3
Introduction
Principles of reduce, reuse, recycle underlie policies established in Germany to
foster sustainable materials management. The Closed Substance Cycle and
Waste Management Act, first published in1994, was designed to integrate
product responsibility into economic decision-making, with the aim of building a
life cycle economy that avoids the generation of waste.
The Act states that whoever produces, markets and consumes goods is
responsible for the avoidance, recycling, reuse, and environmentally-sound
disposal of waste. As a result, it establishes a hierarchy of avoidance, recovery,
and disposal that emphasizes waste avoidance, promotes low-waste products,
and provides incentives for waste recovery practices.
Properly sorting and recycling waste in turn:
Saves energy
Reduces air pollution
Decreases greenhouse gas emissions
Saves money
Your participation is vital for the success of all recycling efforts!
Making small changes in your daily life style will reduce waste!
REDUCE the amount of trash discarded, e.g., choose products with less packaging.
Choose loose fruit, cheese, and meat. Buy products in glass jars and tins
which can be recycled. Use "Bags for Life" available at supermarkets.
REUSE packaging materials, containers and products, e.g. give unwanted clothes,
books, toys, and household items to friends or charities. Reuse old carrier
bags when at the supermarket. Use both sides of a sheet of paper.
RECYCLE materials that can be reutilized, e.g., make use of your local recycling center.
Recycle your garden waste at home in a composter. Close the loop, buy
recycled products.