America is a disposable society. We pay premium prices for brand new products just for the sake of convenience. Why clean a ceramic mug when you can throw a disposable cup away?

This throw-away culture, however, cannot continue if California, and the rest of the nation, wishes to move beyond a costly solid waste legacy to a more sustainable economy. You, along with businesses and governments, can make a difference. Take personal responsibility for your own waste stream by paying more attention at home.

Many everyday items -- including bags and boxes -- can have more than one use. And there are durable alternatives to these "disposable" containers as well, which offer additional ways to avoid taxing California's overburdened landfills.

Before discarding containers such as bags and boxes, consider whether it is practical and hygienic to reuse them. For example, you can reuse paper and plastic bags -- as well as those twist ties. Keep a supply on hand -- in a drawer or perhaps a hanging basket -- in the kitchen. Instead of placing food items -- such as cheese or vegetables -- into a new plastic baggy, place them in a plastic bag previously used to package another food item.

You can also reuse brown paper shopping bags to ship an item instead of buying shipping paper. And don't buy those expensive shipping boxes, especially if you are trying to figure out how to recycle all of those cardboard boxes that keep stacking up all around you. Simply cover up the old addresses and use them to send packages to others. A good method is to write the new address information on 3 X 5 cards and then tape these cards over the old addresses.

If you are cleaning out paperwork, such as taxes, favorite newspaper clippings or bills, see if you can find a used box as a container before you go running off to purchase expensive specialty products at the store.

Don't limit yourself to paper products containers either. Glass and plastic containers offer even more opportunities for reuse. A jar, for example, can be used as a cookie cutter and be used to buy foods such as honey, maple syrup and peanut butter in bulk.

One final thing to remember about reusing bags, boxes and other containers. There are ways to avoid having such bags and boxes around the house in the first place. You can take a string, mesh or canvas tote bag with you on your next visit to the grocery store or other shopping destinations. (If you know you are purchasing several heavy items, bring a box.)

When a reusable bag is not on hand, and only one or two items are being purchased, consider whether you need a bag at all.