Global Environment.com

Food is wasted in many ways, such as preparing too much, letting fresh food go bad and buying too much.

Examples: Planning meals and creating a list of what you need before you go to the grocery store will help you buy exactly what you need. Composting leftover fruit and vegetable food waste with your yard waste helps create high-nutrient compost. Donate excess canned goods to a food shelf.

Benefits: Making better use of the food you buy will save you money and reduce how much food you throw away. Composting the remaining food waste will provide you with a great additive for your garden.

Use the least hazardous cleaning products

Read the labels of cleaners and look for the signal words — caution, warning, danger, poison — which indicate the level of hazard. Use the least hazardous product to do the job. ("Caution" is least hazardous and "danger" is most hazardous. Extremely toxic products must also include the word "poison.")

Read the instructions on how to use cleaning products and be sure to use the correct amount. Remember, you won't get twice the results by using twice as much.

Example: Reading labels gives you information on how to use a cleaning product correctly and how dangerous a product might be. You could also consider using a substitute for cleaning projects around the house. For example, vinegar and water work well to wash windows and floors. Another idea is to share any excess products with someone else that can use them, such as your neighbour or friend. Instead of buying many different types of cleaners, use one general-purpose cleaner.

Benefits: With so many choices of products to clean your house, it can be difficult to choose the best one for your household. Buying cleaning products with the least dangerous signal word and using substitutes will reduce the amount of hazardous chemicals in your home.

Buy the right amount of paint for the job

Every year millions of pounds of excess paint are collected at household hazardous waste sites. A large volume of this paint is still usable. If stored correctly, paint stays in good condition for a long time. If it mixes smoothly, it can still be used.

Example: Before you begin a painting project, measure the area first. Calculate the area to be painted (height x width = total square feet). One gallon covers about 400 square feet.
To prevent paint from drying out, cover the paint can (use its original container) with plastic wrap, replace the lid securely and store upside down. Protect your paint from freezing. Use leftover paint for touch-up jobs, smaller projects or as a primer.

Benefits: Using low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers will help keep hazardous chemicals out of your home. Prevent waste through wise purchasing; calculate the right amount of paint for the job. Use leftover paint up instead of throwing it away.

Reduce the need for pesticides in your home

If you're looking for a way to decrease your use of chemicals in your home, take a look at how you handle unwanted pests. The best method to control pests inside the home is to clean up crumbs and spills quickly. Instead of reaching for a can of toxic spray, grab a broom!

Example: Good housekeeping and proper maintenance of your home can help prevent pests from entering your home.

Eat only where you can clean up spills easily and completely.

Store food in tightly sealed containers.

Eliminate moisture problems and leaks.

Keep vegetation and debris away from the foundation.

Caulk cracks and weather strip windows and doors to eliminate easy paths of entry.

Need to treat pests or weeds bugs you already have? Less-toxic alternatives are available for a majority of pests.

Benefits: Pesticides are designed to kill weeds, insects, rodents, mold and moths. Even disinfectants are a type of pesticide. These chemicals can be poisonous and a danger to pets, livestock, wildlife and even humans. Eliminating the need for pesticides is the best way to keep pests — and chemicals — out of your home.

Find new life for old furnishings, appliances and clothes

Instead of discarding your unwanted furniture, appliances, tools or clothes, try selling or donating them to groups and organizations that accept used goods. When deciding to purchase an item, consider buying used. Those items are less expensive than new ones and are often just as good.

Example: Donate or resell items to thrift stores or other organizations in need. You could receive a tax deduction or cash for them. Buy and sell second-hand items at fairs and garage sales. Organize a garage sale in your neighbourhood to encourage your neighbours to get involved in reducing waste.

Benefits: You can save money as well as reduce waste by purchasing furniture, appliances and clothes used.

Maintain your vehicle

Your vehicle can be a large source of pollution, both through tailpipe emissions and through maintenance. Proper care of your vehicle includes regular servicing and being responsible for the resulting wastes — especially used oil and oil filters.

Example: Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance: change your oil regularly, keep the tires inflated correctly, and have your vehicle serviced regularly. Always make sure you properly dispose of your used oil and filters. You're not just protecting the environment — you're protecting your investment.Find ways to use your car less by walking, biking, riding the bus or car pooling to your destination. Combine your errands to reduce the number of trips you make. Both of these will reduce "wear and tear" on your vehicle, as well as curb air pollution. When purchasing a new or used car, first ask yourself what you need (i.e., vehicle and engine size), and buy according to your needs.

Benefits: Proper maintenance of your car will ensure that it will last longer, save you money and reduce the need to buy a new one. Finding other ways to get to where you need to go lowers emissions given off to the environment. Properly managing waste oil and oil filters keeps these contaminants out of landfills and energy recovery facilities (garbage incinerators) and helps protect our natural resources.

Timely tip: Use a funnel to prevent spills

Engine coolant, motor oil and windshield washer fluid are critical to your automobile's performance, but are difficult to pour. Even small spills onto your driveway or the street can be bad for the environment. These spills wash into the storm sewers, which typically dump directly into lakes, streams or rivers. Keep spills to a minimum by using a funnel for pouring fluids into your car.

You can make an easy funnel by using the top of a plastic soda bottle. Just cut the bottom off and pour into the open end. Let the funnel and containers drain until they're completely empty. Don't get different fluids mixed together.