Lifestyle

How to “Fix” Recycling and Our Waste Problem

OK, so we’ve talked about how burning half of Philadelphia’s recycling is a symptom of a larger, broken system for consumption.

We even talked to AJ+ about it.

The next question we often get, even after I explain that 100% of Philadelphia’s recycling will “technically” be recycled in Philadelphia is:

So how do we fix recycling?”

Once again, we won’t recycle our way out of this problem.

The solution starts with you.

Instead, here’s the starting steps of an action plan to help curb your consumption.

How to Reduce your Impact

Before you even recycle, there are TONS of ways to limit your impact. Here are many ways and resources we’ve provided over the past 11 years:

Reduce your waste.

Reuse what you can.

Buy Local.

  • Reduce packaging waste by shopping locally
  • Visit Farmers Markets to load up on food, bread, beauty products, plants and more.
  • Ditch Amazon.

Compost.

Support Anti-Plastic Legislation

We can’t do it alone as consumers. Email, call, and talk to your local and state representatives to work on this important legislation to curb our consumption.

It can’t be that hard. The entire darn continent of Europe just banned single-use plastics including straws, cotton buds and cutlery.

After all, microplastics are polluting our damn air now.

Tell Companies to Get Responsible

After all, Trader Joes is ditching 1 million pounds of plastic thanks to customer demands.

Companies are starting to use reusable containers through Terracycle’s Loop.

Ask companies in person, start petitions, and tweet the heck out of it.

Every time you make a purchase, you are expressing an opinion. Vote with your dollars and ethics.

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

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