What's left? Respond.

Make your preferences known to merchants, politicians, community leaders and friends.

You have the power to influence others and help create the type of world you want to live in. We are all consumers, and that means we can use our purchasing power to make changes happen. Inform businesses and decision-makers about critical solid waste issues and inspire them to undertake and promote source reduction measures.

• Let store managers know that you want less packaging.
• Ask manufacturers hard questions about their products or operations. Request more durable products. Write to company executives and tell them what you like or don't like about their policies. If you stop buying a product because it results in too much waste or poses a waste disposal problem, call or write to that company explaining your decision.
• Call company representatives to express your opinion on product packaging. Many packages have toll-free numbers printed on them.
• Write to consumer magazines asking for coverage of the environmental impact of products.
• Urge schools to provide environmental education by teaching source reduction and recycling.
• Write to your government representatives stating your opinions on environmental issues or legislation.
• Your community needs access to adequate and safe solid waste facilities such as recycling centers, waste-to-energy plants and modern landfills. Support an environmentally sound waste program in your community that starts with source reduction.

Be creative – look for opportunities to practice source reduction!

Doing the 3Rs includes using returnables, choosing durable products made to last, reusing product containers and other types of packaging, buying only the quantity of a product needed for a particular use especially if it contains toxic substances, recycling packaging and products made from recyclable materials, and "closing the loop" by buying products made out of recycled material.

The next time you lug out your trash, think of how you and your family can reduce the amount of garbage you generate.

• Can anything be reused or recycled?
• Did you need to buy certain items in the first place?
• Could you have selected products with less packaging?
• Are less toxic or alternative products available?

Also think of how businesses and manufacturers can reduce the amount of waste associated with the products you buy. Let them know your ideas.