Waste Reduction

Waste reduction (or prevention) is the preferred approach to waste management because waste that never gets created doesn't have waste management costs.

An example of waste reduction is reducing unnecessary packaging from manufactured products and produce. If this excess packaging could be avoided, no one would have to be concerned with the cost and effort of collecting the excess packaging, separating it for recycling, breaking it down, transporting it to manufacturers, and then integrating the recycled materials back into the manufacturing process.

WHY WASTE REDUCTION IS IMPORTANT

All the products you buy, or at least their packaging or containers, will eventually require disposal. Packaging now accounts for 64 million tons by weight or 33% of all our garbage. The average Pennsylvanian discards about 4 1/2 pounds of trash each day. If each person reduced waste by only 1 pound each week, the amount of reduction statewide would total 312,000 tons a year.

The family who reduces waste in the home helps protect the environment. Waste reduction is as important as recycling in saving natural resources, energy, and disposal space and costs, and in reducing pollution risks. Careful buying and disposal habits can also stretch the family budget.

WATCH WHAT YOU BUY

Waste reduction starts at the shopping center. When you go shopping follow these guidelines:

• Buy durable products instead of those that are disposable or cheaply made.
• Repair/restore used items before replacing them.
• Buy items you can re-use. Re-using margarine tubs to freeze foods or pack lunches, for instance, reduces the need for foil or plastic wrap.
• Buy items you can recycle locally through curbside collection or recycling centers.
• Avoid excess packaging when choosing product brands. Buy products in bulk. Buy just the amount you need: larger sizes reduce the amount of packaging,
• but smaller sizes reduce leftover waste.