Reduce - waste prevention - “source reduction” - consuming and throwing away less Waste Prevention Includes: Purchasing durable, long-lasting goods Seeking products and packaging that are as free of toxics as possible Re-designing products to use less raw material in production, have a longer life, or be used again after its original use.

Reuse buy products that can be used again and again even better than recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again. Ways to Reuse using durable coffee mugs using cloth napkins or towels refilling bottles donating old magazines or surplus equipment reusing boxes turning empty jars into containers for leftover food purchasing refillable pens and pencils participating in a paint collection and reuse program

Recycling The use of waste materials in the manufacturing process Generates environmental, financial, and social benefits Includes composting Benefits of Recycling Conserves resources for our children’s future Prevents emissions of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants Saves energy Supplies valuable raw materials to industry Creates jobs Stimulates the development of greener technologies Reduces the need for new landfills and incinerators

Produce Less Waste by Practicing the 3 Rs: Reduce the amount and toxicity of trash you discard Reuse containers and products; repair what is broken or give it to someone who can repair it. Recycle as much as possible, which includes buying products with recycled content.

Why Recycle? Five Good Reasons 1.Recycling conserves our valuable natural resources. 2.Recycling saves energy. 3.Recycling saves clean air and clean water. 4.Recycling saves landfill space. 5.Recycling can save money and create jobs.

Polyethylene Terephthalate Characteristics - Clear -Tough, slick surface -Semi-rigid, hard to scratch -sinks in water -smells sweetly aromatic -irritating smell when burned -Solvent resistant -Often used as a fiber Used to Make soda and water bottles processed meat packaging cooking oil bottles peanut butter jars boil-in food pouches other clear bottles with nubs carpet and fiber fill

High Density Polyethylene Characteristics rigid to semi-flexible does not crack when bent floats in water opaque smells like a candle when burned slightly waxy Used to Make milk, cider, water jugs detergent, fabric softener, bleach bottles grocery bags motor oil and antifreeze jugs baby wipe containers buckets and trash cans rigid agricultural pipe milk crates

Polyvinyl Chloride UPVC – Unplasticized PPVC - Plasticized PVC Characteristics Can be hard and rigid Can be flexible and elastic Can be clear Can be solvent welded Bottles will have seams and blow-mold circle Forms white line when bent Sinks in water Scratches easily Acidic smell when burned Used to Make Salad dressing, vegetable oil, floor polish, and mouthwash bottles Shoe soles Garden hoses Blood bags and tubing Plumbing pipes and fittings

Low Density Polyethylene Characteristics Soft, flexible, and stretches Slightly waxy Floats on water Smells like candle when burned Withstands solvents Used to Make Trash bags Dry cleaning, produce, and bread bags Shrink wrap Some rigid food containers Squeeze bottles

Polypropylene Characteristics Smooth Hard, but flexible Waxy surface Translucent Chemical smell when burned Does not scratch Withstands solvents Stretches into filaments Used to Make Drinking straws Battery cases Some dairy tubs Bottle labels and caps Rope Microwave ware Plastic hinged lunch boxes Baby baths

Polystyrene (PS) Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) PS Characteristics Clear, glassy Slick, smooth surface Brittle-cracks when bent Semi-tough Sinks in water Affected by fats, solvents EPS Characteristics Foamed, light weight Energy absorbing Heat insulating Floats in water PS Used to Make Plastic cutlery Vitamin bottles Low cost brittle toys EPS Used to Make Packaging peanuts Meat and egg trays Some carryout containers Protective packaging

Other plastics are most often made of multiple resins or layers of different types of plastics. Some examples are polyamide, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic, nylon, polyurethane (PU), and phenolics. They may be used to make things such as microwavable packages, snack bags, and many industrial plastics. These items are difficult to recycle and alternatives should be sought.