How to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: the Second R

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: We usually focus on the third "R," recycle, but these steps are placed in order of importance. A downside of recycling is that, even with the best of intentions, most things end up in landfills. Another is that recycling takes energy; which we want to conserve, and making new products to replace what we recycled takes energy too. If we reduce our use of stuff, there will be less to recycle.

Things You'll Need

• What you need is what you have.

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Instructions

• 1

  Don't go shopping! That's right, that's what I said. We have a desire to "DO" something, but in this case, the best option is to do nothing. Wear your old shoes a little longer before you buy those cute new "earth friendly" shoes.

  Unless it's a gas-guzzling clunker, drive your car a little longer too. That is actually better for the environment than buying the lastest ZEV vehicle. There is an environmental cost to making new products. Take good care of the car you have to keep it driving at its optimal level, inflate your tires and avoid "rabbit starts," and remember, "is this trip necessary?"

• 2

  Reusable shopping bags are all the rage, and they might be the only option in the future. Buy stylish canvas ones. Even better, look for them at thrift stores.

• 3

  You can still reuse plastic bags. Use them in the bathroom trash basket. Keep dust off items high in your closet, like off-season clothes and shoes.
  (See my article, "How to make plastic plastic-bag holder")

• 4

  Papers have two sides. Use both. Save them for children's art projects, or print documents on both sides.

• 5

  Reuse gifts bags, tissue paper and bows. (You'll save money, too!) Set aside a gift area in your home, and when you're ready to wrap a gift, you'll have bags in different sizes and colors ready to use.

• 6

  Pass hand-me-downs to the people you love. Children grow so fast that their used clothes are often clean, and (maybe) still in style.

  Make use of E-Bay, Craigslist and Freecycle.

  Trade clothes and costume jewelry with your friends. Shop at consignment shops, "gently used" boutiques, yard sales and thrift stores. You'll be surprised at what treasures you can find.

• 7

  Find new uses for what you already have. Old pillowcases can be used for off-season storage. Need a pencil holder? Try an extra mug or a candleholder. Used toothbrushes clean hard-to-reach corners and around sink faucets. (Be sure to mark them as used first.)

• 8

  Don't buy throw-away items when you can buy reusable ones. Use towels, not paper towels. Use silverware, not plastic-ware. Buy a reusable drink bottle for each member of your family. Use rechargeable batteries. (Please don't throw batteries in landfills: Call2Recycle.)

• 9

  Reuse what you can; even if society thinks you can't.
  Reusing things like baggies might get you labeled a nutcase, but there are good ways to reuse them. Use them to hold extra wires, out-of-season decorations, small toys and craft supplies. The possibilites are endless.

• 10

  Donate. Not only are you keeping potentially useful items out of landfills, but you are keeping people employed. Salvation Army and Goodwill are just two of many organizations that help people and resell used items.