Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. These three words are at the core of solid waste education. They can be joined by "Rethink," "Repurpose," "Repair," "Recover," and "Rot." One word that might appear first in the list of "Rs" is "Refuse." If we refuse to purchase an item, we can't add it to the waste stream when its useful life is over.

Our staff writer, Leeann Sausser, recently read J.B. MacKinnon's book, "The Day the World Stops Shopping: How Ending Consumerism Saves the Environment." She reviews it in this week's blog post. The book is all about the Rs of refusing and rethinking.

Journalist MacKinnon calls his book a "thought experiment" to explore what might happen if we all stopped shopping. He addresses the current environmental challenges and suggests making life on the planet more sustainable by refusing the urge to buy new things. After evaluating the complications of consumerism, MacKinnon's book offers hope by presenting alternatives.

J.B. MacKinnon's voice is just one in the conversation seeking solutions to our growing waste production. What are the solutions you are implementing in your community? Eco Partners can help you educate residents about your solid waste management programs. Please give us a call or visit us online for details on how we can help.

Keep on educating,