Reduce Your Waste

Recycling and diverting organic materials, like food scraps and yard waste from the landfill is required by VT law. We can make a bigger impact by reducing the amount of waste we generate daily.

Consumer Tips
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Shop Smart: 
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1. Ask if this is a need or a want
2. Avoid impulse purchases
3. Choose these qualities:
  • Made of natural, recycled or recyclable materials
  • Pre-owned/secondhand
  • Made or sold locally
  • Built to last &/or repairable​
4. Rent or borrow instead of buying
5. Plan grocery shopping and meals to reduce food waste 
Buy, Sell or Donate:
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​Try online options like Front Porch Forum, Craigslist, ​Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle,  local newspapers​
Get Belongings Repaired:
Attend or Organize Swaps for toys, clothing, gear, etc. They are usually posted on FPF or local calendars.
Waste Reduction Opportunities

Kitchen

  • Buy liquid soap in bulk.
  • Use cloth towels and napkins. 
  • Reuse clean aluminum foil. 
  • Use rags for cleaning.
  • Buy safer cleaning products in bulk or make your own.​​
  • Use leftovers for subsequent meals.
  • Make soup stock from meal prep scraps: veggies, meat, fat, bones.
  • Freeze ripe fruit for smoothies
  • Reuse to-go containers to pack lunches or repackage large portions.

Grocery Shopping

  • ​Use Shopping Lists to save money & plan healthy meals with less packaging.
  • Shop farmer's markets, produce stands and bulk sections for fresh, local food with little packaging. 
  • Bring containers and buy bulk beans, coffee, dried fruit, grains, nuts, nut butter, pasta, tea, soap & spices.
  • Avoid single-serving packages. Buy larger containers and repackage to save money.
  • Stash shopping bags where you will remember them. ​

Dining In

  • Use real dishes and cloth napkins.​
  • Avoid plastic wrap. Place a plate on top of a bowl, use reusable silicone or waxed cloth dish covers.
  • Bring left-overs to work in reusable containers.
  • Compost food scraps. It's the law.

Dining Out

  • Bring your own containers for left-overs.
  • Bring your own straw or silverware to avoid single-use items.

Bathroom

  • Simplify your beauty routine with less toxic products.
  • Use cleaning rags instead of paper towels. 
  • Buy soap, shampoo and conditioner in bulk or as bars.
  • Buy tree-free toilet paper with no plastic packaging.​

General Home & Entertainment

Wardrobe

Parenthood

  • Nurse instead of buying formula.
  • Use cloth diapers &/or use elimination communication
  • Make baby food & store in jars or non-toxic, reusable, squeeze pouches
  • Coordinate with other families for hand-me-down clothes, gear and toys.