PRODUCTS: Products that will advance sustainability, and products that can replace less preferable ones.
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Preface: REDUCE, Reuse, recycle
1) First reduce: Do you truly need the product or ingredient? Sometimes the most earth-friendly option is not buying (manufacturing) the item in the first place.
2) If you can't reduce, then reuse: Even plastic shopping bags can be reused before recycling.
3) If you can't reduce, and have reused all you can, then recycle: Recycling uses energy, water, and additional resources. Recycling is the "landfill" of environmentalism.
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FROM "NOT MUCH TIME?" SECTION, with added notes
2) Label "garbage cans" as "landfill" (do it or imagine it when pitching garbage: Avoid throwing anything away. Use 100% recycled content toilet paper.
Next steps:
- Compost biodegradables (anything that would fall apart within a week or so in the rain). Just throw in a bin or find a spot on your lawn - nothing fancy required.
- Use rags/torn clothes and cloth towels instead of paper towels.
- Avoid disposables or extra packaging when purchasing/dining. If disposables can't be avoided, use recycled content.
- Pack lunch - and use reusable containers.
- Use cloth bags instead of paper or even before using recyclable plastic bags.
- To go even farther, find ways to avoid putting anything in a recycle bin.
- Read labels on foods and goods:
- Avoid products that say "antimicrobial" on the label - or ingredients that include "antimicrobials" and "triclosan" (e.g., soaps, cleaners).
- Is the product (or the packaging) recycled content, and able to be recycled?
- Which product has the least ingredients and less processed ingredients?
- Try to find only recyclable packaging (non-plastic is even harder).
- Check "made in/packaged in" label to see if you can find items as close to your town as possible.
- Note how many items contain the useless & harmful antimicrobials - on the front label and the ingredients.
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PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- Coming: Listings of preferable products and alternatives to standard products
- Coming: Small local business listing
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