Source Reduction vs. Recycling

What Source Reduction Isn't...

Source reduction is not the same as recycling.

Recycling is collecting already used materials and making them into another product. Recycling begins at the end of a product's life, while source reduction first takes place when the product and its packaging are being designed.
The best way to think about source reduction and recycling is as complementary activities: combined, source reduction and recycling have a significant impact on preventing solid waste and saving resources. And they're activities in which both the cleaning products industry and consumers play a major role.