The Conservation Committee’s Green Tip of the Month for March

 

Less means more when it comes to consumption

Penn State Harrisburg generated more than 417 tons of waste in 2009, an increase of roughly 30% from 2008, with some of this attributed to the extensive renovation projects that took place on campus.  While a portion of this waste was diverted to recycling or composting facilities, most still ends up in a landfill where it can contribute to air and water contamination.  In addition to the cost to dispose of products, there is an equal, if not greater, cost to producing them – and some are designed to simply be thrown away!
To reduce consumption, first consider the life cycle of a product before purchasing and ask, “Do I really need this?”  Avoid disposable products, opting instead for reusable ones; choose products with less packaging; and try to purchase from eco-conscious manufacturers and suppliers.