Our trash disposal costs for 2008 have doubled. What can we do to minimize the cost? The answer is to get into the habit of reducing our trash now. The following table lists ten ways to achieve this reduction using the three “Rs”, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. .

TEN WAYS TO REDUCE TRASH

1. Recycle More! Find out about all the items you can recycle. Check out our Recycling Guide

2. Choose products with minimal packaging and buy in bulk. Avoid individually wrapped items. A jumbo box of cereal uses less packaging than several single serving-size boxes.

3. Choose durable, reusable products over single-use, disposal items. Use cloth napkins instead of disposal ones. Get your coffee in a refillable mug. Use canvas bags for shopping.

4. Reduce junk mail. Find out how to get your name removed from unwanted mailing lists at Direct Marketing Association

5. Reuse bags, containers, packaging materials, and other items. Bags, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and padded envelopes can be used many times. Be creative!

6. Compost. Recycle leaves, grass, food scraps and paper towels into great garden soil.

7. Donate unwanted items to charities, have a yard sale or bring to the Swap Shop at the Recycling Center.

8. Choose items with a recycled-content label. This saves precious resources and is the key to making recycling work.

9. Keep toxic home and garden products out of the trash. Learn about non-toxic alternatives at TURI - Toxic's Use Reduction Institute

10. Reduce your use of paper. Use e-mail, get bank statements and newsletters on-line, and use the library.