St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2009

Resolve to Reduce and Reuse in 2009

St. Charles County, MO - Since 1990, when the first Recycle Works location opened, St. Charles County residents have recycled more than 25 million pounds of material. This has helped reduce the burden on local landfills and helped keep our environment cleaner. However, while recycling is important, it’s just one part of the equation. In 2009, resolve to complete the triangle of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

In these tough economic times, demand for recycled material has fallen, which leads to lower prices paid for the material. While some centers have stopped accepting certain types of recyclables due to lowered demand, the St. Charles County Recycle Works facilities have not yet had to take this step. The situation does, however, give all of us a chance to think about the amount of waste we generate, and take steps to reduce our impact on the solid waste stream.

Across the country, many communities and individuals have found creative ways to reduce and better manage municipal solid waste, more commonly known as trash or garbage, through a mix of practices that include source reduction, recycling and composting, and disposal.

Some ways to reduce the waste we generate include:

• Bringing your own plate, cup, and utensils to work for use at lunch or break times instead of disposable tableware. The “dollar store” is a great place to pick up an inexpensive set. (Be sure to wash your tableware after every use and before storing.)
• Drinking tap water from a reusable container instead of purchasing expensive, wasteful bottled water. If you must buy bottled water, reuse the bottle several times before recycling it.

Some ways to reuse items include:

• Buying reusable bags for use at the grocery store. This helps cut down on the number of plastic bags that need to be landfilled. In addition, reusable bags often hold more than plastic bags.
• Bringing a reusable mug when we visit our local coffee shop. Many coffee shops offer a discount to customers who bring their own mug.

For more information about the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment, call (636) 949-7400 or visit www.scchealth.org.

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