Did you know Humboldt County produces about 570,000 pounds of garbage a day? Waste reduction efforts focus first on reducing the amount of waste generated, then on reusing as much as possible. Recycling is the last step in this process of reducing waste. Browse the A-Z Recycling and Reuse Guide to find out more about how to reduce, reuse, repair, donate, recycle, or safely dispose of specific materials.
WHY: Prevent waste production and pollution in the first place. Reducing the waste you produce saves natural resources, money and landfill space.

HOW:

• Buy and use durable, long-lasting products.
• Send messages by email instead of postal mail.
• Start a carpool program.
• Purchase items in refillable containers and buy in bulk whenever possible
• Bring a cloth bag or backpack when you go shopping. The best answer to the question "paper or plastic?" is "I brought my own bag."
• Avoid disposable or single-use products such as disposable razors, pens, lighters, foam/paper cups and plates, plastic utensils or batteries.
• Choose products that are the least toxic as possible to reduce the toxicity of the waste reduced.
• Conserve paper by making double-sided copies, sharing information via email, and avoiding unnecessary printouts. Click here to learn how to reduce unwanted junkmail.
• Be a smart consumer. Ask yourself "Do I need this?" before making a purchase.

WHY: Keep a good thing going! Reusing is preferable to recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again.

HOW:

• Use durable coffee mugs and refillable bottles.
• Use cloth napkins or towels.
• Donate unwanted clothes, toys and other items to thrift stores.
• Turn empty jars into containers for leftover food.
• Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
• Reuse paper that has been printed on only one side.
• Reuse cardboard boxes or make them available for others to reuse.
• Participate in a paint collection and reuse program.
• Browse the A-Z Recycling and Reuse Guide for reuse ideas for specific materials.

WHY: Turn old into new! Save valuable resources from being lost to the landfill.

HOW:

• Use this guide to find out about the wide variety of items that can be recycled and the collection locations nearest you.
• Check out Making Less Waste in the Garden to discover how easy composting is.

WHY: When waste materials are not reduced, reused or recycled, they must be disposed of at a certified landfill or incinerator. The goal of waste reduction is to throw away as little as possible.