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Reducing
Waste At Home |
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There
are many things you can do at home to reduce waste
in addition to recycling
all paper, cardboard, glass, metal and glass containers.
Remember, reducing waste is about avoiding waste
in the first place, so:
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Compost |
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Composting is Nature's way of recycling and is
one of the best and easiest things you can do
to reduce waste and grow healthy and sustainable
garden or houseplants. Under controlled conditions,
organic material decomposes and is transformed
by critters in the soil such as bacteria, insects,
earthworms and fungi that recycle nitrogen, potash,
phosphorus, and other plant nutrients into humus.
Click here for more information on composting.
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Choose to Reuse |
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Bring reusable shopping
bags to the grocery store instead of using plastic
bags. If you use paper bags, use them to recycle
your mixed paper at the curb. |
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Reuse packaging whenver
possible. Margarine tubs, yogurt containers, coffee
cans, grocery bags and jars can be reused to store
food, leftover, screws and nails. |
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Reuse leftover materials
to make something new. Scrap lumber can be used
to make birdhouses, mailboxes or other small carpentry
projecs. Fabric scraps can be used for gift wrap,
doll clothes or dust cloths. |
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Bring appropriate sized
reusable containers to restaurants instead of using
their disposable "take-out" containers.
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Be a Smart Consumer |
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Make a list of the items
you really need. A list discourages impulse buying. |
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Research your larger
purchases. Information is available on the energy
efficiency, reliability and durability of products
such as refrigerators, stovers, televisions and
automobiles. |
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Buy the largest size
of those products that you use regularly and will
not spoil. Larger sizes use less packaging per product
and often cost less (in terms of per unit pricing)
to purchase. |
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Purchase products with
less packaging. For example, buy toothpast that
is sold without the box or other items with little
or no packaging. |
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Buy products in concentrated
form. Concentrated frozen juices, fabric softeners
and clothing detergents cut down on packaging. |
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Use rechargeable batteries,
rather than replacing single-use batteries. At the
end of your rechargeable batteries' life, recycle
them at the Recycling
Drop-Off Center or at a Household
Hazardous Waste Collection. |
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Purchase durable, energy
efficient and repairable products. Well-made goods
save money in the long run. Check warranties, repair
services and availability of parts and accessories.
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Buy products in reusable
or refillable packaging. Some detergents, household
cleaners and brands of spring water are made to
be refilled and reused either by the consumer or
buy the manufacturer. |
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Buy products made of
and packaging in recycled materials. Look for products
or packaging that is made from recovered materials. |
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Consider buying a mulching lawn mower. Think about
grasscycling, by leaving grass clippings on your
lawn. Click
here to learn more. |
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Reduce Junk Mail |
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Get rid of junk mail! |
Reduce the amount
of junk mail you receive. Call the companies listed
below and ask that they remove your name from
their mailing lists. Pleas note that it will take
a few months for your name to be deleted from
these companies mailings systems.
- Reduce advertising mail by registering with
the Direct Marketing Association's Mail
Preference Service.
It's easy and you'll reach some of the biggest
direct marketers in the country with a single
letter. Your registration will remain in effect
for 5 years.
- The nation's major consumer credit bureaus
— Equifax, Experian, Innovis and Trans
Union — have cooperated to offer services
to help consumers get off lists for pre-approved
credit card solicitations. <<MORE
- Eliminate unwanted catalogs through Catalog
Choice.
- Val Pak Coupons, 1-800-797-1196
For removal from regional coupon and sweepstakes
mailings.
- The Polk Company, 1-800-464-7655
Request the "Opt-Out" line for removal
from catalog and service coupon mailings.
- Publisher's Clearing House, 1-800-645-9242
For removal from sweepstakes mailings.
Prevent junk mail before it starts.
- For more information, visit
www.reduce.org.
- When making a donation, ordering items through
the mail or the Internet, or subscribing to
a publication, include a note that instructs
the organization or company not to lend, sell
or trade your name to other mailing lists. Write
in large letters: "Please do not rent,
sell or trade my name or address." Tell
sales representatives this every time you order
something by telephone.
- Avoid filling out contest entries. Contests
are often used to develop mailing lists.
- Avoid mailing in unnecessary product warranty
cards. These cards are often used to collect
information on your habits and income for the
sole purpose of targeting direct mail. Returning
these cars is not required in most situations
in order for a warranty to be active. The only
reason to return a warranty care is to find
out about the product recalls. If you want to
learn about product recalls, provide only your
name, address and product serial number, Some
warranty cards include a box to check if you
do not want to be included on mailing lists.
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Shop at local thrift,
second-hand or consignment shops for clothing, household
goods, books and even furniture. |
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Sell or donate used
items. The Recycling
Drop-Off Center accepts unused books
and clothing. Click here to explore our Donate
and Recycle Listings. |
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Maintain and repair
products. Check the yellow pages for individuals
or busiensses that repair and service various products,
or fix them your self. |
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Avoid buying products
you really do not need. Considering cancelling subscriptions
to rarely read magazines. Try borrowing them from
the library. |
