Women for Mother Earth The 6 Rs

Reduce    Reuse
Refuse    Rethink
Recover    Recycle

These are the concepts you always need to keep in mind as a green consumer. They are the 6 fundamental ways of thinking as a green consumer. Below are a multitude of great tips on what you need to consider when re-coloring your habits green. :o)

Reduce

Paper:

Use e-mail, newsgroups and the WWW rather than paper copy.
Purchase two-sided copiers.
Reduce paper by using both sides of the paper, smaller print and/or single spacing.
Circulate and post memos with information.
Keep all appropriate records on computer disk, not in paper copies.

Food and Food Containers:

Use food compost programs.
Use your own mug or lug-a-mug.
Replace single-use disposable cups, plates and cutlery with reusable items.
Use bulk dispensers for condiments.

Landscaping Materials:

Use landscape clippings and yard waste as compost or mulch .

Energy:

Turn off unnecessary lighting, heating or cooling systems, computer terminals, printers and photocopiers at night and on weekends.

Water:

Turn off taps completely when not in use; don't run water unnecessarily.
Install flow restrictors and aerators on all taps and showers.

Reuse

Paper, Cartridges, Boxes and Containers:

Create scratch pads from paper used on one side.
Reuse old file folders.
Reuse kraft/manilla envelopes for on-campus circulation.
Purchase re-manufactured laser cartridges.
Use ribbon cartridge re-inking service.
Send plastic bindings back for reuse.
Reuse boxes and shipping/packaging materials.

Furniture and Equipment:

Check Central Stores Surplus Sales for furniture and equipment before buying new.

Wood and Chemicals:

Reuse wooden skids.
Leave wood beside waste dumpsters for recycling
Check the chemical exchange operations ordering new.

Refuse

Ask your suppliers to deliver goods without packaging or in returnable, reusable containers instead of cardboard boxes.
Request suppliers 'take back' packaging materials on large volume orders.

Rethink

Materials:

Use one paper towel instead of two or three or let your hands air dry.
Order one phone book per department instead of one per person.
Purchase paper and paper products with high post-consumer recycled content.
Think hard about the need before purchasing any non-reusable or non-recyclable products; buy environmental friendly alternatives whenever possible.
Use non-toxic, environmental friendly cleaners.
Store and dispose of hazardous materials in the proper manner; do not pour them on the ground or put them out with regular garbage.

Energy:

Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
Rearrange your office or room layout to take advantage of natural daylight.
Use alternatives to air conditioning such as opening windows or hanging blinds.

Transportation:

Walk, bike or bus to work.
Save money and wear and tear on your car.
Carpool with people that are going to the same place.

Recover

Materials:

Recover motor oil from vehicles and send for recycling.
Recover and recycle silver and bleach solutions in film-processing solutions.

Recycle: More about this in a special section! Click here to find tons of tips about recycling and how your garbage can be recycled by you!

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