Waste Reduction Tips For Your Home

Junk mail - the pesky flyers and postcards nobody wants - destroys approximately 100 million trees yearly, with 5.6 million tons of catalogs and other direct mail advertisements ending up in U.S. landfills annually. About 44% of junk mail is thrown away unopened, but only half that much is recycled. 

Keep Trash Out of Landfills

Small changes at home can have a significant impact on the environment. Here are some tips to help eliminate unnecessary waste in your everyday life throughout the year:  

• You can help reduce mail waste by calling the 1-800 number listed on catalogs and asking to be removed from their mailing list.
• Recycle your Christmas Tree! Did you know that the City of Salida offers a convenient location to drop off your trees for free in January? If you missed out this year, mark your calendar for 2024!
• Reduce food waste by exploring composting options. The City partners with GARNA and Elements Mountain Compost to make composting at home fun and easy. 
• Purchase reusable bags at the grocery store, and keep them in your car so you have them for next time! In partnership with Safeway, the City is currently offering two sturdy reusable bags for only $3.
• Buy local, sustainable gifts! 
  • Look for gifts you can buy locally to help reduce vehicle pollutants that harm our health and contain greenhouse gasses. Learn more about the local Makers’ Market, which has an event on March 18. 
  • Re-gifting clears unneeded clutter in your home and can be just as thoughtful and meaningful as buying one in the store! Treasure hunters can find gently used items in the fantastic consignment shops around Downtown Salida.
  •  Minimize gift packaging by giving the gift of a local experience like event tickets at the SteamPlant, a class at a local yoga studio, or a membership to Salida’s amazing Hot Springs Aquatic Center.