August 2006
Multifamily RethinkWaste Nexus
Transforming the Way We Think about Trash
With the height of summer, you're probably drinking a lot of beverages to keep hydrated and cool. Remember that most of your refreshments are served in a container, and you do have a lot of choice here. See below for some ideas to reduce, reuse, and recycle beverage-related containers.
Reduce :: Kick the habit and go tap
Think about it — gas costs $3 a gallon, but you're paying $10 a gallon for bottled water. Consider an alternative: filling your own reusable water bottle from the tap.
Tap water is highly regulated to meet specific purity requirements, and costs only pennies a glass in comparison. So, next time you have a thirst for water, reach for your own bottle.
For another take on bottled versus tap water, see "Bottle vs. Tap" at http://buhangkut77.wordpress.com/bottle-tap/.
Reuse :: BYOB: Bring your water bottle
In light of the high cost of packaging and transporting your water bottles to the store, consider carrying your very own water bottle for your health. Not only will you feel better refilling your bottle (a good reuse activity), but you'll get some exercise in the mix.
And, consider your choice of bottle--some studies show plastic and other bottles can leach potentially toxic chemicals. Choose stainless steel or glass instead.
For examples of safe water bottle options, see Ideal Bite at http://idealbite.com/tiplibrary/tip.php?tip=20060228&title=Bottled_Up.
Recycle :: Free posters
If you're finding that your residents have gotten lax on the recycling front, consider changing up their environment. Consider putting up some new messages about recycling paper and bottles and cans, contact RethinkWaste for free posters. The posters include:
- America Recycles Day (ARD) posters featuring closing the loop images of recycled paper, plastic, and aluminum objects.
- Dept of Conservation (DOC) posters featuring a boomerang, bottle dreaming, can dreaming, school/kid, and female crusher.
Remember that people notice when something changes, so consider changing your recycling awareness posters for Fall.
Do your part to help the planet: reduce, reuse, and recycle!
This article produced by South Bayside Waste Management Authority/RethinkWaste, a regional agency, formed in 1982 to help local communities manage and reduce waste. To learn more about us, visit About SBWMA.
To be added or removed from this list, contact the RethinkWaste Recycling Coordinator at (650) 802-3500.
