Waste Free OC? Is it possible?

Well, maybe we will never be waste free, but how about a 10% reduction? OC Waste & Recycling (OCW&R) has launched a new, interactive campaign - Waste Free OC. Save Room for Tomorrow

- to help community members reduce everyday waste from entering local landfills. The campaign's call to action is realistic and attainable: Reduce waste by 10 percent in 2010.The campaign is significant, as the average Orange County resident in 2008 generated five pounds of waste per day. With more than three million residents countywide, that number adds up to approximately 15 million pounds of solid waste per day."The time is now for us to take action and realize that if we don't urge people to make behavioral changes, our landfills will be filled to capacity," said Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. "We cannot afford not to take action."Everyone has habits, and the simple ones like drinking coffee out of paper cups can be the source of up to 10% of what we throw away. But you don't have to give up the things you love. There are a lot of ways to lighten up on our landfills.

5 Easy Ways to Start Reducing Waste Today

1. Pay bills electronically and put a stop to junk mail.

2. Bring reusable bags with you to the grocery store.

3. Start composting.

4. Reduce packaging waste by buying in bulk.

5. Avoid contaminating recyclables to be sure they stay out of the landfill.

"The 10% in 2010 Challenge means producing less waste to begin with, reusing items as many times as possible and recycling even more," said OC Waste & Recycling Director Mike Giancola. "In doing so, we can reduce 1.5 million pounds of waste from going into our landfills over an entire year." Residents can take the "10% in 2010 Challenge" at http://www.wastefreeoc.com/.