There are lots of ways to stop waste before it starts. One of the first steps you can take is to stop buying and using disposable products. Here are some examples:
- Bring your own reusable water bottle wherever you go. Add water bottle to the list of items that you run through in your head before leaving the house - keys, wallet, phone, water bottle - and you’ll be on your way to making this part of your daily routine.
- Bring your own reusable travel mug. Most coffee shops will give a discount for providing your own mug, and your drink will stay hot longer too!
- Bring your own tote bag every time you shop and say no thanks to plastic and paper shopping bags. Most stores provide a discount for each bag you bring.
No matter how small or insignificant an item may seem, making a product newfrom raw materials requires the energy-intensive and resource-intensive steps of removing material from the earth, processing it, manufacturing it into something useful, and transporting it to wherever it will be sold. All these steps require a lot of energy, and have an environmental impact. So, rather than using an item just once, it’s best to find items that can be reused. To really make your efforts count, be sure to use your reusable fabric tote bags, travel mug and/or water bottle regularly and resist replacing them just because you like the color or logo of another reusable product better.Let’s put an end to single-use waste. Incorporating durable, reusable items (preferably ones you already have), into your daily routine is a great way to curb a throw-away lifestyle, save money, and prevent litter. Visit DenverGov.org/Refuse-Reuse to learn more and to take the Refuse & Reuse pledge. |
