Waste Reduction 101

Brought to you by

and the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

LESS = More

Get LESS!A campaign of the SWMCB<<Link to YouTube LESS Video>>

The Three R’s

Reduce -->> Reuse -->> Recycle

In that order: It matters!

Three Things You Can Do TODAY

1. Reduce your junk mail (and phone books)2. Get rid of your extra ‘stuff’3. Buy in bulk

Reduce Junk Mail

• We each get an estimated 40+ pounds of junk mail each year!

• 4.3 million tons of unsolicited, unwanted mail discarded nationally every year.

• Currently, only about 1 in 5 pieces of junk mail is recycled.

Reduce YOUR Junk Mail

• Don’t get added to lists• Ask not to be added to mailing lists if you do

give out your information• Remove your name from list through the

Direct Marketing Association and other opt-out websites.

Get Rid of “Stuff”

• Remember the Resale• Donation Consideration

Buying from the Bulk Bins

1. Bring your own container2. Find your container’s “tare weight”3. Only buy what you need!4. Write the code on your

container or print the appropriate label

5. DON’T be afraid to ask for help!

How to Keep the Habit

1. Can I live without this?2. What is this made out of?3. Can I (or do I want to) maintain this?4. Could I borrow this or buy it used?5. Will this last a long time?6. Is it worth the waste in the end?

Wrap-up• REDUCE, Reuse, Recycle : in that order!• The fewer steps back we are in the life cycle,

the better off we are– Once it’s in your hands, it’s too late!

• Do what you can TODAY to reduce waste– Reduce junk mail / phone books– Get rid of “Stuff”– Buy in bulk

• Consider the impact before you get things• LESS IS MORE!

Final Word from LESS’s Lester Moore

<<Link to YouTube LESS for your Closets video>>

<<Link to YouTube LESS is Easy! video>>

Resources

• RethinkRecycling.com• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency• Madalyn Cioci, MPCA 2011 Beyond Recycling:

Waste Prevention