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Sustainable Steps

Sustainable Steps

Start Your Journey toward Zero-Waste with a Single Step! 

When it comes to a sustainable lifestyle, you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference! Every small action to reduce waste or care for our environment adds up over time.

No matter where you’re at in your journey, here are some ideas to help you get started or continue expanding your routine. The best part is, once you start with one small action, it becomes easier to add others over time, contributing to a greater, collective impact.  

  • Include native trees and pollinator-friendly plants in your landscape to attract and support birds, beneficial insects, and wildlife.

  • Become aware of how, and what, you and your household consume. Choose items that are sustainably made and durable, focusing on quality over quantity. Making a few, simple swaps will help reduce waste over time.

  • Plan an outdoor adventure! Visit Omaha’s “Find A Park” page to discover a new park, trail, or recreation area you haven’t been to before.

  • Simply take a walk through your neighborhood, or check out KOB’s "Love Your Block Litter Walk" scavenger-hunt activity to explore the urban nature right outside your front door!

  • A rain barrel captures rainwater from a roof, slowing runoff and conserving water for use in lawns and gardens.

  • Stop bagging your yardwaste when mowing and raking, and leave mulched clippings right on the lawn. It’s a win for you, and the environment!

  • Help prevent pollution by learning about the types of chemicals and items that should be disposed of at the City's household hazardous waste facility, UnderTheSink.org.

  • Before heading out to sporting events, shopping trips, or other outings, gather your reusable items like water bottles, snack containers, and reusable bags as a reminder to bring them with you.

  • Volunteer with Keep Omaha Beautiful to help clean up our community’s natural spaces and protect local waterways.

  • Reusing as much as you can is great for the environment, and should be exciting for you too! For example: invest in a set of beautiful cloth napkins and decorative water bottles that you’ll enjoy using, or splurge on thrifted clothing versus buying new.

  • Vote with your dollars! Choose sustainable options over conventional ones by taking actions such as supporting farmers markets and locally made products, and prioritizing companies with a focus on sustainability.

  • Break the “wish-cycling” habit and learn why it’s important to recycle right. Visit the Omaha Recycling Guide to look up common household items, find answers to your recycling questions, and more.

Consider the Many R's of Waste

  • RETHINK

    Ask yourself, ‘Do I need this item in the first place? What other alternatives may exist? How can I change my lifestyle to no longer need this?’

  • REFUSE

    Turn down the plastic straw, receipt, or bag offered to you with purchases. What other single-use items can you go without?

  • REDUCE

    Use less and consume less. Buy foods in bulk instead of single-serve packaging, and use refillable containers. Determine your necessities, and consider what you might change or live without.

  • REPURPOSE

    Use items in new and creative ways. Consider if there is another potential use for an item before you throw it away.

  • REUSE / REFILL

    Bring your own reusable and/or refillable items such as water bottles, shopping bags, or coffee mugs rather than buying new or single-use products.

  • REPAIR

    Fix items whenever possible instead of replacing things that are broken. For example: search for local appliance repair shops, or tailors for clothing.

  • RECYCLE

    Recycling conserves resources and diverts waste from the landfill. Learn what items are accepted for recycling in your community. In the City of Omaha, you can recycle: empty and clean metal cans, rigid plastic food tubs and plastic bottles, paper and flattened cardboard, and milk or soup cartons.

  • ROT

    Compost organic waste like food scraps or yardwaste (i.e., letting it "rot"). Composting keeps organic waste out of landfills, reduces methane emissions, and returns nutrients to the soil. You can mulch-mow grass and leaves into your lawn, start a home compost pile or vermicompost bin, or pay for commercial composting service.

  • REPLACE RESPONSIBLY

    When an item you need or love is no longer able to be used, seek out the most environmentally friendly replacement possible.

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