Reduce,Reuse,Recycle

First: Reduce


The critical first step of waste prevention has been overshadowed by a focus on recycling. Please help to promote a greater awareness of the importance of the "Reduce" part of the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle mantra. For a great overview of how raw materials and products move around the world, see the video The Story of Stuff.

* Simplify: Simplify your life as much as possible. Only keep belongings that you use/enjoy on a regular basis. By making the effort to reduce what you own, you will naturally purchase less/create less waste in the future. For information on voluntary simplicity, check out Voluntary Simplicity Websites. Learn more through books on voluntary simplicity.
* Reduce Purchases: In general, think before you buy any product - do you really need it? How did the production of this product impact the environment and what further impacts will there be with the disposal of the product (and associated packaging materials)? When you are thinking about buying something, try the 30-Day Rule -- wait 30 days after the first time you decide you want a product to really make your decision. This will eliminate impulse buying.
* White Pages Delivery Opt-In PetitionThe Compact: Join or form a Compact in your area - groups all across the globe committing for 12 months to not buy any new products (see lower right sidebar for groups).
* Replace Disposables: Wherever possible, replace disposable products with reusable ones (i.e., razor, food storage, batteries, ink cartridges (buy refill ink), coffee filters, furnace or air conditioner filters, etc.).
* Buy Used: Buy used products whenever possible. Some sources:

* local thrift stores
* Ebay
* Craigslist
* Amazon (search on specific refurbished product)
* Freecycle (free!)
* local newspaper listings
* local material exchange sites (search in your area)
* garage sales (search in your area in the 'for sale' > 'garage sales' section
* used refurbished computers (check your computer manufacturer's website or Amazon)
* local used furniture stores (search in your area)
* local consignment shops (search in your area)

* Borrow From Friends: If you only need something temporily, ask if a friend or neighbor would loan it to you.
* Share With Friends: Share things like books, magazines, movies, games, and newspapers between friends and neighbors.
* Tree-Free Home: As much as possible, create a tree-free home:
o replace paper napkins with cloth napkins
o replace paper towels with a special set of cloth towels/napkins (or cut up old t-shirts for great towels) - store the used ones in a small container in your kitchen and just wash and reuse
o purchase bleach-free, toilet paper that is made from the highest post-consumer waste content you can find (80% minimum)
o if you print documents, print on once-used paper and/or bleach-free, recycled paper with the highest post-consumer waste content available (or hemp/alternative-source paper, if you can afford it)
o reuse envelopes, wrapping paper, the front of gift cards (as postcards) and other paper materials you receive wherever possible
o read books, magazines, and newspapers from your local library
o create and use note pads from once-used paper
o leave messages for family members/roommates on a reusable message board
o make your own cards/letters from once-used products or handmade paper
o if you will be doing construction on your house, search out alternatives to using newly cut wood (no endorsement of any company intended):
+ Eco-Friendly Flooring Guide
+ straw bale
+ bamboo -- two sites to check out: Plyboo and Teragren
+ true (natural) linoleum
+ previously used wood -- one site to check out: Vintage Timber Works
+ cob -- three sites to check out: Cob, Cob Cottage, and EcoBusiness-Cob Building Resources
+ composite decking -- The Latest Trend in Decking
* Bulk Purchases: Avoid products that are packaged for single use (i.e., drinks, school lunches, candy, cat and dog food, salad mixings, etc.). Instead, buy in bulk and transfer the products to your own reusable containers. Many health food stores have bulk bins where they sell everything from grains to cereal to cleaning products. For additional ideas, read the Precycling information page.
* Buy Only What You Need: Buy only as much as you know you'll use for items such as food, cleaning supplies, and paint.
* Avoid Creating Trash: Avoid creating trash wherever possible: when ordering food, avoid receiving any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, etc. (ask in advance), buy ice cream in a cone instead of a cup, don't accept "free" promotional products, buy products with the least amount of packaging, etc. Every little bit of trash avoided does make a difference!
* Shopping Bags: While shopping, if you only buy a few products skip the shopping bag. For larger purchases, bring your own. Learn about the dangers of plastic bags and what countries around world are doing about it ("The Dangers of Plastic Bags" slide show from Teacher Vishal Mody).
* Junk Mail: For ideas on how to reduce junk mail, check out:
o Reduce Personal and Business Junk Mail
o Do-it-yourself: Stop junk mail, email and phone calls
o How to Get Rid of Junk Mail, Spam, and Telemarketers
o Opt-Out
* Waste-Free Lunches: Pack a Waste-Free Lunch whenever possible.
* Mug-to-Go: Carry a mug with you wherever you go for take out beverages.
* Address Early Consumption Habits: New American Dream offers tips for protecting your children from intrusive and harmful advertising that promotes mindless consumption.
* Encourage Hotels to Reduce Waste: When staying at a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast let the management know that you like to support businesses that adopt environmentally responsible practices (including reducing waste). Print out and drop off the Sustainable Solutions for Green Hotels environmental tips list. To locate environmentally friendly hotels, search on the Internet under "ecotourism" and/or visit Green Hotels Association.


Second: Reuse


The media has done a wonderful job of selling us on the attractiveness and benefits of buying "new", "improved", "special", etc. products. However, we already collectively own so much that we could all survive for quite a while on the existing products - if we just reused them a few times!

* Garage Sales: Shop at and hold garage sales - this is a great way to reuse products.
* Reusables: Switch from disposable to reusable products: food and beverage containers, cups, plates, writing pens, razors, diapers, towels, shopping bags, etc.
* Donations: Donate your old:
o household items - clothes, furniture, dishes, books, sports equipment, magazines, appliances, electronics, business attire, wedding attire, etc. (to charity)
o computer equipment
o building material (to companies who specialize in selling used material)
o cell phones and ink cartridges (to Cure Recycling - profits from reuse of items support the CURE Childhood Cancer organization. Free postage. Another place to donate cell phones is Collective Good). If you would like to start your own recycling program, check out Wireless Recycling. Learn how to erase cell phone data with this free data eraser.
o eyeglasses (to Lions Club, For-Eyes, Pearle, or Lenscrafters)
o extra hangers (to your local dry cleaners)
o art materials (to a school or cultural organization)
o unwanted boxed/bagged/canned food (to homeless shelters, food banks, or soup kitchens)
o etc.
* Buy/Sell Used Items: Buy and sell your items on sites such as:
o local thrift stores
o Ebay
o Craigslist
o Amazon (search on specific refurbished product)
o local newspaper listings
o local material exchange sites (search in your area)
o garage sales (search in your area in the 'for sale' > 'garage sales' section
o used refurbished computers (check your computer manufacturer's website or Amazon)
o local used furniture stores (search in your area)
o local consignment shops (search in your area)
o Recycler's World facilitates buying and selling used products (for home and work)
* Freecycle: The Freecycle Network provides an online community tool for giving and receiving free stuff.
* Share: thingloop facilitates sharing our belongings with each other.
* Throwplace: Throwplace.com lets you list items online that you would like to give to nonprofit organizations, businesses, or individuals.
* Community Swap: Organize a community swap program (i.e., designate a place where people can leave unwanted items for others to use).
* Packing Peanuts: Drop off at a local packing, shipping or moving store.
* Wash and Reuse Plastic Bags: With either a wooden bag dryer or in the washing machine.
* Buy Durables: Buy products that will last and take care of them.
* Teach Thrift: Teach your children the value of being thrifty (the wise economy in the management of money and other resources; frugality).
* Frugal Printing: Use both sides of each piece of paper -- for note taking or printing documents from your computer (at home or work). Create note pads by stapling together once-used paper.
* Kitchen Reuseables: Instead of buying these items new, save and reuse all: paper bags, rubber bands, twisties, boxes, and packaging material. Reuse your plastic bags with a handy bag dryer.
* Library: Pick up books from your local library or used book store. The library is also many times a great place for finding magazines, CDs, books-on-tape, and videos.
* Share with Neighbors: Join in with neighbors to purchase infrequently used products such as lawn mowers, ladders, etc.
* Refurbished Computers: Buy refurbished computers for less
* Rechargeable Batteries: Purchase rechargeable batteries and a battery recharger (some battery rechargers will also recharge regular alkaline batteries). Solar powered battery rechargers are available online.
* College Reuse: Dump and Run is a nonprofit organization that organizes the collection of college students' castoff items in the spring, so they can be sold to incoming students in the fall. The proceeds are then donated to nonprofits.



Third: Recycle

* Recycle Bins: Create designated holding "bins" for each type of recycled product and place in convenient locations in your home/garage
* Recycling Fact Sheet: Create a local recycling fact sheet for yourself and interested neighbors. The local Yellow Pages, Internet Consumer Recycling Guide and Recycling Resources are great resources. Find out where you can recycle:
o glass
o paper products
o plastic grocery bags (better yet - use cloth bags)
o plastic - including 1 - 7 identification codes
o aluminum
o cardboard
o tin cans
o scrap metal
o motor oil (one quart of oil can kill fish in thousands of gallons of water)
o ink cartridges
o household appliances such as refrigerators
o computer equipment and other electronic devices
o aseptic packaging (square boxes used for liquids)
o styrofoam
o tires
o athletic shoes (contact a local sporting goods or athletic shoe store - some donate used shoes, others recycle them)
o etc.
* Recycled Content: Ask your local retailers to stock more products made from recycled materials and buy products made from the highest recycled content whenever possible.
* Green Paper: In general, try to buy products/containers made from recycled material as often as possible to support the recycled product market. When purchasing paper products (toilet paper, etc,), look for paper that has been recycled using a minimum of 50% post-consumer waste. Also, purchase from companies that do not use chlorine to bleach their paper products (which creates dioxin waste).
* Natural Fertilizer: Leave grass clippings on the lawn as fertilizer.
* Composting: Start a compost pile with yard trimmings and food scraps. Learn more at Wikipedia's Compost page.
* Pack-it-Out: If you are traveling and no recycle bins are available, pack your recyclables home with you whenever possible.
* Eco-Friendly Burials: For the ultimate in recycling, check out the growing movement in eco-friendly burials and conservation burial.
* Recycled Gold: If you are shopping for wedding rings or other jewelry consider buying recycled gold jewelry and synthetic diamonds and gemstones.
* Hazardous Waste: The other key aspect of dealing with waste effectively is to dispose of toxic products at a hazardous waste facility. Products requiring special handling include:
o Building Materials - paint , varnish, paint thinner, solvents, rust remover, wood preservatives and driveway sealer
o Automotive products - gasoline, transmission oil, brake fluid, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, power steering fluid, used motor oil,used oil filters, used antifreeze
o Household cleaners - spot removers, rug cleaners, metal cleaners, bathroom cleaners, oven cleaner, drain cleaner
o Pesticides - insect killers, weed killers, flea products, moth crystals, fertilizers with weed killer
o Miscellaneous - photographic chemicals, acids and corrosive chemicals, pool chemicals, compact fluorescent light bulbs, Ni-Cd batteries