Reducing and Reusing Basics

The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making a new product emits greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and requires a lot of materials and energy – raw materials must be extracted from the earth, and the product must be fabricated then transported to wherever it will be sold. As a result, reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect the environment and save money.

Benefits of Reducing and Reusing

    • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. 
    • Prevents pollution caused by reducing the need to harvest new raw materials.
    • Saves energy.
    • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.
    • Helps sustain the environment for future generations.
    • Reduces the amount of waste that will need to be recycled or sent to landfills and incinerators.
    • Allows products to be used to their fullest extent.
    • Saves money.

Food and the Environment

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the global volume of food wastage is estimated at 1.6 billion tons of “primary product equivalents.” Total food wastage for the edible part of this amounts to 1.3 billion tons. This has an impact on the environment:

Food wastage’s carbon footprint is estimated at 3.3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent of GHG released into the atmosphere per year.

Donating your clothes Help the Environment

Did you know that 20 billion tons of clothes end up in landfills each year? These items end up emitting greenhouse gasses as they break down which contribute to climate change. Plus, manufacturing new clothing demands a lot of our natural resources, during a time when we’re trying to reduce our collective carbon footprint.  

Donating your clothes is a better choice for the environment. Rather than rotting away in a landfill, your old clothing can be reused or recycled into something new. We’re happy to report that our donors help us keep 470,000 tons of clothing out of landfills each week.