Definitions of Terms

 

RECYCLING:  IS DEFINED AS “THE MEANS OF SEPARATING, COLLECTING, PROCESSING, MARKETING, AND ULTIMATELY USING A MATERIAL THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN AWAY”  (WWW.CARE2.COM).

 

 

 

REDUCTION:  IS DEFINED AS “CONSUMING AND THROWING AWAY LESS INCLUDING PURCHASING DURABLE, LONG-LASTING GOODS AND SEEKING PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING THAT ARE AS FREE OF TOXICS AS POSSIBLE”  (WWW.EPA.GOV).

 

 

 

REUSE:  IS DEFINED AS “USING A PRODUCT MORE THAN ONCE, EITHER FOR THE SAME PURPOSE OR FOR A DIFFERENT PURPOSE”  (www.epa.gov).

 

 

 


PRE-CONSUMER:  THE MATERIAL LEFT OVER AFTER A MANUFACTURER TAKES OUT THE NECESSARY MOLDS IT NEEDS TO MAKE A PRODUCT

 

 


POST-CONSUMER:  THE MATERIAL THAT IS TAKEN FROM OLD PRODUCTS AND MADE INTO NEW PRODUCTS

 

 

OTHER USEFUL DEFINITIONS

 

 

ONP—OLD NEWSPAPERS

 

OCC—OLD CORRUGATED CONTAINERS (CARDBOARD)

 

HDPE—HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (MILK JUGS, DETERGENT BOTTLES, ETC.)

 

PETE—POLYETHYLENE TERAPHTHALATE (SODA, WATER, JUICE BOTTLES, ETC.)