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Every year, Californians generate approximately 15 million tons of waste that is merely packaging for the actual products we buy. This packaging includes the cardboard and paper wrappers on fast food, the nice camouflage surrounding gifts under the Christmas tree, and the layers upon layers of plastic, styrofoam and other packing materials that always seems to be getting in your way.
There are, no doubt, several important reasons for packaging. Some of them are practical -- such as protection against breakage of products -- and some of them are aesthetic. Regardless of the motives, however, packaging represents one of the most promising areas in terms of reducing the river of waste flowing into landfills.
The concept behind packaging is often sound. It prevents tampering, keeps products -- particularly food -- fresh, and often provides valuable product information. Yet most packaging is only used once before being thrown away.
Remember, you, too, make packaging decisions on a daily basis. You, therefore, can make a difference.
Many everyday household goods have more than one life to live. Before throwing away bags, containers and other items, ask yourself if you can safely use the item elsewhere in the house. For example, you could use coffee cans and similar food containers for storing items such as nails, buttons, tacks and food. Or turn them into a flower pot. Extending a product's life in this way helps slow down the rate at which California's landfills are filling up. It can save you money too.
Consider the additional lives simple items such as a toothbrush can lead. It can become an indispensable household cleaning tool to be used on that old typewriter, new computer or maybe even hard-to-get-to sections of the old car engine sitting in the garage. The Sunday newspaper comics can be transformed into original, and environmentally-responsible, gift wrapping paper. You can reuse an old cardboard box to ship a birthday present to your brother or sister instead of buying new boxes or gift wrap.
Turn recycled paper into greeting cards. Not only would such a project be fun for the kids, but you'll be surprised at the fond reaction you'll get from friends when you start making and sending eco-friendly cards for special occasions or as an excuse to say a simple "Hello!"
Old clothing that is not even fit for the thrift store should not necessarily be thrown away. You can update clothing by adding new buttons or by lowering -- yes, even raising -- hemlines. Ask your local dry cleaner if you can return hangers. Also, request that your clothes not be wrapped in plastic. And build a newspaper box so the newspaper delivery person doesn't have to burden you with rubber bands and protective rain bags.
A few other tips: Use both sides of a piece of paper for writing notes before recycling it. Save colored paper, egg cartons and other packaging for use in arts and crafts projects at day care facilities, schools or youth and senior centers. Turn used lumber into birdhouses, mailboxes, compost bins or other woodworking projects. Jars can make great cookie cutters; a peanut butter jar can be used to store leftovers or serve as a vase for flowers.
Reducing packaging techniques is not just a hobby for the home, but is slowly becoming standard business practice at a growing number of companies throughout the world. Herman Miller, Inc., for example, saves over $1 million annually by using cartonless or reusable furniture packaging.
Whether at work or in the home, become aware of opportunities to prevent waste by reusing material that used to fill up the trash can. You'll be surprised how less often you'll have to make the trip out to the outside trash can and how much further those dollars will go. |
| Author: Lee Young |
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Author Bio:
Maybe you don't have time to thumb through the quarterly catalog, which could be a great read with your morning coffee. If not, try CALMAX On-Line . Want to put a free ad in the CALMAX catalog, get on the mailing list or learn more? Call the California Integrated Waste Management Board at (916) 341-6603 or write the board at 1001 I Street, PO Box 4025, Sacramento, CA 95812-4025. |
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