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Reuse and recycle

Stop throwing it away!

Did you know that Quebecers each produce an average of 1.5 tons of waste a year and that as a whole, we produce over 20 tons of garbage each minute?

Not a very impressive track record! And what is really disturbing, is that the numbers keep climbing. Nearly 85% of this waste is reusable in some way.

The recycling possibilities for recovered material are incredible! For example, did you know that:

• recycled plastic bottles are used to make polar fleece clothes
• recycled glass is used to manufacture the reflective paint used on highways
• recycled newspaper is used to make cat litter

If everyone would recycle, the planet would be freed of an enormous burden. Instead of adding to the land fills, recycled materials would be used to manufacture useful things, giving them a 2nd life.

Do you know the 4 Rs?

The 4 Rs are Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover. They make a difference and can be applied every day, no matter where you are.

The 1st R: Reduce at the source	What kind of waste pollutes the least? The kind that is not produced! It's only logical. The best way to counter waste overflow is to reduce at the source. In general, this is done by avoiding disposable, over packaged or single-use products. Simple tips: Carry your lunch in reusable containers. Choose drinks that are sold in refundable bottles. Before you buy, ask yourself if you really need it.
The 2nd R: Reuse	Is there something you no longer want? Give it to someone who could use it. Several organizations and businesses collect items they repair and then give away or sell. Simple tips: Bring your old clothes to a waste sorting and recovery centre1 or a second-hand clothing store. Share your magazines and books with friends. Have your old walkman repaired instead of buying a new one.
The 3rd R: Recycle	Recycling is surely the most popular of the 4 Rs. Paper, cardboard, glass, plastic or metal: any waste you put into the recycling bin is raw material for the recycling industry. Simple tips: To save space, collapse cereal and other cardboard boxes before putting them in your bin. Choose soft drinks sold in returnable bottles and cans. Stick a note to your garbage can asking "Is it really garbage?" or "Can this be reused in some way?". Is it really necessary to wash containers before putting them in the recycling bin? A certain level of cleanliness is obviously called for out of respect for the people who work at the sortation centre. However, you shouldn't waste water so a thorough rinse with dishwater is all it takes!
The 4th R: Recover	Energy can be recovered by incinerating waste (old tires) or by composting organic waste (dead leaves) to produce natural compost. However, recovery cannot be applied to refundable containers since they are 100% recycled.

1. Centre that collects, sorts and sells used goods at discount prices: clothing, books, toys, and furniture. Recovery centres contribute to waste reduction as well as job creation.