Reduce, Reuse then Recycle


Announcement!!!!!  icon Be_Safe_at_Home.pdf (546 KB)  

There is a year-round drop off at 1150 N. North Branch St. near Division and the Kennedy. Check the flyer for times and locations.

3 R's - Where Do We Start?

"Reduce, Reuse and Recycle." Did you know the words are actually listed in order of importance? 

The idea is to reduce the amount we consume, first. Next, focus on finding additional uses for the things we already have.  THEN, recycle products when they have reached the very end of their useful life.

Reducing/Reusing

Packaging (i.e. cans, bottles, cartons, etc). accounts for huge portion of U.S. consumption.  Packaging accounts for:

  • 30% of annual U.S. plastic consumption
  • 40% of annual U.S. aluminum consumption
  • 50% of the annual U.S. paper consumption
  • 75% of the annual U.S. glass consumption

Tips for reducing

  1. Home:  Coffee Cups and Water bottles: On average EACH coffee shop in the US throws away 250 coffee cups a day, now think of how many Starbucks you see in one day. Good news, companies like Starbucks listen to their customers. Send a letter encouraging them to rethink their beverage containers.  Also, when possible use reusable aluminum bottles instead of plastic water bottles: Try Sigg mugs.  (info@starbucks.com) and bring your own travel mug to a coffee shop.
  2. Work:  Turn your computer off at night!   There's a myth that turning your computer on and off uses more energy than leaving it on. Another myth is that turning your computer on and off wears it out. This is not true.  In reality, the small surge used to turn a computer on and off is much smaller than leaving it on for lengthy  periods. Your computer can withstand 40,000 on/off's in its life time (a number you are not likely to reach in 7-9 years). Also, screen savers don't save energy and in some cases they actually use more.

 

Tips for reusing

  1. Home: Bring reusable shopping bags next time you head to the grocery store.   Recommended: the flip and tumble (20 lbs max): Pros: made in the US, has a take-back recycling program.  Cons: not made from recycled materials.  The dodo bag (40 lbs max): Pros: 25 cents of the $12.50 bags goes to support the environment, made in the US, unbleached cotton, take-back recycling program.  Cons: made from non-recycled material.
  2. Work: First, take your lunch to work.  This will cut back on the waste that is generated by packaging from fast food restaurants.  Second, use reusable aluminum/stainless steel containers. Use them instead of plastic baggies or plastic containers.  The same toxins that are found in reused water bottles are also found in the plastic containers that we store our food in!

 

Tips for recycling:

Chicago is generating 2.5 million tons of trash a year and the 4 primary garbage dumps are due to fill up in the next 6 years.  Here's the clincher:  75-85% of the things that end up in landfills can be recycled!

  1. Home: Start recycling!  Only a few wards in city have a city funded recycling program!   The most trusted and reliable source for curb side recycling in Chicago is The Resource Center http://www.resourcecenterchicago.org/ .  Great efforts are taken to ensure that all recyclables make it to the best facilities - consequently, it can be pricey.  They also have drop off sites throughout the city.  For more questions contact The Chicago Recycling Coalition http://www.chicagorecycling.org/
  2. Work: Does your work place recycle? Try starting a program -  Here are 3 easy steps:
  1. Find the name and contact info of the company that takes care of your waste removal
  2. Contact them to find the price of adding a recycling program.  There is a very good chance that your employer already pays for recycling but is not fully utilizing the program.  Keep in mind that adding recycling pickup usually doesn't cost more. The money spent on recycling will be offset by the decrease in trash pickup.  If the waste removal company is not responsive there are plenty of non-for-profit organizations in the city.  Chicago: The Resource Center http://www.resourcecenterchicago.org/ Check this link out for a search by zip code/recyclable type: http://www.earth911.org/ (the search is at the top of the page
  3. Facilitate a program. For help and ideas on programs visit:  http://www.paperrecycles.org/news/print_materials/work_guide.pdf . By law every Chicago business has to provide a comprehensive recycling program, ask your building manager for assistance.  Here's an idea of what an office building recycling program should be like: http://www.chicagorecycling.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=105

Additional resources:

http://www.newdream.org/walletbuddy.pdf - for a wallet sized reuse, reduce, recycle shopping guide.