Less Trash, Cleaner Water

Coffee to go, lunch on the run and a quick snack. It’s all quite convenient, but the costs can add up—both for your bank account and the planet.

The Alameda County Unincorporated Area Clean Water Program has some tips for reducing trash and litter, while increasing your savings. It’s simple: Instead of disposable coffee cups, take-out food containers and wrapping, the Clean Water Program suggests reusable cups and food containers.

Packaging makes up 46 percent of the country’s litter, according to Keep America Beautiful’s 2009 Visible Litter Survey. Motorists and pedestrians are the primary source of litter everywhere—on roads and highways, in shopping and business districts, and recreational areas.

When litter hits the ground, it is more than just an eyesore. Rain runoff carries it into storm drains. From there, the trash flows into local creeks and the bay, where it disrupts delicate ecosystems and harms wildlife. Ultimately, our local litter can end up adding to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

You can help reduce litter by switching to reusable items while on the go. Here’s how:

• Instead of paper or Styrofoam cups, use a reusable cup to keep morning beverages hot while on the go. Some coffee shops offer discounts to customers who bring in their own coffee cups.

• Instead of buying water that comes in disposable plastic bottles, reduce waste by filling up a metal water bottle at home.

• Avoid crushed sandwiches. Use a container instead of foil or plastic wrap. Pack your lunch in a canvas tote or reusable lunch bag instead of brown paper bags.

• Use cloth napkins instead of paper.

For more prevention tips go to www.cleanwaterprogram.org/indexHTML.htm.