One out of every ten dollars that Americans spend on food pays for packaging, which takes a double toll on the environment.
First, a great deal of energy is needed to create packaging materials. But even more alarming is the fact that these materials add an unnecessary amount of waste to our already overflowing landfills.
You can tackle the problem before it becomes one. By shopping intelligently, you can reduce waste even before you buy. Think about how you will dispose of the product and its packing before you buy it. That's what precycling is all about.
Avoid purchasing products that contain hazardous materials which are difficult to dispose of safely. Consider alternatives to hazardous waste.
Other tips for reducing waste:
- Choose reusable products or products with a long life span, such as sponges, rechargeable batteries and thermos bottles.
- Whenever possible, buy recycled products.
- Avoid disposable items: buy refillable razors, cigarette lights, pens, pencils, etc.
- Try sharing newspapers, magazines and books with friends.
- Is your junk mail getting out of control? Remove your name from mailing lists.
