The same goes for aluminum. A paper bag or brick pack uses far less energy to produce-it requires 85 percent less raw material in the manufacturing process. And since steel cans are recycled at a rate of only 48 percent, the energy consumption compounds as the recycled can is transported, melted down, and recast into new material. Experts say that one of the best ways to reduce at the source is to eliminate packaging whenever possible. Instead of buying cosmetics and beauty-supply products in new containers, it's often possible to refill bottles at many outlets.
Gardeners can compost yard waste instead of buying soil.
And in the office, it's possible to reduce paper consumption by copying or printing on both sides of a piece of paper, and using e-mail instead of faxes or letters. It is also possible to refill the ink on printer cartridges and reuse floppy disks from old programs. In other words, it's easy to enjoy positive feedback when you're watching a recycling truck haul away empty cans, bottles, and newspapers. People like the idea of putting a bin out and seeing that it is picked up and recycled. But if you reduce consumption, it's impossible to see what you don't use.