A PAYT program puts the control of trash cost in your hands - the fewer purple PAYT trash bags you fill, the less you spend.
Below you’ll find some creative and cost effective ways to save $.
1) BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag). Use your own reusable bags when shopping.
2) Purchase products packaged in materials the
City of Concord recycles - you can recycle them for free!3) Make a backyard compost pile for kitchen/yard waste – it’s up to 12% of your trash’s weight! For a great composting flyer visit -
des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/waste/swrtas/documents/compost_flier.pdf4) Choose rechargeable batteries and long-life bulbs.
5) Use ceramic mugs, cloth napkins & towels, china plates and silverware instead of paper or plastic.
6) Look for products with less or no packaging – i.e. tools, fresh produce, dry goods.
7) Avoid individually wrapped portions (cheese slices, juice boxes, etc.).
8) Buy cereals, grains, etc. in BULK – there’s no additional wrapping or packaging.
9) Take your own mug/thermos to the coffee shop – often times you’ll get a discount!
10) Get rid of junk mail! Request that your name be removed from bulk mailing lists. Go to:
dmachoice.org/dma/member/regist.action11) Use concentrated products, such as juice and household cleaners.
12) Buy reusable items, such as razors or batteries, instead of disposable ones.
13) Donate useful items such as books, furniture, or clothing to a local thrift store and/or donate them to your favorite charity.
goodwill.org use.salvationarmy.org concord-redcross.org14) Give unwanted items away on
FreeCycle.orgAnd MANY, MANY MORE! back to top
15) To find out where to recycle just about anything:
earth911.org16) excessaccess.org matches donations with wishlists for local non-profits
17) If you want to stop catalogs in your mail: catalogchoice.org
18) If you want to reduce junk mail: wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Junk-Mail
19) If you are giving things away: sharingisgiving.org, nhcraigslist.org (for selling items too)
20) For questions about hazardous waste: des.nh.gov
21) To donate books: the local library or try The Global Literacy Project glpinc.org, which donates to libraries, schools, prisons, hospitals, and communities to promote literacy.
22) To donate prescription glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, and plastic and metal frames: look for collection boxes in the community sponsored by Lions Clubs
23) To donate clothing: Good Will, Salvation Army, Planet Aid and other drop boxes
24) To donate women’s business clothing: dressforsuccess.org (it helps disadvantaged women get back on their feet)
25) To donate prom dresses: thecinderellaprojectofnh.org
26) To donate still-wearable athletic shoes: oneworldrunning.com One World Running sends them to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti.
27) To donate worn-out athletic shoes: nikereuseashoe.com Nike turns old shoes into playground surfaces and athletic flooring.
28) To donate furniture: Good Will, Salvation Army (SA will pick up large donations)
29) To donate working appliances: Salvation Army. Also, most stores will recycle your old appliance
when you buy a new one.
30) To donate computers: Good Will or National Cristina Foundation www.cristina.org
31) To learn about composting: http://www.vegweb.com/composting/
32) Local worm source/composting kits suitable for apartment dwellers: Joan’s Famous Worms - 603 428-3530
33) To recycle fluorescent bulbs: Real Green Goods and Rocky’s Ace Hardware (Ace allows you to recycle up to six fluorescent bulbs per visit – all types).
34) To recycle foam packing peanuts: Check local pack-and-ship stores or loosefillpackaging.com website for the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council where you can locate a drop-off site.
35) To recycle foam blocks: Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers www.epspackaging.org/info.html
36) To recycle ink/toner cartridges: Check the post office for return envelopes or go to www.recycleplace.com
37) To recycles phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: www.collectivegood.com Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com