Leaving Less of an Imprint

Ways to Reduce your Footprint

• The 3 R’s–Reduce–Reuse–Recycle

Reduce

• Reduce- to make something smaller, or to use less, resulting in a smaller amount of waste– Buy and use less (get only what

you need)– Make wise packaging and

ingredient choices– Turn off lights, unplug

appliances/electronics when not in use

– Conserve water (shorter shower, water off when brushing teeth)

Reduce: Using Architecture

• Passive Solar Design – designing a house to use the sun’s heat to warm or cool it– Uses windows, insulation, and

positioning of house• Active Solar Design – using a

solar “collector” (device) to heat air or water for the home– May need to be supplemented

by a pump or additional heating in winter

Reuse• Reuse- to use a material (in its original form)

again, or to pass it on to someone who will– Don’t just throw it away!– Charities, garage sales, thrift stores– Reuse food containers, shopping bags, the back

side of paper…

Recycle

• Recycle – to remake an item from old materials– Uses less energy and fewer resources than making products

from brand new materials– Put it in the recycle bin!– It’s a state LAW to recycle Plastics 1 & 2 and aluminum!– In Charlotte, you can recycle:

- Aerosol cans - Milk and juice cartons- Aluminum cans - Paper- Cardboard - Plastics (1-5, & 7)- Glass bottles/jars - Spiral paper cans- Juice boxes - Steel/tin cans

“Can I have yo number?”