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While recycling is very important, reducing and reusing should be considered first lines of defense in waste reduction. Recycling involves breaking down recyclable materials to make new materials. Although less energy is required to create a recycled product than a new product, energy is still needed to manufacture an item. On the other hand, reducing and reusing are ways that we can conserve energy, natural resources, and money. Reducing means that we find ways to prevent waste in the first place. Questioning whether a purchase is really necessary, or if we can get along with what we have already is one way to reduce. Another way is to buy in bulk rather than in single serving containers, or refusing to buy products that are overpackaged. Getting off junk mail lists is another great way to reduce. Reuse is the second line of defense. Using SWAP is one way to reuse, allowing you to give away something that may be valuable to somebody else or gain valuable objects for which somebody else no longer has a use. Utilizing cloth towels instead of paper towels, cloth napkins and taking your own bags to the grocery store and other shopping trips are other ways to reuse. Recycling should be used for the rest of your waste. Make sure that any packaging and materials you purchase can be put in the recycling bin. Composting vegetable kitchen scraps and green waste is another way to recycle. The last, unofficial step is to buy recycled! Buying recycled products helps create jobs and supports markets for materials in your recycling bin, helping the environment. Check out the Recycle Store www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Recyclestore for a list of products made from recycled materials. |
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