Waste Prevention

Waste Prevention Practices

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)​, in 2015, approximately 262 million tons of trash was produced in the United States while only 68 million tons was recycled and 23 million tons were composted. 

Waste Prevention are practices that limit or cut down the amount and/or the toxicity of wastes that are generated at home, work, school and in your everyday life prior to recycling, treatment or disposal. Waste Prevention is also referred as Source Reduction and Waste Minimization. Waste Prevention is NOT recycling. The main goal is to eliminate waste before it is produced. A simple example of waste prevention is using reusable utensils instead of disposable ones. Benefits of waste reduction includes:

  • decreasing the demand of landfill space,
  • conserving energy and resources,
  • reducing pollution, and
  • making production processes more efficient.

Here are some tips you can do to practice:

  • ​Donate or sell items in good condition to thrift, non-profit or exchange programs
  • Buy items in bulk and with less packaging.
  • Donate your white goods (i.e. refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, air conditioners)
  • Take your reusable bags with you while shopping and return plastic bags to donation centers
  • Compost​ yard wastes, vegetables, and fruits
  • Choose durable, reusable goods (for example, don't buy disposable razors, use razors that have replacement blades)
  • Eliminate the use of single-use plates, cutlery and cups
  • Use cloth napkins
  • Wrap gifts in cartoons or old maps
  • Use rechargeable batteries
  • Borrow, rent or share items that you use infrequently
​

Last modified: 12/5/2018

  • ​Buy recycled paper goods
  • Donate electronics and old furniture
  • Recycle office products
  • Use hand dryers in workplace restrooms
  • Turn off your computer, lights, and other electrical items before leaving
  • Copy and print double-sided
  • Purchase non-toxics materials such as vegetable-based inks and water-based adhesives, markers and paints
  • Order supplies in bulk and with less packaging
  • Whenever possible, avoid printing; e-mail documents instead
  • Make scratch paper from used one-sided paper
  • Donate books and magazines to libraries, hospitals, etc
  • Reuse envelopes for internal mail
  • Rent equipment that is not used frequently
  • Cancel junk mail and unwanted publications at work
​

Last modified: 12/5/2018

  • ​Schedule a Rummage Sale/Student Exchange
  • Reduce waste at lunch (bring your own utensils from home, use a thermos, etc.)
  • Trade electronics with students in different schools 
  • Recycle Paper Products and other items
  • Reuse items from last years (binders, pens, pencils, folders, backpacks)
  • Make scratch paper from paper that was used on one side
  • Use double-sided photocopies
  • Purchase classroom supplies in bulk
  • Use refillable pens and pencils
  • Use old cardboard boxes for storage
  • Use reusable lunch boxes or lunch bags
  • Use reusable water bottles
​

Last modified: 12/5/2018

​​​​​