Okay, okay, I know that the term has become a bit of a cliché since the '80s. But recycling has been and continues to be one of the greatest accomplishments of the environmental movement. Nowadays, there is widespread curbside recycling, almost every school and business recycles, and everybody knows that they should save their aluminum can for the recycling bin. But there is still more we can do! The Three Rs
Recycling is great, but it doesn't work without the other two Rs: reduce and reuse. One flaw is the large amount of energy needed for the process. Don't get me wrong, it still uses much less than converting raw materials, but there is always room for improvement. Another problem is that most items contain recycled materials, but they almost always use raw materials, as well. This means that more trees are being cut down and more chemicals are introduced into the environment, even though you buy 25% post-consumer recycled content paper and bottles. Once again, this is a vast improvement, but we can still do better.
Here are a few tips on how you can easily reduce the amount of raw materials you use:
-Make your consumer dollars count! Buy items which are made from recycled materials, and try to get ones with the highest post-consumer content percentage. Also, avoid buying things which use large amounts of packaging.
-Only buy new merchandise when you need it, including clothes. The textile industry is the sixth most polluting industry anywhere, and buying new clothes often greatly contributes. Instead, try wearing hand-me-downs, borrowing some outfits from your friends, and going to thrift shops such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army.
-Avoid using large amounts of paper. Instead of writing notes on post-its, use a dry-erase board or chalkboard. And try to write on the back of paper whenever possible.
-Use cloth bags when shopping. Millions of plastic bags are wasted every year by consumers, contributing to the output of chemicals and pollutants into our atmosphere due to plastic companies, and paper bags aren't much better. Also, look for bag recycling centers the next time you're at Ralphs, Lucky's, Vons, or other grocery stores.
-Are there business, schools, companies, etc. in your area which don't recycle? Take a few minutes to write or call them and encourage them to start a program!
-Try to buy paper alternatives. There are several new companies popping up which produce paper made of bamboo, hemp, banana peels, almost anything you can think of. Kinko's has begun selling these alternatives, as well as other stores. Ask your local retailer to begin offering these products, if they are not already on the shelves. You may wish to contact some companies which manufacture paper alternatives, as well. The benefit of these products is that they don't use any trees in the process, but instead use fast-growing, renewable resources. You may want to read E-Magazine's consumer news article (page 48 of the January/February '98 issue) for more information.
-Don't give up on recycling! It does help the environment a great deal, so keep saving those cans, bottles, and milk cartons!
recycled materials, but they almost always use raw materials, as well. This means that more trees are being cut down and more chemicals are introduced into the environment, even though you buy 25% post-consumer recycled content paper and bottles. Once again, this is a vast improvement, but we can still do better.
Home 
