1. Recycle more!  Find out about all the items you can recycle at 1-800-CLEANUP.
2. Choose products with minimal packaging and buy in bulk.  Avoid individually wrapped items. A jumbo box of cereal uses less packaging than several single serving-sized boxes.
3. Choose durable, reusable products over single-use, disposable items.  Use cloth napkins, instead of paper ones.  Get your coffee in a refillable mug.  Use canvas bags for shopping.
4. Reduce junk mail.  Find out how to get your name removed from unwanted mailing lists.
5. Reuse bags, containers, packing materials, and other items.  Bags, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and padded envelopes can be used many times.  Be creative!  Some places, like Mailboxes Etc, will take some of these items.  
6. Compost.  Recycle leaves, grass, food scraps and paper towels into great garden soil.  Compost bins can be purchased at the Arlington Department of Public Works. Details can be found here.
7. Donate unwanted items to charities or have a yard sale.
8. Choose items with a recycled-content label.  This saves precious resources and is the key to making recycling work!
9. Keep toxic home and garden products out of the trash.  Learn about non-toxic alternatives at the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI).
10. Reduce your use of paper.  Use e-mail, get bank statements and newsletters on-line, and use the library.


Municipal Recycling Database: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Municipal Waste Reduction Program has completed the first-of-its kind Municipal Recycling Programs Database for the DEP Web site. Reach the database via the DEP's recycling home page and click on "Municipal Recycling" to locate the database.

The database serves municipal recycling and solid-waste program information to municipal officials, regional district manager, DEP regional offices and industry consultants. This tool allows users to perform a range of customized searches on several dozen municipal program variables. For the first-time users can identify and compare program types across the state.

This information is expected to be updated about every six months, or as significant new information becomes available. Direct questions to John Crisley at john.crisley@state.ma.us, Massachusetts DEP-Municipal Waste Reduction Program (617-556-1021).

 "Holiday Recycling and Tips": enter your ZIP Code and click on the Christmas tree icon to enter the section.