Renew vs. New

Part of the Regional Recycling District’s mission is to reduce and reuse – in addition to recycling. That’s what the Environmental Protection Agency and our state and local environmental agencies also encourage. From our friends at the EPA, here are some simple basics on reduce and reuse: Buy used. You can find everything from clothes to building materials at specialized reuse centers and consignment shops. Look for products that use less packaging. Buy reusable over disposable items. Maintain and repair products, like clothing, tires and appliances, so they won’t have to be thrown out and replaced as frequently. Borrow, rent or share items that are used infrequently, like party decorations, tools, or furniture. So much of these tips make good sense, and they can save you money. For more information, go to epa.gov and search for Reuse and Recycle.