The 3 R’s,  REDUCE-REUSE-RECYCLE

WASTE REDUCTION: Wisconsin State statute 287.05, item (1) maintains “That maximum solid waste reduction…is in the best interest of the state in order to protect public health…the quality of the natural environment and to conserve resources and energy.”  

What is waste reduction?

Waste reduction is anything that reduces waste by using less materials in the first place. 

What can I do to help?

Whether living in the residence halls, off-campus, or commuting, there are many ways you can personally help reduce our trash burden.  For instance:

• Don’t accept a bag when buying one or two items at a store.

• Buy the container that will give you the best “product to package” ratio.  For example, buy a 6.4 oz tube of toothpaste rather than a 4 oz. tube.

• Avoid buying disposable items when durable alternatives are available.

• Whenever possible, buy a product that has less packaging than its competitors.

• Buy concentrates in smaller packages, rather than diluted products in larger containers.

• Avoid single-serve containers.

• For those with access to the necessary resources needed, practice backyard composting.

• If able to, plant a garden.  Vegetables from your backyard aren’t packaged and require no fossil fuels to get to your house.

• When purchasing items in plastic containers, make sure the item is in a #1 or #2 plastic so it can be recycled on campus.

What does this accomplish?

Our first priority is to reduce the amount of materials that are being used unnecessarily. Placing an emphasis on the reduction of waste reduces the amount of “virgin” products being used, and eliminates the practice of recycling materials that were excessively produced and not needed in the first place.  

These are just a few things we can do to help reduce the volume of trash we generate.  Talk to your friends and family about other possibilities for waste reduction.  Also, it’s useful to talk with local businesses and ask about any less wasteful options they offer. 

REUSE:  Wisconsin State statute 287.05, item (4) encourages the research, development and innovation in the design, management and operation of solid waste reuse.  Furniture, clothing, bicycles, and many other items can be donated to: The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Boys and Girls Club, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America, or other non-profit agencies.  Call these agencies to determine what items they are currently accepting for reuse.

What is reuse? 

Reuse simply implies using a product again or more than once.  Many commonly discarded items are readily reusable in their current form.  In some cases, it may mean finding an alternative use for the product not intended by the manufacturers.  Repair is another possibility.

 What can I do to help?

 Here are just a few ideas:

• Use your own washable cups, mugs, or containers when buying beverages instead of disposables. (Many restaurants, on and off campus, will gladly allow this.  After all, you’re saving them money spent on supplies.)

• Wash and reuse plastic food storage bags, plates, and utensils.

• Donate reusable items to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, or another charitable outlet outlet or organization.

• When purchasing items, check charitable outlets before purchasing new.

• Use canvas or cloth bags when shopping to eliminate the question "paper or plastic?"

• If you must use paper or plastic bags, save them so they are available for your next shopping trip.

• Use your cardboard boxes to collect items to recycle.

Again, make reuse a community effort.  Many businesses offer incentives for such practices like discounts for providing your own bags, or cheaper prices on beverages when placed in reusable containers.  Make an effort and it will pay off!

RECYCLING:  Wisconsin State statute 287.05, item (4m) “That the initiatives of current recyclers which facilitate recycling through separation, collection and processing of materials, reducing the amount of solid waste…disposed of in landfills or burned without energy recovery…should be encouraged.” 

UW-La Crosse provides receptacles for recyclable materials outside each residence hall and inside every academic building. 

What is recycling?

Recycling is a method of processing materials in order to regain material for use. Recycling is the third option to be explored, only after we have emphasized reducing the quantity of material and tried to find an alternate reuse of the item.