Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle

The easiest, most direct way for you to make a difference is to watch what you buy and throw away. By following these basic principles:

• Reduce the amount of trash you discard.
• Reuse containers and products; repair what is broken; and give unneeded items to those who can use them.
• Recycle as much as possible and buyproducts with recycled content.

There are lots of ways that you can put the 3 R’s into practice in your workday. Many of them are not difficult to do, won't take up a lot of time and won't cost more – in fact, they may even save you money!

Remember that less waste can translate intomore jobs, a stronger economy, energy
conservation, less pollution, extended lives forexisting landfills, a reduced need for new
landfills, and the preservation of our naturalresources.

The purchase of products made with recycled material is the last step in the recycling process and is crucial to its success. By purchasing recycled products, you are helping to develop markets for materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

While almost everyone knows about recycled content paper, recycled products come in many shapes, sizes, and forms including: Carpeting; construction materials; toner cartridges; vehicle fluids; pens and pencils; landscaping materials; furniture; retread tires; clothing; and many other items.