Precycling - Like recycling only one step further

Reducing waste by reusing products or by buying a product based on its potential to be recycled.

Recycling a single aluminum can saves the amount of energy needed to power a television for 4 hours

What it is all about:

Precycling is a broad term that means anything from buying items in bulk in order to cut down on packing material to brining reusable grocery bags with you to the store. How many plastic bags get filled everyday later to be thrown away in the garbage?

The difference between "precycling" and recycling is the idea that precycling takes the initiative even further. It makes the consumer think more about what they are buying and how it will effect the world. Not just reducing waste but also reduce the potential for waste.

How to implement:

Precycling is just as much about doing something positive as not doing something negative. It is easy to precycle and the more effort you put in the bigger the pay off. Find the companies that use only organic ingredients and recycled paper to package the food item. Try to avoid single serving items or items that have a lot of packing. Use the fabric bags at the store...save the plastic bags and recycle them (most grocery stores have a place to recycle plastic bags).

 

Does it work:

There is no question here...we all share the same planet so why poison the drinking water and foul up the land will landfills?

In 2009 the average American generates 4.3 pounds of trash per day...or 1,569lb a year in Maine (about 40% recycled)

 or 1,980lb a year in Wisconsin (34% recycled)

If you buy stuff with a lot of extra packing the manufactures will KEEP MAKING ITEMS WITH WAY TOO MUCH MATERIAL
Think before you buy!

11 ways to a Greener Home

You have taken some initial steps to lower your carbon footprint and excess energy use, but your work is not done yet. Here are a few more things you can do around the house to continue the green initiative.

#1 Install bamboo floors

Wood floors are nice and durable, but the trees take decades to mature while bamboo is a grass and will mature in a fraction of the time. It may not be quite as durable as hardwood, but it will cost about half the price.

#2 Get your green thumb

Planting annual flowering plants is nice for the color, but they must be replaced each spring. There are plenty of flowering plants that will survive through the fall and winter to bloom again and again every year.Paring this perennial garden with a home compost for organic fertilizer is another smart choice.Instead of throwing away your vegetable remains begin a compost in a corner of your yard.

#3 and #4 Keeping Clean

Adults and children both need to be reminded to get the dirt of before entering the home. Outside mats and inside mats will greatly help to keep the amount of debris to a minimum. Remembering to wipe your feet and store your shoes near the door will greatly decrease the use of inside cleaners, paper towels, mops, hot water and vacuums.Remember that your little ones are always watching so be sure to set a good example by taking shorter showers, turning off electricity, and packing lunches in reusable containers.

#5 Update the Dishwasher

If you have an energy rated dishwasher don't be shy about using it. Hand washing dishes is nice and all but will generally use way more water than the dishwasher. An energy star appliance will use around 6 gallons for a full load while a human would use closer to 20 gallons to hand wash the same amount of dishes.

#6 The toilet

Traditional models flush 25% of household water down the drain. Updating to a dual flush model that has two different flushing amounts will greatly decrease the amount of water used. Traditional toilets use 3.5 gallons per flush, the dual flush toilets have an option for a little flush of about 1 gallon and a larger cascade about 1.5 gallons.

#7 Electricity

As a consumer you should have an option to get your energy from a renewable source. The price will be more for the green energy, but that extra money will help to sustain the energy you use. It will cost you about 15 more dollars a month to get 100 percent offset of carbon dioxide emissions from the generation of electricity.

#8 Work from Home

Whenever possible work from home. This will reduce the wear on your vehicle and the pressure on your wallet to fill the tank. Older equipment like copier and fax machine suck too much energy, updated devices often combine most of these functions and use less energy.

#9 E-Bills

This one is pretty simple...less paper mail means more trees get to live. Americans receive 4 million tons of junk mail a year approximately 850 pieces per household. You can go online and opt out for these prescreened credit card companies and other such junk.

#10 Solar Power

Charge your mobile devices with a solar charger. Most are fairly inexpensive and compact enough to travel. If you have a little bit of know-how you can even make a small charger at home.Need some light at night along a walkway or garden? get some inexpensive LED lights with solar panels for a cheap way to get some additional light.

#11 Expand your Conquest

Get on the internet or use your phone to peruse more suitable and sustainable ways to lower your carbon footprint.  There are plenty of apps available for iphone and android that will help with additional ideas and suggestions towards a greener lifestyle.