Recycling has been the "buzz" word in solid waste management for the past several years. Reduction and reuse of solid waste have become neglected, yet they are even more important in dealing with solid waste issues in throughout the world. Dr. William Rathje has suggested that recycling programs have done a disservice. Making many people think that it is OK to create more garbage as it will be recycled instead of choosing to reduce or reuse the solid waste generated at home and work.

If you have read the Web site to this point you know what recycling is all about, its history, how it works and why it’s important. Reduction of solid waste deals with buying and using less material and packaging. Buying concentrate or even buying in bulk reduces the potential amount of waste in your garbage or recycling. For example, buying juice in concentrate form (usually in a small container) and then adding water later, reduces the need to buy large plastic containers of the same liquid.

Just as important is reusing as many materials and packaging as possible. Ceramic instead of paper cups, taking and using plastic bags at the grocery store or making bird feeders from soda bottles are all examples of reuse. The Solid Waste Education Office has had stories in the monthly municipal services bill (NOTES) regarding various ideas about reduce/reuse/recycle. For more information on these ideas, call (602)256-5607 or email pwserve@phoenix.gov. The federal and state governments have been involved in solid waste issues for a number of years. Click here for an interesting Web site on reducing solid waste.