Everything you throw in the garbage, tie up and take out to be collected is going to end up in a landfill. Plus, all that trash - plastic, paper, metal, and whatnot - was likely manufactured using unsustainable practices that hurt the health of the earth's land. By making less trash, you can reduce your impact. Try making these changes:
Buy products that you can reuse. Get glass containers instead of flimsy plastic ones, for example.
Don't use plastic bags - use cloth.
Maintain and repair durable products instead of buying new ones.
Avoid products with several layers of packaging when only one is sufficient. About 33% of what we throw away is packaging.
Use reusable plates and utensils instead of disposable ones. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and cling wrap.
Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.
Copy and print on both sides of paper.
Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips.
Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence.
Use recycled paper.
Mend clothes instead of buying new ones.
Buy used furniture - there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.