Green Tip: Reduce, Reuse, Then Recycle

Recycling involves collecting used materials, processing them mechanically and chemically, and remanufacturing them into new products – all processes that consume energy, water and other resources, and that cause pollution. 

In contrast, reducing and reusing prevents pollution by reducing the need to harvest new raw materials, saves energy, reduces greenhouse-gas emissions, saves money and reduces the amount of waste that will need to be recycled or sent to landfills and incinerators, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.