REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE:
Many of us have learned the saying “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” since we were children, but we may not be following it to our true potential.
At JB Print we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. So, in honour of Earth Week, let’s take the opportunity to reflect on how we can all become more responsible, green citizens and #BeTheChange.
Reduce (and Refuse)
Reduce your consumption of harmful products in your life, such as non-recyclable packaging
Did you know?
Non-recyclable items include: mirrors, ceramics, plastic wrap, packing peanuts, photographs, polystyrene and Styrofoam, plastic toys/sports equipment, foam egg cartons and more.
What can you do to help?
You can replace certain plastic packaging with paper packaging. Some examples include:
Traditional Styrofoam packing peanuts can be replaced with paper shreds, cornstarch made packing peanuts or even air pouches
Egg cartons can also be made from paper fibres
Instead of plastic wrap, consider using reusable containers
Styrofoam can be replaced with mushroom packaging
Reuse
When purchasing products consider reusability factors and lifecycle. For example, if something has a short lifecycle but is 100% recyclable (and therefore being “reused”) it may be better for the environment than something that will sit in a landfill when it reaches it’s end of life.
What can you do to help?
Up-cycle old furniture and other items instead of throwing them out and purchasing new
Consider purchasing from places such as Habitat For Humanity, Value Village or Talize
Use reusable bags or packaging for your lunches, grocery shopping and more!
Avoid plastic straws and consider purchasing a reusable straw made from aluminum or using paper straws
Consider buying gifts that will last longer such as potted bulbs or trees that can be planted
Recycle
Recycle and compost as much as you can!
Did you know?
Some cities have special recycling locations for items such as batteries, cleaners and other hazardous waste supplies to avoid them ending up in landfills.
What can you do to help?
Ensure your recycling is sorted and organized – this will make it easier at the sorting plant and more likely that all of your items will be recycled
Donate usable items to places like Value Village, Habitat for Humanity, etc or have a yardsale– this will ensure someone else can reuse it instead of it ending up in a landfill
Remove
Help remove waste from your life and our environment!
Did you know?
In 2017, over 1600 people volunteered in the Quinte region at the annual Trash Bash!
What can you do to help?
Follow the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle philosophy
Get involved in community activities such as Trash Bash, Earth Hour, and more!
Encourage family and friends and other community members to join you – ultimately reducing and removing waste from our environment
Research
Here are some additional resources for further research:
unenvironment.org
Do you have something you’d like to share with the community?
Sharing ideas can lead to positive change in our world! We encourage you to take part and share one of your own ideas for a CHANCE TO WIN! Leave a simple environmental tip in the comments by Friday, April 27th, 2018 at 5:00pm and you’ll be entered to WIN 1 of 3 great prizes from Dahlia May Flower Farm!
Interested in how we at JB Print constantly strive to reduce our carbon footprint?
Read our previous blog by Karen: https://jbprint.com/jb-times/reducing-our-carbon-footprint-in-the-workplace/showall/1/26
I hope you adopt some of the points above; the world will thank you for it!
Thanks for reading,
Lindsay Conley
Graphic Designer
