The First R - Reduce

It can be fairly easy to practice reduction by changing a few everyday habits, rethinking your need to purchase and making educated buying decisions by choosing products that do not have to be added to the landfill or waste stream.

Buy less and use less. Reflect on your buying decision before heading off to shop, whether it a bricks and mortar store or the Internet. Then buy only what you need and will use. When you are through with something, share it with some one else, donate it or sell it. Use the following tips to reduce your waste.

Make careful package choices. Try to precycle by purchasing products in materials/packaging that are from recycled products and can be recycled again. When ever you can buy the plainest and least packaged product that is available.  Many large companies like HP are started to get on board the green movement and use much less packaging.

Avoid single serve containers. Whether it is juice, food, detergents or cleaning supplies buy in the largest, recycled container that your store offers. Then transfer it into smaller user friendly sizes at home, Skip the plastic water bottles, use tap or filtered water.

Think bulk! By buying a large amount of something you get the best product to package ratio. For example, purchase the largest container of detergent, cereal, toothpaste or staples that you can. If you buy at a bulk store, try to use paper bags that can go into the recycling bin. This should also save you money since packages can be up 30% of the cost of an item.

Use cloth or Chico bags when shopping, say no to plastic bags! Carry reusables in your car. If only purchasing a few things, carry them or have your children carry them. Take any old plastic bags back to stores that recycle them.

Start a garden, join a cooperative (yes we now have one -) and shop the farmers market. Food you grow yourself or purchase locally is not processed or packaged and does not have to travel far from the field to your table. Our new local cooperative is Sandhills Farm to Table Cooperative; visit them on Facebook or www.sandhillsfarm2table.com.

Compost. Turn your leaves, grass and food wastes into free, rich nourishment that your garden will love. Instructions for composting and vermiculture (that would be worms) are easily be found on the Internet, at the local bookshop or the library.

Save trees. When you receive unwanted catalogs or duplicates, call the toll free numbers provided and ask to be removed from their mailing list. Try to do as much bill paying and banking on line, saving paper, time and gas.

When purchasing durable goods, buy the best you can. Quality items will last longer and reduce waste. Consider buying second hand, our area has an abundance of wonderful second hand shops for all sorts of things, check them out.

Greening your home, office and life can start with these simple steps. Let's all look after Mother Earth; she is the only one we have.