Waste Hierarchy
"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is not just a fun saying! It is also a helpful tool to remember the order of importance when deciding which option to pursue first.
Most of a product’s impact is from extraction, production, transportation, and use; not simply it’s disposal, so refusing to buy a product in the first place is usually the most sustainable option! The following sections will define each step of the waste hierarchy and provide examples of how to implement them in your life.
Dive Deeper with Additional Resources
- Corvallis Sustainability Coalition: learn more and get involved
- List of Zero Waste Swaps
- OSU Green Office Certification Resources and Tips
- Tips for Commercial Buildings
- Product Certifications: Cradle to Cradle, Forest Stewardship Council, Green-Seal
- DIY demonstrations videos
- Corvallis Sustainability Coalition ReUse Directory
- Albany-Area Reuse Directory
- National Donation Information from the Environmental Protection Agency
Get Involved
- Sustainability Clubs and Organizations at OSU
- OSU Waste Watchers Club
- The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition
- Corvallis Environmental Center
- Corvallis/Albany Zero Waste Facebook Group
- Corvallis Neighbor to Neighbor Gift Giving Facebook Group
- Benton County Re-Usable Container Collective Facebook Group
Activities for Kids
- At-Home Sustainability Activities for Kids
- Corvallis Environmental Center Summer Camps and School's Out Adventures
- Plastics and Sea Animals Word Search in English and in Spanish
- Hidden Recyclable Objects Search in English and in Spanish
- What Turns into What? in English and in Spanish
- Is This Recyclable? in English and in Spanish
- Recyclables Sorting Game in English and in Spanish
- Coloring Sheet in English and in Spanish
Last Updated: 07/23/2020