Sharing many of the same benefits of recycling, reducing and reusing are important steps you can take to reduce your impact on the environment. Reducing simply means consuming and throwing away less. You can do this by purchasing more durable, long-lasting goods and by avoiding disposable products. Many of the items you throw away are still usable, even though you may no longer need it for its designed purpose. Next time you feel compelled to throw something in the trash, take a second to think if it could be of use in a different capacity or to someone else.
[Shopping: Books, Clothing and More]
One good way to reduce waste is to buy things second-hand - you'll save yourself some money too. Try looking for what you need at the following places:
University of Chicago Bookstore (Barnes and Noble), 970 E. 58th St.
The bookstore generally carries a limited supply of used textbooks; go early if you want one, because they sell out fast. It's worth it though, as used textbooks sell for significantly less than new ones.
Powell's Bookstore, 1501 E. 57th St.
Powell's carries a wide variety of used books, including many required by some of the humanities classes. However, be prepared to spend some time searching for the ones you need - it can be a little disorganized.
Libraries
Consider checking out some of the books you'll need for class, especially if the class is only using a small section.
Websites like Amazon.com, Abebooks.com and Powells.com have extensive used books sections too.
Unique Thrift Store, 5040 S. Kedzie Ave.
A warehouse sized thrift store that carries everything from shoes, dresses and vintage tees to toaster ovens.
Websites like Chicago.craigslist.org and marketplace.uchicago.edu are great resources for finding a wide variety of goods. Marketplace is limited to people within the University, making it particularly easy to obtain just about anything.
Some places actually offer discounts to environmentally conscious customers. Look for these deals on and off campus:
Hallowed Grounds and Cobb Coffee shop offer discounts to customers who bring their own mugs (or use ones provided).
Co-op Market:
Sign up to become a member of the Co-op ($30) and you will receive a canvas bag to to use for your groceries, plus a 5% discount on all food bought on "member days" (the third Thursday of each month). Even if you choose not to become a member, consider bringing your own bag to the market when you shop - you'll receive 10 cents off for every bag you bring.
[Don't Dump, Donate]
We all have things we need to get rid of now and then, but that doesn't necessarily mean throwing these things out. If you don't need it and it can't be recycled, consider giving (or even selling) it to someone who can reuse it.
[Save a Tree, Conserve Paper]
Print double-sided. Unfortunately most campus printers are not currently able to print double-sided, but you can easily do it on your own printer by printing odd pages, flipping and reloading the paper, then printing the even pages on the other side. The Maclab in the basement of the Reg lets you print for free, double-sided.
Junk mail - it's not just annoying, it's wasteful. Contact companies from which you frequently receive unsolicited mail asking to be removed from their mailing list. Also consider writing a letter to the Direct Marketing Association (a company that sells your name and address to other companies) and ask to be added to the suppression list. Their address is:
Mail Preference Service
Post Office Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512-0643
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