- Staff Contacts
- Calendar of Events
- Where to Recycle
- What to Recycle
- Electronics
- Glass
- Tires
- Yard Waste
- Buying Recycled in Montana
- Special Event Recycling Guide
- Compost
- Earth911
- Business
- Government
- Homes
- Kids
- Schools
- Tax Incentives
- Recycling Targets
- Recycling Statistics
- Integrated Waste Mgmt Plan
- Energy & Pollution Prevention Bureau
- Planning, Prevention
& Assistance Division
Source Reduction and Consumer Spending
We currently produce and consume goods at an unprecedented rate. The process starts with extracting raw materials and ends with disposing of used products. The result?
- resource depletion
- pollution
- loss of valuable habitat
- waste management problems, and often
- social and environmental injustice
Consuming less, and reusing or remanufacturing products can cut waste and the need for disposal.
Watch The Story of Stuff for an insightful and entertaining explanation of the far-reaching effects of our daily decisions. Organize a viewing for your friends and/or community group.
A DVD of this is available for lending from DEQ. Only a refundable deposit is required. Email Sandra Boggs at sboggs@mt.gov or call 406-841-5217.
Read A Consumption Manifesto to learn how to streamline your life and still have fun.
Information Disclaimer
Website links are provided for educational purposes only. Such links are not
endorsements of any products or services in such sites and no information in
such sites has been endored or approved by the Department of Environmental
Quality.
Daily Habits:
- If you can’t recycle it – don’t buy it. Avoid purchasing goods that you know will end up in the garbage. For instance, bottled water – if you can’t recycle plastic bottles in your town, avoid buying bottled water and carry a reusable water bottle instead.
- Buy durable goods. If your budget will allow it, consider purchasing more durable goods. They may be more expensive initially, but they will last longer and are generally better quality.
- Swap and Trade. Look for opportunities to network with friends and co-workers to obtain needed tools, materials, or goods to avoid
purchasing an item that you’ll only use once or twice.
- Visit garage sales and second-hand stores.
- Use online swap groups, such as:
- Businesses can use the Montana Materials Exchange to list unwanted materials or look for needed materials. This Montana State University Extension Service Program encourages recovery and reuse of diverse materials that would otherwise be discarded.
- Do without. Do you really need that new video game, book, knick-knack or trinket? Can you enjoy it without having one of your own? Control impulse-buying by walking away first and giving yourself time to evaluate whether you really need something or just want it because it struck your fancy.
More information on waste reduction:
Source Reduction & Reuse: Keep America Beautiful, Inc. is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization.
Source Reduction & Reuse: The EPA tracks solid waste generation rates, and creates programs to work with businesses and communities to reduce these rates.
INFORM works to educate government, businesses and citizens to adopt sustainable practices.