Green Initiatives

Go Green for the Holidays – It’s a Gift That Will Keep on Giving

12/15/2015 by DeniseB Leave a Comment

Did you know that household waste increases to over 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day? That’s just a mind boggling statistic! Increased food waste, holiday cards, wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, shopping bags … think about it … how much of that goes directly into a landfill?

This holiday season, do something really thoughtful; take the time to rethink how you celebrate and figure out ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. It’s gift for all of us! There are a variety of ways to make your holidays more eco-friendly.

Top 10 Ways to Stay Green During the Holidays:

Send eCards or Recycled Cards: Think of all the waste that goes into sending out Holiday Cards that often go unnoticed. Using eCards to offer holiday wishes is optimal because not only is there no paper involved, there is no delivery vehicle involved. If you absolutely have to send out a physical card, use recycled ones.
Reduce Food Waste: Think of all the food waste that occurs this time of year. Try to plan for the right amount of food. If you find that you over estimated, do your best to find a food bank or kitchen that might be able to use or freeze it before it spoils.
Bring Your Own Shopping Bags: We’ve all seen that shopper walking through the mall awkwardly trying to juggle a bunch of packages and bags from freshly bought spoils. DON’T BE THAT SHOPPER! Using and reusing cloth bags can reduce the thousands of bags that end up in landfills. If you do use paper or plastic bags, recycle them.
Give Creatively: The Holidays seem to bring out the best and the worst in us … does Grandma really need that ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater’ that is going to be thrown in a drawer and grudging donned next Christmas? Trust me, the GIFT OF TIME will be much more appreciated. Give thoughtful gifts that require less waste and are more meaningful. How about giving a gift of an experience or an event to remember; game tickets for the recipients favorite sport team or a show, passes to a state or national park, gift certificates for dinner or a massage. Better yet, make your own coupons for personal services, such as free babysitting, helping aging Aunt Edna with some spring chores or a home-cooked meal. The possibilities are endless and can spread goodwill and good cheer throughout the year!
Use Eco-friendly Wrapping Alternatives: Use old posters, maps, newspapers, reusable gift bags to present your gifts this holiday season. Cookie tins, flower pots and baskets are a creative and green way to place a present in a present.
Use LED Holiday Lights: Use up to 80% less energy by switching to LED lights that last 10 times longer. Also, be sure to turn lights off during the day.
Stop Junk Mail: This time of year, the amount of catalogs and charitable donation solicitations can be just ridiculous. I sometimes feel like all my charitable donations go directly into re-solicitations of donations. If you’d like to stop the endless cycle, Check Out this article by eco-cycle that will help your put the kibosh on junk mail.
Use Rechargeable Batteries: About 40% of battery sales occur during the holiday season. Help out the environment by buying rechargeable batteries and making sure to safely recycle any old batteries.
Recycle Electronics and Cell Phones: This is the time of year when new electronics and cell phones are snatched off the shelf and presented in pretty packages and bags under the tree. PLEASE make sure to safely recycle or find a good home for your old electronics.
Throw a Green Holiday Party: Going Green for the holidays should be carried over to any parties or gatherings that you have. Provide clearly labeled recycling containers for cans, bottles and other recyclables. Of course, a Green Party can be held year ‘round, check out our blog, ‘Throw a Green Party this Labor Day’ and make it your New Year’s Resolution to continue your Green Initiatives into the new year.

The gift of lowering your carbon footprint is something that the whole world can enjoy. It not only benefits the environment it can have the chance to go viral. The more people that set a GREEN Example, the better chance our society has to succeed in educating those around us how a little thought and creativity can change a mindset that has been long in the making.

Share on our Facebook page some of the ways you get into the Green of the Season by reducing, reusing and recycling.

Waste Masters Solutions is a commercial waste solution and recycling company serving all of Delaware.

7 Simple Back to School Recycling Tips

09/17/2015 by DeniseB 7 Comments

That Can Help Save the Earth and Save You Money

Moms across the nation are heaving a sigh of relief. They made it through another summer! The kids are back in school and families are settling into a routine.

Now is the perfect time to start some new eco-friendly routines that can help our planet and save you some green. Schools and businesses across the country are consciously making an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. Why not support the effort at home?

There are a variety of strategies that are good for the environment and good for your pocket book. If every family across America made a conscious effort to reduce its carbon footprint, just imagine how much better off our world would be!

7 Simple Back to School Recycling Tips:

Rethink how you purchase your child’s school supplies and reuse what you can from last year. While it might feel good to start the school year off with all new stuff, such as clothing, binders, folders, pens and pencils, think about what a waste it is. All that stuff uses the earth’s resources; trees, water, energy, etc… If you do have to buy new stuff, make an effort to buy supplies made from recycled content, such as pencils made from newsprint.
Don’t brown bag it. According to EarthShare, the average student who brings their lunch to school produces 67 pounds of waste a year. That adds up to 18,000+ pounds of waste produced by an average elementary school in one year. Invest in a lunchbox, reusable plastic containers, cloth napkins and a thermos. Avoid buying individually packaged foods – that adds up to a lot of unnecessary trash.
Ditch the Disposable Water Bottles. It’s bad for you and the environment. Don’t take my word for it, read this article by hydralife about why bottled water is so bad for you. Plastic water bottles produced in the US alone use 17 million barrels of oil each year, contribute to 3 billion pounds of wasted per year and are killing the ocean and its inhabitants. Save the planet and save some money by using filtrated tap water and stainless steel insulated sports water bottles, they keep the water cooler.
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Have your child ride the bus, when possible. If the bus is not an option, set up a carpool with neighbors or arrange for a chaperoned “walkpool”. You’ll save gas and get some exercise in the process!
Recycle as Much as You Can. This should go without saying, but many households across the US have failed to embrace recycling. Parents need to set a good example. The earth’s resources are limited and the more we recycle, the better it is for all of earth’s inhabitants. Click Here for some recycling facts.
Recycle Old Cellphones and Batteries. Recycling batteries is much better for the environment than dumping them in landfills. Batteries can release toxic wastes or metals into ground water and into the air when not properly disposed. Click Here to find a battery and cellphone recycling center near you.
Minimize Electrical Waste. There are many ways to reduce electrical waste. Some are as simple as getting family members to turn off lights, unplug cellphone, tablet and laptop chargers when not in use. Buy Smart Power Strips that will stop drawing electricity from appliances that are turned off.

So there you have it, 7 simple and effective ways that your household can help the planet and save money. The big bonus of embracing these environmental friendly practices is that you are setting a good example for your children, which will be passed down for generations to come.

Share on our Facebook page some of the ways your family has lessened its carbon footprint.

Waste Masters Solutions is a commercial waste solution and recycling company serving all of Delaware.

Throw a Green Party this Labor Day

09/03/2015 by DeniseB 5 Comments

10 Ways to Make Your Celebration Eco-Friendly

The days are growing shorter and school is starting. Yippee … time to celebrate!

While summer isn’t officially over, Labor Day weekend is the unofficial wind-down of the summer season. Many barbeques and beach parties will be taking place this weekend. Keep in mind as you plan your celebration how the choices you make affect the planet.

Why not make your Labor Day celebration as green as possible? With the resources available nowadays, there’s really no reason all parties aren’t green parties. With a little forethought you can reduce the carbon footprint of your Labor Day gathering.

Here Are 10 Simple Ways to Throw a Green Party:

Invitations: Rather than wasting paper, send email invitations or evites.
Buy Keg Beer: Instead of buying individually bottles or cans of beer, get a few ½ or ¼ kegs of beer. This will lessen the amount of waste and be sure to recycle the plastic cups or better yet … use glasses!
Natural Centerpieces: Fresh ripe tomatoes
Ice Water Dispenser: Eliminate the need to recycle individual water bottles and lower your environmental impact by supplying guests with an ice cold water dispenser.
2 liter Soda Bottles: Instead of using canned sodas, lighten the amount of recycling by using 2 liter sodas and recyclable plastic glasses.
Local and In-Season: A great way to lessen your carbon footprint is to buy local produce and meats. Be sure to plan your menu around seasonal foods. Buying locally really does make a global impact.
Washable Dishware or Recycled Products: If you can, use glassware and real plates and silverware. Otherwise be sure to buy eco-friendly tableware, such as those available from susty party or Party City.
Recycle Station: Have a convenient area where guests can recycle and be sure to make them aware of your recycling wishes. Use brightly colored bins with clear signs to encourage as much recycling as possible.
Solar Lighting: Using solar lights, beeswax or soy candles will give your party ambiance and lighten the effect on the environment.
Natural Centerpieces: Decorating the tables with bowls of in-season fruits and vegetables, potted herbs or flowers is another great way to lessen your party’s impact on the planet.
Choose Aluminum and Glass over Plastic: If you do choose to supply guests with individual packaged beverages, opt for aluminum cans or glass bottles. They can be recycled endlessly as the process never degrades the quality of the material. Plastics have a limited number of reuses, as they are tougher to recycle and the process breaks down the chemical structure each time it is recycled, weakening the material. Not to mention the negative affect on our wildlife!

So there you go … with a little planning and creativity, throwing a green party is a simple and guilt-free way to entertain.

One final word, the more green you go when entertaining the more your circle of friends and family will jump on the low-impact entertaining bandwagon. Being pro-environment is not only setting a good example, it can spiral through your community. This can make an even BIGGER impact on the planet.

So what are you waiting for? Be a Green Entertaining Role Model.

Please share with us on Facebook some of the ways you make your entertaining more eco-friendly.

Waste Masters Launching New Mobile App

06/01/2015 by DeniseB Leave a Comment

Waste Masters…now in the palm of your hand

Whether it is with a smart phone or tablet, we at Waste Masters know our customers live and work in a mobile environment, making life and business happen.

That is why we are pleased to announce the Waste Masters mobile app. The Waste Masters app is free and available for both Apple and Android devices. With a push of a button, customers can manage their accounts, request a quote for service, contact Waste Masters and more.

A unique feature of Waste Masters’ app is the EcoView Calculator. This feature allows you to measure the impact of your business’ recycling program by entering the weight, measured in tons, of common commercial and industrial recyclable materials such as scrap metal, cardboard/paper, and wood pallets. Once the information is entered into the app, using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conversion rates, the user can determine the number of

cubic yards of landfill space saved
mature trees saved
gallons of oil saved
gallons of gasoline saved
kilowatt hours of electricity saved, and
gallons of water saved

See the impact you are having on the environment when you recycle.

Download the Waste Masters App today for your Apple or Android device. For more information about our services, please contact us at 302-824-0909.

Scan this QR Code With Your Phone to Easily Download the Waste Master App Today!

How Will You Get Your Green On this Earth Day?

04/16/2015 by DeniseB Leave a Comment

April 22^nd will mark the 45^th Earth Day. This is a day where people across the nation and around the world come together on behalf of the planet. Over half a million people in 175 countries participate. While there has been some success in making the world’s population aware of how important it is to protect our planet, there is still much to do. With global population growth, climate change, deforestation, and overflowing landfills, there are many ways we can work together to reduce our carbon footprint.

Did You Know?

Earth Day was initiated 45 years ago by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and San Francisco activist John McConnell. They asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration that would show national support for environmental issues.

What Can I do?

Make a connection with nature! On or around Earth Day, many local conservancies or municipalities schedule special Earth Day programs to celebrate our planet and find unique ways to learn about or sustain our earth’s wildlife, vegetation and people. Why not join a spring cleanup event, plant a tree, take recycling initiatives, or find out ways that you can help with green initiatives.

In 2014, the Delaware Chapter of The Nature Conservancy celebrated Earth Day by having a day of service at Brandywine Creek State Park. Volunteers removed two tents, 125 pounds of metal, 4 shopping carts, two shoes, a hammock, a couch, a toy tractor a seat belt a $10 bill and many other treasures.

How do you plan on celebrating Earth Day?

Wilmington will have combined Earth Day and Arbor Day lunchtime celebration at Rodney Square on April 22 from 11am to 2pm. There will be free native plants and other giveaways, free raffle items, vendors offering green products and services, live radio broadcast by WJBR 99.5 FM, as well as tree-themed activities.

Other Activities going on in the area:

Kids’ Greenfest: Sunday April 18^th

2015 Wilmington Earth Day Celebration

2015 Christina River Watershed Cleanup

Earth Day Canoe Trip

Beginning Birding- Earth Day

Brandywine Zoo Earth Day Celebration

Earth Day Network

Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day

Share with us on our Facebook Page how you plan to get your GREEN ON this Earth Day!

Waste Masters Solutions provides commercial waste solutions to Delaware and the surrounding Tri-State are. We are committed to help make our community a better place to live through finding smarter, more cost –effective and environmentally friendly ways to manage waste.