The United States produces an average of 4.5 lbs. of trash per person per day. The Environmental Protection Agency says it breaks down as:

• Paper (34.2%)
• Yard Trimmings (13.1%)
• Food Scraps (11.9%)
• Plastics (11.8%)
• Metals (7.6%)
• Rubber, Leather, and Textiles (7.3%)
• Glass (5.2%)
• Wood (5.7%
• Other Materials (3.4%)

But we recyle only 33% of this trash, leaving a lot of room for improvement. We like the idea of a “zero waste” system, in which everything we use becomes raw material for something else. Creating this closed loop means that we all have to change our behavior. Here’s how you can do it:

Buy in bulk. Natural food and grocery stores offer many staples in bulk form, usually in bins. Bring a bag from home and fill it with whatever you need, foregoing manufacturer’s packaging.

Avoid foods sold in individual serving sizes. Ounce for ounce, single-serve products use far more packaging than larger “family size” packages.

Refuse excessive packaging. Don’t buy products that come with more wrapping than they need. If you do buy a product with excessive packaging, open the item at the register and hand the waste to the clerk. Making packaging the store’s problem is a good way to encourage positive change.

Buy reusable items instead of disposable goods. The more you can use a product before it gets thrown away, the less waste you’ll make and more money you’ll save.

Leave gimmicky products alone. Do you really need pump toothpastes or disposable toilet brushes?

Shop with an eye for recyclability. Check the packaging. If it can’t be recycled in your community, look for an alternative.

Compost your food scraps and yard wastes. They account for about 25 % of the typical household waste stream. Put yours to better use as fertilizer for a healthy lawn and garden.

Remove your name from junk mail lists. See our special web feature to learn how.

Use rechargeable batteries.

Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescents, which do the work of 13 incandescent bulbs over their lifetimes.

Buy the best household appliances you can afford. It’s generally true that you get what you pay for when it comes to appliances and other big ticket items. So buy the most durable and energy-efficient model you can afford; chances are it will last longer than cheaper models, and save money and waste in the long run.

Close the recycling loop by buying products made from recycled materials. Look for products with the highest possible amount of post-consumer content.

Use reusable containers for lunch and leftovers. A serving bowl with a plate for a top is a great zero-waste lunch solution that trumps plastic bags and wraps.

Use your computer to store documents digitally. Cut down on the number of documents you print and make sure to use both sides of every sheet of printer paper.

Recycle like a zealot! Paper, cans, and bottles are obvious recycling targets, but you can recycle lots of other things as well. From clothes and cell phones to eyeglasses and appliances, give your cast-offs a second life. Visit www.earth911.org to find recycling resources in your community. Or try the Freecycle Network. To fnd out where to recycle old electronics, consult www.electronicsrecycling.org/NCER.

For more information about zero waste, visit the Grassroots Recycling Network. For advice on consuming less, visit Use Less Stuff.