Ways to Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
The three R’s: Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle are three essential to achieve a more sustainable environment, especially that we live in a society of overconsumption. More than ever, do we need a more concrete plan in battling the drastic effects of our increased waste, and it is necessary to find ways to cut this down as soon as possible.
While it is true that we recycle a lot nowadays, however, this activity also increases our garbage levels further. These are elevated risks caused by too much garbage pollution in the oceans, and land, respectively. Fortunately, the three R’s will aid us in maintaining landfills, conserving natural resources, and ensuring our energy resources. Consequently, these methods also help save land space and the cost of money for additional landfills, avoid public outrage and environmental law concerns.
Reusing and reducing
There’s no better way to reduce waste than not to make it in the first place. The production and manufacturing of new products are too time and energy-consuming. The process is too long: it culminates with the digging of raw minerals from down below, to which then it is processed and transported to wherever they need to be distributed. That’s why the most effective means to save our environment, save cost, and save our natural resources is to reuse and reduce.
Additionally, these two have some major benefits, including:
- Prevents pollution
- Saves valuable energy
- Reduction of the harmful carbon emission that adds to the pressing problem of climate change
- Sustains the environment
- Saves assets and money
- Minimizes the level of waste that is sent to landfills and other garbage disposal facilities
- Maximizes the use of products and other household items
Recycling
As many are aware, recycling is the holy grail of modern waste management and the third and final component of the 3 R’s. It is the process of transforming waste products to reduce the amount of trash and save on raw materials. It also ensures low energy usage and reduces pollution in air, water, and land. It can also be done both at home and in the office.
Among these benefits are:
- Lowers greenhouse gas emission
- Protects the environment
- Reduces land, air, and water pollution
- It aids in lowering the harmful effects of global warming
- Helps protect the wildlife and ecosystem
- Reduce trash in landfills
Below are some additional and efficient ways to effectively apply the 3 Rs in our daily lives.
Avoid using single-use plastic
These items are easily thrown away and require big production to make over and over again. Not only that, it adds up to the cost of goods and products so it would be a wise idea to avoid using them in the first place.
Avoid buying over packaged items
Nowadays, it is easy to see some items covered in so many types of packaging, such as paper, plastic, and foil. These various packaging often go to trash and increases our overall waste produced.
Understand reusing plastic products
If it is impossible to go plastic-free at home or in the office, at least learn how to reuse these items and avoid throwing them away after being used once. Some products are multi-purpose and can be used creatively for other reasons.
Use washable products
Instead of opting for convenience, try being efficient and environment-conscious. Some everyday items such as table cloth or baby diapers have available washable counterparts. Choose them instead of the traditional ones.
Buy items that last long
Some products are more durable than others, and they often come with a warranty. By purchasing these items, you save money from buying an item more than once but also helps reduce space in a local landfill. Moreover, two more R’s can be followed to ensure sustainability, especially for the future generation. Rethink and Reinvent your ways of handling garbage and plastics. The lesser the carbon footprint we leave, the better place Earth will become for us and those next. The critical takeaway is to be aware and try to minimize the amount of trash we produce and throw away.
