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Reduce · Reuse · Buy Recycled
Reduce
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 Buy
in bulk: Large "family size" containers require less packaging
per pound than small "single serving" packages. In addition to
conserving resources, buying in bulk will also generally save you
money!
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Look for items with little or no packaging: Many items come
in a variety of packaging styles. Choose unpackaged items and
concentrates whenever possible.
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Buy durable products: You may spend a little more to purchase
good quality products, but you won't need to replace them as often.
Reuse
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 Buy reusable products: Disposable products
generate more waste than reusable products. Disposables often cost
more in the long run! Look for reusable cameras, razors, lunch bags,
cloth diapers, cloth napkins and towels, rechargable batteries, and
returnable beverage bottles.
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Reuse containers: Rinsed out glass and plastic containers
make great storage containers for leftovers, hardware, etc.
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Reuse bags: Whether cloth, plastic, or paper, reuse grocery
bags when you shop. Try keeping a stash in your car so you will
always be prepared. Also try reusing produce bags.
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Donate reusable household items: Reuse can mean reusing
materials such as containers and bags for another purpose. It can
also mean donating usable goods such as clothing, furniture, and
other household items. Many non-profit organizations, such as
Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Loaves and
Fishes, have been accepting household items and clothing for years.
This helps us to reduce the amount of trash thrown out and conserves
disposal space. There are many local charitable organizations in our
area that help people going through a transition. If you have
something that is still usable, you may be able to help someone in
this area by calling one of the organizations listed below and
asking if they can match you up with someone that may need the item.
Please consider if the item is in good enough shape to be reused.
Junk and broken items do not qualify for donations.
Sylvia's Haven, Devens: 978-772-0925 -
Household Goods Recycling Ministry, Acton
[furniture or appliances]: 978-635-1763 or
www.hgrm.org
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Loaves & Fishes, Devens: 978-772-4627 or
www.devenspantry.org
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Salvation Army, Worcester: 800-958-7825
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Community Crusade for Children, “Kiducation”:
978-248-9813
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Brick House: 413-863-9576
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Silver Street Inn: 413-774-7234
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Survival Center: 413-863-9549
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Greenfield Family Inn: 413-774-6382
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Athol/Orange Family Inn: 978-544-8245
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Salvation Army Thrift Store: (413) 773-3649
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Give away or seek reusable household items: A
new way to recycle (and find what you’re looking for)! Come join
this internet group, which facilitates the free exchange of items
between people in the Groton area. Give away the things you don’t
want, and request the things that you are looking for. Click
here for GrotonFreeStuff.
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Donate and purchase reusable building materials:
The reuse of construction and home improvement materials is an
excellent way to keep good quality, usable items from being disposed
in a landfill or incinerator. It also helps to conserve our natural
resources by reducing the amount of building products being produced
from raw materials. Construction and demolition materials such as
doors, windows, cabinets, and plumbing fixtures are great candidates
for reuse.
If you are remodeling your home, you can donate a
wide variety of items to a local construction materials reuse center
located in Springfield, MA. The ReStore Home Improvement Center is
operated by the Center for Ecological Technology (CET), a non-profit
organization serving the community since 1976. The Restore helps
manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, contractors, and homeowners find
alternatives to throwing out quality, surplus, and used construction
materials. All donations are tax-deductible, help to reduce your
disposal costs, and help others find quality materials at affordable
prices. This helps the local community, our economy, and the
environment.
The ReStore is located at 250 Albany Street Rear,
Springfield, MA. Visit their website at
www.restoreonline.org for directions and information on donating or
purchasing materials.
Buy recycled
-
 Buy products or packages made from recycled materials: Many
recycled paper products are currently on the market, including
toilet tissue, paper towels, and writing paper. Some products are
packaged in containers made with recycled content. Read product
labels! Purchasing recycled content products helps support the
recycling industry by providing a demand for the materials we place
in our recycling bins.
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Buy recyclable packaging: Many products are offered in a
variety of packaging styles. Packaging made from multiple materials
are not recyclable. Whenever possible, choose packaging made from a
single type of material that is accepted for recycling.
For more information about
materials recycled in your community, click here
or visit
www.cleanup.org or call
1-800-clean-up.
* Thank you to Franklin County Solid Waste
Management District for allowing us to use their information.
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