Waste Prevention and Reuse

Waste prevention means making less waste. When you buy less, you throw out less and pay less for disposal.

	•	Cups, dishes, flatware
	•	Napkins, kitchen towels
	•	Food containers, shopping bags, plastic bags

	•	Buy in bulk
	•	Reuse packaging
	•	Use newspaper for package filler

	•	Print double-sided
	•	File electronically
	•	Use the “backside”
	•	Investigate junk mail reduction www.recyclestuff.org/junkmail.asp

Reuse Unwanted Items

	•	Repair rather than throw out damaged goods
	•	Donate or sell useable but unwanted items
	•	Reuse “single-use” items such as:
		• Plastic water bottles   • Paper or plastic grocery bags   • Paper or plastic cups

Resources

Find comprehensive waste reduction and recycling information at http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/. Find out how to:

Start a Recycling Program at the Office:
www.resourceventure.org/green-your-business/waste-prevention-recycling/waste-prevention-recycling
www.resourceventure.org/green-your-business/free-resources/get-started/recycling-publications/

Use Less Paper at the Office:
www.resourceventure.org/green-your-business/waste-prevention-recycling/paper/paper

Join the EPA WasteWise program for business and industry
www.epa.gov/wastewise/

Environmentally preferable purchasing resources
www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/index.htm
www.newdream.org/buy/
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/ecoconsumer/index.asp

Washington State Recycling Association - Resources, links and background
www.wsra.net/Education/Education.html

Waste Prevention Coalition
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/nwpc/index.htm

Where to recycle office equipment, furnishings, and waste products:
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/wdidw/index.asp
www.grn.com/a/6000.html

Calculate Your Waste
Waste calculator - www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/ecoconsumer/calculator.asp
Carbon footprint – www.greentagsusa.org/GreenTags/calculator_intro.cfm

Electronics Recycling
www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/takeitback/index.asp

“Green” Construction
www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.
www.buildinggreen.com/

Magazines
www.sustainableindustries.com/
www.compostingcouncil.org/index.cfm
wasteage.com/

Waste prevention CLIP ART
ww.ciwmb.ca.gov/gallery/wasteprev/wpclp1.htm
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cea/publications/clipart/index.htm

Recycle unwanted electronics through the “Take it Back Network” http://dnr.metrokc.gov/swd/takeitback

Purchase or sell cabinets, doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, hardware, and wood floors or trim www.re-store.org/ballard.htm

Find out what to do with it www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/wdidw/index.asp       

Try selling it on a free advertising website www.craigslist.com, or