Tee Cee's Tip for Monday, Jan. 3, 2022

Jan. 2—Dear Tee Cee,

Inspired by this warm winter we've had and our drought, I want to be better about Zero Waste for my New Year's resolution. I already recycle as much as I can, but I know there are other things I could do. Do you have some other recommendations for resolutions?

Thank you and Happy New Year,

Carlos

Dear Carlos,

What a great resolution! As we work on our individual habits and goals, remember that "Zero Waste" refers to a larger systemic approach to the way we extract natural resources and design, process, manufacture and then recover the products we use in business and in our lives.

The vision of Zero Waste is that everything produced is recyclable, compostable or reusable, and collection programs support recovery of these resources, rather than disposal.

That way, consumers don't need to become Zero Waste experts; the system is just designed to keep our discards circulating in our economy and out of landfills.

To create these changes, we need some corporate- and community-level resolutions for policies, infrastructure and programs that shift our system from one in which waste is inevitable to one in which it is the exception.

A Zero Waste system won't be achieved by individual actions alone, but we can take part in driving the larger change. Here are some steps you could take in 2022:

Take an inventory. In order to reduce your waste, it's helpful to first know what waste you're producing. At the end of an average week, take a look at your trash and recycling bins. Take note of what items you see, and ask yourself some questions. For example: What item am I seeing the most? What item could I do without? What item has a less wasteful alternative? If a favorite product comes in a nonrecyclable or compostable container, reach out to the producer to let them know you want them to switch to something more responsible. They care what their customers tell them.

Refuse unnecessary waste. Even easier than reducing is refusing. Get in the habit of saying, "No silverware or napkins please!" when ordering food to-go (either on an app, over the phone or in person). Carry a fork and spoon in your car or bag if you are eating on the go. Let the grocery cashier know you won't be needing a bag as soon as you greet them, so they don't automatically begin bagging your items. If there's a "for here" option and you'd like to enjoy your drink or food in the cafe or restaurant, say "for here" as soon as you start to order. Many of these are just verbal habits for you to adopt, which may help the person on the other end of the interaction start to ask folks before automatically giving out single-use items.

Make some swaps. There are a bunch of easy swaps to lower your waste footprint as a consumer. For example, buy fresh produce in a reusable mesh bag rather than in plastic packaging. We at Eco-Cycle made a workbook to help you make consumer swaps away from plastic packaging — find it at ecocycle.org/take-action/reduce-plastic.

Bring your own. Having reusable utensils, travel mugs, water bottles and grocery bags at the ready is one of the easiest ways to reduce single-use plastic. Put these items in places where it will be easy to remember and access them, like your car, backpack or purse. Once you use them, try to put them back in your pack so they're there the next time you need them.

Compost. Take advantage of the fact that Longmont is one of the few places in the state that provides compost collections at the curb. It's never been easier to dispose of your food waste, yard waste, low-grade paper products and other organic materials. Simply call the city at 303-651-8416 to get your compost cart delivered to your door so you can start diverting organic discards from the landfill (where they generate methane). The Longmont Waste Diversion Center will also take your compostable materials if you're a resident. Guidelines for this one are simple: food and yard waste with no plastic.

Support Zero Waste policies and programs. Local officials as well as legislators on the state and national levels are introducing new programs this year, such as composting for all or legislation such as Producer Responsibility, in which producers are responsible for designing their products for recovery and for supporting the necessary recycling and composting infrastructure. These hopeful changes help create a circular, Zero Waste economy that preserves natural resources, reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and makes Zero Waste living much easier and more accessible to all. Let your legislators on all levels know you support this change.

These daily habits really add up, especially over the course of a year, and they send a message for a larger shift in how we view and use our resources. Start with just one tip and build from there and keep an eye on this column for more ways to "green your game" all year long. Here's to a happy and sustainable 2022!

Tee Cee

Have Zero Waste questions? Rosie@ecocycle.org has the answers.