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Did you know that the average American family produces nearly 125 pounds of waste every week? That’s a lot of garbage!
I think about the amount of trash we generate every Sunday evening as we roll an overflowing garbage can to the curb for pickup the following morning. Although our recycle bins are generally filled, I continue to be amazed each week by the amount of garbage our family of 5 continues to produce.
It’s time to change that.
Tom’s of Maine #LessWasteChallenge
For 45 years, Tom’s of Maine has been taking its own #LessWasteChallenge by developing natural personal care products with a focus on natural, responsible and sustainable practices and materials. Today, Tom’s of Maine has a goal of zero waste to landfills by 2020 [2] at its manufacturing facility in Maine. Now it’s time to bring the challenge into our own homes.
My Week of Less Waste
As many of you know, I work closely with Tom’s of Maine [3] as a brand ambassador in their Goodness Circle [4]. It’s my job to share both the products and all the good things the company is doing. This month, in honor of Earth Month, Tom’s of Maine has teamed up with recycling leader, TerraCycle [5], to decrease the amount of trash ending up in landfills by launching the #LessWasteChallenge.
I decided to join in and take the pledge to reduce the amount of trash we’re adding to landfills by signing up HERE [6]. I hope you’ll join me (it’s free and only takes 30 seconds)!
Tom’s of Maine and Terracycle challenged me to reduce my household waste for one week and track my progress using the Waste Less Tracker.
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Here are a few things that our family was able to do:
- Use reusable bags at the grocery store instead of plastic bags that end up in landfills.
- Make lunch boxes waste free [8].
- Use reusable napkins [9].
- Purchase reusable water bottles [10].
- Buy in bulk [11].
- Make the switch from disposables to reusables [12].
- Skip the plastic straw and use glass or no straw.
Tom’s of Maine teamed up with TerraCycle to create a few Less Waste Tips. Here’s one of my favorites:
Less Waste Tip – Turn Your Toothpaste Carton into a Gift Box
I’m happy to report that we’ve added another recycling bin and significantly reduced the amount of trash we’re sending to a landfill each week. It would be fantastic if you joined in and took the Less Waste Challenge [6]. Let me know how it goes!
How much waste do you produce each week? Ready to change that?!
P.S. If you liked this post you might enjoy our Groovy Green Livin Newsletter [13]. Receive new posts and special opportunities delivered right to your inbox! Sign up HERE [13].
Disclaimer: I’m working in partnership with Tom’s of Maine and I am compensated for my work. All opinions are my own. I only work with companies I support and think you, my readers, will like.