NI: Global Issues for Learners of English > The Issues > Trash > Tips for less trash

Tips for less trash

What you can do to cut down on trash

RECYCLING: Generally a good thing, especially for aluminium, tin and other metals that are not dangerous; wood, paper or cardboard; and glass. The exception is plastics, which can release harmful dioxins when melted down for re-manufacture.

CARDBOARD: the stiff brown material made from paper that is used for making boxes.

DIOXIN: a very poisonous chemical.

RE-USING: Better even than recycling and certainly better for plastics.

REUSING. to use something again.

NOT USING: If you have a car, use it as little as possible. If you need convincing or know someone who does, click here.

CHANGING YOUR WAY OF LIVING: Put quality above quantity. Value time and nature more than money and more than buying stuff.

SHARING: Share tools, cars, lawnmowers and similar items with friends or through community barter plans.

SHARING: letting other people use something.

LAWNMOWERS: a machine for cutting the grass.

BARTER: to trade things for other things instead of using money.

HIRING: Buy services rather than things; hire what you need. For example, when someone rents a copier from Xerox, Xerox will make sure that the machine is properly maintained.

HIRE: to pay to use something for a short period.

MAINTAIN (v): to keep something working.

GREEN SHOPPING: There are more and more environmentally and ethically sound products around. Avoid stores and products that use a lot of packaging. Avoid plastics. Choose goods that can be repaired and have been designed to be used a long time.

GREEN SHOPPING: Shopping carefully in ways that protect the environment.

PACKAGING: What something is wrapped in before you buy it.

COMPOSTING: Good for the garden, good for the planet.

COMPOSTING: gathering plant material in a pile so that it can decay. You then put this back on the soil to make the soil better.

This information appeared in the October 1997 issue of the New Internationalist.

NI: Global Issues for Learners of English > The Issues > Trash > Tips for less trash

Last Modified: 19 Sept 2000

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