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 It's Just A New Way To Say Source Reduction Source reduction is any activity that prevents or minimizes the toxicity and/or quantity of waste. This would include, product reuse (without changing it's form), increased product life, reduced material and energy use in product design and manufacture, and changing purchasing, consumption and waste producing habits. Toxicity reduction might include everything from changes in products or package designs, such as switching to non-toxic inks, to encouraging individuals to buying rechargable rather than disposable batteries and checking for toxic ingredients in the products being purchased. Quantity reduction includes choosing products with longer life- spans, discouraging the use of single-use disposable items, buying concentrates to cut down on wasteful packaging and choosing products designed for recyclability. Precycling is considered to be a higher priority than any of the other waste management methods, including recycling. This is because waste reduction is the most environmentally benign form of waste management. Unlike recycling or other waste management methods, there is no need to process or transport materials. Thus the amount of energy and raw material used is reduced. Some aspects of precycling, such as the redesign of products and packaging are being looked at by industry and are out of our control. But the decisions we make every day can support precycling in a big way. |
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 - Buying a product in bulk or concentrate and carrying it in your own reusable bag or jar is precycling or source reduction. On the other hand, buying a product in recycled packaging is not precycling, but support of precycling and recycling. - Returning a refillable bottle for reuse is precycling because the bottle is used again for its original purpose. If the bottle is brought to a recycling center and eventually crushed and molded into new bottles, recycling has occurred. - In some areas, the line between source reduction and recycling is unclear. For example, some of the clothes given to Goodwill Industries, are no longer wearable and are sold to make rags or felt. This is an example of recycling because the clothes are not reused in their original form. |
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 Why Buy Recycled Products? Since recycling is a desirable environmental and economic strategy, we must ensure its success by creating a demand for its end products. The remanufacture of materials into recycled products will only continue if those products are purchased by residents, businesses and institutions. Your purchases of recycled products build a market for recyclable products, and keep recycling programs economically viable. How to Get Started We must each make a commitment to purchasing recycled products. We need to start educating ourselves about recycled products; the scope of recycled products available, product quality and performance, product availability and types, and the percentages of recovered materials used. What is "Post Consumer" Material? Recycled - products containing some recovered materials both "pre-consumer" and "post consumer". Post consumer - materials generated by a consumer/business which have served their end uses, and are then separated from waste stream for use, reuse or recycling. Pre-consumer - materials or by-products generated after manufacturing of a product but before product reaches a consumer. What Products are Available? Currently products made of paper, plastics, construction materials, rubber, steel, glass, and automotive supplies can be purchased with recycled content. Try to make the "Buy Recycled" concept part of your purchasing practices.
Source Reduction (waste reduction) is considered to be a higher priority than any of the other waste management methods, including recycling. This is because waste reduction is the most environmentally benign form of waste management. Unlike recycling or other waste management methods, there is no need to process or transport materials, so the amount of energy and raw material used is reduced. |
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Areas Where Waste Can Be Recycled Source reduction can occur at different stages in the life of a product; Manufacture and Packaging Manufacture- Designing to maximize waste reduction rather than for disposal. Designing for long term use. Using product materials efficiently. Packaging- Cutting down on excessive packaging materials. Retail Availability- The availability of bulk items or refillable containers. Consumer Choices Sale- Choosing products in refillable containers that have a longer life. Choosing a product that can be repaired. Using products in a non-wasteful manner. End of use- Choosing to repair an item rather than disposing of it. Returning the refillable container rather than disposing of it. |
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Attempting To Measure Waste
Reduction Can Be Difficult Detailed waste sorting studies measure specific materials and compare these levels over time, but are expensive. Waste must be measured by both weight and volume so that substitution of lighter materials or compaction are not mistaken for waste reduction. Fluctuations in total waste generation data can vary up to 20% per year simply due to economic and other reasons to have meaningful data. The money that could be spent on measurement may be better spent on actual waste reduction programs. Consumer surveys may be just as useful as waste sorting for determining changes is consumer habits. |
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 The Passaic County, New Jersey Office Of Recycling And Solid Waste Programs Is Pleased To Be Able To Provide You With The Following Materials For Use By Other States, Districts And The General Public. All We Ask Is That You Give Credit To Passaic County, New Jersey And Forward Two (2) Copies Of Your Material For Our Files To: Passaic County Office Of
Recycling And Solid Waste Programs Phone: 973-305-5738
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Examples of Solid Waste Source
Reduction Activities
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