Recycling is just one way to reduce wastes. To be really effective, we have to incorporate the four R's Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Re-buy into our daily routine.
- Reduce - Look for products that use less packaging. When manufacturers make their products with less packaging, they use less raw material. This reduces waste and costs. These extra savings can be passed along to the consumer. Buying in bulk, for example, can reduce packaging and save money.
- Reuse - If we have a wreath, or some other product, that didn't sell, we will sometimes pull it apart and re-use those items that are salvagable in other product with more market appeal. It doesn't happen often, but we strive to reuse.
- Recycle - Our city has a curb side recycling program that we actively participate in each week. We try to recycle our plastics, cardboard, glass, aluminum, and paper
- Re-buy - Search for those items that are using post-consumer waste. We do. It doesn't help to reuse and recycle etc., if you don't re-buy recycled products.