Reduce materials usage by patronizing companies who emphasize minimal and responsible packaging.
Reuse
Finding new uses for existing items, revitalizing items to extend their use life, giving your unused or little used possessions to someone who needs them. Keep a record of these donations and check with your tax advisor - they may be tax deductible.
Donate appliances, clothes and household goods to Salvation Army.
Place listings for available items on your local Freecycle.
Recycle
Recycling is the reprocessing of old materials into new products, with the aims of preventing the waste of potentially useful materials, reducing the consumption of fresh raw materials, reducing energy usage, reducing air (from incineration) and water (from landfilling) pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production [Source: Wikipedia]
