Dec 30 - New Year's Resolution: How Much Can You Reduce?

According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the average California resident generates 2.49 lbs of trash per day, adding up to nearly half a ton per person, per year.

Imagine the environmental benefits that we could gain from reducing our daily garbage output by just 1 lb each day. That would mean a reduction of a 1/4 of a ton per year, equivalent to the average weight of an adult male Yosemite black bear.

Take Dave Chameides for example: He wanted to learn how he could cut down on waste, so he pledged and succeeded in going through a whole year without throwing away his trash. Since January 1st, 2008, he has kept all his garbage and recyclables in his basement, using simple yet creative techniques to minimize his garbage generation. Dave has been featured in NY Times and more recently, NPR for his success. He also invites you to take a part in the challenge for just a week to see how you do.

This new year, let's make a resolution to reduce the amount of waste we generate each day. Set a goal and please share your success stories by emailing us. We will post the best and most creative ones on our website.