Reducing the amount of waste we produce overall is a crucial step in making sustainable choices.  Here are some ideas about how:

• Reduce the amount of garbage you generate by avoiding excess packaging, purchasing goods made from recycled materials rather than new ones, buying used clothing, books, and household goods instead of new ones, composting, and bringing your own shopping bag.  Click here to see our Top Ten Waste Reduction Tips!
• Reduce the amount of energy and water you use.  Turn off the lights when you leave the room, turn down the furnace and wear a sweater, turn off the television.  Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth.  Run only full loads in the washer or dishwasher.  Wash your dishes by hand.  Walk, ride your bike, rollerblade, take the bus, carpool, instead of driving.
• Learn to fix things.  Fine someone who can teach you how to fix something that is broken,  Find someone who can teach you how to cook, sew, use a toolbox.  The more you know, the more use you will gte out of the things you already have, and the smaller your ecological footprint will be.  What can you teach someone to do?
• Buy used.  Buy second-hand, trade and borrow to reduce the amount of resources needed to produce and dispose of goods. 
• Use Earth-friendly products.  Use recycled paper, baking soda and vinegar instead of chemical cleaners, all-natural laundry detergents instead of chemical ones, etc.

Check out

Check out an article with info about Zero Waste and extended producer responsiblity.

Participate in the annual Waste Reduction Week event!

Check out RCM's Bright Buyer's Checklist for more waste-reducing ideas!