Vancouver, Wash. – County residents are invited to take part in a three-week challenge to promote waste reduction and sustainable living. The challenge starts Friday, March 10, and is sponsored by Public Health’s Green Neighbors Program.

Residents are encouraged to take the WasteBusters pledge online and decrease the amount of material that goes into landfills by committing to at least one of three waste-busting actions:

• Recycle all accepted items in the curbside recycling cart
• Use reusable beverage containers for to-go drinks
• Plan your meals and shop for your plan

“Each of these actions may seem relatively small, but they can make a huge difference in the amount of waste buried in landfills,” said Sally Fisher, Outreach Specialist. “By noticing how many one-time use and disposable products we purchase, we can adjust our eating and purchasing habits to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle.”

WasteBusters participants who successfully complete the 21-day challenge and write short posts about their experiences will be entered in a drawing to win an iPad mini.

A Waste Stream Analysis prepared for Clark County in 2012 found the average food waste in a residential setting is about 25 percent of the food purchased, or about $1,000 worth of food wasted annually.

“Taking extra steps to avoid wasting food not only reduces what is taken to landfills, but it keeps more money in your pocket,” said Fisher.

To sign up for the pledge, visit www.WasteBusters.green.

CONTACT
Sally Fisher
Public Health
360.397.2121 ext. 4939
sally.fisher@clark.wa.gov