Waste Reduction and Recycling Tipsheet

At home:

  • Think twice before throwing something away. Can you reuse, give away, or sell it?
  • Rent, borrow, or share things you use infrequently.
  • Repair or maintain items you already have, particularly large appliances, and electronic equipment.

While shopping:

  • Buy products made from recycled materials.
  • Choose products with the least necessary wrapping.
  • Consider large or economy size containers for household products that are used frequently.
  • Buy in bulk units at large warehouse centers and share cost with neighbors or family members.
  • Use canvas bags instead of plastic or paper.

In your back yard:

  • Manage your yard so it creates less waste by grasscycling, xeriscaping, and mulching.
  • Compost yard trimmings and kitchen scraps.

At work:

  • Bring a mug to work for your coffee or tea.
  • Persuade your company's purchasing department to choose reusable and recyclable products.
  • Start an office paper and newspaper recycling program.
  • Switch to double-sided copying.
Recycled-Content Product Directory

One of the CIWMB's Buy Recycled Programs, the Recycled Content Product (RCP) Directory, lists thousands of recycled products and provides information on the companies that reprocess, manufacture and/or distribute these products. The many benefits of buying recycled content products include diverting waste from landfills, reducing manufacturing waste and pollution, reducing energy consumption, and improving markets for recycled products.

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Yard Tips
Grasscycling

Grasscycling is the natural practice of leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing. This can save time, money and other resources like landfill space. The clippings quickly decompose, returning nutrients to the soil. Proper turf management, in conjunction with the practice of grasscycling, can reduce water and fertilizer requirements, mowing time, and disposal costs. By grasscycling you can help Mow Down Pollution!

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping means simply landscaping with slow growing, drought tolerant plants to conserve water and reduce yard trimmings.

Composting

Composting is the natural process of decomposing organic material, like leaves or grass clippings. Bacteria and insects consume this material leaving nutrient rich soil. Composting has been going on in forests since the beginning of time and can easily be done in your backyard. A major advantage of composting for any gardener is that the home-grown compost can be used instead of commercial fertilizers and mulches.