USE LESS STUFF DAY Coming November 20 County Offers Free Guide On How To Reuse Materials

ba/less.pr 97-359 Contact: Susanne Brunhart, 301-590-2808

"USE LESS STUFF" DAY
COMING NOVEMBER 20
COUNTY OFFERS FREE GUIDE
ON HOW TO REUSE MATERIALS For Immediate Release: November 19, 1997

It's time to prepare the feast, deck the hall, shop for holiday gifts and wrap them. But
Montgomery county residents are encouraged to do all this using less stuff.
On November 20, the County will join more than 100 groups nationwide to celebrate
the Third Annual Use Less Stuff (ULS) Day. The Thursday before Thanksgiving has been
selected because it kicks off the high-waste holiday season -- the five weeks between
Thanksgiving and Christmas. During this time, the nation's trash volume increases by a
million tons per week!
The day also kicks off the nationwide "Use Less Stuff Contest" open to elementary
students ages six to 12. Students are invited to enter their best idea or tip for reducing waste.
National finalists and a winner will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 1998. Entry forms
are available through the County's Recycling Hotline at 301-590-0046.
"Even though ULS is this Thursday, reducing waste is important year round," said
Susanne Brunhart, manager of the County's Master Recycler/Composter Volunteer Program.
She suggests starting with something simple, like packing a lunch with minimal waste, using
reusable containers.
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"USE LESS STUFF" DAY . 2-2-2-2

Other tips for the holidays include taking your own bags from home when going
shopping and trying thrift shops for unusual gifts.
To help residents use less stuff, the County's Division of Solid waste Services has
published a revised version of its free guide to waste prevention entitled "Use It Again,
Montgomery County."
The publication lists businesses and non-profit organizations that repair, rent or reuse
goods. Repairing helps avoid making new purchases, which reduces product packaging and
eventually, the amount of materials that wind up in the trash.
To receive the "Use It Again" guide, call the County's Recycling Hotline at
301-590-0046.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Susanne Brunhart is available for interviews about reducing waste year
round and for specials about the holiday season. Call 301-590-2808; e-mail,
mrc@windsor.com

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