Waste Reduction


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Planting Seeds: Begin Recycling and Waste Reduction Measures

Suggested practices and examples for implementation:
  • Use less plastic and avoid single-use plastic and styrofoam whenever possible
  • Buy products made of recycled material and/or without extra packaging
  • Place recycling bins in accessible locations around your congregational building (classrooms, office, dining areas, etc.) and always near other waste bins
  • Place baskets for bulletins and printed materials near exits of worship space
  • Switch to at least 30% post-consumer recycled content paper for office use
  • Print on both sides of the paper when possible
  • Encourage alternative gift-giving around holidays (donations to causes, gifts from local artisans, books from a local bookstore, a book or item that has been meaningful to you from your own home, your own artwork (a picture, a poem, a photograph). Avoid plastic trinkets whenever possible.
    • You can also host an alternative gift-giving fair after worship one week featuring local organizations and crafts!
  • Celebrate religious holidays in eco-friendly ways that reduce waste. Check out these tips for Advent, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Passover, and Lent.
  • Begin a clothing closet ministry in your congregation! Bring old coats, children’s clothes, etc. to your faith community and begin a free clothing exchange to lessen “fast fashion” waste.
  • Begin a tool-library ministry. Power tools aren’t a necessity for every home. Instead of all of us purchasing tools, we can share! Invest in tools and have a “check-out” system leading to waste reduction and community cooperation.
  • When you have an event, instead of purchasing plastic cups, encourage folks to bring their favorite “fun mug!” You can purchase extra fun mugs at Goodwill or a similar second-hand store and keep them in a container for events like this one.
  • Strive to use real silverware and plates for community meals. Organize a dish-washing committee that rotates (so that no one person always gets stuck with the dishes). Consider dish-washing as a time to get to know one another better (have a set of questions to ask each other while you clean or put on some fun music).
General information related to this strategy: Available resources in Western North Carolina: Local faith communities currently utilizing this strategy:

Nurturing Growth: Begin Composting and Using Compostable Products

Suggested practices and example for implementation:
  • If using disposable to-go food boxes, plates, utensils, etc., switch to compostable versions
  • Provide compost bins in cooking and dining areas
  • Create an outdoor compost pile on the grounds of the faith community and use it for gardening
  • Collect compost to donate to local community gardens, give to community members with their own gardens, or find a curbside service to pick up regularly
General information related to this strategy: Available resources in Western North Carolina: Local faith communities currently utilizing this strategy:

Deepening Roots: Continue Taking Steps Toward Producing Zero Waste

Suggested practices and example for implementation:
  • Make all products on your campus recyclable and/or reusable (replace disposables with reusables)
  • For Christian communities, use washable/reusable communion cups or take communion by intinction
  • Continue composting at all meals or events (see above section on composting)
  • Provide a way for congregants to opt out of receiving paper newsletters and allow digital copies to be distributed by email instead (or, do away with the paper copy and only send digital communication)
  • Do a trash audit and take note of what gets thrown away each week: what could be recycled, composted, reused? What single-use items could eventually be replaced with reusable items?
  • Stop purchasing single-use plastics, styrofoam, and other disposable items
General information related to this strategy: Available resources in Western North Carolina: Local faith communities currently utilizing this strategy:

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