Nothing, but everything. Recycling, reusing, rethinking means, we use stuff more than once. Which is in fact a good thing. But we already use too many stuff. The problem with recycling is not the action of making usage of the things we used only once before. The problem comes, when we keep buying, and we think it is not a problem, because we recycle.

Not everything gets recycled, even if we put our trash into the right recycling bin. Not everyone has the knowledge which piece goes where. There is no country where there is enough capacity to recycle everything as fast, as we waste.

Recycling system gives people a heart-warming and peaceful feeling about throwing out things: "but it is going to be recycled". If you sort your trash, you feel you are a better person, you did everything you could. But if you really want to do something, waste less. If you want to do more for the environment, think about the cost of producing all, which then will be recycled. Recycle bins are still trash bins, so try to recycle yourself. For example when you have an empty marmalade jar, do not throw it to the recycle bin, but keep it and reuse. Make your own marmalade or pesto. On this way, you do not waste, and you do not buy a new one. This is recycling.

Think before you buy things. When you see a product in a shop, you decide in about 2 seconds if you will buy it or not, from the moments you saw it. You take it, and in the moment when you touch it, it already feels yours. And this is when you have to think, instead of losing your mind, because of a special offer, hunger, or your kids begging eyes. This is the moment when you have to think: do I really need this? Is it good for me, or for my kid? Is it good for the environment? Take a look at the ingredient list and if there is more than 2 which you do not understand, you can be sure, the answer is no. You can also decide by the package: can I reuse this at home for something?

Never shop hungry (nor with a hungry kid!), write a list before you shop, bring a small bag, where everything you buy, have to fit. Think about what you already have at home and go to shop with a plan. Think of the season, and what is local, because these products are more fresh and less packed. Think of your and the Planets health.

Buy and consume less, only what you need. Choose the products, which are less packed, or not packed. Choose products which has biodegradable, sustainable packages. Choose products, which has a package from not mixed materials.

And do not forget, that a recycling bin is still a trash bin!