Not making waste in the first place is called source reduction. Practices such as double-sided copying and using reusable mugs at work are just two of the many ways we can learn to waste less by producing less waste. Try these additional options for reducing waste at home and at work. 

Reduce

• Grasscycle your lawn and compost your kitchen and yard trimmings
• Purchase items in bulk to reduce packaging waste and avoid buying items that are over packaged.
• Eliminate the purchase of disposable, one-time-use products. If you do buy one-time-use products, look for biodegradable products that can be composted or products made with recyclable material.

Reuse

• Use a refillable mug instead of paper or styrofoam cups and pack your lunch in reusable containers. Rent items you use infrequently.
• Use cloth or paper bags instead of plastic.
• Save and reuse packing peanuts; take them to work, or give them away.
• Have a yard sale or donate your old clothes and furniture to charity.
• Share or donate your newspapers, magazines, and books. 

Recycle

• Use rechargeable instead of single-use batteries and recycle spent batteries.
• Take advantage of Lakewood’s recycling network to recycle many common household items, like paper, bottles and cans, and metals.

Re-buy

• Close the loop and buy items with recycled (and recyclable) packaging.
• Buying recycled-content products keeps recyclable materials out of landfills if they can be recycled into new products.
• When recyclable materials are made into new products, less energy and raw materials such as trees, oil, and minerals are used.
• Because buying recycled-content products reduces waste, saves landfill space, and is good for the environment, it is good for communities, people, and business.