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Reduce

Choose reusable alternatives to disposable products.

Reduce
 “The waste coming out of our houses is just the tip of the iceberg. For every one garbage can of waste you put out on the curb, 70 garbage cans of waste were made upstream just to make the junk in that one garbage can you put out on the curb.” The Story of Stuff 

Stop Waste Before It Happens

  • Join Catalog Choice - one-stop removal of unwanted catalogs and junk mail
  • Buy goods with no packaging
  • Buy in bulk with your reusable containers
  • Buy produce loose instead of in packaging & bring your own produce bag
  • Use reusable shopping bags, drink containers and food utensils when out and about
  • Use bar soap instead of liquid soap
  • Buy milk in refillable bottles: many home delivery options available
  • Choose aluminum over plastic when possible; many plastics are not recycled

Share your 'trying to tread lighter' habits with us 

At Home

  • Cloth towels instead of paper towels
  • Durable/reusable china, flatware & glasses when entertaining - if you don't have enough, borrow from your neighbors!
  • Cloth napkins instead of paper napkins
  • Rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries
  • Save and reuse boxes, mailing tubes, and Styrofoam "peanuts"
  • Pack a "zero waste lunch" for school & work: use reusable containers & cloth napkins
  • A reusable razor handle instead of disposable ones

At the Office

  • Double-sided copies
  • Circulate—instead of distributing individual copies—memorandums, letters and magazines
  • Periodically review mailing lists; remove duplicates
  • Consolidate mailings when possible
  • Get off unwanted mailing lists: Join Catalog Choice
  • Save and reuse boxes, mailing tubes, and Styrofoam "peanuts"
  • Use reusable dishes, mugs/cups and silverware at the office instead of disposables

Share your reusable alternatives with us 

Close the loop

  • Purchase products made of, and/or packaged with, recycled materials and paper and toilet paper made from recycled content.
  • Shop at consignment, thrift, second-hand and free cycle sites, etc. (see Reuse)