Waste Reduction

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Planting Seeds: Begin Recycling and Waste Reduction Measures

Suggested practices and examples for implementation:

  • Place recycling bins in accessible locations around the building (classrooms, office, dining areas, etc.) and always near other waste bins
    • Post signs above them and talk with your community about what gets recycled
  • Place baskets for bulletins and printed materials near exits of worship spaces
  • Choose not to purchase single-use plastics or styrofoam
    • Buy products made of recycled material and/or without extra packaging
  • 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

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:

  • Danny’s Dumpster
    • Available for residential and church/commercial composting.
  • Compost Now
    • Available for residential composting (as of summer 2018 did not do commercial/church composting)

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)
  • 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:

Help us make this a better resource.
Click here.

 

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