This is the first in a series posts featuring simple and affordable ways to make your lifestyle more sustainable.

Image from eHow.

We throw out a lot of stuff.  Every year, Americans fill enough garbage trucks to form a line that would stretch from the earth, halfway to the moon.  The amount of waste we produce is completely out of proportion with the percentage of the world’s population that we represent.

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to cut down on household waste is to recycle your food scraps.  This will reduce your garbage output by 20%, while offering you the reward of free, high-quality compost.

You may not want a pile of kitchen waste in your backyard, but it is not hard to find compost bins that will blend in with your landscape.  If you do not have outdoor space, you can even buy indoor containers.

Composting 101 and eHow both offer excellent information on composting, from choosing a bin to deciding what to put in.  Take a few minutes to check them out – composting is a great way to reduce waste and save money at the same time.