities (EPA) 

Toolbox for Community Change  Tools and resources about changing individual behavior and attitudes toward litter. (Keep America Beautiful) 

Learn More About Litter (CT DEEP)

Municipal Recycling Resource Center  (CT DEEP)

Helpful Organizations

Grist  Environmental news and commentary

Earth911  An Organization that seeks to deliver local information on recycling and product stewardship

The Freecycle Network  Mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community

Craigslist  Provides a local classifieds and forums for more than 500 cities in over 50 countries worldwide - community moderated, and largely free. Can find just about anything. 

CT Green Building Council  (CT Chapter)  An organization that seeks to improve the quality of life in Connecticut through the promotion of intelligently designed and constructed high performance energy efficient buildings.

Building Green (National)

Keep America Beautiful  National organizations with local affiliates that work to engage individuals to organize efforts to reduce and prevent litter and recycle

Institute for Local Self-Reliance  Provides innovative strategies, working models and timely information to support environmentally sound and equitable community development

Waste Prevention Resource Center  National Waste Prevention Coalition (NWPC) - information to help individuals and business prevent waste from being created, and to reduce the use of resources

 Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

Disclaimer: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) maintains the content on this web site to enhance public access to information and facilitate understanding of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The DEEP is not recommending these resources over any others and recognizes these represent only a partial listing of resources on this subject.

Content Last Updated July 2024