What simple things could any consumer do to reduce the amount of waste put into landfills?

Buy Recycled-Content Materials

The only way to assure that recycling programs continue is if there is a market for recyclables. Consumers control the marketplace for recyclables through their purchasing practices. Thus, when shopping, be sure to read the labels to see if the product is either made out of or packaged in recycled-content materials.

Participate

Every community in Hamilton County has either drop-off or curbside recycling available to their residents. In fact, many Hamilton County communities offer these services at no charge to their residents. Yet, in most communities, only 30% to 40% of the residents choose to participate. If you have these programs and they are offered for free, take advantage of them and participate. Also, if you have access to programs and there is a fee, please still consider participating. The cost of the recycling program, which is between $2 and $4 per month, may seem expensive. However, recycling prolongs the life of our area landfills. If local landfills run out of space and Hamilton County residents have to ship their garbage long distance, they could easily pay an additional $10 a month for garbage collection.

Use Less Stuff

Everybody has extremely busy schedules and convenience items are an essential part of our lives. However, some of these convenient items have a significant amount of excess packaging which is neither recycled-content or is recyclable. When purchasing convenient items, try to select the item which has the least amount of packaging and is packaged in either recycled-content or recyclable materials.

Show All Answers

1. What is Hamilton County R3Source and what do they do?
2. If an item is not on my acceptable items list, and I think it could be recycled, should I put in my recycling bin/cart?
3. What types of plastics can I recycle curbside? Why are some plastics like trays, and hinged (clamshell) containers not accepted in Hamilton County?
4. Are cups recyclable?
5. What is contamination and why is it bad for recycling?
6. Where do items go for recycling after the hauler has collected them?
7. What are the most common misconceptions about recycling?
8. Which Hamilton County communities are the most successful in their recycling efforts?
9. How can I reduce the amount of junk mail I receive?
10. Can I put yard trimmings, latex paint, household hazardous waste, or electronics in my curbside recycling bin/cart?
11. How can I compost my yard trimmings?
12. How can I recycle or properly dispose of latex paint?
13. How can I recycle or properly dispose of household hazardous waste?
14. How can I recycle or properly dispose of electronic equipment?
15. Since plastic bags, plastic film, etc. can't go in the recycling cart, where can I recycle plastic bags and plastic film?
16. What simple things could any consumer do to reduce the amount of waste put into landfills?