Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse!

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How Can We Reuse?mmon items. A simple search of the web will show you

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Donating Used Items Material Exchange

g used think about donatin When most people thing. ng about used clo items, they’re thinki n just used clothes ca In reality, more than e y different charitabl be donated to man ms that me examples of ite organizations. So e listed below. can be donated ar resold ct clothing can be ta in , an cle she ot • Cl nate items that you as is. When you do orn, be too stained or w might consider to tion la su e into rags or in they could be mad material. rses, hats, oes, belts, bags, pu • Accessories- sh c. gloves, scar ves, et s, chairs, room sets, couche • Furniture- dining ated st because it’s outd beds, dressers. Ju usable. doesn’t mean it’s un asses, dishes, drinking gl sm ite ld ho se ou • H , etc. utensils, appliances aids, eglasses, hearing • Health Aids- ey c. crutches/canes, et cabinets, doors, lsia • Building mater res, sinks or tubs, windows, light fixtu hardware, etc.

For a list of organizations that might accept these items, please visit the Capital Region Recycling Partnership web site at www.capitalregionrecycling.com. Donate- You won’t just help the Capital Region. You could be helping others worldwide!

Reduce the Waste Reuse the Item Again Recycle the Item Refuse to Buy the Item At All

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g cycle, we’re hearin Reduce, Reuse, Re er just an more. It’s no long d an e or m n ga slo ssity has become a nece “in thing to do,” it tion one of us. In addi y er ev d an ch ea for rth, have seen to the Ea to the damage we cal now feeling real fis e ar es iti un m m co all te ient and inadequa impact from ineffic goal now sh disposal. Our tra to es ch oa pr ap of ducing the amount must be to make re atter m mmonplace and a co te ea cr e w te as w luable ochure provides va of course. This br ing just that. information on do We are now also adding a 4th R to the slogan.

Refuse!

cycle, Refuse! Reduce, Reuse, Re products that are Refuse to purchase ls. recyclable materia nno in ed ag ck pa the can help make all As consumers we world. mmunities and the co r ou in e nc re ffe di the ve manufacturers Together we can gi as well. rt and do their pa up ep st to e iv nt ce in another Precycling. This is You may consider these goals. way of achieving

What is Waste Reduction

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Waste Reduction refers to reducing the amount of waste produced. An example of waste reduction is to use china and silverware instead of disposable paper plates and plastic flatware.

Starting a Waste Reduction Program The best way to reduce the amount of waste produced is to look at your trash as you’re throwing it out and ask yourself these questionsWhat do you throw away?

What is Precycling?

Reuse!

Precycling is a proc ess where decision s are made before or at the time of purcha sing a product to reduce the amount of was te generated. Precycling Ideas • Bring reusable shopping bags to the stores • Buy in bulk whi ch uses less packag ing material and avoi d single-ser ving packaged items. • Buy products w ith little to no pack aging • Buy products w hose packaging is recyclable • Buy reusable m esh coffee filters in stead of single use paper on es. • Buy rechargeab le batteries instead of single use batterie s. • Don’t buy Styr ofoam since it can not be recycled. • Don’t buy disp osable items (e.g. plates, cups, utensils, napk ins, paper coffee filters, etc.)

Refuse! Refuse! Reuse!

What materials take up the most space in the trash bag? Can any items be reused, repaired, or donated? Can you reduce the number of disposable items used? Can you substitute products with ones that can be reused or that have recyclable packaging? Learn what is accepted in your municipal recycling program. Note the items in your trash that are not recyclable. Then the next time you go shopping, try to find recyclable alternatives to those items in your trash. If you have too many left over products, consider giving them to someone else, or next time buy fewer of them.

Waste Reduction Ideas • Use both sides of a piece of paper before recycling it. • Pass on already read books, magazines, and newspapers to friends or coworkers, schools, libraries, nursing homes, churches, or other charitable organizations. • Buy durable, well-made and/or repairable products. • Donate used clothing, and household items to charitable organizations. Even if you think an item might be too stained or worn, donate it anyway since it will likely be recycled. • Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils. • Use plug-in appliances instead of battery operated ones.

Reuse! Donate!

Reduce the Amount of Mail You Receive or Send • Don’t sign up for information you really do not want. • Remove your name from mailing lists. Contact the individual company directly or visit the websites below for more information. www.optoutprescreen.com to be removed from the four major credit bureau mailing lists www.dmachoice.org follow the steps to remove yourself from mailing lists www.catalogchoice.org to opt out of paper catalog mailings www.yellowpagesoptout.com to remove yourself from phonebook distributions

• Use emails and e-cards instead of letters and cards. • Consider going paperless and get your bills and statements online or via email. • Research products online instead of using catalogs and consider ordering over the phone or online instead of through the mail. • Read newspapers and magazines online, or at a library instead of having your own subscriptions.

Reduce!

Use!