Waste & Consumption
Rethinking Consumption & Waste
The shift begins with everyday choices — Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and then Recycle.
What is a low-waste home?
A low-waste home focuses on being mindful of the goods we bring into our lives and minimizing waste at every step — First, can we make do without? Can we borrow it instead? Can we thrift it? Can we repair and reuse it? Then at the end of an item’s usefulness, can we recycle or compost it? Newton offers many ways to help residents “use less and green the rest.”
Why this matters
The average American produces 4.9 pounds of trash every day — nearly 1,800 pounds a year. Most of it ends up in landfills or is burned, releasing greenhouse gases, harming ecosystems, and straining the Earth’s resources.
The four key parts of a low-consumption and low-waste lifestyle
Learn how to waste less and live more sustainably in Newton.
Rethink Consumption
Buying less, buying used, sharing items, and supporting thoughtful brands helps reduce our carbon footprint, conserve resources and protect the environment.
Repair, Reuse, Refill
Choose durable items, repair and reuse what you can, and donate what’s still in good shape so it can serve someone else.
Composting
By composting, you turn food scraps into healthy soil, keeping waste out of landfills, and supporting a healthier planet.
Recycling & Getting Rid of Stuff
Recycling right — and choosing items made from recycled materials — helps keep resources in use and reduces waste.
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