RETHINK

REFUSE

REDUCE

REUSE

REPURPOSE

REPAIR

RETRO

ROT

RECYCLE

You’re likely familiar with the three R’s- reduce, reuse, recycle. These are great tenants to live by (in order), but we feel there’s room for more nuisance. Check out this interview about plastic recycling from our director, Jimmy Urciuoli, and read on below for more fuel to your waste reduction journey!

The first step in your waste reduction journey to RETHINK the way you move through the world. This takes time, learning & un-learning, but slow, incremental changes are likely to have longevity.

The first action you can take is to REFUSE items that will become trash. Skip the straw, grocery bags, plastic cup, and any item that isn’t necessary for the activity you’re engaging in. Get in the habit of bringing snap-lid containers to restaurants for leftovers, carrying reusable bags for shopping, and keeping a refillable water bottle on you (they even have ones with filters built in!)

Even amongst your best efforts, you will inevitably acquire items that could become garbage. This is where REDUCING is important! Could you choose a product that contains plastic-free packaging, or less material altogether? Buying in bulk and supporting businesses that ship products with minimal packaging are great ways to begin reducing your waste stream. Instead of buying dips, sauces, and other items that come in plastic containers, consider making your own. The waste you create will be far less with items purchased in bulk.

Before you go to recycle or trash an item, ask yourself: can I REUSE, REPURPOSE, or REPAIR this? Perhaps, that single use water bottle could have many uses before you send it to your bin, or could become a hummingbird feeder. Find a vacuum repair shop instead of buying a new one. If you follow the first step of RETHINKING your waste reduction journey, you will discover creative ways to implement these principles.

Considering that textile and clothing industries are often major polluters and exploit humans in slave-like conditions, you may want to reconsider buying that new pair of pants or shoes. This is your chance to go RETRO! A rainy day spent at a thrift store can make for a fun adventure, and they will likely have what you’re looking for. If you have items that are in good condition, donate them to your local thrift shop or community center to give them new life. One person’s trash is another one’s treasure.

Did you know that 50-60% of all U.S. Landfilled waste could have been composted? This is the process of turning organic materials into humus (ROT), a rich form of soil used for fertilizers. This includes plant-based food scraps, eggshells, yard trimmings, and certain paper products. This can be done in your own backyard, or with the help of an industrial composter who can also accept materials like meat, bones, dairy, and certified compostable products. This is an incredibly easy way to divert waste from the landfill! Please note that it’s best to avoid throwing food away by only acquiring what you can reasonably eat. The production of food is expensive, resource intensive, and often exploits humans in farming communities. Consider composting as a last resort for your food scraps and other organic materials.

Notice we saved RECYCLE for last? This was not by accident. While recycling is a necessary component of responsible waste diversion, it’s far from fool proof and is not as efficient as you may imagine. While metals, glass, and paper items have a better chance of being recycled, plastics present a more complicated case. Did you know that the chasing arrow symbol with a corresponding number on plastic items does not actually mean it’s recyclable? This is a resin identification code that the plastic industry developed to make their products appear recyclable. Most facilities in the U.S. only recycle plastic bottles, jugs, and certain containers. This is not to say other types of plastics aren’t recyclable, but the infrastructure does not exist on a large enough scale.

Please make sure your items are clean and free of food & liquids that can attract insects, vermin, or foul odors. Though machines are involved in the sorting process, humans also work vigorously to hand-separate these items. Please consider these people before you attempt to recycle anything.

And finally, just because a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) accepts an item does not guarantee it gets recycled. Do your research beyond what materials are accepted in your community. Who purchases these materials from the MRF? What percentage of these materials are used to make a new product? You will likely find that truthful answers are more difficult to come by. Again, we have to RETHINK every part of this complex system.

So, what is one change you’re committed to making today? Tag us @greenstepschatt and let us know. We’d love to feature your testimony here!

THANK YOU FOR READING! Let’s all do our part to be responsible stewards of Planet Earth and all of its inhabitants.