Source: Mississippi State
Cooperative Extension
- Evaluate items before buying them as to cost, convenience, and
environmental impact. How many pieces will have to be discarded
and how can such pieces be discarded in the least wasteful manner?
- Eat less highly processed foods.
- Buy bulk produce (or grow a garden) and do your own canning and
freezing in reusable containers.
- Bring your own reusable cloth or plastic totes for carrying purchases.
- Make a "waste-reduction kit" of twist ties, paper and plastic bags, to
be taken along when you shop.
- Seek out retailers that will fill and refill containers you bring in.
- Reduce the amount of junk mail you get by asking companies to remove
your name from mailing lists. To remove your name from third-class mail
"master lists", send your name and address with such a request to:
Mail Preference Service, 11 W. 42nd Street, P.O. Box 3861,
New York, New York 10163-3861
- Make your own less toxic household products for cleaning, personal
care and pest control.
- Buy durable, easily fixable appliances and then, instead of discarding
them, keep them well maintained and fix when necessary.
- Buy items that have been produced in a manner that is least damaging
to the environment. For example: avoid items made of wood from
rainforests, buy organically grown produce, consider reducing the
amount of meat consumed, buy locally produced unprocessed foods at
farmer's markets