Reduce

• Purchase items in bulk. Encourage customers to purchase in bulk
• Encourage customers to bring their own containers to fill or refill 
• Buy items that come in reusable containers 
• Purchase only what you need 
• Control inventory closely to prevent waste 
• Purchase non-toxic items whenever possible. 
• Install long-lasting appliances, fixtures, and displays 
• Keep equipment in good working order - Establish preventive maintenance routines 
• Buy high quality, long lasting tires for vehicles 
• Use fluorescent lights rather than incandescent lights 
• Lease or rent infrequently used equipment 
• Give reusable mugs to employees, rather than buying disposable cups 
• Reuse dishes, tableware, etc. in cafeteria 
• Get your toner cartridges recharged 
• Use rechargeable batteries where possible. 
• Reuse products (for example, shipping pallets) 
• Reuse emptied incoming boxes to package outgoing orders 
• Return empty packages to supplier 
• Have regional distribution centers ship products in reusable containers 
• Reuse cloth or mesh shopping bags to cut bag consumption 
• Use shredded waste paper for packing material 
• Repair, rather than purchase, new items. 
• Donate unwanted items (food, clothing, equipment, furniture, wood) to organizations that care for the needy - they can use or sell them 
• Educate employees about source reduction 
• Offer incentives for practicing source reduction 
• Communicate your preferences to manufacturers, merchants, and community leaders. 
• Influence companies to reduce unnecessary packaging and the use of hazardous components in products by writing to them - express your opinion!

Sources:

• National Office Paper Recycling Project, Office Paper Recycling Guide, (202) 223-3089
• EPA, Waste Prevention Pays Off, (EPA/530-K-92-004), (800) 424-9346
• EPA, Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste, (EPA/530-K-92-004), (800) 424-9346
• EPA, Reusable News, quarterly newsletter, (800) 424-9346

• Return cartons and containers that could be reused each time to your supplier, e.g., bakery boxes or cartons 
• Purchase in bulk - saves packaging to be disposed, and saves on cost of goods 
• Reuse ice from ice machines at closing to ice down food for storage - saves wear and tear on machine, water and electricity, saves food and meets proper food storage standards 
• Reuse plastic tubs - no need to purchase tubs, and prevents tubs from entering the waste stream 
• Save plastic bags for re storage of unused breads etc. - eliminates the need for plastic wrap 
• Order dry goods once per week vs. 3 or 4 times - reduces office paper work, and saves precious labor time on both restaurant and supplier 
• Adapt the habit of dumping half-empty trash into another container when removing trash - this reduces cost of liners as only full cans will be emptied 
• Sell used cooking fat (oils) back to a manufacturer for animal food or make-up products 
• Reuse aluminum foil or plastic wrap for covering food in coolers and steam tables 
• Store food in reusable containers 
• Prepare smaller portions of precooked foods (pasta, potatoes, and vegetables) to reduce the amount later thrown out 
• Use smaller containers to hold various foods at salad bars to reduce the amount of food later thrown out 
• Request minimal packaging when ordering supplies, materials and food items 
• Choose products packaged with less waste. Inform your supplier of your preference for creating less waste
• Use cloth towel machines (or hot air dryers) in high use areas such as restrooms 
• Replace paper towels, napkins, and placemats with linen napkins and on dining room tables, once these are worn, make them into cleaning rags 
• Use cloth rags and sponges to wipe spills in dining room and kitchen 
• Use reusable plastic scrubbing pads for scrubbing pots and pans instead of soaped steel wool scrubbing pads
• Purchase cleaning supplies with concentrated refills 
• Use permanent plates and flatware for eat-in service in fast food restaurants 
• Eliminate single use items in employee cafeteria
• Supply condiments in bulk 
• Replace cocktail napkins with reusable coasters at dining room tables and bars 
• Replace bottled beer and wine with kegs or "bag-in-box" containers of wine 
• Install bulk soda dispensing equipment 
• Ask your supplier to exchange chemical drums instead of purchasing products in new containers when possible

• Purchase items in bulk or economy sizes 
• Purchase products which are available in concentrated form 
• Purchase items in reusable containers 
• Purchase only those items you need. 
• Purchase products with the least amount of packaging. More of your dollar goes towards the product instead of packaging. 
• Purchase high-quality, long-lasting products 
• Repair older items rather than purchasing new ones 
• Reuse plastic or paper grocery bags when shopping. Better yet, use cloth or mesh bags to hold your purchases. 
• Use cloth towels, napkins and rags instead of disposable paper products which cannot be recycled 
• Avoid using disposable cups, plates and cutlery 
• Save bows, tissue paper, Styrofoam peanuts and gift boxes to wrap gifts in the future 
• Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible 
• Donate back issues of magazines to schools for use in school projects or offer them to a doctor's office for patients to read while waiting 
• Purchase non-toxic items whenever possible 
• Donate unwanted items (food, clothing, equipment, furniture, appliances) to charitable organizations which support your community 
• Reupholster furniture instead of purchasing new pieces
• Rent infrequently used tools or equipment 
• Use the backs of old envelopes for store lists or phone messages 
• Leave grass trimmings on your lawn to add nutrients back into the soil 
• Plant perennials instead of annuals which will have to be disposed of at the end of the year 
• Start a backyard compost pile, or use a compost bin to process organic wastes from your kitchen and yard. Finished compost can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil quality in gardens or flower beds, or as a top-dressing for lawn areas. Be sure to check with your property manager first to be sure that composting is allowed. 
• Start an indoor redworm composter to process organic wastes from your kitchen. Finished compost can be used to pot or fertilize houseplants. 
• Urge your property manager to add a recycling component to your trash collection if one does not already exist

Sources:

• EPA, Waste Prevention Pays Off, (EPA/530-K-92-004), (800) 424-9346
• EPA, Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste, (EPA/530-K-92-004), (800) 424-9346
• EPA, Reusable News, quarterly newsletter, (800) 424-9346

• Purchase items in bulk or economy sizes
• Reuse large glass food jars to store items purchased in bulk
• Purchase products which are available in concentrated form
• Purchase items in reusable containers
• Purchase only those items you need.
• Purchase products with the least amount of packaging - More of your dollar goes towards the product instead of packaging
• Purchase high-quality, long-lasting products
• Repair older items rather than purchasing new ones
• Reuse plastic or paper grocery bags when shopping. Better yet, use cloth or mesh bags to hold your purchases.
• Use plastic grocery bags as a packing material.
• Use paper grocery bags (made from a renewable resource) as trash bags and liners from cereal boxes to hold wet trash so it doesn't get the paper bag wet
• When preparing food, rinse jars and cans out with small amount of water, then add the water to whatever you're cooking - The extra water will cook off, you don't waste any of the product purchased, and the jar or can is rinsed and ready to be placed in your yellow bin
• Rinse out laundry detergent jugs and use the diluted detergent as a stain pre-treatment or use a lesser amount of detergent and add the solution to your wash
• Avoid using disposable cups, plates and cutlery
• Make your own sport drink bottle by putting a screw-on top from a syrup or other bottle on a soda bottle
• Use cloth towels, napkins and rags instead of disposable paper products
• Save bows, tissue paper, Styrofoam peanuts and gift boxes to wrap gifts in the future.
• Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible
• Return hangers to dry cleaners for reuse
• Thoroughly wash and return glass flower vases to florists for reuse
• Donate back issues of magazines to schools for use in school projects or offer them to a doctor's office for patients to read while waiting.
• Purchase non-toxic items whenever possible
• Donate unwanted items (food, clothing, equipment, furniture, appliances) to charitable organizations which support your community - Donations can then be deducted when preparing your taxes
• Reupholster furniture instead of purchasing new pieces
• Use the backs of old envelopes for store lists or phone messages
• Grasscycle" by leaving grass trimmings on your lawn to add nutrients back into the soil
• Plant perennials instead of annuals which will have to be disposed of at the end of the year
• Start a backyard compost pile, or use a compost bin to process organic wastes from your kitchen and yard. Finished compost can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil quality in gardens or flower beds, or as a top-dressing for lawn areas.
• Start an indoor redworm composter to process organic wastes from your kitchen. Finished compost can be used to pot or fertilize houseplants.
• Refill travel sizes of toilet articles and reuse on future trips
• If your mail comes secured in a rubber band, save them in a return envelope and place in your mailbox for pickup and reuse by the post office

Sources: