Waste

Curb your impact by taking on a challenge to reduce your waste! Practice the "5 RS" - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle - during the EcoChallenge and beyond with the suggested actions below.

LEARN MORE

challenge sponsors

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day by composting my food or learning how to.
LEARN MORE

ACTION RESOURCES:

WikiHow: How to Compost

Composting Is Way Easier Than You Think
You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?
JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending (___) disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Choose Two-Sided Printing

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep (___) disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.
LEARN MORE

ACTION RESOURCES:

How Much Water Actually Goes Into Making A Bottle Of Water?
You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?
JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Complete a Recycler / Composter Training

I will sign up for a Recycler / Composter program in my area.
LEARN MORE

ACTION RESOURCES:

Example 1: Betty Shelley's Reduce Your Waste Project

Example 2: Portland's Master Recycler Program
You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?
JOIN TO SELECT

ONE-TIME ACTION
Recycle Everything I Can

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
LEARN MORE

ACTION RESOURCES:

How California Became the First to Ban Plastic Bags
You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?
JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Avoid Disposables

I will not use any disposable plates, cups, or utensils.
LEARN MORE

ACTION RESOURCES:

Ebook: Rise Above Plastics Activist Toolkit
You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?
JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Use Reusable Containers

I will only use reusable containers for my lunches at work or school.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Needs vs. Wants

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.
LEARN MORE

ACTION RESOURCES:

An introduction to the Idea of Sufficiency

Four Things to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Product
You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?
JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Go Paperless

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and subscriptions.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

ONE-TIME ACTION
Reduce Unwanted Mail

I will reduce the amount of unwanted mail I receive (catalogs, phone books, etc.).
LEARN MORE

ACTION RESOURCES:

Stop Getting Junk Mail
You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?
JOIN TO SELECT

ONE-TIME ACTION
Start Composting

I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

ONE-TIME ACTION
Launch a Recycling Program

I will start a recycling program at my workplace or school. If a recycling program exists, I will advocate for ways to improve and expand it.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

ONE-TIME ACTION
Buy in Bulk

I will only purchase bulk food items and avoid all single-package items.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Buy Food And Water Only

I will not purchase anything but food and water during the Challenge.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Visit a Waste Management Facility

I will visit a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about the waste stream.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

ONE-TIME ACTION
Find Local Recycling Depots

I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

ONE-TIME ACTION
Lobby for Reusables

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.
LEARN MORE

ACTION RESOURCES:

Zero-wasting Your Office
You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?
JOIN TO SELECT

ONE-TIME ACTION
Personal Waste Audit

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
Carry my Trash

I will carry all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

You have already completed this action during the Challenge. Removing the action could cause you to lose points. Are you sure you want to do this?

JOIN TO SELECT

DAILY ACTION
CREATE A CUSTOM ACTION

Ideally, you’ll choose at least one measurable goal so that you can measure your success but there are no limits on what you can choose—so exercise your creativity!

JOIN TO SELECT

BACK TO ALL ACTION CATEGORIES