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Waste Reduction Tips G GEEN N EER R A A LL G GU UIID D EELLIIN N EESS:: ¦ Before you buy, ask yourself - is it made out of recycled materials? - can it be recycled? - is there an alternative that has less packaging? ¦ Before you toss, ask yourself - can it be recycled or reused by someone else? A ATT TTH H EE SS TTO OR R EE:: ¦ Buy used items (appliances, clothing, toys, books, cars) and donate your discards to places that will use or sell them ¦ Take your own cloth or paper bag to the store for packing your purchases ¦ Buy in bulk if possible, or in large economy sizes and then refill small containers (for example buy one squeezable bottle and then refill it) ¦ Buy items that are recyclable or are in recycled packaging, or have minimal packaging (eggs in cardboard rather than Styrofoam cartons, loose carrots or potatoes instead of in plastic bags, foods in glass or tin cans rather than plastic containers) ¦ Use refillable flashlights, cigarette lighters, pens, pencils and razors ¦ Use rechargeable batteries ¦ Avoid buying products that have excess packaging ¦ Buy durable products that last ¦ Maintain and repair items you own ¦ Buy only what you need in the amount that you need ¦ Consider re-tread tires the next time you need them for your vehicle R R EESSO OU UR R C C EE LLIISSTTIIN N G GSS:: ¦ 50 Simple Things You Can Do To Save The Earth & The Recycler’s Handbook by The Earth Works Group Earth Works Press, Berkley CA ¦ Save Our Planet: 750 Everyday Ways you Can Help Clean Up The Earth by Diane Mac Eachern Publication #00-07-035 A ATT H HO OM M EE O OR R W WO OR R K K ¦ Reuse old cloth materials for cleaning, painting, washing, etc. ¦ Bring a coffee cup to work instead of using disposable cups ¦ Use a reusable coffee filter ¦ Save Styrofoam packing beads for sending packages in the mail ¦ Recycle glass bottles, tin cans, aluminum cans, newspapers and paper ¦ Start a compost pile in a corner of your yard for yard waste, leaves, etc. ¦ Use cloth diapers, towels, napkins, and table cloths, rather than disposables ¦ Use china rather than paper, use silverware rather than plastic ¦ Use a worm bin to compost food scraps PPA A PPEER R ¦ Get off unwanted junk mail lists – write to: Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, New York 11735 ¦ Give old magazines and books to senior centers, hospitals, schools, charities, etc. ¦ Ask for recycled paper at printshops ¦ Make double-sided copies when photocopying materials ¦ Reuse writing paper, envelopes, and junk mail as scrap paper ¦ Buy greeting cards and stationery that are printed on recycled paper The Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. If you have special accommodation need please call (360) 407-6095 or (360) 407-6006 (TDD). Washington State Department of Ecology Solid Waste and Financial Assistance Program 1-800-RECYCLE Printed on recycled paper & can be recycled again.