Let’s Work Together to Minimize Our Community’s Waste
Did you know, the average American creates 4.4 pounds of trash, also called municipal solid waste (MSW), per day? That translates into 1 ton of MSW per person annually.
The truth is, we live in a throwaway society in which people do not keep things for very long, even if those things still work or have value. When we generate new, replacement items, we increase our use of natural resources and energy which impacts the health and vitality of our planet.
Although LCSWMA is here to manage and process the county’s waste in a way that protects and benefits our community, we need to work together to minimize the amount of waste we generate.
Before you throw it away, have you considered…
REDUCING
Don’t buy something new unless you absolutely need it.
TIPS:
- Ask yourself if you truly need that extra pair of shoes, flat screen TV, trinket, gadget, decoration, toy or doodad
- Before purchasing perishable food, make sure a duplicate like milk or bottle of mustard, isn’t hiding at the back of the refrigerator. Food waste makes up 24% of our MSW.
- Check out this article for Eight Ways To Reduce Waste | The Nature Conservancy in PA/DE
REUSING
Think about selling or donating unwanted items.
Did you know we have a plethora of organizations and small businesses in Lancaster County that will take our unwanted items to benefit others?
Below are some nonprofit organizations helping members of our community through donated goods.
*Check organization websites for donation details and guidelines.
If your organization accepts donations and is not listed, please email info@lcswma.org
Consider yard sales, antique stores, flea markets, auctions, and online platforms to buy or sell used items. Below are some examples:
The Online Lancaster County Yardsale
Lancaster Craigslist
8 Best Online Yard Sale Sites
The Best 10 Flea Markets in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Discover Lancaster Antiques & Auctions
REPURPOSING
Get creative by determining other ways to use the item.
TIPS:
- Use a grocery bag to line your trash can
- Soak up spills with stained, discolored or holey clothing (rags) instead of paper towels (rewash)
- Find a brand-new purpose for aging items like using a chipped plate as a flowerpot holder or an old pair of ice skates as a winter decoration for your front door
- Check out these articles for inspiration:
30 Creative Ways to Repurpose & Reuse Old Stuff | Bored Panda
78 Old Items Fantastically Fit for Repurposing | Family Handyman
Not that creative? Try shopping at one of the many vintage stores in Lancaster County that creatively repurpose old items into something new. And remember, buying and wearing vintage is always in style!
Once you’ve considered reducing, reusing, and repurposing your belongings, the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority is here to properly and responsibly manage your waste. Our Integrated System includes a consolidation and transfer complex, county-wide recycling program, Household Hazardous Waste Facility, landfill, and waste-to-energy facility.
And, don’t forget to Recycle Right, Lancaster!
This page is intended as a resource for the Lancaster community. LCSWMA is not affiliated with any of the resources or organizations listed and is not responsible for any information, services, transactions, or agreements shared between website visitors and organizations/businesses.