Solid waste disposal is a growing concern of today's throwaway world. In the United States, each person generates about 4 pounds of garbage daily.  After recycling, we are still responsible for 3.5 pounds each. Waste disposal costs the United States more than $10 billion a year. 

In Illinois, as in other states, we are running out of landfill space. So what can we, as conscientious consumers, do?  Follow the Four R's of Environmental Shopping: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Respond.  Reduce the amount of waste you create by buying fewer products and those with less packaging.  Rent or borrow items that are used occasionally.  Reuse containers and buy reusable items such as rechargeable batteries or shopping bags.  Give items that you can't reuse to others or sell them at a garage sale.  Limit the number of disposable items you purchase such as plastic razors and disposable diapers.  Recycle  tin, aluminum, paper, glass, and plastics in your curbside recycling bin.  Recycle scrap tires, auto batteries, and used motor oil if they are being accepted at recycling centers in your town.  Look for the "recycled" symbol on products and buy products and packaging that uses recycled materials.  If the paper in a paperboard box has been recycled, the inside will be gray rather than white.  Every glass and aluminum container includes some recycled material even though the symbol is rarely displayed on the container.  Many paper products such as bathroom tissue, greeting cards, paper towels and writing paper are made from recycled paper.  Respond by refusing to buy a product that you think has excessive packaging and let manufacturers and store managers know your feelings.