Less Hazardous
Products containing hazardous chemicals can pose health risks to employees and the public, as well as threaten the environment. In addition, hazardous products often require special and costly waste disposalThe act of getting rid of unwanted items and material having no value in excess of their basic material content. Mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) is typically disposed of at landfills, mixed-waste composting facilities, or energy recovery facilities. methods. Buy products that are labeled with none of the following signal words or those with the lowest level of hazard possible (but that still get the job done).- Caution: mild to moderate hazard
- Warning: moderate hazard
- Danger: corrosive, extremely flammable, or highly toxic
- Poison: highly toxic
If less-hazardous alternatives are not readily available, use the least amount of a hazardous product needed to accomplish a task. Use up all of the product before throwing the container or packaging away.
Conserves Energy
Reducing energy use is important because most energy production contributes to problems such as carbon dioxide emissions (tied to global warming), mercury releases, acid rain, volatile organic compoundsCompounds that evaporate easily (volatile) at room temperature and often have recognizable odor; primarily used in solvents; many are chlorinated hydrocarbons and some are carcinogenic (e.g. benzene, chloroform, and methyl ethyl ketone)., and nuclear waste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy developed the Energy Star label to help purchasers identify energy-efficient products. These products reduce utility bills and help the environment.
Recycled Content
Recycled-content products save energy and resources, while also keeping waste out of landfills and incinerators. Recycled-content products can be made with post-consumer contentMaterials collected for recycling from homes, retail stores, office buildings, etc., after they have completed their intended end use as consumer items. Post-consumer is part of the broader category of "recovered materials.", pre-consumer contentMaterials generated after the manufacture of a product is completed but before the product reaches the consumer. It includes damaged or obsolete products, but not materials commonly reused in the manufacturing process., or a mix of both. Products made with post-consumer recycled contentThe portion of a product that is made from materials diverted from the waste stream, usually stated as a percentage by weight. support our recycling programs at home and at work. If people do not buy products with post-consumer recycled content, manufacturers will no longer want the paper, cans, glass, or plastic we separate from trash. Pre-consumer content comes primarily from manufacturer scrap, and as such does not directly support such recycling efforts.
Prevents Waste
Minnesota generates over 5 million tons of municipal solid wasteAny garbage, refuse, and other solid waste from residential, commercial, industrial, and community activities that the generator of the waste aggregates for collection, but does not include auto hulks, street sweepings, ash, construction debris, mining waste, sludges, tree and agricultural wastes, tires, lead-acid batteries, motor and vehicle fluids and filters, and other materials collected, processed, and disposed of as separate waste streams (Minnesota Statutes § 115A.03, Subd. 21). annually, and this amount is increasing every year. Much of this waste comes from disposable and over-packaged products. Preventing waste can conserve natural resources and avoid the need to build new, expensive waste disposalThe act of getting rid of unwanted items and material having no value in excess of their basic material content. Mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) is typically disposed of at landfills, mixed-waste composting facilities, or energy recovery facilities. facilities. You prevent waste when:- Reducing the amount of material you buy to accomplish any task;
- Reusing a product in its original form; or
- Using repairable, refillable, or durable products.
Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCsCompounds that evaporate easily (volatile) at room temperature and often have recognizable odor; primarily used in solvents; many are chlorinated hydrocarbons and some are carcinogenic (e.g. benzene, chloroform, and methyl ethyl ketone). evaporate ("volatilize") easily at room temperature and often have a sharp smell. They are contained in many products, such as office equipment, adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, paints, solvents, pesticides, and cleaning products. Some VOCs can cause cancer in certain situations, especially when they are concentrated indoors. When VOCs hit sunlight, they create ozone, an air pollutant harmful to both people and plants. Many low-VOC versions of products reduce risks to human health and the environment.
Conserves Water
Less than 1% of the Earth's water is available for human consumption. There is no "new" water on Earth. Dry spells have reminded us that our water supply can be threatened - even in the Land of 10,000 Lakes - resulting in watering bans in some municipalities. Choosing products and services that conserve water, such as automatic flushers and low-flow faucets and toilets, can conserve this vital resource while reducing water and sewer bills.