ConsumerWatch: Reducing Household Waste

MILL VALLEY (CBS 5) -- The average person produces about 4.5 pounds of waste in Calif. But in Mill Valley, the Johnson family only produces about two hands fulls of waste every six months.

It's a process the Johnson's said they started about 3 years ago. For instance, instead of buying household items that come in packages, the Johnson's said they buy in bulk which is cost effective. Other items like liquids are purchased in reusable bottles.

The Johnson's do admit getting rid of all waste is impossible. Marin County requires residents to have garbage service even if it's not used. The same rules apply to the City of San Francisco, San Mateo and San Jose.

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