Waste Prevention Is Even Better Than Recycling! Before you buy, use or discard an item, ask yourself: Reduce: Can I buy this product with less packaging? Reuse: Can I or someone else use this again? Recycle: Can I recycle this after I use it? Buy Recycled: Can I get this item with recycled content? These links provide many specific ideas about how you can reduce waste: King County Solid Waste Kitsap County Washington State Department of Ecology Beyond Waste Project Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality's new Waste Prevention Strategy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste Adbusters Alternative Gifts International Bags (Plastic, Paper, Durable) Motivated by a Tax, Irish Spurn Plastic Bags Paper bags are better than plastic bags, right? Reuse Plastic Bags - Reusing plastic bags is an easy way to reduce the 3.3 million tons of plastic bags that Americans send to landfills each year.   Buy Nothing Christmas Buy Recycled - Technical and marketing assistance to selected Puget Sound area businesses that process recyclable materials or use them to manufacture recycled-content products. (related news story: Taking Recycling to the Next Level) Clothing Swap - Swap, sell and buy clothes with people from around the world. Conspicuous Consumption to Calculated Consumption Consumer Consequences - What would the world look like if everyone lived like me? Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene Earth Day: Waste Management Makes Every Day Earth Day EcoConsumer Waste Calculator - Your everyday actions and decisions have a direct impact on the amount of waste generated in King County and the State of Washington. Environmental Education Links Freecycle Network Garage Sale Kit Green Home - Guides and other resources for salvage, reuse and "building green". Green Schools Initiative - Effort to make U.S. schools healthier and more ecologically sustainable. Greener Purchasing - Information to help consumers make environmentally-friendly purchases. Consumers Union is the publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. Hybrid, diesel vehicles top fuel-economy list - General information King County Green Schools Program - Assisting schools to recycle and conserve resources Mail Preference Service - Remove your name from mailing lists People for Puget Sound Recognition of Responsibility Statement - Pledge to live a more sustainable lifestyle. RE-Sources Reusable Packaging Association Rising Consumption Cancels Out Recycling Gains   Spring Cleaning: Remember to Reuse and Recycle Staycation to save money and the environment! The Sustainable Style Foundation Information, resources and innovative programs that promote sustainable living and sustainable design. Usedcardboardboxescom Valentine's Day: Give Love - Not Extra Waste Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation Washington Toxics Coalition Note: These links will open a new browser window. Back | Print This Page | Close Window