Zero Waste Challenge:
Resources to reduce your residential footprint
In the process of preparing “Zero Waste Challenge,” we collected a fair amount of information that we would like to share.
I first learned about zero waste while working in Latin America, where various cities were promoting “basura cero.” Today there is a growing zero waste movement globally and in the U.S. that has produced a large amount of practical information on reducing solid waste. Here are a few blogs to check out:
https://www.goingzerowaste.com/
Recycling
Depending on your location, different things are acceptable for recycling. A good place to start is your local municipality. For our county, there is a link to what can go in the recycling bins.
https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/DepHowDoI/search.aspx
Another good source to find out what’s recyclable in your area is Earth911:
According to recycling experts, among the most common problems for recycling are: (1) contamination (such as with food or liquids), which results in recycled products being landfilled or incinerated, and (2) placing recyclables in polyethylene (grocery) bags, which can clog the recycling equipment. So, remember to rinse out your recycling before putting it in the bin, and separate your polyethylene bags and film (see below on how to recycle them).
There is too much uncertainty for producers and consumers of products as to what is recyclable and no two municipalities seem to have the same rules and guidelines. As my wife commented, the U.S. (world?) needs consistent standards for recyclable products – a job for the National Institute of Standards and Technology? Taking matters into their own hands, a coalition of corporations (including Walmart, Target, and Nestle) have created a labeling system to communicate recycling instructions to the public called How2Recycle. https://www.how2recycle.info/
While each jurisdiction determines what it accepts as recycling, I find the two lists provided by Waste Management Inc. useful as a good starting point for determining what to, and not to, recycle. Because they are a large collector, they can help create and stabilize the market for recyclable products.
What’s Recyclable?
All plastics #1-7 (except Foam cups or packing materials). Actually, almost no one recycles #6 plastics (see below).
Aluminum foil products (cans, baking tins & foil)
Bundled plastic bags/wrap [*see polyethylene bags and film]
Cardboard
Clean paper
Glass containers
Metal containers (including empty aerosol cans)
Scrap metal (cookie sheets, utensils)
What’s Not Recyclable?
Windows, mirrors, sheet glass
Foam cups or packing materials [**packing materials]. Including stryrofoam and many plastic cups such as the large red beer and soda cups.
Ceramic dishes, cups & glassware
Juice boxes/juice pouches [***]
Source: www.wm.com
** Styrofoam peanuts, boxes, and some other packing materials can usually be taken back to UPS and other shipping companies.
*** Check with your local jurisdiction. Montgomery County recycles juice boxes and juice pouches, as well as milk cartons. Waste Management and Tropicana began a recycling initiative in 2009 which requires the cartons to be sent to a separate recycler (they are 85% paperboard but also have plastic that must be separated to recycle).
A lot has been written recently about the demise of U.S. recycling because China has refused to accept our recycling. In fairness to China, which has its own solid waste challenges, it hasn’t refused to take recycled products from the U.S., it has established higher standards for the quality of recycled products that it accepts. Don’t let cynicism about recycling and recycling product markets discourage us from continuing to recycle.
Mixed Paper
Most household paper, including mail, newspapers, and cardboard, can be recycled. To get rid of unwanted junk mail, contact https://www.directmail.com/mail_preference/ to have your name removed from mailing lists. For your other mail, set up electronic notification where possible, or inform them to limit their mailings. My wife threatened to stop donating to a particular group if they kept sending her multiple donation requests. It worked.
Items which should not be placed in mixed paper recycling bins include: carbon paper, foil gift wrap, photographic paper, envelopes with plastic padding, paper towels, napkins, or tissues. Regarding pizza boxes, I rinse them off before recycling them if they have become slightly soiled. If they are really bad, tear off the unsoiled part, recycle it, and throw the soiled part in the trash (or compost – which is easier to do in commercial or municipal composting programs rather than “backyard” composting bins).
Polyethylene bags and film
We try to limit the products that come in plastic bags or plastic wrap. Still, there tends to be a lot unless you’re only buying bulk foods. For the plastic we still get, such as newspaper bags and a wide variety of food bags, we rinse them out if soiled and after dry put them in a bag to take back to the grocery store. I find that laundry hooks for drying clothes works well to hang damp plastic bags.
What qualifies as polyethylene bags and film that you can take back to area grocery and other stores?
Retail, carryout, produce, newspaper, bread, and dry cleaning bags (clean, dry and free of receipts and clothes hangers)
Zip-top food storage bags (clean and dry)
Plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels), bubble wrap and air pillows (deflate)
Product wrap on cases of water/soda bottles, paper towels
Furniture and electronic wrap
Plastic cereal box liners (but if it tears like paper, do not include)
Any film packaging or bag that has the How2Recycle Label shown at right
The composite decking and outdoor furniture industry has created a large demand for polyethylene bags and film. For example, Trex and Safeway have established a joint program to promote the recycling of plastic bags. For Trex, it’s looking to acquire low-cost raw materials, and for Safeway, it’s trying to be greener. To find out where you can recycle plastic bags and films, go to:
Mattresses
In many locations it is possible to have your old mattress picked up for reuse or recycling of the materials. Here’s a site to check out on mattress donations:
http://amerisleep.com/blog/mattress-donation
Clothing
Some retailers offer information about resale, repair, and recycling of used clothing. Here’s a link provided by Sarah of Louisville, KY.
https://www.lulus.com/blog/resources/selling-donating-and-recycling-old-clothing/
And this contribution from Maria and her Earth Sciences class (original from Daniel Gleich of Madison Trust):
Donating Clothes Helps Those in Need
Selling gently used clothes at thrift stores and recycling centers can help underprivileged families dress themselves without breaking the bank. Having access to stylish clothes can help increase self-esteem and make shopping for clothes feel less like a slog. It can also help people gain access to better employment opportunities and help with social mobility.
Donating Clothes Creates a Chic and Affordable Sustainable Market
Repurposing clothes and accessories has gained momentum in modern society through the use of thrift stores. This is not only good for humanity and the environment, but it's good for the wallet as well. You'd be surprised at the unique fashion finds that can turn up in thrift stores, and you'll sometimes even find high-end designer goods at rock-bottom prices there.
Recycling Clothes Benefits the Environment
In America, people throw out more than 68 pounds of clothes per person per year, and those clothes will eventually enter the solid waste stream. But more 2 billion pounds of textile waste have been saved from directly entering into the waste stream by being donated and recycled. This comes out to about 10 pounds for every person in the United States! And maximizing the useful life of clothing and textiles also reduces the amount that need to be manufactured. The production of clothing is one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation because of the hazardous chemicals and fossil fuels used to create these textiles as well as lax enforcement of environmental protections in developing countries where these clothes are created.
Recycling Textiles Leads to Improved Health
Textile production can have detrimental effects on people's health as well as the health of our planet. The production of clothing and textiles causes more harmful emissions to be released into the air, which people who live near these factories breathe in, and it also contributes to climate change.
Recycled Clothes Limits Unethical Business Practices
High demand for clothing leads to outsourcing of clothing manufacturing to developing countries where workers are treated poorly and often experience violations of their basic rights. Some people in garment factories make as little as 12 cents an hour while they work in poor conditions that can damage their health. As businesses compete for market share, they push to lower production costs, lowering the prices of their products for consumers at the expense of the people who made those products.
Recycling Can Promote a Minimalist Lifestyle
Some scientists say that a minimalist lifestyle is a path to happiness because collecting clothes, accessories, and household objects does not inherently make people happy. Having less stuff allows people to focus on the essentials in life that make them happy, like personal relationships and exciting experiences.
Recycling Clothes Allows People to Have a Chic and Unique Style
Few things are as satisfying as flipping through the racks at a thrift store and finding a piece of clothing that perfectly encapsulates your personality and style. When you shop at thrift stores or just trade cast-offs with friends, you can put together a look that's different from the off-the-rack fashions everyone else is wearing.
Places to Donate Your Used Clothing
The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army accepts clothing donations and other items all over the United States.
Once Upon a Child: Donate gently used children's clothing, furniture, and toys that can be resold to other families here.
Goodwill: Whether you're donating clothes, household goods, electronics, or toys, Goodwill can accept your donations and then sell them to other people.
Project G.L.A.M.: Donate your old prom dresses and accessories to provide underprivileged young women with everything they need to feel beautiful at their senior prom.
Planet Aid: This international charity accepts clothing and shoes as donations.
Soles4Souls: Soles4Souls accepts shoes and clothes and provides them to children and adults all around the world.
Hearts for the Homeless: Donate your gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories at any of these nationwide clothing donation bins to help support the poor and homeless.
GreenDrop: You can donate gently used clothes and household items at a GreenDrop location to support the organization's nonprofit and charity partners.
Dress for Success: This global nonprofit provides a support network and donated professional attire to empower women to achieve financial independence.
Fair Harbor Roundtrip Initiative: Instead of throwing out your old bathing suits, consider recycling them through the Roundtrip Initiative to reduce waste.
Vietnam Veterans of America Clothing Donations: ClothingDonations.org is a service offered by the Vietnam Veterans of America that picks up used clothes and household goods to be used to support the needs of veterans.
Career Gear: This nonprofit is dedicated to helping men look their best with donated suits so they can achieve financial independence.
Retold: Instead of throwing out old textiles and clothes, fill up a bag from Retold to send your cast-offs to thrift stores, charity stores, and recycling companies.
Becca's Closet: Donate prom dresses and formal attire that you don't plan on using again to help girls who cannot afford to invest in a new dress.
Donate Stuff: Have clothing and other household objects you'd like to donate picked up from your home and given to a charity of your choice.
The Bra Recyclers: You can recycle your gently used bras and unused underwear at drop-off locations across the United States and earn rewards with retailers and businesses that partner with this organization.
2ReWear: Keep your clothes out of landfills and enjoy savings at participating retailers.
Construction and Demolition Debris
Much construction and demolition debris can be taken to local solid waste transfer stations. In our county, the site is the Montgomery County Transfer Station in Derwood, Maryland, which provides a searchable list of the products it accepts (both as recycling and as trash). https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/DepHowDoI/search.aspx
For other recycling, including vinyl siding, aluminum, steel, copper, cardboard, and a range of other products, there may be commercial recycling companies that will not only take your products, but will pay you for them. In our area, I was fortunate to find the Arundel Recycling Facility, where I recycled my old vinyl siding and aluminum flashing and gutters.
Asbestos
Asbestos and lead are two particularly challenging pollutants that homeowners can encounter when remodeling.
Two excellent resources for learning about and dealing with asbestos are the following:
The first, from The Mesothelioma Center provides information on: (1) how to handle asbestos, (2) how asbestos in recycled, and (3) asbestos safety when remodeling older homes. https://www.asbestos.com/exposure/handling-disposing-asbestos/.
Communities that have been affected by asbestos can obtain information and seek solutions through the following:
Asbestos Recycling
A second resource specifically for homeowners dealing with asbestos:
www.lanierlawfirm.com/mesothelioma/asbestos-exposure/homeowners/
Mesothelioma Hope offers free resources that are reviewed by certified oncologists and provide detailed information about mesothelioma and its impact on veterans. 1 out of 3 mesothelioma patients are veterans so our mission is to raise awareness about this cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
https://www.mesotheliomahope.com/veterans/
Pesticides
When using or getting rid of garden chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, take care that such products are not adversely affecting humans or animals. The following information from Drugwatch.com provides information and resources about a broadly used and toxic product, Roundup, its potential health effects, and safer alternatives.
https://www.drugwatch.com/roundup/
https://www.drugwatch.com/roundup/alternatives/
Composting
If you are going to start composting at home, there may be local assistance available from your local jurisdiction. We tried using a simple open bin composting system provided by the county, but found that it was not convenient to turn and aerate, nor was it closed to animals. Instead, we purchased our own composting bin. It’s a good idea to get two composting bins or one with dual chambers so that one batch can be “cooking” while you’re still adding new kitchen waste to the other. You should allow several months for compost to decompose without adding new material for it to adequately break down, especially in the winter.
At present there is no large-scale composting of kitchen waste in the county. A recent study has recommended that kitchen waste be collected and sent to the existing county facility in Dickerson to be mixed and composted with organic yard waste. The expansion of curbside composting of kitchen waste would be one of the ways to reduce one of the largest remaining fraction of municipal solid waste in Montgomery County. See: “Transitioning from Waste Incineration Towards Zero Waste in Montgomery County, Maryland,” April 2018, prepared for the Sugarloaf Citizens Association by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
https://www.sugarloafcitizens.org/newdocs/ILSR%20ZW%20Report%20-%20April%202018.pdf
If you are not able, or prefer not, to compost yourself, there are a number of commercial composting companies that will collect your composting for a fee. Such services are preferable to home composting in that you can safely dispose of waste meat and bones, as well as items such as soiled pizza boxes.
Commercial Compost Services/Resources:
Compost Cab: https://compostcab.com/
Veterans Compost: https://www.veterancompost.com/
http://compostcrew.com/residential/
https://keycompost.com/residential-services/ (Frederick, MD)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XPQWVLJ/?tag=zerowastehomestore-20 (Indoor Food Recycler)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BDO17HG/?tag=zerowastehomestore-20 (Small Worm Compost)
Dog waste
If you have a dog, you probably collect plastic bags and use them to pick up dog poop when you’re out walking. We were at the point in our zero waste challenge where nearly the only thing in our outdoor trash can was dog poop bags. The trash can was incredibly stinky – especially in the summer – both for us and for the trash collector. Having read an online blog, I fashioned a dog waste composter by cutting holes in a large plastic bucket, depositing the dog poop therein, and covering it with a handful of leaves after each deposit. I’m still trying to perfect the poop transfer system, since no one in the family wants to reuse the plastic pick-up bags. There are various pet waste composters that you can purchase, including compostable collection bags.
Repair and Reuse
A program in Oceanside, CA has partnered with Goodwill Industries to repair and recycle over half of the city’s bulky items (furniture, appliances, mattresses).
Boulder CO, Ecocycle has developed a program to recycle mattresses. The non-profit collects oil mattresses and box springs that are recycled. Legislators and local environmentalists are developing a similar mattress recycling program in Montgomery County (ILR report).
Freecycle.org
Do you place unwanted items at the curb in hopes that they will find a new home? While this method often works, as evidence by the item being gone in the morning, it might not be the best way of finding those who really want and could use the item. Freecycle is a nationwide/worldwide platform to help connect unwanted goods with needy consumers in your area. Once you’re registered with the Freecycle group in your area, you post an ad for your item and receive private messages from people interested. You provide the pick-up address only after you have identified those who want it. When it’s gone, you update your post to say “taken.” I’ve gotten rid of lots of items this way, from a children’s desk to reusable beer bottles. For a complete description of how Freecycle works, go to: www.freecycle.org
Reusable Products to Reduce Solid Waste
Beeswrap: https://www.beeswrap.com/
Consider beeswrap and similar products to replace cling wrap and aluminum foil.
Silicone Baking Mats:
https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Baking-Mat-Set-Professional/dp/B00MM80ZLW/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2O9LIEG3R8754&keywords=baking+sheet+silicone+mat&qid=1559259964&s=gateway&sprefix=baking+sheet%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-6
Reusable baking mats can replace parchment paper and aluminum foil when baking.
Bulk Toilet Paper: https://us.whogivesacrap.org/.
This toilet paper is made of sustainable bamboo and is packaged in paper, rather than plastic, which can be readily recycled or composted.
Handkerchiefs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JDCJ72S/?tag=zerowastehomestore-20
To reduce paper tissues in your trash, consider using handkerchiefs and flushable toilet tissue instead.
Dryer Balls: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Sheep-Premium-Reusable-Softener/dp/B00GA9P5P0/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2C7ZGQU1FD66W&keywords=smart+sheep+wool+dryer+balls+6-pack&qid=1559249984&s=hpc&sprefix=smart+sheep+%2Chpc%2C116&sr=8-3
Dryer balls are reusable and can replace fabric softener and dryer sheets.
Bulk Stores Near Me:
https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
https://www.hmart.com/storelocator/index/index/id/25/
Plastic Film Recycling Finder:
https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/recycling-bags-and-wraps/find-drop-off-location/
Farmers Market Locator:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets
Bulk Food Store Locator:
https://app.zerowastehome.com/
Pet Food:
https://www.amazon.com/Open-Farm-Homestead-Turkey-Chicken/dp/B017OLX392/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1537325784&sr=8-1&keywords=open+farm&linkCode=sl1&tag=goizerwas-20&linkId=93e6e740d8f1fb15f03f62fab3d45f40&language=en_US
Diapers
Cloth diapers are a way of diverting a large share of U.S. landfill waste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 20 billion disposable diapers are dumped in landfills each year, amounting to more than 3.5 million tons of waste. There is plenty of information on the internet about the use and benefits of cloth diapers. https://momlovesbest.com/diapering/cloth-diapers
The disposable diaper industry argues that all diapering systems have environmental impacts, which is correct. Cloth diapers require water and detergents for cleaning, while disposable diapers do not. The industry also argues that diapers are only 1.5% of total municipal solid waste in the U.S. However, this is total MSW before recycling or composting, so disposable diapers are a more significant share of landfill waste that could be diverted through the use of reusable cloth diapers.
We used a diaper service at home for our first child and partly for our second. The cloth diaper and Velcro cover system worked well, and was easy and convenient with a weekly pick-up and drop-off system. Only when the kids started going to daycare – which didn’t have a cloth diaper option – did we have to use disposable diapers during the day. Presumably there are “cloth” option daycare services these days.
Background Information on Solid Waste Management in the U.S.
A good source of information on solid waste management that has been used for the video is “Solid Waste Management and Recycling in Maryland,” Department of Legislative Services, Annapolis, Maryland (January 2017).
Annual Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)*
United States of America: 258 million tons (mt) MSW
Maryland: 12.1 mt MSW
Montgomery County: 1.1 mt MSW
MSW Per Capita Average (includes both trash and recycling/composting collected):
U.S.: 4.4 pounds/day/person
Maryland: 5.98 pounds/day/person
Montgomery County: 5.72 pounds/day/person
Montgomery County Solid Waste: 40% recycled; 653,000 tons incinerated (1800 tons per day).
Population (2018): 1,052,567.
3.42 pounds/day/person of trash incinerated.
*MSW: total amount of solid waste generated, including both trash and recycling.
Landfills
Produce methane gas from the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste. Aerobic processes (like compost bins) eliminate the production of methane.
Lock up indefinitely valuable organic materials that should go back to farms, orchards, and gardens.
Take up valuable land area from other activities.
Require large investments to prevent water contamination, address dangerous methane production and leakage.
Require significant public resources to assess potential environmental impacts, both during development and operation.
https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas
Incinerators
Incinerators are most common in the eastern and southern part of the U.S. where population density is greater and where landfill sites are increasingly difficult to find and expensive to design and license. Maryland has two incinerators and Virginia has five, while Pennsylvania has six, New York has 10, Florida 11, and Massachusetts 7. In addition, many states have classified incinerators as renewable “waste to energy” plants, with the associated renewable energy credits. As a result, some two-thirds (52 out of 76 operating plants) of all incinerators in the U.S. are located in states that classify municipal solid was as a renewable energy source (Energy Democracy Initiative, December 2018). https://ilsr.org/waste-incineration-renewable-energy/
A major fire occurred at the Montgomery County incinerator in Dickerson MD in December of 2016, shortly after the incinerator had been paid off by the county. The fire added to the opposition to municipal waste burning in the county and the state (the other incinerator is in Baltimore), but to date no alternatives to the plant have been approved. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/waste-plant-fires-put-maryland-montgomery-county-and-company-on-hot-seat/2017/01/08/728f58ba-d208-11e6-a783-cd3fa950f2fd_story.html?utm_term=.8fc57dbc1ba3
Solid Waste Pricing
Although we usually pay for solid waste collection and disposal through local taxes, there is typically little or no price incentive for us to reduce our volume of trash. Jurisdictions that have instituted volume-based pricing for solid waste (sometimes referred to as “pay-as-you-throw” or PAYT) have experienced an immediate and significant reduction in the amount of trash that is generated. In Fayatteville, Arkansas, different size trash cans are associated with different monthly charges. Montgomery County MD has recently proposed instituting a PAYT program, though for now there is no effective limit on the amount of trash residents can have hauled away, and they can also take up to 500 pounds of trash to the county transfer station for free.