Recycling is one very small part of the fix

The market for recycled paper, plastic, etc. is drying up in this economy of ours. We all need to begin reexamining not just how much money we spend (or don't spend), but how our consumption adds to the pile up of recycled materials that are now destined for landfills.

--Reuse what you can, whenever you can, as many times as you can.

--Buy items with minimal packaging.

*Leave a comment on the comment cards and/or write to manufacturers demand minimal packaging from your stores (Amazon is helping here, with 'Frustration-Free Packaging"...) Mum bought us a box of frozen Birds Nests from Trader Joes a couple months ago and I was horrified to find FOUR layers of packaging before we got to the actual food!!! HORRIFIED!

--Buy bulk when you can and reuse the bulk bags (or make your own). When you get home, repackage those items in reused jars. It makes storage easier and you can see how much of something you have left.

--Buy local: CSAs pick it, then give it to you (some dollars are passed in the process), but that sort of exchange couldn't be less complicated and less packaged. This, it turns out is even better since you can actually view, touch, and smell what you're about to take home.

--But at 2nd hand, consignment shops or have exchanges with friends, family, neighborhoods. Generally this can help out a local charity too, if you buy at a hospice shop. AND it's nice to chat with the retired ladies who work there...