Hell, yes, I’m a player!
I try to reduce first, reuse next, and recycle last. Although recycling is really important, I share concerns listed by the others. Fortunately, my town has an outstanding recycling program. But here are some of the things I do:
Reduce:
–Buy stuff with less packaging.
–avoid buying stuff I don’t need.
–Buy stuff with packaging that is more easily reusable or recyclable.
–Use re-usable stuff instead of disposable. For example, I use cloth rags instead of paper towels in most cases.
–When I receive unwanted catalogs, I call to get my name taken off the list.
Reuse:
–Reuse packaging, like jars, instead of buying Rubbermaid containers to store things.
–See if un-wanted items can have a second life–worn t-shirts become cleaning rags. Old sheets become tarps for painting.
–Donate or sell unwanted items. Buy used items. Give unwanted things to friends, and accept their unwanted things if you can use them. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Recycle:
Fortunately, my town has an excellent recycling program. Every two weeks, recyclables get put out on the curb.
–cans, glass, and bottles comingled in a plastic bin
–newspapers bundled.
–Mixed paper either bundled or in paper grocery sacks.
–paperboard either bundled on in paper grocery sacks. (It’s amazing how much volume of our garbage is in paperboard!)
–corrugated bundled.
They used to accept batteries, too, but no longer, alas.
And the best, most important RRR thing—
Composting
Our waste stream is reduced. Our food scraps are reused and recycled into wonderful organic fertilizer. We do easy composting. It takes longer, but we’re in no hurry. Our aim has more to do with waste reduction than fertilizer prduction. I’d love to get more people composting. You don’t have to be a gardener. Sprinkle the finished compost under a bush or a tree if you don’t garden. Dump it on the lawn. Who cares? Its better than having your potato peelings mummified in a landfill.
I’d be glad to discuss composting more if anyone wants.
