How Can I Help Make an Impact?

REDUCE

Reducing your own consumption is the first and most substantial way to make a positive impact on the environment:

• Consuming and throwing away less - this is called "source reduction".
• Purchasing durable, long lasting goods.
• Avoiding products and packaging that may contain toxins.
• Redesigning products in favor of those that use less raw materials, last longer, or can be re-purposed.

REUSE

Reused items are items that can be repaired, donated, or sold. Whenever possible, Reusing is preferred to Recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed. This can also help prevent items from inadvertently ending up in the landfill. The following are some simple ideas for reusing items on campus and at home:

• Use durable, reusable coffee mugs.
•  Use cloth napkins or towels rather than paper.
•  Refillable water bottles.
•  Reuse cardboard boxes.
•  Re-purposing empty jars and food containers. 
•  Using refillable pens and pencils.
•  Participating in a paint collection and reuse program.
•  Donating to and collecting from the MICA Swap Shop!

RECYCLE

Recycling is the final option, if an item cannot be Reduced or Reused. Although some materials can be recycled, the natural resources used to reprocess these items such as land, water and clean air cannot be recycled. This is why it is so important to Reduce or Reuse first when possible!