Discover Solar Energy, a comprehensive resource of more than 9,000+ renewable energy links to relevant websites of individuals, governments and organizations.    The links are cross-referenced  to help homeowners, engineers, hobbyists, teachers and students find quick answers  to issues relating to alternative energy.  Please Contact us with your comments, suggestions or to report bad links. Thanks! Discover Circuits Imagineering Ezine Dave Johnson & Associates Joy Blooms   Web DiscoverSolarEnergy.com HOME    Contact Us    Solar Energy    Wind Energy    Ocean Power    Energy Storage    Living Green    Fuels (BioEnergy)    Systems    Self-Sufficient Living    Green Transportation    Research & Reference                               DSE Bookstore      DSE Store                     LINK to DSE / Link Exchange
What is Living Green? Living Green  -  Building Natural & Green  -  Cleaning the Green Way  Passive Solar  -    Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle   Green Stories & Back of the Envelop Notes (coming soon) Videos:  Building Green     Strawbale Home     Hydroponics
	The 3 R's:  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Last Updated on:  06/27/2008 09:10 AM Reduce  Reuse Recycle   - Ideas for Reducing Trash   - Think Repurpose   - Why Recycle   - Eliminate Plastic Shopping Bags   - Reuse or re-purpose stuff   -  Recycling Facts   - Energy Saving Tips     -  Plastic Recycling Codes     Reuse or Re-purpose Resources (aka Trash) - Page 3 Below are ideas for ways to reuse or re-purpose resources and reduce trash. Thanks to everyone for sharing ideas! Ink Jet Cartridges Postage paid mailers are available for recycling used printer ink jet cartridges. I was able to get them from my local post office, but have not been able to confirm whether they are available in all post offices. You can also recycle ink jet cartridges and hold a fundraiser at the same time through EcoPhones. Cell phones and ink jet cartridges are collected and sent to EcoPhones for recycling. Each phone and ink jet cartridge can earn $1-200. Magnets There are many uses for the advertising magnets that many businesses give away. Glue a photo to a magnet and cut out the image to make a picture magnet. Glue a notepad or attach a sticky note pad to a magnet to hang on the fridge. Glue a piece of a magnet to a hinged wooden clothes pin to hold papers on the fridge. These can also be painted and/or decorated. Make a "baby sleeping" or other sign to hang on an exterior metal door -- print text such as "Do not ring bell please, baby [or child] sleeping", then laminate and attach a piece of magnet with double sided tape. Cellular Phones When you replace your cell phone with a new one, you can donate the old one to help victims of domestic violence. See more information about HopeLine at the Verizon Wireless.   <<Previous Page                                                                                                                                                                           Please suggest additional re-purpose ideas           Living Green Links Living Green, is basically making decisions considering the impact that decision would have on the environment.  Living Green is making choices that are good for the earth.  Black Environment Network - Organization that encourages the involvement of ethnic groups in the preservation, protection and development of both the built and the natural environment to improve our collective heritage, social justice, health and housing. Centre for Alternative Technology - Aims to inspire, teach and enable people to live in a more environmentally-sustainable way and offers practical solutions to environmental problems through renewable energy, environmental building, energy efficiency, organic food and alternative sewage systems. Climart - A new climate change campaign and competition. The Detroit Project - Dedicated to decreasing the US's reliance on foreign oil by encouraging manufacturers to build more fuel-efficient cars. The belief is that fuel-inefficient cars have kept Americans chained to the gas pump and American security chained to foreign oil. Earth Times - Online newspaper offering environmental news and much more. Earthwatch Institute in Europe - Earthwatch engages people from diverse countries, cultures and organizations in programmers and partnerships, inspiring them to take responsibility for the environment and support objective scientific research. This work informs key decisions on important environmental issues. EnviroLink - US-based online community that brings hundreds of organizations and volunteers around the world together with millions of people in more than 150 countries. The organization is also dedicated to providing comprehensive, up-to-date environmental information and news. Friends of the Earth - Leading environmental pressure group. The site contains information on the dangers of global warming and pollution, corporate hazards, names and shames the world's worst polluters and much more. Greenpeace - Campaign group that exposes environmental criminals and challenges governments and corporations. The site includes up-to-date information on the Kyoto Protocol and the Rainbow Warrior's relief efforts bringing aid to victims of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean. National Resources Defense Council - One of the most effective environmental action organizations in the US, the NRDC believes the Bush administration threatens to do more damage to environmental protections than any other in US history and gives specific examples. Television Trust for the Environment (TVE) - A UK-registered charity that promotes global awareness of the environment, development, human rights and health issues through the media. WWF - Large and authoritative science-based conservation organization that addresses such issues as the survival of species and habitats, climate change, sustainable business and environmental education. Worldwatch Institute - Works to build an environmentally-sustainable and socially-just society. The site contains a comprehensive Q&A section on global warming, publications and a research library. Please suggest additional links
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Don't overfill the kettle
If you're making tea for one, only use that amount of water. If you're making tea for two, use that amount and so on. Overfilling the kettle wastes needless energy.

Don't waste food
This might seem like an obvious point, but a survey by Braun found that YUBBIES (Young Urban Bin Baggers) waste £865m of food every year by letting it go stale or out of date. One in six people wastes more than 10% of their average £42 weekly groceries shopping. Salad and fresh vegetables are the most likely items to be thrown away.

Eat your leftovers
The Braun survey also showed that people in the UK no longer keep leftover food for another meal, preferring to bin it or feed it to the dog instead.

Let food cool down before refrigerating it
This saves energy. Also, only keep the fridge door open for as long as you need to.

Make your own lunch
Not only will this save you a lot of money, but also you'll use less packaging than a sandwich shop.

Only wash full loads in the washing machine
Only ever wash full loads of clothes instead of half loads to save water and energy.

Replace ordinary light bulbs with energy efficient ones
They might cost more initially, but they last much longer and are significantly better for the environment.

Recycle
As well as buying recycled products, get in touch with your local authority to find out about recycling schemes in your area. Pretty soon you'll be required to sort your rubbish anyway, so why not start now?

Re-use items
Bottles, carrier bags and refillable containers don't have to be thrown away — they can all be reused. Many supermarkets now offer 'bags for life'.

Think twice before you put something in the bin
Can it be reused or recycled?

Turn the lights off when you leave a room
This is one of the easiest things anyone can do — and the difference it can make to the amount of energy we consume is considerable.

Use refill packs
Most washing powders, liquids, fabric softeners and dishwasher products have refill packs rather than buying the large plastic bottle over and over again.

More tips

Buy less processed foods
Processed foods are often over-packaged, so try buying more fresh items.

Buy locally produced food where possible
Locally-produced foods don't have to be transported, making them a considerably more environmentally-friendly option by far.

Buy products with less packaging
Less packaging usually means less waste — although how environmentally friendly a product is also depends on how the product was packaged and transported originally.

Don't pour oil, fats and harmful chemicals down the sink or toilet
Inside drains lead to a septic tank or sewer system, where water will be treated. But some chemicals and substances won't be broken down and will still end up back in the sea or rivers. Inside drains and toilets should not be used to dispose of hazardous waste or chemicals — go to your local dump where they will be disposed of properly.

Dispose of your fridge properly
Many old fridges contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which contribute to the hole in the ozone layer. If you need to dispose on an old fridge, contact your local authority.

Grow fresh food in your garden
Like locally-produced foods and products, there is no transport involved here, so you can't get much greener.

Repair damaged goods
Half of electrical goods that go to the dump only need minor repairs — and it will probably cost you less than buying a replacement.

Reuse plastic and glass bottles and jars or take them to a recycling bank
Containers like bottles and jars don't always have to be thrown away or recycled — you can reuse them, too.

Separate your rubbish
Recycling is going to become a bigger part of all of our lives, so why not start separating your rubbish for recycling now? Contact your local authority to find out when your nearest recycling point is — there might even be a local collection service available.

Shop environmentally
Books like The Good Shopping Guide list the most eco-friendly products and brands to buy.

Use and buy energy efficient appliances
Products like fridges and washing machines have energy labels on. Categories 'A' and 'B' are the most energy efficient and use less water. Anything rated below rating 'D' is being phased out and should be avoided — it will cost you more and will use more electricity.

Use low temperatures on your washing machine
This saves water and energy.