• Buying in bulk and using refillable containers at local bulk/health food stores helps to reduce packaging.

• Refuse excess packaging whenever you can.

• Use fresh food (from farmers’ market when in season) and buy only what you can use. At the supermarket, choose locally grown produce when it's available. Not only will you be getting fresher and tastier produce, you will be supporting local farmers and reducing the environmental impact when products are shipped from the southern U.S., Central and South America and China.

Food waste can be composted in your backyard home compost pile or your worm composting (vermiculture) box. Food scrap recycling is the easiest approach to reducing organic waste in the landfill. Composting yard trimmings and food scraps is an inexpensive way to create healthy, fertile soil to use in your garden. Not only is the soil rich in nutrients but it also improves soil drainage, and conserves water. Only non-dairy and non-meat food waste should be added to your compost piles or bins.  Composting is a great way to keep organic material out of the waste stream. It saves tax dollars and provides you with a valuable soil additive.

If you lack backyard space, try using a worm composter. They can fit right under the sink or in a cupboard in the kitchen. The worms turn food scraps into soil for your potted plants and container gardens.

Worm composting information here: https://www.planetnatural.com/worm-composting/