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Become a Master Gardener or a Master Composter

The mission of the Master Gardener program provided by the University of Maryland Cooperative extension is to “educate Maryland residents about safe, effective and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes and communities.”

As a Master Composter, you can improve composting techniques and use the knowledge learned from courses about water quality, nutrient management, soil conservation, and recycling towards your own household and to help others.

Check out the Frederick County Master Gardeners site for more information about gardeners and activities in Frederick.

Recycle ink and laser toner printer cartridges

Many printer companies accept used cartridges in the mail, and several businesses in the Frederick area accept drop-offs, including Best Buy and Office Depot. Use this list of mail-in and drop-off services to find a location near you.

You can even raise money for your school, church, or other community organization by hosting a used printer cartridge drive.

Use recycled paper with at least a 30% post-consumer content or tree-free fiber content

According to the EPA, paper comprises 28% of the solid waste generated by Americans. Paper recycling helps to direct this common waste away from the landfill and lessens the burden on virgin forests.

Currently, 90% of the paper made in the world is produced from wood pulp, but several tree-free fiber alternatives exist, including agricultural wastes like husks and straw, fiber crops such as hemp, textile wastes such as rope and linen scraps, and wild plants like bamboo.

Purchase non-bleached paper products

Chlorine is commonly used to bleach paper products a pure white color, including such products as coffee filters, paper towels, toilet paper, and more. However, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and other derivatives used by the paper and pulp industry are harmful to the environment, especially to aquatic organisms. In addition, traces of these bleaching compounds remain in the paper, filters, paper plates, and paper towels that people handle, or even eat off of, every day. Bleaching with chlorine also results in the production of dioxins as carcinogenic byproducts. Less dangerous bleaching substitutes include oxygen, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide. Learn more about chlorine-free products and paper product choices.

Program your machines to photocopy and print on both sides automatically

Automatically printing your documents double-sided can cut paper use in half. Use these instructions to change your printer’s default settings to print double-sided. For individualized instructions on changing photocopy and print settings, search for instructions specific to your printer model.

Use online banking, bill paying, and/or paycheck direct deposit

Many banks provide an online billing service to keep financial transactions paperless. Online banking also offers other convenient services that can cut down on bank visits and paperwork, such as electronic transfers between accounts.