Pre-cycling is the most effective waste reduction strategy and refers to reducing the amount, or the toxicity, of your waste BEFORE you create it.

Take your own paper or cloth bags with you when you shop. Fulmer, Kroger and Meijer offer a 5-cent rebate for each paper or cloth bag you bring in that they use on your order.

  Have your name removed from mailing lists. Contact DMA Telephone Preferred Service, Box 1559, Carmel, NY, 10512 every five months, or register online at http://www.dmachoice.org/index.php/ . (Follow the "off mailing list" links.) The site provides helpful information on how to remove your name from telemarketing, e-mail and sweepstakes lists. Many advertisements also provide 1 (800) numbers or additional web site information necessary to discontinue mailings.

 Rent or borrow items you rarely use and share them with family,  friends and neighbors.

 Avoid impulse buying. Stick to your list and your budget.

 Purchase products in bulk, in large containers, and avoid individual serving packages.

Avoid preparing too much food. Freeze and give away leftovers. (As much as 28 billion pounds of edible food is thrown away each year just during the holiday season).

 Choose non-toxic products such as mousetraps instead of poison, non-toxic cleaners, etc. (See Natural Alternatives listed under TACKLE TOXICS for other options)

 Pick minimal packaging- and look for refillable and recyclable packages.

 Ditch disposables (diapers, dust mops, paper towels, napkins, paper plates, cups, etc.).

 Purchase rechargeable batteries.

Compost food and yard waste (see MANAGE YARD WASTE).

Buy for quality and maintain and repair items such as tools, appliances, shoes and clothing to extend their useful life.

Reuse plastic tubs and glass jars for storage containers. (Empty containers constitute one-third of household trash.)

Be creative! Cut up old Christmas cards to make gift tags or decorate packages. Use the back of your child’s artwork to send a letter to Grandma. Reuse wrapping paper. Have a white elephant gift exchange or party. Everyone brings a "gift" they can live without and everyone chooses one they would prefer.

Reuse bread bags for food storage.

Reuse the other side of paper at work and at home. (Every year Americans throw away enough office paper to build a wall 12-feet high from New York City to Los Angeles.)

Reuse envelopes for shopping lists, put coupons inside.

Use a reusable lunch bag or box and washable containers for your food.

Reuse, sell or donate magazines, toys, books, clothes, and household items, etc.

        Check out this link to find state wide options for reuse: http://www.redo.org/Lists/ReDO_List_O_W.htm

        Check our Freecycle online for local free reuse: www.freecycle.org

These Clark County outlets accept clean, usable clothing, textiles and household items in working condition (call for hours and to confirm acceptability of items):

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