Try This Resolution for 2009: Slim Down Your Waste, State agency offers suggestions for protecting California's environment

SACRAMENTO--There are many New Year's resolutions that involve reducing your waist. And unfortunately, many of those resolutions are quickly forgotten. But the California Integrated Waste Management Board has a few waste-reducing suggestions that are easy-to-follow and can make an impact that will last a lifetime.

For the New Year, resolve to protect our environment by eliminating waste going to California landfills and by reducing harmful greenhouse gases. Here are some simple resolutions you can make for 2009:

• Use a reusable mug or cup. You can really cut back on waste by using a reusable coffee mug or a reusable drinking cup. Published estimates suggest 16 billion paper cups were thrown into the trash in the U.S. during 2006, resulting in 253 million pounds of additional waste.
• Keep a reusable grocery bag in your car trunk. Use a reusable shopping bag instead of the single use disposable plastic grocery bags. The Wall Street Journal estimates U.S. consumers use 100 billion single-use plastic bags every year. In California, they account for 300 million pounds of material that usually end up in landfills. Remember this easy tip to reduce waste: When the grocery clerk asks "Paper or Plastic?" say "Neither."
• Be the hit of the party. Hosting a New Year's Eve party for friends? Start the new year out by reducing waste--use reusable silverware, plates, glasses, and napkins, instead of disposable products. Purchasing snacks or hors d'oeuvres in bulk also cuts down on packaging.
• Unclutter your closets. Consider donating your older, rarely used clothes to a charitable thrift store, or a homeless shelter, or a battered women's center. And don't forget to reuse those old hangers in your closet--roughly 85 percent of plastic hangers are not reused or recycled. Many dry cleaners and second-hand stores will gladly accept your old hangers, regardless of whether they're made of metal, plastic, or wood.
• How does your garden grow? Not everyone was born with a "green thumb." But you can give your plants and vegetables a fighting chance by adding rich soil nutrients--and the easiest way of ensuring a steady supply is from a home compost pile. An added benefit: Less kitchen waste to toss away or stuff down the drain. The Waste Board website has a comprehensive section devoted to information on developing and maintaining a backyard compost pile.
• Out with the old … So, Santa came through for you and left a widescreen digital television under the Christmas tree. Now, do the right thing by disposing of your old television set at a state-approved electronics waste collection center. It won't cost you anything, and it will help keep all sorts of hazardous components from entering the landfill and contaminating the planet.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes reducing waste whenever possible, managing all materials to their highest and best use and protecting public health and safety and the environment.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is one of six boards, departments, and offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

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Zero Waste California
Visit us at www.ciwmb.ca.gov to learn more about reducing waste.