Apr 7 2009
Background
Precycling Considerations
How To Precycle
Buy In Bulk
Bring Your Own Bags
Buy Concentrated Products
Avoid Disposable or Limited Use Items
Choose Recycled Packaging
Mulch and Compost
Background
Precycling is the next generation in consumer level environmental action and is seen by some as a form of consumer activism. Precycling is literally pre-recycling or stopping the need for recycling by avoiding the waste that goes to recycling at the point of purchase.
Precycling Considerations
Precycling happens before you've actually purchased anything and has you consider the way in which items are packaged, transported, used and disposed of. Most people are now aware of the 'reduce, reuse, recycle' mantra and precycling is most closely aligned to the need to 'reduce' what we consume to minimize our environmental impact.
How To Precycle
Precycling is quite straight forward once you are aware of a few basic ideas. The following list gives some tips on how to precycle.
Buy In Bulk
Buying in bulk means that the ratio of product to packaging is changed dramatically. You'll also save considerable amounts as the bulk purchase is cheaper per unit of product and you'll save money on petrol due to less trips to the store.
Bring Your Own Bags
Don't worry about the dilemma of choosing plastic or paper bags at the store. Take your own reusable bags with you. A range of reusable bags are now commonplace from canvas, to cloth, string and other materials that have often already been made from recycled products. Bags are also regularly given away as promotional items by various companies. Being aware of this can result in you gathering a collection of shopping bags without spending a cent buying them.
Buy Concentrated Products
Quite often the difference between concentrated products and the regular variety can come down to the amount of water diluting the product. Buying concentrated products dramatically cuts the need for packaging and they are just as effective.
Avoid Disposable or Limited Use Items
Disposable or limited use items like plastic razors, batteries, cigarette lighters, non-refillable pens, paper napkins, disposable nappies, plastic cutlery and plates, foam or plastic cups and foil baking pans make up a considerable percentage of the waste that goes to landfill. Replacing the use of these items with longer lasting products such as ceramic cups, cloth napkins, rechargeable batteries and refillable items will save you money and stop these products going to landfill.
Choose Recycled Packaging
Whenever possible choose products with packaging made from recycled materials. The packaging will often indicate if it has been made from recycled material but a good rule of thumb for cardboard packaging is that if the unprinted sections or inside of the cardboard is grey, it is recycled. If it is white, it has almost certainly not been made from recycled materials.
Mulch and Compost
Use a compost bin in your garden for organic kitchen scraps, soiled paper and other organic based materials. Don't throw grass clippings out with your garbage. Place them in the compost bin or use the mulching mode to deposit them back on the lawn where they will act as a fertiliser for the lawn. Small organic waste bins and worm farms are available for people who live in apartments to dispose of organic kitchen waste.
Source: AZoCleantech