The Environmental Commission reminds residents that Recycling is the last step in the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) of waste reduction. Before recycling, remember to:

More Waste Reduction Ideas

1. REDUCE reliance on products that are readily disposable and detrimental to the environment. This includes throwaway cameras, pens, and razors; materials such as polystyrene that incorporate petrochemicals into the manufacturing process; and products that contain excess packaging.

2. REUSE materials whenever possible, even if recyclable. For example, store leftovers in used deli containers. Bring your own grocery bags to the store. Save old wrapping paper and magazines for artwork projects. In short, recycle those recyclables before depositing them in the Green Bin!

The point is not just to cut down on the amount of trash that is discarded, but ultimately to cut down on what needs to be recycled. So the next time the grocery clerk asks, "paper or plastic?" say, "No thanks, I brought my own!"

More Waste Reduction Ideas
Lake County residents are recycling leaders. In 1998, we recycled more than 40 percent of our trash. Every ton of newspaper, every bale of detergent bottles, that we keep out of the landfill means it will last that much longer.

As much good news as this represents, however, it doesn’t hide the evidence of our throw-away society. A visit to our recycling center creates a heavy sense of all that trash. One wonders, what more can be done to reduce the amount of trash – even recyclables, since they too, must be sorted and accounted for as part of our nation’s waste stream.

So in that spirit, here are some ideas for reducing and reusing common household items. Hopefully, you will adopt just a few for your own family:

• Buy as few throwaway products as possible (disposable pens, shavers, cameras, etc.)
• Buy recycled products when, like office paper, they eventually must be thrown away.
• Cut down on purchases of plastic containers. Use refillable containers (often available for products such as fabric softener and liquid soaps.)
• Use cloth shopping bags, or bring paper bags back to the store on your next trip. Keep a supply of brown bags in your car for unexpected stops.
• Buy the least wasteful packaging (remember how CD packaging has been reduced due to consumer demand?)
• Buy fruits and vegetables free of plastic wrapping (and Styrofoam trays) and buy in bulk when possible.
• Minimize your use of Styrofoam products – they are increasingly hard to recycle.
• Choose reusable items such as cloth napkins, real silverware, ceramic mugs.
• Bring your own beverage container to the coffee shop and use a lunch box that can be washed instead of tossed.

Schools, scout troops and other interested groups can visit Lake County’s recycling center for themselves. The EduCycle Center, Grayslake, Ill., overlooking the facility’s sorting floor, lets visitors see how more than 150 tons of material are sorted each day as they participate in hands-on recycling activities. For more information, call (847) 548-1755.

Thanks to R.E.A.C.H. (Reduction/Recycling Education and Action for County Health) of Lake County for the waste reduction tips.