We all know about the three “R’s”, reduce, reuse and recycle.  However, we need to take more time to think about why we have them in that order.

Reduce

In waste management, reduce means to limit the amount of harm to the environment.  It means making less waste.  The best way to achieve this is to buy and use fewer products that end up in garbage or recycling bag.

CHOOSE TO REDUCE

1. Choose products that come in refillable containers
2. Look for products that have less packaging
3. Buy in bulk
4. Refuse extra bags at the store or bring your own bag with you

Reducing waste is the best solution!

Reuse prevents waste.  So, when you choose to reuse items, or when you give them to others for reuse, you are actively deciding to keep those materials out of the garbage or recycling bag. 

CHOOSE TO REUSE

• USE CLOTH SHOPPING BAGS. Canadians take home 55 million plastic bags from grocery stores every week!
• Donate things you no longer need to community groups and organizations
• Have a yard sale
• Use rechargeable batteries for toys, games, radios, flashlights.  Rechargeable use cloth napkins instead of paper ones, dishcloths instead of paper towel

Recycling is the last “R” because it is the most difficult and expensive of the three.  Recycling is what we do with something when there is no longer a use for it.

CHOOSE TO RECYCLE

• Make sure this product can no longer be used by you or others
• Make sure all recyclable items are clean before placing them in your recycling bag.  This material will ultimately be marketed and made into a new product.