We typically throw away twice as much material as we recycle, and the results are staggering. At the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill in central Ohio, a full 76% of what is thrown away could have been reused, recycled, or composted.
A commitment to recycling is great for the environment, but another great idea is to focus sometimes on the other two Rs in the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra. That’s why SWACO, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, launched its Choose To Reuse campaign in April. It features a holistic approach to reduce what’s sent to the landfill by focusing on education and outreach, the formation of strategic partnerships, and making targeted investments that increase opportunities for residents to prevent waste or engage in reuse activities.
As part of the new initiative, SWACO has launched a new educational web page with fresh, engaging content on ways that residents can reduce through reuse. SWACO has also committed more than $110,000 for strategic partnerships to encourage reuse, including with thrift stores to encourage shopping secondhand, with coffee shops to expand the use of reusable coffee cups, and with a local charity that collects and distributes donated sports equipment to expand access in under-resourced communities. SWACO is also sponsoring an annual Furniture Bank Day to keep gently used furniture and home goods out of the landfill and in the hands of those in-need.
SWACO is committed to becoming more sustainable and equitable by rethinking waste management and providing resources to the community that emphasize reduction and reuse, and Choose To Reuse is just the latest in a long list of progressive, forward-thinking initiatives aimed at cutting waste. Visit SWACO.org/Choose2Reuse to engage with us and learn more about reuse in central Ohio.