Let's Precycle

PREcycling Explained

  • Stopping waste before it happens;
  • Preventing waste at its source;
  • Reducing the amount of waste we produce; and
  • Making less garbage!

Be An Environmental Shopper

Look for

No Packaging
  • Buy in the bulk food section.
  • Buy fruit & snacks loose instead of in packages.
  • Bring your own canvas or reusable bags to the store.
Minimal Packaging
  • Look for concentrates.
  • Buy larger sizes of products.
  • Reusables and Refillable Packaging.
  • Refillable containers and packaging.

PREcycling at Home, at Work, and at School

At Home

Choose the reusable alternative to disposable products

  • A cloth towel instead of paper towels.
  • A reusable razor instead of disposable ones.
  • A mug instead of paper or plastic disposable cups.
  • Washable plates instead of disposable plates.
  • Cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
  • Rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries.
  • Donate or resell used clothing, appliances, and furniture.

At Work

  • Make double-sided copies.
  • Circulate, instead of distributing individual hard copies.
  • Periodically review mailing lists, remove duplicates and outdated contacts.
  • Consolidate mailings whenever possible.
  • Get off unwanted mailing lists.
  • Bring reusable dishes, mugs/cups and silverware to the office instead of disposables.
  • Reuse office supplies and shipping materials.

At School

  • Use both sides of paper.
  • Reuse three-ring binders, Manila folders, pocket folders, report covers and other school and office supplies. Use reusable dishes, cups/mugs and silverware.
  • Bring "reusable lunches" to school (bring your lunch in a lunch box or canvas bag, plastic sandwich holder and reusable drink container).

For More Information...

Any questions, call the Bureau of Waste Reduction & Recycling at (518) 402-8706.

What Are Your Ideas?

Send your PREcycling ideas to:
NYSDEC
Division of Materials Management
Bureau of Waste Reduction & Recycling
625 Broadway
Albany, New York 12233-7253
 

 

 
 
Contact for this Page

DMM, Bureau of Waste Reduction and Recycling
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233

This Page Covers
New York State
Icon