The Three R’s of the Environment : Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Everyone knows that they should recycle their garbage. But what’s the right way to recycle? We can refer to the three ‘R’s for this: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! Let us take a closer look at these to figure out what these mean.
What is Reduce?
The best way to manage waste is to reduce the generation of waste in the first place. In order to achieve this, there are a few steps that can be followed such as :
- Whenever possible, buy in bulk so that less packets are dumped in the bin.
- Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
- Buy goods that are durable and will not need replacing too often.
By following these steps, we can Reduce the production of waste.
What is Reuse?
Reuse? It’s as simple as it sounds. It means to use something again. If you think that you are ready to dump something, stop for a second and think again. Can you reuse that? As much as possible, try to reuse all items before you decide to dispose them. Most importantly, always try to reuse grocery bags. Always take your own bags for shopping till you feel the need to buy a new one.
Similarly, a used jam jar can be used to store chocolates. Left over food can become compost. An old shirt can become a mop and a magazine can be shared. DVDs can be traded and returnable aerated drink bottles can be returned.
What is Recycle?
What is recycling? Recycle is perhaps the most important of the three ‘R’s. To follow this step, here are a few recycling ideas.
You can start by buying recycled goods. You do this by looking for the ‘recycle’ symbol or ask the salesman for guidance. It’s important to note that the ‘recycle’ symbols can mean two things:
- The product is made from recycled material.
- The item can be recycled.
The other way to recycle is to look for recycling centres around your area. These will especially prove helpful where plastic recycling and electronic recycling are concerned.
You can also use recycled paper for letterheads, copier paper and newsletters.
Now all you have to do is follow these steps and learn to manage your waste effectively!
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