Resource Conservation

Waste Minimization

There really is no such thing as “throwing something away,” the material simply goes to a landfill or another area that is not environmentally-sustainable.

Approximately one-third of all the trash that is thrown away in the U.S. is packaging, and the average American consumes about 66 pounds of packaging each year.  By addressing how waste is generated, Baltimore can reduce the amount of non-recyclable, non-organic, non-combustible materials used and ultimately sent for disposal. If consumers, institutions, and businesses understand the lifecycle of products and materials, they will be more likely to adopt a set of best management practices that will limit the amount of materials entering the waste stream. Here are seven strategies to help:

• Distribute information on waste-reducing purchasing policies
• Establish Baltimore City Green Purchasing guidelines
• Educate consumers about product life-cycle analysis
• Link industrial and commercial users to close waste loops
• Expand Baltimore’s composting program and opportunities
• Develop and implement local legislation related to waste minimization
• Investigate a “Lights Out” policy for appropriate areas of Baltimore City