Reduce, Reduce, Reduce, Reuse and then Recycle

In my position at reCREATE, we visit thousands of kids and talk to them about waste reduction.  As part of the presentation, we show them a video that explains how our garbage is processed here in Western Placer County at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF).    

Did you know, if we took all the materials recovered for recycling at the Western Placer MRF, and placed it on a football field, for one year, it would go from one end zone to the other, and be about 200 feet high.  (If a building is over 200 feet, it is officially considered a skyscraper.)

No football fields were "trashed" in the making of this image.

While these materials will be used again, it does take resources to convert these materials into new paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal or aluminum.  Some materials recycle "better" than others.  For example, glass can be recycled forever, countless times.  Paper and cardboard can be recycled several times, but eventually it is an end product (no longer recyclable).  Aluminum cans can find their way back onto a store shelf in as little as 60 days, quick and easy!  To see how plastic is recycled, here is a video from Recycle Bank. 

It is interesting to note, that recycled products often take fewer resources to make than new products from virgin resources.  I will talk more about this in a future blog post!

That said, I still feel a responsibility to make less waste, recyclable or not.  What about you?  Want to help shrink that skyscraper a bit?  

We encourage the idea of Reduce (make less garbage) first.  
Reuse (use things over and over) second,
And Recycle as the third option. 
Ways everyone can reduce and reuse: 

• Buy snacks in bulk, and pack them in reusable containers
• Invest in a reusable water bottle
• When shopping, look for options with minimal packaging 
• Shop thrift or reuse stores
• Need something short-term?  Borrow or rent it. 
• Take your own shopping bags.
• When you are out eating, do you need a plastic lid and straw or can you forgo them?  

All of these ideas help make a little less trash.  Thanks for stopping by!  I'd love to hear how you reduce your waste.