What is Precycling?

Sure, recycling is good for the environment in one way, but in others it adds to carbon emissions because it takes energy to recycle, and most recycling plants don't use renewable energy (although many are starting to).

So what is another way, on top of recycling, that can help keep unnecessary garbage out of our landfill?

Precycling is the idea of watching what you buy based on how much waste it's going to create.

A few examples of Precycling:

• Buying in bulk to reduce packaging
• Purchasing things with little to no packaging (such as when buying used)
• Only purchasing that which you are sure your local facility accepts (for instance, our facility will trash any plastics numbered 3-7, so I try to avoid those whenever possible)
• Choosing quality items that will have a longer life span (rather than something inexpensive yet poorly made and quickly needing replacing)
• Supporting companies who print on or package with recycled materials
• Choosing reusable over disposable items

Statistics

Approx. 250,000 plastic water bottles are thrown out every hour.
• Planning ahead by bringing your own bags (for produce, dried bulk goods, check-out, etc), napkins, utensils, coffee mugs, etc.
• Making your own yogurt or bread, instead of buying packaged options
• Wrap gifts with other gifts: a book wrapped within a shirt and a belt as a bow.
• Avoid the purchase of things you don't really need or that do not serve an important purpose in your life. Surround yourself with inspirational and useful items, rather than more "stuff".

Precycling is the first step in reducing waste, recyclable or not. Keep it in mind when shopping for groceries or gifts. And allow the reduction in waste to make space within your personal life, as well. Because reducing the waste coming and going from our home simplifies our life and reduces the clutter in our own minds as well.

From here