Each American generates about 5 pounds of trash per day, about 1,800 pounds per year. Here are some easy ways to reduce the trash that we produce.

	Think before you buy. Do I really need this?
	Look for products that come in containers that Allentown can recycle.
	Look for products that use minimal packaging or no packaging.
	Look for products with "post-consumer recycled content." Buy Recycled!

Demand for recycled products and materials lags. For recycling to be economically viable and sustainable in the long run, we need to purchase recycled products and encourage manufacturers to use more recycled materials.

	Use concentrated products, such as liquid detergents and cleaners.
	Buy lightweight packaging such as aluminum cans, paper and plastic beverage containers.
	Buy larger sizes and refill containers. A one pound box uses less packaging than two half-pound boxes.

	Reuse bags, boxes, paper, bubble wrap, and other materials as much as possible.
	Don't take a bag unless necessary. Take your own bags to stores.
	Buy products that are durable, repairable, and maintainable or used. Donate usable items such as furniture, office equipment, clothing, shoes, books and toys.

Do you have items that can be reused, restored or refurbished?

Look for more environmental shopping tips on the web or at:
DEP Environmental Shopping
PA Resources Council's Environmental Shopping

Stop Unwanted Mail

Four million tons of junk mail is sent every year in the U.S., nearly half of which
is never opened.

Most companies and organizations sell your name and address unless you specifically ask them to stop. To remove your name from most mailing lists, send your name and address to:

Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008.

Include your name and address in all the ways it appears on your junk mail. The Direct Marketing Association estimates that listing with their mail preference service will stop 75% of all national mailings to your address. Requests to stop junk mail are kept active for five years and will not remove companies you have ordered from previously.

	If your receive mail you don't want, let the sender know. Call the 800 number or return the reply card requesting to be taken off their mailing list.
	When you give your name to a publication, store or organization, or when you order a product, or fill out a warranty card, request that your name not be shared.
	Credit card companies probably sell your name most often. Call and ask them not to release your name and address to anyone for marketing, mailing or promotional purposes.
	Call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) to stop major credit companies from sending credit card offers.
	Visit the following Internet sites for additional information on how to stop junk mail, telemarketing calls and junk e-mail:
	www.junkbusters.com www.stopjunk.com www.obviously.com/junkmail