One of the best strategies for reducing both the amount and toxicity of the waste in the household is to reuse what
you already have. Many household products can be reused
over and over again, often for several different purposes.
For instance, grocery bags can be returned to the store or used as trash
bags or parcel wrapping paper. This section offers ideas to help
reduce consumption of household goods and an opportunity to reconsider
the potential usefulness of products normally just thrown out.
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Consider Reusable Products
- Use a sturdy mug at work for coffee.
- Use washable utensils at home, picnics and other outdoor parties.
- Use "recharged" cartridges for laser printers, fax machines, and copiers. They reduce waste, and typically save money. Use cloth napkins and dishclothes around the house.
Look for items which are available in reusable containers.
- Use rechargeable batteries. This will reduce the amount of toxic metals in the waste stream.
- When using single use items (paper napkins, ketchup packets) take only what is needed.
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Maintain and Repair Durable Products
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Consider long lasting appliances and electronic equipment with good warranties. Check reports for products with a good durability rating and low breakdown rates. Also, look for easily repairable items.
- Keep appliances in good working order. Follow manufactures suggestions for proper operation and maintenance.
- Use high quality, long lasting tires for cars and bicycles. Check tire pressure at least once a month and rotate tires routinely.
- Mend clothes instead of throwing them away. Repair worn shoes, boots, handbags, and briefcases.
- Choose luggage, sporting goods, toys and tools that will stand up to vigorous use.
- Use low energy fluorescent light bulbs rather than incandescent ones. They'll last longer, which means fewer bulbs are thrown out over time.
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Reuse Bags, Containers and Other Items
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Reuse paper and plastic bags, and twist ties. Take a string or mesh bag to the store.
- Reuse scrap paper and envelopes. Use both sides of a piece of paper before recycling it. Reuse gift boxes, ribbons, and larger pieces of wrapping and tissue paper. Save packaging, colored paper, egg cartons, and other items for arts and crafts. Find other uses for old drapes, bedding, clothing, towels, and cotton diapers. Use what is leftover for rags, dolls, or rag rugs.
- Reuse newspaper, boxes, packaging peanuts and bubble wrap to ship packages. Brown paper bags can be used to wrap parcels.
- Reuse empty glass and plastic containers to store leftovers as well as buttons, nails, and thumbtacks. Use empty coffee cans as flower pots.
- Turn used lumber into birdhouses, mailboxes, compost bins, or other woodworking projects.
CAUTION: DO NOT reuse containers which originally held pesticides or automobile products. These containers contain hazardous/toxic residues, and should be returned to dealer or properly disposed
of.
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Borrow, Rent or Share Infrequently Used Items
- Rent or borrow party decorations and supplies, such as tables, chairs, centerpieces, lines, dishes and silverware.
- Rent or borrow seldom used audio-visual equipment.
- Rent or borrow tools such as ladders, chain saws, floor buffers, rug cleaners, and garden tillers.
- Before discarding tools, camera equipment or other goods, ask friends, neighbors and relatives if they can use them.
- Share newspapers and magazines with others.
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Sell or Donate Goods
- Donate or sell items to thrift stores or other organizations in need.
- Sell secondhand items at fairs, bazaars and garage sales.
- Give hand-me-downs to family members, neighbors, or the needy.
- Conduct a food or clothing drive to help others.
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