RETHINK

Zero waste isn't just about recycling, it's about being conscious of your lifestyle and how it affects your health, your community and your environment. This full-circle approach to smarter consumption means that every step along the way makes a difference.

 

Go Beyond the 3 "R's"

CalRecycle has excellent resources for taking your reducing, reusing and recycling approach a step further.

 

Visit the Waste Prevention Information Exchange to get inspiration from fellow Californians and contribute your own eco-thoughts.

 
 
 

Sustainability

Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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Organic

Organic means grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers or toxic chemicals. Organic farms do not consume or release synthetic pesticides into the environment - some of which have the potential to harm soil, water and local terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.

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Fair-trade

The Fair-trade movement seeks greater equality in international trade. It advocates the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards, focusing on exports from developing countries to developed countries, such as coffee, cocoa, handcrafts, sugar tea, etc. Visit Fair Trade Federation for a list of companies that make the cut.

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Fair-trade

Post consumer material refers to the end product that has completed its life cycle as a consumer item and would have been disposed of as a solid waste. But instead, the product was used to manufacture something new. For example, recycled denim jeans can be made into pencils! You want to look for products with the highest amount of post-consumer recycled material.

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Shop Local

"Why shop at a locally owned business first? Because far more of the money spent at local businesses is reinvested in your community. This helps other local businesses, which creates greater diversity and helps the community maintain its unique appeal. Shopping local is environmentally friendly, too: it creates less traffic and pollution."

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