Reduce

Reducing consumption involves paying more attention to what we have and what we need against the backdrop of helping conserve the Earth’s resources. The suggestions that follow are preventive and pro-active.

When it comes to packaging, for example, either in what we’re buying or what we’re using at home, choosing products with less packaging means that much less to contribute to a continually growing waste stream and a reduction of waste toxicity. In buying Fair Trade coffee, we’ll help maintain biodiversity, provide shelter for migratory birds, reduce global warming and aid developing countries trying to survive in the global marketplace. As we create more demand for organic fruits and vegetables, use of harmful fertilizers and pesticides lessens. Choosing tap over bottled water reduces packaging disposal and transportation-related pollution. Buying “green” dishwashing liquid reduces algae growth that’s stimulated by phosphate-rich water, suffocating fish and other marine life.

How You Can Help
When you’re buying

• Consider buying used rather than new items whenever feasible.
• Check out the packaging on products that line your grocery and drug store shelves. Don’t buy items with unnecessary packaging – lots of plastic, double packaging such as bottles within boxes, for example.
• Choose products that are longer-lasting and potentially energy-saving over those that may be a bit less expensive. Energy Star appliances, durable furniture, quality tires and compact fluorescent light bulbs are examples.
• Use the plastic bags in the produce department sparingly. They’re unnecessary for a bunch of bananas, a couple of acorn squash and other other fruits and vegetables that don’t bruise or spoil easily.
• Insofar as possible, avoid single-serving packages of food. Store your leftovers in reusable containers.
• Choose the largest packages of food, household and pet products that you can reasonably store.
• Carry reusable shopping bags.
• Choose phosphate-free, low-phosphate or biodegradable dishwashing liquid and least-toxic cleaning products.

When you’re around your desk

• Buy recycled content paper.
• Check out green printing and document management practices in the Guide to Green Computing on this website.
• If a publication is available on-line, consider reading it there instead of in paper format.
• Save paper in letters and fliers by using e-mail or phone mail to send messages.
• Receive and pay bills on-line
• Sign up for direct deposit of your paycheck.
• Turn off your various small electronics – radios, lamps, e.g. -- when you’ve left your workspace.

When you’re ready to eat

• Drink (and buy) Fair Trade coffee. Nearly every supermarket offers a Fair Trade option. Read the packaging and look for coffee that is organic and shade grown.
• Buy organic.
• Try to avoid take-out lunches with wasteful packaging. As much as possible, bring your own lunch in a reusable container.
• Carry your own reusable mug to establishments that would ordinarily serve you a beverage in a disposable cup.
• In buffet lines, take only what you know you can eat.
• Insofar as possible, use tap water instead of bottled water.
• Consider composting in your home kitchen.

(courtesy Columbia University)