As a result, California cities and counties are nearly two-thirds of the way towards achieving the ambitious waste diversion goals of cutting trash in half, set forth by the State Legislature with the passage of AB939 in 1990. Solid waste prevention programs have played an important role in inspiring the public to practice the three R's - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Recycling has become a household word, as well as very convenient.
Most cities offer curbside recycling services and public recycling receptacles.
Reuse is an old tradition in the United States. Anyone who has shopped at a thrift store, held a garage sale, or repair a broken bicycle has practiced reuse. Reuse can also mean just using something over and over again, such as cloth shopping bags or plastic insulated coffee mugs. Several new reuse opportunities have emerged in the last decade, such as programs that collect and exchange specific types of materials, such as art supplies, building materials, and medical supplies. This method requires consuming less and using existing resources more efficiently.