river in Landa Park is running through the center of the photo. Green trees line the side of the river and the sky is gray and cloudy

Reduce Waste in New Braunfels

“Zero Waste is not about recycling more, it’s about acting on needless waste and stopping it from coming into our homes in the first place.”

— Bea Johnson

5 R’s of Waste Management

  • Old city hall building in downtown New Braunfels.

    1. Refuse

    Say no to things you don’t need.

    Straws, plastic bags, handouts, kid’s meal toys, individually wrapped snacks, party favors, food samples, business cards, single-use utensils.

  • Focal point are the train tracks in downtown New Braunfels. On the side are buildings and the train station museum

    2. Reduce

    Let go of things you no longer need.

    Question everything before your purchase. Amazon purchases, biking or walking places less than 2 miles, trips to the coffee shop (or, better yet, toss a reusable coffee cup in your car!), kid’s toys.

  • hand is holding a reusable plastic cup from tin top burger shop in front of the restaurant to show how it can be reused

    3. Reuse

    Switch from disposable items to reusable.

    Reusable water bottles, reusable flatware, reusable straws, canvas shopping bags, mesh produce bags, thrifting, cloth napkins, bring your own coffee cup to b used.

  • New Braunfels Farmers Market at sunset

    4. Recycle

    Society teaches us recycling is helpful.

    You likely know what to recycle. The goal, though, is to not have much to recycle. Recycle is the 4th step in the 5 Rs of Waste Management. By refusing, reducing, and reusing, your recycling should be minimal.

  • 5. Rot

    Nature’s way of recycling.

    Compost your household waste- food scraps, tissues, cotton swabs, coffee grounds, newspaper, hair, dryer lint, flowers, pizza boxes, eco-friendly packaging.

Get Tips for Reducing Waste in New Braunfels