Beyond the Bin

Materials Matter - Using Materials Efficiently

Much of what we need, want, and use daily comes from natural resources. These resources, like iron ore, aluminum, oil, gas, and water, are critical to our way of life and our survival. Using them wisely is in our best interest. While many people focus on the “waste” (garbage) that results from buying goods, the environmental impacts of production, including the natural resources used and pollution created in manufacturing and transport, are often larger than the impacts of disposal. For many types of consumer goods, once you’ve acquired a new item, much of the environmental damage has already been done.

Using materials efficiently means making good purchases, reusing what you can, and recycling as much as possible. While Oregonians are good at recycling, we are still generating more waste every year. By making very simple changes in your purchases and the way you do things, you can prevent waste by not generating it in the first place.

Did you know...

• Oregonians generate 8 pounds of waste per person everyday (in 2004, 4.5 pounds per person per day was thrown away and 3.7 pounds was recycled, on average). That's more than 5.3 million tons in a year.
• Four cents of every dollar Americans spend on goods goes to packaging: $225 per person per year or $75 a month for a family of four.
• Americans discard annually 183 million razors, 2.7 billion batteries, 140 million cubic meters of Styrofoam "packing" peanuts, 350 million pressurized paint cans plus enough paper and plastic ware to serve the world a picnic every other month.
• According to the national Merck Family Fund Study, people express a strong desire for a greater sense of balance in their lives - not to reject material gain, but to bring it in proportion with the non-material rewards of life.

Here's what you can do...

• Simplify your life: Think about what you enjoy doing most. Often, the things we cherish most in life aren't for sale. Spend time discovering "low-tech" recreation: taking a walk, gardening, visiting friends, and stopping to "smell the roses".
• Think before you buy: How many times a day do you think about something you want to buy? We are encouraged daily with flashy enticements to buy products we don't always need. Buying things we don't really need can be expensive, adds to clutter, and contributes to waste and pollution.
• Buy in bulk or "value-pack" sizes: You can save a bundle by buying in bulk (but only if it's an item you'd normally buy a lot of anyway). Some products are not available in bulk but might come in a large container or in a concentrate. You can save an average of 52% off the price of a heavily packaged product this way.
• Purchase products that are durable and won't break easily: Look for warranties, ask if the product can be repaired, and/or find out which product is rated highest in Consumer Reports.
• Choose colors and styles that are “classic” and won’t call out for rapid replacement: Shag green carpet, anyone?
• Pack your lunch in reusable containers: Why spend money buying plastic and paper bags, aluminum foil, or wax paper? You can save money on your purchases and save money on your garbage bill by using containers over and over again.
• Purchase durable products: More and more of the products we buy are made to be used only once. That's not very efficient. Look for refillable pens, lighters, real cameras, and cloth napkins and towels.
• Repair broken or torn things: It is fun and satisfying to fix things when they break. You'll save money, resources, and a trip to the store.
• Give gifts that are resource efficient: An energy efficient light bulb, a fancy lunchbox, a wrapped box that can be used over and over again. Give an experience instead of "stuff," like a trip to the beach, a memorable event, or a hand-made gift.
• Reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive: Ask to be removed from mailing lists you don't want to be on. You can call the company 1-800 number if there is one, or if the mailing includes a reply envelope use it to mail a request to be removed from the mailing list.
• Share tools with friends and neighbors: Sharing is fun and it can save you a lot of money.

You make a difference. Consider this...

• If just 100 people stopped using paper cups every day and carried a reusable mug -- collectively they would save the resources used and pollution created from making 50,000 disposable cups a year.

Information taken from:

• Oregon DEQ Resource Efficiency Tool Kit
• SMART Program Packaging Waste Results,
  Minnesota Office of Waste Management
• How Much is Enough?
  Alan Durning
• Yearning for Balance,
  Merck Family Fund

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