Waste Reduction 101 Brought to you by and the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board

LESS = More Get LESS! A campaign of the SWMCB <<Link to YouTube LESS Video>> <<Link to YouTube LESS Video>>

The Three Rs Reduce -->> Reuse -->> Recycle In that order: It matters!

Three Things You Can Do TODAY 1.Reduce your junk mail (and phone books) 2.Get rid of your extra stuff 3.Buy in bulk

Reduce Junk Mail We each get an estimated 40+ pounds of junk mail each year! We each get an estimated 40+ pounds of junk mail each year! 4.3 million tons of unsolicited, unwanted mail discarded nationally every year. 4.3 million tons of unsolicited, unwanted mail discarded nationally every year. Currently, only about 1 in 5 Currently, only about 1 in 5 pieces of junk mail is recycled.

Reduce YOUR Junk Mail Dont get added to lists Dont get added to lists Ask not to be added to mailing lists if you do give out your information Ask not to be added to mailing lists if you do give out your information Remove your name from list through the Direct Marketing Association and other opt- out websites. Remove your name from list through the Direct Marketing Association and other opt- out websites.

Get Rid of Stuff Remember the Resale Remember the Resale Donation Consideration Donation Consideration

Buying from the Bulk Bins 1.Bring your own container 2.Find your containers tare weight 3.Only buy what you need! 4.Write the code on your container or print the appropriate label 5.DONT be afraid to ask for help!

How to Keep the Habit 1.Can I live without this? 2.What is this made out of? 3.Can I (or do I want to) maintain this? 4.Could I borrow this or buy it used? 5.Will this last a long time? 6.Is it worth the waste in the end?

Wrap-up REDUCE, Reuse, Recycle : in that order! REDUCE, Reuse, Recycle : in that order! The fewer steps back we are in the life cycle, the better off we are The fewer steps back we are in the life cycle, the better off we are – Once its in your hands, its too late! Do what you can TODAY to reduce waste Do what you can TODAY to reduce waste – Reduce junk mail / phone books – Get rid of Stuff – Buy in bulk Consider the impact before you get things Consider the impact before you get things LESS IS MORE! LESS IS MORE!

Final Word from LESSs Lester Moore <<Link to YouTube LESS for your Closets video>> <<Link to YouTube LESS for your Closets video>> <<Link to YouTube LESS is Easy! video>> <<Link to YouTube LESS is Easy! video>>

Resources RethinkRecycling.com RethinkRecycling.com Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Madalyn Cioci, MPCA 2011 Beyond Recycling: Waste Prevention Madalyn Cioci, MPCA 2011 Beyond Recycling: Waste Prevention