How to Reduce!


So, you want to take the Challenge? How do you get started?
Check out our training videos below to learn how!

 

Training Videos

 

 

 

Additional Tips & Resources for Reducing Your Waste

 

Reducing your waste by consuming less, increasing your recycling and beginning to compost is easier than you think. Below are some tips and reminders that will help you in your waste reduction efforts.

 

Recycling

Your best resource for recycling information is www.waukeshacounty.gov/recycling. Take a close look at the new Household Recycling Guide– make sure you’re including all acceptable items.

 

E-Cycle Wisconsin In September 2010 a new law went into effect in Wisconsin that bans the disposal of certain electronics in landfills such as TVs, computers, printers & accessories, VCR & CD/DVD players, fax machines, cell phones. To find out more, visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/recycling and click “Electronics” under Product Disposal.

 

Recycling...was just the beginning. Congratulations! As a faithful recycler, you've played an important role in doing what's best for our environment. In fact, for many of us, recycling is the first step toward keeping our Earth green. Since the newspaper drives in the 1960’s, we have come a long way to today’s approach to helping our environment.

 

Today, you need to start thinking about your trash before recycling or disposal time-you need to make purchasing decisions that save resources and stop waste before you buy. You need to practice waste reduction.

 

Stop Junk Mail & Magazine Subscriptions

To prevent junk mail from arriving at your house, write “Please do not rent, sell, or give away my name and address!” when filling out:

  • promotions
  • orders
  • subscriptions
  • donations
  • credit card applications
  • warranty cards
  • driver's license applications*

    * Under Wisconsin open records law, government agencies are required to release applicants' names and addresses, unless applicants request otherwise.

Send back unwanted first class mail.

  • If it has first class postage and you don't want it, mark it "Refused, return to sender," and mail it back.
  • Do the same with any other postage paid response mail -- include their mailing label.

Send back unwanted solicitations or inserts.

  • If unwanted mail has a postage-paid return envelope, mail this information back, requesting that your name be removed from their mailing lists.
  • If you get unwanted inserts with your bills, mark the bill stub "Don't send inserts," and return them with your payment.

Call toll-free numbers.

  • Call numbers listed on unwanted mail and tell them: "Please remove my name from your mailing list!"
  • Give your name and address as listed on the label.
  • To reduce preapproved credit card offers, call 1-888-5-OPTOUT.

Cancel unwanted specialty publications.

  • Call publisher's office or send a note, with your address, asking: "Please do not deliver any more specialty classifieds to this address…!"

Cancel unwanted subscriptions.

  • If you don't look at it anymore, cancel it!
  • To further reduce waste, share magazine subscriptions with neighbors, friends, or the library.
  • On new subscriptions, write: "Please do not rent, sell or give away my name!"

Send a note to a major mailing list generator.

Marketing services do not want to send you materials that you don't want. Send your name, address, and the request "Please remove my name and address from your mailing lists!" to:

Mail Preference Service  
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

 

Or visit these websites: www.stopthejunkmail.com or www.stopjunk.com

 

 

Donate Household Items

Items accepted include clothing, kitchenware, furniture, appliances, electronics and more.

 

 

Give Away Unwanted Items

 

 

Organic Matter

Compost food and yard waste, and leave grass clippings on the lawn. Mulch your leaves into the lawn.

 

For tips on composting, visit these informative websites:

 

 

Change your Shopping Habits

  • When shopping, look for items in minimal packaging. Buying in bulk can be cheaper and will create less garbage.
  • Bring your own bag. Plastic bags do not decompose and are made from a non-renewable resource. Paper bags are recyclable, but still require energy to produce and transport. Some stores offer a bag credit when you bring your own bags.
  • Bring your own mug. When you have to have that coffee fix, bring a reusable mug. Many coffee shops will reward you with a little kickback too!
  • Avoid or minimize take-out. This creates a lot of unnecessary waste. You can also bring your own to-go container to restaurants for your leftovers.
  • Eat home cooked meals. This will take a little more coordination, but will reduce the amount of packaging you have to throw out, as well as improving nutrition.
  • Drink Tap water. Bottled water uses a lot of energy and fuel to transport. Tap water is a lot cheaper!
  • Repair instead of throwing out.
  • Rent or borrow instead of buying.
  • Use rechargeable batteries instead of single use.

 

 

Additional Resources

 

 

What are some suggestions for waste reduction?

Most people already recycle some, but we all could improve our habits. 1) learn more about what is recyclable (i.e. milk, juice and soup cartons are now accepted), 2) start a compost bin in your yard or neighborhood, 3) buy in bulk, and 4) donate items that still are useful to others. There are many other suggestions available online.

 

You might start with www.waukeshacounty.gov/recycling and check the information under Product Disposal for the specific product you have. Click here for additional online resources.

 

 

Why is waste reduction such a focus right now?

In 2009 state landfill fees increased 120% to $13/ton. The total cost to landfill a ton of garbage is about $40/ton. The average value of recyclables is about $100/ton. If residents were able to reduce the amount of garbage they produced by 10% and increase recycling by 10%, total landfill costs would be reduced over $320,000 and the value of recyclables would increase by more than $210,000 for a total savings of over $500,000/year.

 

 

How do I start my own waste reduction challenge?

Contact the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin (AROW) for more information and assistance on conducting a waste reduction challenge. Angie Lemar, AROW Program Director, programs@arow-online.org or 608-843-7361.


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