RECYCLE EVERYDAY

Grocery bags

* Use cloth shopping bag instead of paper or plastic bag. They are big in size so they capacity for lot of stuff in one go. You don't have to go back and forth from your parked car.

* Cloth bags have comfortable handles than plastic or paper bags.

* Save with cloth bags - some stores give small discount if you are carrying a cloth bag or reusable shoping bag.

* If you are buying one or fewer items do not take plastic bags from the store.

Dry cleaners

* When you get home hang your clothes in your closet. Wrap the dry cleaners bag and save them to recycle on your next trip. Many dry cleaners would not mind taking their bags.

* You can also use this bags as a cover on your expensive clothes hung in the closet. Do not buy anything new and reuse the dry clean bags.

* If you already have too many hangers and have no place for any more. Return the hangers to the dry cleaner or circulate amongst them who need them.

Much waste can be avoided if we all try these reusable alternatives:

* Use a sponge instead of throw away wipes.

* Always use rechargeable batteries.

* Buy cloth napkins that you can wash instead of paper towel. If you must use paper towel use one at a time instead a whole lot of bunch of it.

* Buy plates and cups for picnics which could be washed and reused.

* Choose razors with replaceable blades. It would save you some money too.

* Reusable or refill your containers that hold shampoo, soap, etc.

* Prefer plastic containers with lids instead of aluminum foil, plastic bags or plastic wrap. If possible reuse aluminum foil or wraps.

* Rinse plastic bags and reuse them.

Always Read label

It is preferred that you read label before buying anything. Try to buy those items which are "made from recycled material." There are so many items to choose from and they look equally good as products which are not made from recycled material. Following is a brief list of things which you can look in your area locally.

Clothing and shoes
Toys and sports equipment
All kinds of tools
Carpet, carpet pads and rugs
Plastic lumber for planters, decks and benches
Motor oil
Floors and countertops
Packaging materials
Tissue and paper towel
Cleaning products
Stationery and computer supply

What you can do?

* Do not buy stuff in bulk, try to stick with purchase of one or fewer items at time. It saves on packing.

* Write to manager of your most visited store that you like to buy stuff made of recycled material and give suggestions on replacements, if any.

* Use both the sides of the paper for writing and printing.

* Bring your own mug to your work place for coffee or tea.

* Share the equipments, electronics or other rarely used items with your friends.

* Save ribbons, cards, wrapping paper to reuse them on next occasion.

Somethings which we should know

* The average US office worker uses over 10,000 sheets of printing and copying paper per year.

* Per capita consumption of paper in the US is currently over 748lbs, less than 1/3 is recycled paper

* Paper and packaging waste adds up over 40% of North American solid waste landfill.

* Products labeled as "environmentally friendly", "eco-safe", "safe for the environment" or "natural" do not necessarily mean that the product can be recycled or contains recycled material. Stick to once which say specifically "made of recycled material."

Why recycle?

* Recycling one ton of paper saves about 17 trees.

* The average family uses 6 trees worth of paper a year.

* Newspaper contains about 50 % recycled paper.

* Recycling uses less energy and water.

* 1 Ton of recycled paper saves 20 trees, 7 thousand gallons of water and 4,000 kilowatts of energy.

* Recycling saves environment and creates more jobs.

Recycle paper, save enviornment!