Is Recycling Really the Best Option?

Recycling gets the most attention of all the components of the popular mantra, "Reduce, reuse, recycle" but is it the most important?

"Going green" to most communities and business is likely to mean starting a recycling program. Yet, despite good intentions, recycling is weakest solution to the waste stream puzzle.

Recycling takes

• energy for collection and transportation of the material to be recycled
  
• energy to re-manufacture
  
• energy for distribution of the new product
  
• a market for the new product

Energy for recycling activities often comes from nonrenewable, nonsustainable and polluting resources such as fossil fuel and nuclear energy, according to the Center for Sustainability.

Reducing is the best answer

Keeping waste out of our environment altogether is the best option. By reducing packaging, buying in bulk and buying less we have less waste to deal with—no need to figure out how to recycle it.

By buying less stuff you can

• save energy and resources
  
• buy better, more lasting stuff
  
• stop and think, make the best purchasing choices
  
• become more flexible with less stuff to tote around
  
• live less cluttered in your surroundings
  
• save money and time

Sustainable Lifestyle Foundation says buying less stuff allows us to truly live a sustainable lifestyle as we consider the true cost of what we buy.

Reusing creates no waste

Reusing is my personal favorite. Reusing does require some thought and care—and creativity—but finding new life for an old item can be a joy as well as a comfort to your pocket book.

Reuse beats recycling according to Care2 blogger Annie Bond because it not only keeps items out of the waste stream and saves energy but it also can provide things to people who might not be able to afford them brand spanking new.

Reducing and reusing Madison, Wisconsin, style

Buy Nothing Day is big here in Madison, but if you can't go that far, the city offers many resources for buying less or at least buy less packaging. Get bulk food buying tips from Willy Co-op or buy bulk even from most area grocery stores. Community Pharmacy also offers lots of low-packaging options and bulk herbs for making your own personal care products.

Sharing and trading items so you don't have to purchase them is also big here. Try Community Car, Madison Hours or keep an eye out for Absolutely Art's next Re-Art Swap event.

Resale shops abound for everything from clothing and furniture to building materials to computers and office equipment. For bikes and bike gear, check out Brazen Dropout's annual Bike Swap each winter.

Reduce, reuse, recycle, whatever you do, you'll find many options in our area to practice your three R's!

Recycling bin photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com.
Illustration is free free shareware available from About.com.