 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
What is Precycling?
Precycling is thinking about how much waste a product has BEFORE you buy it. Think about how you will dispose of the product --is this product recyclable, or will it go in the trash? Precycle, not only in supermarkets, but wherever you shop. Consider using white paper for all office forms - even legal pads, which don't have to be yellow. That will reduce sorting, and make the scrap more valuable.
Click here for precycling 'Shop Smart' tips.
Watching your Waste
Pierce County residents and businesses have done a great job of reducing the amount of trash that ends up in our landfills and transfer stations. But there's even more we can do. While recycling remains a key to keeping renewable resources out of our landfills, we have to continue to look for other ways to help solve the problem of overflowing landfills.
Many products have excessive packaging that is not easily recyclable in Pierce County, and packaging takes a double toll on the environment. First, a great deal of energy is needed to create packaging material. Even more alarming is the fact that these materials add an unnecessary amount of waste to our already overburdened landfills.
Shop Smart
Here are some ideas to help reduce waste from products and packaging. Keep these suggestions in mind when you go to the store:
- Whenever possible, buy recycled products.
- Choose reusable products or products with a long life span, such as sponges, rechargeable batteries, and thermos bottles.
- Avoid disposals: buy refillable razors, cigarette lighters, pens, pencils, etc.
- Share newspapers, magazines and books with friends
- Look for recycled or recyclable packaging, like aluminum or paper.
- Buy food in packaging that is reusable (refillable, microwavable, etc.)
- Avoid buying goods that are over-packaged (excess bags, boxes and wrappers).
- To reduce the amount of packaging you take home, buy foods in bulk or large sizes.
- Reuse your plastic grocery bags, or better yet, bring your own cloth shopping bag to the store.
- Recycle as much as possible through Pierce County's curbside recycling program.
- Remember: more elaborate packaging is less likely to be recyclable. For example, a single-serve juice box contains paper, foil and plastic, which is difficult to separate the different materials for recycling.
- Fresh produce is a winner with little or no packaging, and can be composted.
Speak Up
- Let store managers know your view on products with excessive packaging. Remember, your business is important to them.
- Encourage stores to sell unpackaged merchandise. Let them know you won't buy products with unnecessary packaging.
- Contact manufacturers and let then know your preference for less packaging. If you choose one product over another on the basis of packaging, write to the manufacturer and let them know why you bought a competitor's product.
|
|
|
|
