In the October 14, 2026 Port Townsend Leader Local 20/20 column, Laura Tucker summarized best practices of reducing waste. She also included local information about local repair cafes and a tool library, plus other resources for “moving on” other types of materials.
By Laura Tucker
Effective waste reduction is a series of choices that can conserve resources, lower pollution, save money, and reduce our carbon footprint. The most effective approach follows a clear hierarchy: first, rethink what we need; second, refuse what we do not; third, reduce what we consume; fourth, reuse what we already have; fifth, repair what is broken; and sixth, recycle only when the earlier options are no longer practical. Moving through these steps in order helps all of us prevent waste instead of merely managing it.
Rethink
Rethinking means pausing before buying, using, or discarding something. Ask whether the purchase is necessary, whether you can buy from the bulk section and reuse a container, whether a durable option exists, and how the product will be handled at the end of its life. Choosing concentrated products or minimal packaging can reduce material use. Organizations can rethink purchasing by selecting reusable supplies, sharing equipment, and tracking which materials are routinely wasted. This first step matters because a thoughtful decision made early can eliminate waste entirely.
Refuse
We can decline single-use cutlery, promotional giveaways, excess packaging, disposable cups, non-recyclable materials, and printed receipts when alternatives are available. Refusal also sends a market signal: when customers consistently avoid wasteful products, businesses gain an incentive to redesign them. The goal is to recognize low-value items that quickly become trash and confidently say, “No, thank you.”
Reduce
Buying only the amount needed, selecting durable goods, avoiding overpackaged items, and conserving water and energy all make a difference. Even small reductions become significant when they are practiced consistently by all of us.
Reuse
Reusing extends the useful life of products and reduces demand for new materials. Refillable bottles, washable food containers, cloth shopping bags, rechargeable batteries, and secondhand furniture and clothing are familiar examples. Donating, lending, swapping, and buying pre-owned goods allow one person’s surplus to meet another person’s need. A simple habit is to choose items designed for many uses rather than one.
Repair
Repair keeps damaged items in service and preserves the energy and resources already invested in making them. Clothing can be stitched, furniture can be refinished, and many appliances can be restored with a replacement part. Learning basic maintenance can prevent breakdowns. When specialized work is needed, local repair shops and community repair events can help.
We are so grateful in our community to have ongoing repair events conducted by JeffCo Repair. The next event will be held on Saturday, November 14th in Port Townsend at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in the 4-H Building from 10AM-1PM. Learn more about this and other upcoming Repair Events at their web page: ptmsc.org/jeffco-repair/repair-events/. This group also sponsors a tool lending library housed at the County Fairgrounds. See ptmsc.org/jeffco-repair/repair-events/community-tool-library for more information.
Recycle
Recycling is valuable, but it comes last because collecting and processing materials still requires energy, transportation, and infrastructure. Effective recycling starts with knowing what can be recycled. Items should be empty, clean, and placed loose in the correct container; “wish-cycling” unsuitable objects can contaminate an entire load. For more information on recycling in Jefferson County, see jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com/recycling.
The final step in this process is landfill. Our trash travels 360 miles – one way – to Roosevelt Landfill in south-central Washington where Jefferson County sends 104 – 130 tons of garbage each day. Using these six steps can make a huge difference in reducing the amount of waste we generate. Remember, there’s no such thing as “away” no matter how far we ship discarded resources.
Are there other options for reusing, repairing and recycling materials?
We have an exceptional resource called “Moving It On” created by volunteers and posted at jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com/recycling under “Other Recycling Resources”. You’ll also find a link for recycling styrofoam and other materials.
Waste reduction is most powerful when these actions become routine. By beginning with rethink, refuse, and reduce, we prevent waste at its source. Reuse and repair then preserve the value of materials already in circulation, while careful recycling recovers resources that have reached the end of practical use. Small choices, repeated throughout our community, can build a cleaner and more resilient circular economy.
Bio: Laura Tucker is a lifelong science educator and a member of the Local 20/20 Climate Group. She recently retired after 12 years as a waste reduction educator with Jefferson County.
