Recycling

Sahuarita Waste Reduction 101

1. Replace disposable with reusable
2. Buy used instead of new
3. Recycle your cans
4. Maintain your car; it'll last longer
5. Garden
6. Reupholster a raggedy old sofa instead of throwing it out
7. Replace disposable alkaline batteries with rechargeable batteries
8. Drop unwanted pain off at the Tucson/Pima Household Hazardous Waste Program
9. Donate still useful items to charitable groups
10. Use remanufactured toner cartridges; they perform the same as new ones and cost less
11. Maximize the life of appliances by performing regular maintenance
12. Shop resale stores, yard sales, second hand, donation centers and estate sales--good for the budget and the earth. 
13. Rent, lend, and borrow instead of buying new
14. Keep tires inflated, they'll last longer and your car will pollute less
15. Learn about your local recycling opportunities
16. Participate in your local recycling programs 
17. While on vacation, use the recycling programs at parks, hotels, and campgrounds
18. Recycle your Christmas tree at Tricycle instead of dumping it
19. Invest in a living artificial Christmas tree that you can enjoy for many years
20. Looks for a reusable coffee filter to replace your disposable filters
21. Donate your old glasses to service groups who forwards them to folks in need
22. Generate revenue by practicing thrift
23. Reuse envelopes
24. Bring a reusable mug to work
25. Rent formal wear
26. Use reusable furnace and air conditioner filters
27. Repair and refinish well-used furniture 
28. Compost (let it rot)
29. Maintain your property goods, and stuff--they will last longer
30. Share your knowledge 
31. Borrow books from the library 
32. Leave grass clippings on lawn
33. Give a battery charger with rechargeable batteries as a gift 
34. Have a white elephant party; it's a great way to pass along unwanted stuff
35. Recycle your plastic beverage containers
36. Reuse wrapping paper to re-wrap or line shelves and drawers
37. Cut the front off of greetings cards you receive and re-send them as postcards or use as gift tags
38. Break the paper towel habit; use cloth and sponges
39. Change your cooler pads; it will run more efficiently 
40. Bring a "no garbage" lunch to work or school, using reusable containers, bags, and a thermos
41. Read, then pass on your magazines to offices, hospitals, or other waiting rooms to be re-read
42. Make your mattress last. Turn it and reverse  it end-to-end twice a year
43. Donate your old mattress to others
44. Ride a bike
45. Close the drapes to keep the room cool
46. Dry clothing on clothesline instead of using a gas or electric dryer
47. Recycle your corrugated cardboard
48. Recycle your glass containers
49. Buy what you need, use what you buy
50. Repair durable goods instead of dumping them when they fail
51. Offer leftovers to neighbors and friends
52. Don't buy a gallon when a quart will do 
53. Be water smart; install low-flow plumbing fixtures
54. Make note pads out of print overruns, computer printouts, outdates forms, and stationery
55. Print and copy on both sides of paper
56. Use routing slips to circulate memos instead of making multiple copies
57. Donate old computers
58. Call 1-877-3LITTER to report Arizona litterbugs
59. Reuse empty containers to refrigerate leftovers, pack lunch food, keep buttons, or store hardware in the shop
60. Buy the large size of items you use often
61. Use refillable in lotions, soaps, and cleaning products 
62. Get a closer shave by using reusable razors
63. Avoid disposables 
64. Pass on or donate stuff your kids have outgrown 
65. Reuse packing pellets or offer them for reuse to packing services and postal mailing centers
66. Rotate your tires; they'll last longer
67. Take a re-usable bag shopping
68. Rent, stream or borrow instead of buying movies and video games
69. Keep mailing lists current to avoid duplication
70. Use concentrates
71.  Look for products with high levels of post-consumer materials 
72. Use non-toxic products 
73. Buy Products with minimal packaging 
74. Reformat computer disks for reuse 
75. Reformat videotapes for reuse 
76. Reduce excess
77. Buy in bulk and use it all
78. Carpool
79. Use water based paints
80. Turn your computer monitor off when leaving for more than an hour
81. Share
82. Change habits
83. Buy products in packaging that can be recycled locally 
84. Minimize packaging
85. Lend
86. Look for durability in products you buy and use, not just lower price 
87. RE-think habits and customs
88. Reuse grocery bags
89. Stop receiving unwanted mail (call 791-5000 to find out how)
90. Take the bus
91. Consolidate trips and errands to one trip
92. Turn the car off while waiting in line
93. Walk, ride bikes, roller blade, skateboards instead of driving 
94. Recycle your newspaper
95. Turn the lights off when you leave the room 
96. Conserve water
97. Wraps gifts in materials you already have such as the comics, children's artwork, colorful bags, scarves, maps, or fabric
98. Clean the condenser coils on your refrigerator every few months--you can reduce electricity consumption 6% or more
99. Listen to your parents (they have good ideas)
100. Talk to someone who lived during the depression to learn how it was
101. Pass this list on to someone else