Imagine, for a moment, that all of your waste went into your own backyard. How would that impact your decisions around the products you consume and throw away? Reducing waste is a lifestyle consisting of conscious habits centered around sustainability. Here are five easy ways to start making an impact daily.

Broken things - Recycle at CHaRM. CHaRM - Center for Hard to Recycle Materials in Boulder is an incredible resource that we are lucky to have! You can recycle anything from VHS tapes and plastic bags to refrigerators, mattresses, scrap metal, and much more. While it is free to recycle many items, some items may have a price. Go to ecocycle.org to proactively plan what items you can bring to CHaRM and any associated cost.

Reusables on the Go - Think Ahead. We can help the planet and our local businesses by shifting our behavior to using reusable containers when we’re on the go. I’ve gotten some funny looks when I bring my mason jar to Jamba Juice. Jokes on them, because soon enough they will get the memo that single-use containers are no longer acceptable. Greenpeace stated in a 2020 report, “Companies must commit to overall reduction of packaging and shift to alternative delivery systems like reuse and refill.” We can lead this change by keeping our car or backpack equipped with Tupperware, utensils, to-go coffee cups, and cloth napkins!

Consider the packaging - Find a Better Option. When grocery shopping, consider the packaging of the items. In 2018 National Geographic reported, “40% of plastic produced is packaging, used just once, and then discarded.” If there is a product you love but you don’t support the packaging, reach out to the company to let them know. Also, if you grocery shop in Boulder or Longmont check out Nude Foods and Simply Bulk Market – two Boulder County businesses prioritizing zero waste grocery shopping and reusable packaging.

Cloth Napkins - DIY Easy. Eliminating paper towels is an easy way to save trees. Hand towels can do the job in addition to cloth napkins which can easily be made out of old clothes or sheets. Simply cut a square of fabric to your desired size and voila! If you can sew, sewing up the edges will prevent fraying.

Junk mail - Opt Out Nobody benefits from marketing materials that simply land in the recycling bin after being delivered. Here are a few ways to reduce unwanted mail from reaching your mailing address. Go to DirectMail.com to get on the national do not mail list, DMAchoice to opt out of mail - $4 for a 10 year period, Optoutprescreen to opt out of credit offers for five years (or permanently, but you have to mail in the form), and/or contact the sender directly to opt out.

Emma Quarterman can be reached at 303-506-5218 or by email at emma@livewestrealty.com. Check out her website at emmaskycolorado.com/.