Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Not a pretty picture, is it? Modern society uses landfills to store our waste. These facilities are complex systems designed to reduce gases and fluids from polluting the air or water around them. But we have other options than throwing all of our household waste into a can that ends up at a landfill. We can reduce our waste, reuse items that have secondary values and recycle items that can be recycled. You might also find that by reducing, reusing, recycling you may spend less money, have less overall waste and may even feel healthier without all that stinky trash around. It is amazing what a small commitment can do in the world!

Some suggestions for reducing, reusing and recycling:

Natural Yard Care: Save money on water, plants and fertilizer by using what you already have or doesn't need replaced because it is adapted to our climate! This guide has many helpful tips.

Reduce: Reduce waste at the office, at home and everywhere else in your life! www.reduce.org has strategies for reducing waste throughout your life.

Nike Reuse-a-Shoe: This is pretty interesting. Reuse your used athletic shoes - or rather, let Nike - into useful materials for tracks, playgrounds, etc.

We've all learned to recycle our paper products and soda cans. Recycling can be more than that:

Freecycle: A website devoted to helping people get rid of their stuff. And of course, there is always Craigslist!

2Good2Toss: A Washington State website, easy to use and specific to Longview/Kelso/Cowlitz County!

Earth911: Find out where you can recycle anything and the nearest drop point.

CradletoCradle: An example of a strategy to reduce waste as well as chemical use in daily products.

Steel Recycling: As a note that just about anything can be recycled, check out this information on recycling steel. Although your neighbor might recycle it for you, with a welder!