Reduce

"Ho'ēmi"

Use wiser. Use longer.

Waste prevention, by reducing the quantity of materials we consume and discard, is one of the best ways to achieve our Zero Waste goal. This doesn't mean giving up modern conveniences, but being wiser about what we purchase. Talk to a kupuna about how they generated far less rubbish when they were younger than we do today. Below is a list of some things you can do to reduce.

• When you go shopping say "no" to plastic or paper bags. Bring your own reusable bag.
• Reduce purchasing of single-use items, such as bottled water and single use utensils.
• Buy items that have less packaging or buy in bulk.
• Buy high quality items because well made products last longer.
• Buy and reuse rechargeable batteries.
• Instead of buying, rent a movie, borrow a tool or check out a book at the library.
• Stop getting junk mail. Contact Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P. O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512
• Use the duplex function on your printer to print on both sides of each piece of paper.
• Save paper that is used on only one side and use the other side for taking notes.
• Food: Too Good To Waste (King County, WA); offers tips on smart shopping, keeping food fresh longer and using what you got.
• "Tips for a More Sustainable Holiday Season" by Amy Haddon of Renewable Choice Energy

Read about how one person lived one year and created only 30.5 pounds of unrecyclable trash.  Living Zero Waste (or darn near close) is possible!  He describes how he didn't really want to change how he lived.  He still ate his chips and drank his beer, but just changed his buying habits.  He changed how he bought, rather than what he bought.  Read more...